Anne:    How do the Lead Magnet get sales?

KP:       You have a follow through service with links.  So your magnet isn’t a stand alone.  It’s part of your whole programme, it’s embedded.  So whatever you want to do, your follow on services flow your lead magnet.

Anne:    In other words don’t just pop it up there and hope for the best, it’s got to be part of the package?

KP:       That’s right.  Marketing only works when it’s integrated.  When one bit works with another bit.. which works with another bit.  Marketing doesn’t work very effectively if you do one bit and you do that really well but it doesn’t go anywhere.

You might be lucky and get sales from it but that’s where it’s hard for small business owners who aren’t trained in marketing to actually realise that it’s a concept.  Think of marketing as an orchestra and every instrument, every tool has a part to play in growing your business.

Mike:    What is the relationship, if any, between what they call squeeze pages, landing pages and a lead magnet?

KP:       A lead magnet isn’t necessarily on a squeeze page.  A squeeze page is where someone lands on a page and they can’t do anything else.  The lead magnet seminar page that you arrived on was a squeeze page because there was nowhere else you could go apart from decide whether to sign up or press the “back” key on your browser.  They were the only two pages where you could have gone.  That’s forcing you to make a decision.

If you go to the the Twitter Report page on my case study, where it’s got all of the recommendations and the graphic and stuff, that’s basically another squeeze page.

I’ve also got the Twitter report lead magnet on HaveMoreClients home page which is nothing like a squeeze page.  People don’t have to sign up to it, but people do.  It depends where the lead magnet fits within all the other bits of your marketing and what is it that you want it to do.  All these things have their place.

Mike:    Thank you.

Post your questions and receive answers on how to use Lead Magnets to attract more clients.

Step one:  Learn what your market wants and how they want to receive it

So who is your market? Be specific! The more specific, the more personal you appear. You want people to think/feel “That’s me!” Creating that understanding goes a long way in the “Know, Like and Trust” of relationships

By creating a profile of your ideal client group, commonalities arise and that makes it easier for you to communicate to the whole group.

Be wary of creating multiple groups as this will increase your marketing effort. Each group requires a specific message for them to feel/think “That’s me!”

On the flip side, you can provide information in different formats and topics to suit sub-groups.

Some of us are auditory, some of us are kinaesthetic, others’ are visionary.  What happens is that when we provide everything through text we limit our marketability.

The easiest way of finding what your market wants is to ask them. You can do this by interviewing them on the phone, face to face or in small groups depending upon your skills, time and resources. Interviews are great when you want to learn the language your market uses as well as more about them. If you have the evidence regarding language, then a questionnaire can be the quickest and easiest way.

And if you really don’t want to contact the market first hand, you can look at what’s been published on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores. By seeing the numbers of books, the words and topics addressed gives you a good indication what’s been done and is popular.

Step Two:  Create the content to suit your market

The basic formats for Lead Magnets are Text, Audio, Video and the combinations.

The most common statement from small business owner clients is “But, I don’t have content. I don’t have enough to say” And, that is usually after they have spoken passionately about their business for thirty minutes.

It doesn’t matter weather you have a product based business or offer services. You have content.

Every business owner is an expert in their area. If not, then they won’t have a business that will last that long!

By concentrating on the themes arising from Step One, you have topics from which to add your perspective and stamp. This is important in the Know, Like and Trust cycle. If you appear to be little more than saying the “same ole”, there will be little to distinguish you from others. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your thought leadership, your perspective. By doing this, you increase your attractiveness and likeability to the market.

Step Three: Add the Lead Magnet to your webpage

This can be to the homepage of your site, your blog, or even create a mini-site that just has your lead magnet. Well, it could be on all – the essential ingredient is to have an email capture mechanism.

People have asked if Lead Magnets only work online. The answer is no – you can hand deliver the lead magnet. But to increase the effectiveness of your marketing, it is much better to have Lead Magnets online so people can get the material when it suits them.

All your offline promotion can direct people to your website/page with your lead magnet.

Too many websites are little more than brochures, they cost money to create and maintain but don’t actually work for your business. Lead Magnets helps you to redress the balance and start to turn your website into a profit centre rather than a drain on resources.

Step Four – Promote your Magnet

What if you just add it to your existing marketing?

Instantly you are open 24/7, 365 days a year.

You are no longer open 9-5 five days a week.

People can consume you whenever they want and what’s so great about this is that you know they are interested in what you have written about or what you recorded because they have downloaded it.

Then it is up to you to build that relationship up over time.

