5 Lead Generation Tips for Small Business

With many customers active online, marketers have to come up with effective ways to attract prospects online, turn them to leads, and convert them into buyers. But there are many obstacles to these strategies, such as increased competition, customer reviews on social media, and the evolution of customer behaviors when interacting with ads.

Here are 5 tips to help you generate quality leads.

1. Use Strategically Placed CTAs

The best way to leverage CTAs (Call To Action) in lead generation is to keep them above the fold and directly in front of the customers, across all screen sizes, and focus on one CTA per page. Placing your call to action above the fold and in plain sight will generate higher conversion rates because all your visitors will see the offer. If a visitor is required to scroll down the page before they see the offer, your conversion rates will be comparatively low.

Don’t hide your CTAs at the end of long-form content because this will reduce the number of people who see the offer. Make sure customers won’t miss your offer even if they’re viewing on a desktop monitor or the small mobile screen.

2. Be Responsive on Social Media

Today, social media is the customer service go-to medium when queries come up. Customers expect businesses to provide customer service through social media and they want fast answers to their questions.

Actively monitor your social media and reply to all questions; this will help you build strong relationships from the onset, which in turn will make customers trust you. This will lead to more prospects converting to leads because they’re comfortable requesting more information on products or services you offer.

3. Create Landing Pages that Attract Social Shares

Many marketers underestimate the power of sharing in lead generation. Most social shares focus on blog content, but you can leverage this power to drive more traffic to your landing page and generate more leads.

Be creative and leverage the same power of social sharing to drive more traffic to your offers. Offer compelling rewards and watch your landing pages get increased traffic and leads.

4. Highlight Social Proof

Showcasing social proof next to your CTAs will help generate more consumer trust, thus boosting your conversion rates. These third-party opinions help improve conversions because customers turn to one another to get approval opinions.

Placing reviews, testimonials and even awards and recognition near your CTAs will encourage visitors to move forward, converting them into leads for your brand.

5. Publish Video Content

Video content is one of the most effective forms of content. Customers love it because they can consume it on the go and it requires little effort. And marketers love it because they can publish it with little cost and promote it across several channels.

Create videos that explain and entertain too, and focus on a unique angle to get results. Share different video angles and content concepts on social media to see what your audience responds well to.

Combating Fake Followers In Influencer Marketing

Today’s digital marketing environment is one that has seen influencers pave the way for brands to make money through the appeal of mass social media followings. With influencer marketing becoming a major part of brand sales and growth, the digital space has also seen the rise of bad practices by influencers who take advantage of the new digital landscape by purchasing fake followers.

This means that many brands are building business relationships with influencers who are not actually creating authentic relationships with their followers.

Fortunately, there are companies out there who are aware of the bad practices going on in the digital landscape, and they are determined to combat them. Four such examples are Unilever, Samsung, eBay, and Diageo, who are committed to creating meaningful and positive experiences for the people buying their products. This includes being transparent about who they partner with while refusing to partner with influencers who participate in bad practices and fraudulent activity such as purchasing followers.

All three companies have publicly made a commitment to combat influencers who purchase fake followers, promising to work with partners who give consumers a voice.

“At Unilever, we believe influencers are an important way to reach consumers and grow our brands. Their power comes from a deep, authentic and direct connection with people, but certain practices like buying followers can easily undermine these relationships,” Keith Weed, chief marketing officer at Unilever, said at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

eBay, Samsung, and Diageo reflected this sentiment during a panel session at the festival.

“What I want to do is give our sellers a voice, rather than influencers who have a following and are willing to write a post. It should be from people who are authentic and genuine. I am going to try and shift our influencer spend to that class of influencers, they are specific to eBay and authentic and their stories will be helpful to buyers,” said vice-president and chief marketing officer of eBay EMEA, Godert van Dedem.

Chief marketing officer of Samsung Electronics America, Marc Mathieu, stated at the panel that Samsung wants to tell a story about creators. Diageo also has a unique approach, which is to focus on influencers – but only selectively.

Influencer marketing is changing. It’s no longer about signing the biggest influencers and using them to sell or endorse a product. Influencer marketing is shifting towards a focus that builds relationships with consumers by working with influencers who truly care about a brand and its customers. It’s about partnering with influencers who share common interests that resonate with people on a deeper level than just purchasing a product.

Brands are now determined to work with influencers who are authentic and have an engaging audience. This means working with influencers who have an audience that actually engages. Influencers who purchase followers just to increase their following don’t have this type of engagement – and it’s obvious.

Consumers and brands alike are starting to be able to tell the difference between authentic influencers and influencers who are in it for the money. This is why many brands are now partnering with influencers who have authentic reach while distancing themselves from influencers who participate in fraudulent activities to gain followers.

