Even in an age where social media and content marketing seems to be all the rave in generating new customers and sales, the truth is, there’s a time-tested strategy that still rakes in more revenue than any other social media source: email marketing. In fact, email marketing works 40 times better at getting customers than Facebook and Twitter, and compared to social media. More than half of B2B marketers note that email is their most effective channel for generating revenue (Source: Hubspot).
With that said, building a list of qualified subscribers will be the lifeline to your business. You see, one of the primary goals to inbound marketing is nurturing your leads towards becoming buying, loyal customers of your brand. Email is the bridge that makes converting leads to sales a success! As you focus on ways to grow your subscribers, you will ultimately increase your bottom line.
This guide provide six smart tactics you can begin implementing now to increase the number of qualified leads attracted to your funnel.
#1 Deliver High-Engaging Content
Your blog is indeed one of the best ways to capture qualified leads into your funnel. Not only are you viewed as a reliable, trusted source in your niche, blogging brings more exposure to your brand. Companies who blog regularly have 434% more indexed pages than companies who do not (Source: Search Engine Land). Since most consumers look for information using search, being found in the search engines create massive opportunities to grow your list.
As you optimize your blog post for SEO to increase visibility, here are a few ways you can use your content as a lead generating machine:
- Offer a free guide, resource, or video series that solves a problem
- Promote your weekly newsletter
- Ask visitors to fill out a form to download your sales material(s)
- Create free templates that your prospects can use
- Offer a discount, special or free item for those who opt-into your list
#2 Urge Current Subscribers to Share Your Content
Did you know that email subscribers are 3 times more likely to share your content via social media than visitors from other sources (Source: QuickSprout)? They’ve opted-in, meaning they’re interested and engaged with your brand. They look forward to hearing from you and, when the content is good, will gladly share it with their network.
To increase content shares from your list, put a request in your email message asking subscribers to share it on social media. Use plugins like Click to Tweet that easily allows your list to click and share your content.
Another suggestion to build subscribers is by giving new subscribers the opportunity to share the love with their networks as soon as they subscribe with you. New subscribers tend to be the most active…leverage this by asking them immediately after the opt-in!
#3 Simply Ask Followers to Subscribe
This is as easy as it sounds! Leverage your social media sites to convert followers into subscribers by simply asking them…to subscribe. Let them know that you send out weekly (or monthly) eNewsletters that gives amazing advice in your niche. Share the benefits. If you currently have a big list, show social proof by sharing the number of subscribers that are presently enjoying your content. Finally, give the direct link to where they should sign up with a clear call to action.
#4 Host Quality-Rich Webinars
Holding webinars brings tremendous value to your business and your audience including:
- Positions your brand as a thought leader by sharing useful information
- Repurpose this content to be used for training, lead offer, and/or upload to your video platforms (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo)
- Provide in-depth training on how to use your product or the benefits gained from your service
- Great platform for generating on-the-spot sales
- Easy way to capture qualify leads
Because participants must give their contact info to attend your session, webinars is a solid tactic to growing your leads list. Every time you host one, that’s fresh leads being drawn to your funnel. Be sure to promote your webinars to your list and social networks prior to broadcast. Don’t hold back on delivering your content…the more valuable your webinar, the more receptive your audience will be to your offer.
#5 Use "Inline" Downloads
Inline download forms are extremely effective in getting blog readers to subscribe. These opt-in boxes are appear within your blog post and specifically relates to the topic the visitor is reading at the moment.
So for example, if the blog title is “6 Ways to a Better and Improved Social Media Strategy” and the reader is on tip #4 that ways to be clear about their social media goals, an ideal inline download offer would be a template that helps them create SMART social goals. It aligns perfect with this section and the prospect is more likely to click to obtain that free offer.
Therefore, the objective is to create content that fits the appropriate section of your blog content to substantially increase lead conversions.
#6 Provide a Clear CTA
Giving a clear call-to-action (CTA) is an essential, final step to moving your viewers to action. Providing a CTA versus failing to give one can make a big difference in generating the conversion…or not. Its important that your audience knows exactly what to do next to increase your chances of capturing that lead.
Sell your visitors on why they should subscribe to receive your content offer. What benefit will they gain as a result of opting into your list? Choose emotionally driven words like free, better, and now that inspires your readers to take action and makes them feel like they will miss out if they don’t subscribe.
