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Do you use social media for lead generation? If you don’t, it is time to start now.
There are nearly 4.76 billion active social media users in the world. That’s 59.4% of the total world population.
Clearly, social media is an integral part of our lives now.
For businesses, social media platforms have opened up new avenues to connect with their target audience and generate leads. Businesses can leverage various social media platforms to reach a wider audience and increase their brand visibility.
However, using social media for lead generation requires a well-planned strategy.
Here are 7 ways businesses can use social media for lead generation and business growth.
6 Strategies for Using Social Media for Lead Generation
Social media marketing offers numerous benefits, one of which is lead generation, as per 66% of marketers.
Among social media platforms, marketers generate the most number of leads through LinkedIn and Facebook.
Image via Social Media Examiner
So, what are some of the lead generation strategies you can use to maximize leads through social media platforms?
We have listed seven strategies here that we know truly work.
- Use Social Proof
Customers are twice as likely to choose a local business based on its online reviews rather than loyalty. That’s because people tend to believe in other customers more than what the brand says.
So, go ahead and use social proof in your posts to influence more potential customers to buy from you by becoming your leads.
IBM, for instance, uses social proof quite effectively, frequently sharing videos about how people have benefited from their products or initiatives.
A key way to get social proof is to encourage customers to leave reviews. Consider using a Google review widget on your website to make things easier for them.
- Invest in Social Media Ads
With paid ads, you can turn your social media accounts into goldmines for generating leads. Social media ads give you the opportunity to boost your posts, allowing them to show up in front of a wider audience.
Whether you invest in Facebook, YouTube, or TikTok ads depends on which platform is used the most by your target audience. With a large budget, your reach is endless, and it can lead to loads of leads.
Here’s how Adobe used paid social media ads to get more people to try Adobe Photoshop for free.
- Create Amazing Content
Let’s face it. Social media is all about content.
The better and more relatable your content is to the audience, the more followers you get, and, subsequently, more leads.
High-quality content can help you establish your brand’s personality and tone of voice, helping you stay ahead of competitors. It can also set you up as an authority figure in the industry. Engaging and informative content also attracts more potential customers, and encourages them to take action.
You can create and include relevant hashtags to your social media content. These hashtags help you to boost reach and engagement. But you need to use the hashtags in more appropriate ways by avoiding any spamming and irrelevant hashtags.
The key is to create attractive images and videos that can engage your audience on these platforms. For creating and editing stunning videos, you can invest in the right video editing software and edit your videos like a pro.
Nike, with more than 274 million followers on Instagram and 36 million on Facebook is well-known for delivering great content on all its social media channels, like the post below.
- Collaborate with Social Media Influencers
Did you know that 83% of marketers believe influencer marketing to be an extremely effective form of marketing?
Working with the right influencers can greatly increase brand exposure and help you connect with new audiences, driving traffic to your website and generating more leads.
But why does influencer marketing work in 2023?
People perceive influencers as people like them. Additionally, they trust their recommendations. This enables you to tap into social proof by partnering with influencers.
Daniel Wellington is the perfect example of influencer marketing. They successfully use influencer marketing to generate leads and drive more sales.
- Use Social Listening
Social listening basically involves identifying what people are saying about your brand or product on the Internet.
Using social media for lead generation requires you to know what people feel about your brand/products/services.
Social listening can be a great tool to build brand awareness and acquire more leads. Knowing what people are saying about your brand also helps you improve your products/services and deliver better customer service.
For instance, Zappos got some valuable feedback here that they would be able to pass on to their UX team. Doing so can help improve their customer experience, which can drive lead generation.
- Run Referral Campaigns
Referral marketing is one of the most effective marketing strategies to leverage your existing customers to generate leads and sales.
Launch a referral campaign on social media to engage with your followers, and get them to refer their friends and family.
Here’s how ESS ran their referral campaign on Facebook.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering using social media for lead generation, the above strategies can help you generate the maximum leads.
Social media is a fantastic tool, not just for lead generation but also to expand your reach, build brand awareness, and drive more sales. However, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Using social media for lead generation in conjunction with other marketing channels can help you get the best results. So, go ahead and start generating leads for your business.
