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[Jacob Bendixen Company: Global Virtual Opportunities Contribution Level: 1]

So I've recently started with this new opportunity with Rob Hammond, and it's pretty much brought me into an entirely new world of understanding regarding network marketing as before I never really got into much with the internet (I did mostly phone leads, etc.). So Rob has helped me out in introducing me to various methods of generating leads and such, but also suggested that I look to some other methods out there. So my question for all of you is...

What have been some of your most successful methods of generating leads for your online business?

[Timothy Lawler Contribution Level: 2]

There are tons of ways to generate leads, and in my experience, you should never just focus on one avenue. Yes, what the BN community promotes is a very social network type of lead generation strategy, but more importantly, it promotes a route to connect with other network marketers. For instance, you can learn SEO, buy leads through lead vendors, talk to people in person, PPC, etc.

Usually learning Internet marketing takes time, and it will take a little while before you start to produce leads. That is why I usually suggest to my new members that they should buy leads, to start getting an instant flux of interest, but more importantly, so they can begin to learn how to prospect. Prospecting is what this business is all about. When you are first starting out, you need to be prospecting 80% of the time. Period. Once you start to build a downline, then you can start to back it down to about 50%. I love this stuff and could go on and on, but I hope is helps. Take care.

Tim

[Jacob Bendixen Company: Global Virtual Opportunities Contribution Level: 1]

My past experience buying leads left a rather bad taste in my mouth. I purchased several leads in which I was very diligent about calling them and following up and in the end I found myself losing a couple hundred dollars while making absolutely no sales in the process. The majority of the leads I was unable to actually make contact with or had no interest in what I was offering. What would the best way of going about purchasing leads be?

[Lynda Cromar Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 9]

I know you always have to have something of value to give that person that you want on your list. The new commodity is FREE. That is especially true of leads for network marketing. It rarely works to show them your business directly. You dig down and find out what their pain is. Interestingly, because many people want to find leaders they are always looking for ways to help their team. That is why I went looking and I just found out about a free generic recruiting tool that is really helping my team.

[Rob Bright Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Jacob, there are a lot of things that you can do to generate leads for your business online.

a) Article marketing b) video marketing c) Social networking (this works well as a platform to share videos and articles you have done)

For a paid strategy you could look at e-zine solo advertising, rarely mentioned these days but it is a way to generate a lot of leads quickly, you will have to pay for your adverst though, but they start from $25 so doesn't break the bank

[Timothy Lawler Contribution Level: 2]

I agree that buying leads are not the most high quality things, but it does teach you how to prospect. If you can talk to bought leads and start to take them through the process, you are golden. Don't get me wrong, Internet marketing is the way to go long term. I am just talking about trying to help a newbie from day one to get the ball rolling. That is all.

Tim

[Jacob Bendixen Company: Global Virtual Opportunities Contribution Level: 1]

I have actually started doing articles, and I mean, just started like last week so I haven't seen any results just yet, but I really like the concept and I'm hoping to see some good leads come out of it. However, video marketing I'm going to have to get started on. I would imagine a simple YouTube channel would work quite effectively but are there any other websites that I might want to consider as well that may not have as much competition as YouTube does?

[jacov gariani Company: Ecomates Contribution Level: 3]

There are lots of video platforms besides YouTube. Vimeo for example.. just google “video sharing”.
There are also nice services like tubemogul that posting your video in one click to several video sites.

[Lynda Cromar Company: Empower Network, LLC Contribution Level: 9]

I agree that buying leads are not the most high quality things, but it does teach you how to prospect. If you can talk to bought leads and start to take them through the process, you are golden. Don't get me wrong, Internet marketing is the way to go long term. I am just talking about trying to help a newbie from day one to get the ball rolling. That is all.

Tim

I have to differ a bit with this point. It takes some skill to get good at working with cold leads, I know because that is how I came up. It was difficult and extremely frustrating when my skill-level was not where it is now. Many people quit because they just don't understand why so many reject them.

With good teachers learning how to create relationships is so much better, they then create their own "warm leads"

regardless of what method a person takes it is still a process, with at times a steep learning curve.

[Aaron Bennett Contribution Level: 2]

Great question Jacob, and as you can see, you will view a lot of differing opinions. Everything from buying leads and cold-calling, video marketing, forums, etc...

The reason for this is actually somewhat complicated, but can be broken down into two main things that you might find worthwhile knowing, so you can gravitate toward a solution that works best for you.

First of all, people are selling different products. Some more social, some more technical, some physical/health, some network training, some in business modeling, etc...

Each one of these products require a different venue.
1. Network marketing trainers would use a venue like this because of the amount of people that are looking for network marketing information.
2. Someone selling a weight loss product, might have less success here, than if they were in the health / young adult / divorcee forums where people would have a reason to think more about their weight and be more inclined to buy.
3. When I have my partners focus on marketing, we generate a ton of traffic through video posts because it has to do with web-automation and training. Using a forum as a marketing venue would have some uses, but much less than training related "commercials" where people see stats from automated procedures.
4. People in the music / entertainment industry however, would see much success from social sites because it is not intrusive, and something openly "shared" among friends/family/etc.
5. People who are pitching "networking" or "be-your-own-boss" stuff has little to no effect in these platforms outside of ticking off the communities.

So, think about the "product" you are selling...What venue would make the most sense for the type of product you sell...

Secondly,
Keep in mind that people gravitate toward what they are accustomed and comfortable with. Some people, through years of dedication, are "sales-animals". They love to get on the phone and close. They have become good at it, and because of that, would take a more cold-call type of approach. Purchasing leads are seldom "warm", and those that aren't selling the leads, but who have bought leads, would tell you that they are "cool" at best. But nonetheless, they are sales-animals. They have seen success, and will openly feel that is the way you should go. Most people are not built that way, and unless you have a plan of attack, solid presentation, and truly WANT to get on the horn, it is often the cause for frustration and people giving up. Although I truly believe that it is something that people need to consider, as you learn a lot in very little time, and can become very polished, very quickly, it is not for everyone. Some people enjoy the "marketing" aspects. They put together polished videos, and see a lot of success from that, or they design beautiful pieces that attract attention in a positive way. Some people will encourage you to build your own site, and invest in both SEO and SEM. All of these routes can be very good, and have been proven time and time again for the people who enjoy it.

In summary, don't just look at what is recommended, and who seems to have had the most success with one particular thing or another, consider how it fits into what you are good at, and then try to hone your skills in that direction, WITHOUT forgetting about the other items. Most good marketers make their money through various avenues. For years, people have tried to make "online business" sound almost completely different and free of hassle than typical brick and mortar business. There are certainly advantages, but in the end, you are in a people business, and all those brick and mortar ideas are also still holding true today with much success as well...It is mind-boggling how many ways there are to sell and market any online or offline product in today's market, with today's business...

Hope this helps!
-Aaron