It has been reported that 48 million of all active Twitter accounts (a whopping 15%) are automated accounts designed to look like real people. Facebook has also reported that there are roughly 60 million fake accounts, while in 2015 Instagram disclosed that the platform had up to 24 million fake bot accounts. These numbers are pretty staggering.

With the rising number of bot accounts appearing on various social media platforms, it is becoming more and more important for brands to rethink their influencer marketing strategies by starting to develop meaningful connections with consumers.

Edward Kitchingman, author of Influencer Marketing, a Journey, suggests changing the way brands partner with their influencers. Kitchingman states that brands should start off by disregarding the size of an influencer’s following, instead looking at the community itself and the engagement it produces. He also suggests focusing on how an influencer can creatively contribute to a brand while focusing on long-term growth and relationships.

Reviewing the Game of Blackjack

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Online blackjack has surpassed the expectations of many game experts and players as well. The game of blackjack has created new and exciting experiences for many avid players. That’s why this game became the latest trend in the online gaming business. Blackjack has really come a long way. It has a rich history which can be traced during the time of King Louie, the 14th of France. Blackjack, perhaps, is one of the games which will definitely provide players with mixed emotions of excitement, tension and satisfaction.

Why should you play blackjack?
The game of Blackjack was also called Lucky 21 because the main objective of this game is to have a hand with the value closest to 21. Many players would often speculate that blackjack is a very complicated game, but in reality, this game is very easy to learn. In order for a player to win in this game, the player must know how to count and that’s it. If a player knows how to count the cards correctly, the player will have a greater chance of winning the pot. The main question though is – Why should you play blackjack?

Honestly, the game of blackjack is not that difficult to understand. Even a beginner can play this game without having any practice. A player should only be watchful of the cards being dealt by the house, and the player must only create a hand that adds up to 21 or close to it. If you want to win in this game, you must beat the house by creating a hand with a value that adds up to 21 or closer.

Many players are now enjoying the game of blackjack for the following reasons. First of all, blackjack is a game which provides players with the opportunity to meet new people. On the downside, online blackjack may somehow give you a smaller chance of meeting new people, unless you join the live dealer blackjack game. Blackjack is considered as one of the famous casino games, both land-based and online, because players can develop many strategies and tricks in order to win the game, and in return, the player experience a great amount of pleasure from it.

If you are a beginner, you must not worry because blackjack is quite easy to learn. Many online casinos are offering free tutorials for players who want to do well in blackjack. Online casinos also offer free games for those who want to practice their skills and strategies before joining the real event. The pleasure and the opportunity to win are the factors that make this game even more popular, and the fanatics will continue to grow in number for the years to come.

The upside and downside of online blackjack.
Although many players are becoming die-hard fans of online blackjack, many traditional players are still having doubts about the fairness of the online blackjack. In the traditional blackjack, players will have the firsthand experience of the actual game. The player will see the cards face to face, and the player will definitely be sure of the reactions of the dealer and the opponents.

On the other hand, online blackjack can be played in the comforts of your own home. If you are playing the traditional online blackjack, you will be dealing with a virtual dealer, and you will not see the reactions of your opponents. The only ways that you can read your opponents is through card movements and live chatting.

When it comes to security, land-based casinos have security cameras and casino managers which are always available to monitor your gaming experience. On the other hand, online blackjacks are powered by software. It also pays to know that it is possible that these softwares can be used for cheating, so the player should choose a reputable online casino to ensure that he or she will get his or her money’s worth.

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Tips to Improve Your Social Media Visual Strategy

An important aspect of an effective Social media strategy is the visual impact it delivers. After all, what you see is what you get. It could be any product related information, a campaign or just a simple idea to be shared. Visual appeal can make or break your social media standing. If you are looking for Social media services to build a strong visual strategy online, here are some tips that may come in handy:

Understand image placement and colors

Plain black banners with content written on it may seem dull, but when used correctly, it delivers an impactful message. Best graphic designers use simple yet effective ways to create stunning visuals. Any strategy can only formulate when one has a sound understanding of colors. Designs with too many colors look good when there is a fashion sale, a carnival etc. But they may fall flat when used in case of a product launch. While black is associated with power, blue can be used in campaigns that want to bring out an element of trust. Similarly, social campaigns can use yellow, red and pink to bring out a clear message through their visuals and to improve social media marketing visually.

Create a balance

Another aspect to be kept in mind is maintaining an image to content ratio. If your visual strategy is the only image based, make sure the image says it all. The best graphic design is one that should be creative, well-researched and instant to understand. If you wish to add some text, logos, slogans, they need to be balanced with the images and graphics used. The image to content ratio, in short, should be in sync with the colors and patterns.