The big emphasis about adding a lead magnet to your marketing mix is that you know what they are interested in, you build up a relationship so that they know they like and trust you.  Once they trust you, they will open their wallet.

Just think about how you buy.  Do you buy from people who you don’t know?  You might if it’s a low cost, low risk transactional purchase. Great, if you are in this market?  But with selling services that can be quite expensive, we need know how we can build that relationship so people trust and are happy to part with their money.

Here are ten ways to promote your Lead Magnet

1. Business cards

   You could have your url on your business card pointing to your lead magnet.  That’s important.  How many business cards do you give away in a week?  What are people going to do?  The first thing they are going to do if they do anything from your business card is look at your website.

2. Articles

   Whether you’ve got online or offline articles or whether you post articles in special groups or directories you have an opportunity to put a link to your lead magnet.

3. Your blog post

   You could put a call to action at the bottom of your blog post that points to your lead magnet.

4. Networking

   Every time you go networking you can tell people that you have a lead magnet, something on your website that you can download.  Not only that but it makes it easier for your vendors and suppliers to be networking for you.  They’re not recommending you as a sale, they can say “Oh, I know Samantha, she does that sort of work and I know she’s got an e-book you can download/a video you can watch”.  That’s going to be worth a lot.  It’s going to have more traffic coming to your lead magnet.

5. Google Ad Words

   These are great but I don’t recommend you do it at the beginning, it’s a more advanced activity.  Do Google Ad Words when you’ve proven that your lead magnet is magnetic otherwise you’ll be spending money and not getting a return.

6. Press releases

   You can do online press releases as well as those to go into magazines and papers of your choice that are read by your market.

7. Public speaking

   You can structure your talk so people can get more information by downloading  your information.

8. You can give testimonials

   People talk about testimonials as getting them from people.  Actually giving testimonials is a great promotional tool.  It means you are seen by people who are not in your usual circle.

   You are able to show people the sort of business you are in the way to give testimonials. Also, you build up links form other sites with testimonials.

   If you give testimonials and you give freely, it will actually increase your promotions, particularly if you then put your web address linking back to the lead magnet.

9. Social networking

   Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and all the other sites that you could be using that reaches your market. Each of these can be regarded as a distinct tool as they appeal to different groups of people and the way you present the material matters to each platform.

10. Inserts in magazines and newsletters

    That’s a bit like Google Ad Words, it will cost money and you want to make sure that your magnet is magnetic before you do that.

You don’t have to spend lots of money to market your business.  You do have to spend money on learning how to do it but not to deliver it.  If you’re spending lots of money, I suggest that you look at different ways of marketing your business.

Now you have the four steps. These are the same steps I use in my own business and with clients. If you would like to learn how to do, go to Lead Magnet Secrets. Training starts on 24th March 2010

Many websites appealing to other businesses are little more than brochures with the usual “contact us” for more information. And, even if you do fill in the box, how many times do you receive a response? I am always surprised when I take the time to give all the information for the company to contact me so I can become a customer or clients, yet there is no response… what a lost opportunity!

Most people though just click away if they can’t find the information they want… another lost opportunity!

Studies show that people only scan online text.

So, if you have complex topics, an alternative to giving information via the web page is required.  That means considering documents in PDF format, audio and videos or a combination. You aim is to help people with their decision making process in finding the best solution for their problem. You want to build trust that you have the depth, the expertise and can provide solutions to suit the client.

Before your visitors access your material, you can ask for their details. The amount of details depends upon your market and where they are meeting you.

Ask for too much and they will go away or give you incorrect information.  Either way, you lose.

The benefit of having information on your website is so you can follow up with additional information building up that all important trust. By adding details of your report, audio or video with a sign up box, you are now open for business when people stop by.

This also works for pre-paid services. The first time you know someone has visited is when you receive an email informing you that you have new funds. Isn’t that where you want to be?

To find out more about having a website that works for you, register for the F R E E teleseminar on Lead Magnets, 10th February 2010 at 7pm GMT and 2pm EST

But, in the world where time is at a premium, marketing smarter than harder is required.

Enter:  Lead Magnets

A lead magnet is material produced by you giving information that your market is currently searching for. It sits on a web page and people can download whenever it suits them. So you see, with a lead magnet your business is open all the time! Even when you’re asleep, out with your partner or having a much needed break!

There are three stages to attracting more prospects and are shown in the diagram below:

Lead Magnet Creation

The formats available are document (PDF), audio, video or a combination. Your choice depends upon your market and the sort of services you offer.  For example:

• A law firm would use text and audio than video unless it is showing people how to fill in a particular form
• A photographer may be better to have a document and video rather than audio
• A recruitment agency may have multiple magnets according to whether they are attracting candidates or clients. For clients, they may find audio better than text. While for candidates, it may be both audio and video. But, this really does depend upon the topics shared.

