Getting leads is not the hard part. The hard part is figuring out how to turn leads into prospects! Some business owners think they can just get the word out and customers will buy if they are interested. Do not fall into this thinking! No matter what type of business you have, you need to actively work to convert those leads into buying customers. Below are some tips you can apply to any business, whether it is a phone-based sales company, an Internet-based business or store, or even a brick-and-mortar retail shop!
Know your target. You need to understand your customer base. Who is buying and what are they buying? Focusing your marketing dollars on that type of customer will instantly result in a higher lead conversion rate!
Ask them questions. You cannot give a customer what they want unless you know what that is. You will need to try and find out why a lead did not buy from you. You can try surveys, newsletter mailings asking for opinions, even phone calls! What you are trying to do is get leads to tell you exactly what you will need to do to get them to purchase from you. Also, asking them questions makes them feel like you care, and it will give you an opportunity for some direct marketing of your product or service.
Offer plenty of options. For either financial reasons or a sense of caution, people may not take the plunge right away. By having a lot of different things to offer in various price ranges or levels (such as VIP, gold, basic) customers can test the waters without taking the plunge. Offer them the option of signing up for a newsletter or mailing. If you have a social networking fan page, let them know about it. Whatever you do, do not lose that lead! Keep them connected to your business.
Change things up. A sale, new promotion, or even a special event can keep your business fresh. The thinking is that if they are really leads they are interested in what you have to offer on some level. If you have some thing exciting to contact them about, it may be just the thing to convert them to prospects. It will keep your current customers coming back, too!
Follow up with leads. People today are under constant demands for their money and attention. That's why it often takes more than five hits on a lead before they become a customer. So do not give up! Act while your business is fresh in their mind. Keep sending newsletters and postcards (even if they do not open them, your business name is in front of them). You want to get their attention, and business, before someone else does.
Keep track of things. You will want to get into the habit of keeping copies of all marketing materials and sales reports. If possible, organize them according to date. Then you will be able to see what marketing strategies are working. It will give you a clearer picture of what turns your leads into paying customers.
It is definitely not easy. But neither is running successful business! Put the necessary time and effort in and you will see your leads become prospects in no time!
Know your target. You need to understand your customer base. Who is buying and what are they buying? Focusing your marketing dollars on that type of customer will instantly result in a higher lead conversion rate!
Ask them questions. You cannot give a customer what they want unless you know what that is. You will need to try and find out why a lead did not buy from you. You can try surveys, newsletter mailings asking for opinions, even phone calls! What you are trying to do is get leads to tell you exactly what you will need to do to get them to purchase from you. Also, asking them questions makes them feel like you care, and it will give you an opportunity for some direct marketing of your product or service.
Offer plenty of options. For either financial reasons or a sense of caution, people may not take the plunge right away. By having a lot of different things to offer in various price ranges or levels (such as VIP, gold, basic) customers can test the waters without taking the plunge. Offer them the option of signing up for a newsletter or mailing. If you have a social networking fan page, let them know about it. Whatever you do, do not lose that lead! Keep them connected to your business.
Change things up. A sale, new promotion, or even a special event can keep your business fresh. The thinking is that if they are really leads they are interested in what you have to offer on some level. If you have some thing exciting to contact them about, it may be just the thing to convert them to prospects. It will keep your current customers coming back, too!
Follow up with leads. People today are under constant demands for their money and attention. That's why it often takes more than five hits on a lead before they become a customer. So do not give up! Act while your business is fresh in their mind. Keep sending newsletters and postcards (even if they do not open them, your business name is in front of them). You want to get their attention, and business, before someone else does.
Keep track of things. You will want to get into the habit of keeping copies of all marketing materials and sales reports. If possible, organize them according to date. Then you will be able to see what marketing strategies are working. It will give you a clearer picture of what turns your leads into paying customers.
It is definitely not easy. But neither is running successful business! Put the necessary time and effort in and you will see your leads become prospects in no time!
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Want to find out more about lucrative online business models, then visit Dawna Miller's site on how to choose the best internet business opportunity for your needs.
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