Bringing In Leads Through Your Network

How to tap into your online and offline network for quality leads.

This article is letter (N) of our “Lead Generation" series where we write an article for each letter of the phrase. “Lead Generation" shares strategies, tactics, and tips for attracting leads. Find links to more articles in the series below.

Take a moment to understand how referrals with online lead generation through your network today take center stage.

We need to find comfort connecting with other people particularly business owners and managers. Find those that will follow through with requests and have a reason to invest their time and resources to make that referral connection partly for their benefit.

Tap Into Your Real Life Network

The modern mindset is to just be a good person – listen, offer any help you can, and put others at ease. The point is to look out for each other and send business opportunities each other’s way.

So where does most of your network exist? In good, old physical reality. Successful networking involves connecting with the right people and referrals are more effective then cold calls or online leads.

These referrals include follow ups and people with interest. These are great sources of business and have buyers intent present prior to the conversion process.

As well referrals allow you to bypass gatekeepers and chains of people directly to a decision maker. Another benefit of referrals is the abilty to identify opportunities for business growth with people with shared interests. This form of connection and referral can spark innovation that can grow sales for both parties and long term relationships.

Connect With Your Online Network Too

Leverage your real life network online through social media platforms. Additionally, you can also build a solid network online by creating communities such as a Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.

So establish very strong relationships with reciprocal referrals and lucrative partnerships. Ask for referrals in the form of sharing content, offering a coupon where the reward comes after passing it along to others or leaving a review or recommendation on social media.

Ask For Referrals

Word-of-mouth marketing is most effective form or marketing and that is the definiton of referrals. With this type of opportunity generation and building strong relationships you can grow your audience, reach and brand! So your network knows you, knows your brand, and trusts you.

If your relationship is good they will have no problem recommending your product/service to someone who may need it, and your business can grow organically into the future with success and integrity.

Word Up:

The digital age may have enhanced, optimized, and automated lead generation but lead generation still rests on building a network that trusts you whether they know you online or offline. That is a key to referral succes and word of mouth marketing.

Sources: coxblue, networkingbizz,lifehacker thebalancecareers themuse