The one format that builds intimacy faster is audio for the simple reason that people can hear you, your passion, your commitment and that builds the like, know and trust faster.

On the other hand, reports and videos enable you to explain complex topics. The length of each depends upon your topic but keeping it short so people can consume and want more.

Publishing – Which Web page?

You can have your magnet on several pages:

• Homepage
• A special page showing more information. Something like a sales page
• Added to specific pages as a supplement to the content

The purpose is to expose everyone visiting that page to your content and magnet.

You ask people for their email address, and more if that’s appropriate for your market, in exchange for the material. Yes, they can immediately unsubscribe once they have your information, and accept that there are some people who take all that’s on offer.  But, they may come back later when it’s right for them!

It’s having their email address that enables you to foster a relationship. It enables you to send them your newsletter, invite them to seminars or forward items that supplement the magnet information. Lead Magnets are integral to marketing your service business.

So we have two activities completed – creation and publish. Now, let’s look at the third element – Promotion.

Promotion

Even though you’ve created the material you know is wanted by your market, you still have to tell them it exists. And, this needn’t be difficult; it can just be a change in the way you promote your services now.

Add details onto your business card, email signature and forums and groups etc. This gives you an opportunity to offer value without being service led; without having to be there to deliver. Now you are open all hours and your promotions are geared to people having the material rather than making the sale.

Be clear before you promote your magnet, even before you create, just what you want to achieve and how you plan to do it. Then, it will be easy to follow up with people, building your reputation and making many more sales along the way.

Why Lead Magnets

This post opened with the market being tough but it is also part of the changing marketing landscape where the buyers search for independent, value-centred information prior to buying. They are less likely to accept sales oriented material as acceptable.

Lead Magnets make the intangible tangible. People are able to experience your approach, your thinking before having to risk paying for a service that doesn’t deliver or delivers with high costs attached.

By having lead magnets, you offer a no risk way for people to learn more about your services, your approach while enhancing your position as an authority.

To find out more, register for the F R E E Lead Magnet Seminar on 10^th February 2010 at 7pm GMT 2pm EST

Prediction 1:  Get a Twitter Account

Well, it was said that Twitter was a “phenomenon that is set to take the world by storm” was accurate. What wasn’t really understood a year, just how the storm would affect us all!

Prediction 2:  Create a Group and Fan Page on Facebook

This is mostly right with the emphasis on Fan Page rather than group.

Prediction 3:  Groups and Networks
This one didn’t really pan out as well as the previous two. This could have been down to the emphasis on creating open networks than setting up specific groups.. but this will be with us in 2010

Prediction 4:  Information Products

This one too, wasn’t as big as I had anticipated. But, will still be with us as people get to grips with how to make the most of their time, and knowledge to get the best returns on their efforts

Prediction 5: Google Applications

Well, with MaxWeb, the propriety social media training programme being delivered through Google Reader, this has certainly been a turning point in how we use these applications. Also, by using Google Alerts, you are better able to track who is saying what about you and your products and services. Perhaps, there is still more opportunities here as more people get online.

Prediction 6: Subjects, Titles, Headings

Well, as people’s lives become busier, the importance of standing out from the crowd and getting your email opened, pages ranked became a much talked about topic. But, it could change in 2010 particularly with search marketing …

And now with the 2010 predictions!

1. The iPhone takes over
   The iPhone dominates the smart phone handset in 2010 with the Apps store offering so much more for business owners. You can get your own apps icon written and offered through the Apple Store or from your website. And, please don’t think for one minute that this isn’t for you. Now is the time to consider how best to deliver excellent customer service… and an app could well help with this!
2. Being on the Internet is a must for all businesses
   Being active on the internet ceases to be an option as people move from watching TV to being on the internet. There’s been a 2% swing in just two years. You have got to be where your market is looking and consuming.
   
3. Creating content remains hot!
   Both in terms of creating and managing resources. As people implement the 4 Cs – creating, capture, collect and categorise so they become second nature, their presence and market attraction become sticky with sales resulting.
4. Search Marketing or Search Engine Optimisation falls from the essential tools for businesses in 2010. This is due to the algorithms used by the search engines become more sophisticated and can determine whether people like a page for its content than just whether a page is optimised for that content.
5. Video is used more and more
   Even though we are still in a recession and video is expensive, it will be adopted more and more by businesses. Don’t limit your thinking by headshot videos as you see on current affairs programmes, there are lots of different ways to have video – screenshots, images to music, slideshow, screencasts to name four!

