Lead Generation Checklist for Beginners

Since it’s free to subscribe, those who are hesitant to spend money, may be willing to sign up, giving you the opportunity to convert subscribers into paying customers.

  • Use a web form generator to create a compelling sign-up form that matches your brand. The two most effective places to embed the sign-up form are in your website header section or just below it.
  • Include a convincing call to action.

If you offer a members-only area (paid or free), add a check box on the registration form to opt-in to your mailing list.

  • Your registration form should suggest that customers can get more value by signing up for free newsletters.
  • Offer sign-up options for various scenarios: customers who make a purchase, prospects who request a quote, readers who download a whitepaper or report.

Think about activities your target clients enjoy then choose the appropriate keywords to attract leads.

  • Target based on interests as well as demographics such as age, gender, and location.
  • Don’t direct leads to your home page unless it is optimized for conversion. Instead, direct them to a landing page with a special offer and your email sign-up form.

People who already follow your Facebook page are perfect targets. By offering a chance for a discount or prize, you increase the likelihood that they will buy from you later.

  • Offer the right to enter a contest or sweepstakes. In exchange, the contestant provides their email address and agrees to subscribe.
  • Use a Facebook voting app to select a winner. Contestants will urge their friends and followers to vote – driving more traffic to your fan page.

You can create an incentive by providing a simple discount code for those who sing up for your list.

  • Use a unique discount code, sent after each email sign-up, in order to track the number of people who subscribe to get the incentive.
  • If you sell services or information products, you might offer a free report, whitepaper, or infographic.

Ask customers for their email address at the end of their purchase, always indicate that you’ve added them to your email list and let them know how to optout if they want to.

  • Another version of this strategy is to collect email addresses at the end of customer service calls. A satisfied customer won’t mind!
  • Use the confirmation tactic: a thank you email and a discount code.

Your valuable service, combined with an enticing incentive, can inspire users to refer friends to your list, leading to rapid list growth.
People tend to trust the services their friends tell them about.

  • Add a field to your sign-up form where new subscribers
    can indicate who referred them.
  • Design a webpage for subscribers who want to refer customers.
  • Give each referral partner a customized link for their use
    in email or social media. When a visitor signs up from
    that link, the subscriber gets credit for a referral.

If you get a plug from a well-known list owner who has lots of subscribers, you can get a tonof new subscribers.

  • Make a list of your skills and talents. Contact list
    owners and suggest a trade: your services in exchange
    for promoting you to their subscribers.
  • Guest posting! You provide content for a large blog
    or newsletter in exchange for a brief bio and a link
    to your site.

When you write comments in discussion forums, it helps to increase your credibility. This way as an expert you can deal with topics that interest your client base, which
will drive them to your site.

  • You can’t advertise your email list directly, however
    you can place a signature below your posts that can
    include a link to your sign-up form.
  • Include a link to content on your site that contains
    information relevant to the discussion. Make sure
    a sign-up form is nearby.
  • Cultivate one-on-one relationships. When you have gotten
    to know someone, mention your email list and suggest
    that you subscribe to each other’s list.

Add a QR code to your printed materials to make it easy for customers on the go to reach you.

  • Redirect users to your Facebook page, mobile-friendly landing page or sign-up form.
  • Make a scan add you to their phonebook instantly (vCard), send you an email inquiry or enter a contest, etc.

Summary

List building dos and don’ts checklist

DO: build clear and informative signup forms

Mention:

  • Who you are
  • What you’ll send
  • How often
  • They can unsubscribe anytime

DO: use secure forms with captcha and confirmed opt-in

  • To avoid:
  • Spam bots
  • List bombing

DO: regular list hygiene, and remove unsubscribes, bounces, and spam complaints.

  • Use GetResponse, hubspot or mailchimp to automatically clean your list
  • Keep on top of list cleaning and re-engagement

DON’T: buy, rent, borrow, or accept handme- down lists

Avoid:

  • Unavailable or non-existent mailboxes
  • Email addresses designed for one purpose or job role, like info@,
    team@, listserv@…
  • Known complainers or anti-abuse professionals
  • Publicly available lists or hacks

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