This is a volatile time in marketing, so the predictions for 2010 are limited to five. As it gives you the opportunity to embrace those elements untouched from 2009 and make headway with the hot topics for this year.

Want to know more ways to have more clients? Discover how to use Twitter for Business with a *free report*  at http://havemoreclients.com

But, is Twitter the driver for all applications?

I say No. For the simple reason that Twitter has its own vocabulary and, even though there are millions of users, not everyone will be familiar with it. You could be reducing your impact by continuing to use it. To quote Lee Iocacca, “Talk to people in their own language. If you do it well, they’ll say, ‘God, he said exactly what I was thinking.  And when they begin to respect you, they’ll follow you to the death.”

And this is really what you want from your social media activity. You want a loyal tribe;  a tribe that consumes your products and services. You certainly don’t want to be expending effort on creating tribes on the different platforms to find that people hide you because of your constant twittering.

If Twitter is a receiver stream, what are the driver streams?

And, these are ever changing and certainly will change in how people rank their usefulness to them.  For all the sites where you are able to create material whether that’s a status update, a blog post, new video or podcast, these are the driver streams. And, it is from these streams that you turn on the link to Twitter but not in reverse!

The upshot is that people will be consuming your material in an ‘original’ form and in a way they understand.

You are then able to decide how much more you want to do on Twitter in terms of original postings.  But then it’s the community aspect to participate in and that doesn’t need to be broadcast around the internet.  As Lee Iococca says, “and, when they begin to respect you, they’ll follow you to death”

Let me know whether this struck a chord with you. Do you have your twitter posts streaming into lots of different sites? How has that worked for you?

As the material we can cover becomes more complex, being able to explain them in  a video is the ideal!

Click here to view the embedded video.

How does a blog fit with Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin? Watch the video if you are new to social media and are still getting to grips with how it all fits together.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If, you don’t want to watch the 5 minute video, here is our recipe for Social Media Marketing System

1. Know what you want to achieve
2. Create content wanted by your market
3. Set up a blog and social networking profiles
4. Write blog posts and articles
5. Update your social networking sites
6. Track what’s working and improve
7. Keep doing it!

If you liked this video and would like to watch others, please details of what you’d like in the comments below!

All you need to do is

1. Add your blog address
2. Say how long you’ve been blogging
3. What you really like about your blog

I’ll choose the blogs – it’s not first come first served but more on whether they resonate! If you’ve posted a comment recently, I’ll automatically add you to this!

Now, by just adding your blog, you’ve got a new link and others may well stop by and read your posts!

So, what are you waiting for – hit the comment key otherwise you can’t be in it!

But, what’s really going on?

On one hand we have the technology developing and bring applications that enable people to communicate differently. Is technology driving the cultural changes or merely a catalyst?

Social Media hasn’t just arrived but has emerged over a 20 year period and, don’t just take my word for it – the technology evolution is discussed here.

There is another shift that’s been happening alongside this. It’s the shift in marketing from pushing your messages out there to demonstrating your leadership through content.  And, this is affecting all companies – global, local, large, small. No one is immune!

People are changing the way they consume television, newspapers, books, how they keep in touch with friends….and, there’s the blurring of the business with the social. All these things have an impact on how people choose to make purchases.

Take a listen to this audio prepared for subscribers of MaxWeb on how technology, society and marketing created now!

So, instead of pushing sales messages, you market through information. Enter – Content Marketing. The concept has been around for a while with the white paper, conference papers, the ebook, the book – but, with the technology the ways content can be produced is booming.

Now, that’s great news for everyone, for you can cost effectively deliver material in different formats and Junta42 gives 42 ways. The big advantage of this is that your prospects and clients are receiving the material in the format that best suits them.

So, you know the different formats and that social media is here to stay, what will you say? And, from working with clients and our own marketing, this can be the most tricky aspect.

It’s not necessarily what you find of interest that your market will find of interest.

Content Marketing is about knowing what will appeal to your market and where you want to lead them and how they will get there.

What’s  a real issue with content marketing is setting up a system that will enable you, your business to effectively lead people through your content to buy from you and have an ongoing relationship without flagging in your material.

I know there are pundits out there that say, don’t wait just do it! And, I can see where they are coming from. But, from our own experience, it is better to gather, trial, create your content strategy and system and then go live!

Please remember social media marketing is in addition to what you do offline unless your market is completely online.

Let me know what your experience of content marketing has been.