Organise the elements

A good visual social media strategy consists of the use of best social media tools, images, graphics, content, and placement. You should be clear why every single element is present and what its use is. Make sure there is contrast on the final visual be it in form of shapes or colors. This helps in looking at the visual with more clarity. Contracts further bring out impactful elements noticeably and ensure zero clutter on the visual.

A visual at times might have a lot of information. In such a case, contrasts, line management, and placement work best for your visual and increase its social media optimization.

Creative Font

Lastly, another element that can add the missing edge to your visual strategy is Font. The typography you select says a lot about your visual understanding. Words say it all when set in engaging fonts. A Graphic Design Company will always provide you with multiple options in all scenarios to best suit your social media visual strategy.

Begin With Your Brilliance

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“We all have the extraordinary coded within us waiting to be released.” ~ Dr. Jean Houston

Top of the year reflection, visioning and goal-setting can sometimes feel complicated and overwhelming. The ideas and options are endless and it can really slow you down or stop you completely. Yet, we know some type of forethought and plan is best for success. I am a fan of doing whatever works for you. If you thrive on resolutions, do them, if you like traditional goal-setting – go for it. If you prefer to think out a few years and create an ideal vision, and then back into it, that’s a good one also. To me it just has to work for you. That said, I have found there is something that is key no matter which way you decide to go.

Begin with your brilliance.

Tapping your brilliance means you need to take the time to determine what your most   unique  and powerful skill, talent or gift is–in what area you completely shine, and then really leverage it in as many areas of your life as you can.

Whether or not you know it, you have a gift as  unique  as your fingerprint, that nobody has quite like you. It is the thing that comes most effortlessly for you, and yet has the most impact on others at the same time.

It could be the way you connect people to each other, the way you inspire others one on one or as a speaker, your way with children, your humor in difficult situations or the finesse you have as a leader who people naturally follow and trust. Your brilliance could be your keen intuition or strong ability to solve complex problems. This special gift of yours is usually consistently recognized by friends, family, clients and colleagues alike….so if you are not sure, just ask them. Ask what it is about you that impacts people the most. What is it that they know they can “gain” from you when they need it?

Another way to confirm your signature brilliance or strengths is to use assessments such as Myers Briggs, DiSc or even the StrengthsFinder 2.0 which directly covers this question. Asking others and taking assessments usually is great for honing in on your core brilliance or confirming it. And for many of you, it may only be a confirmation. I say this because deep down, you may really already know what it is.

Regardless of how you come by it, once you figure out what your brilliance is, you are working with your best success-asset.

When you leverage your  unique  gift and fully plug it into your career and life, you are going to be happier, more passionate, more on purpose than you ever were, and it will make it so much easier to reach your dreams.

You will attract people, resources, and opportunities to you to move you forward, and even stuck areas will unhinge and start to shift. This ripple effect is a wonderful part of the process. Working with your core strengths in your career or business, will positively impact your personal life also. Or if you start engaging them more in a personal area, it will then flow to your professional life. For example, when you have a strong personal life, your career can soar. Likewise, when you have career success, you are more energized and positive, and this spills into your relationships.

Focus more on leveraging the positive versus changing what is wrong. Fixing something for the better is always good, but focusing too much on the negative is never a good thing. There is research that shows that it is hard for your brain to have insights when it is focused on the negative. Your insights are such an important part of leveraging your strengths and realizing your dreams. As you more fully move into this year, I would like to suggest you try on these three questions:

  1. Where can you engage and express your brilliance more, personally or professionally? (these will be things that are fun, energizing and impactful)
  2. What are you ready to let go of that has nothing to do with your brilliance? (this is the thing that feels like an obligation or a drain)
  3. Is there something you can do this year, that will be a bold move that allows you to fully step into your brilliance? (this will be the project that makes you a little queasy to think about, but excited, knowing that it is an ultimate expression of who you are) Even if it is scary, you can name it, and just begin with a small step. Even that will feel great!

See which one of these three questions speaks to you the most, and just start there. And again, as easy as it sounds, it will sometimes feel like a risk. Here are a few thoughts to help support you as you tap your brilliance:

* If it is hard to come by at first, do things to slow down and be more in touch with yourself, and keep trying. Just like the rusty pipe first flows brown water–if you keep it running and it eventually becomes clear.

* Share your plans with your friends or inner circle (fans not naysayers!)

* Use a coach or mentor for a success partner

* Reward yourself for the steps you’ve taken

* Act on the opportunities that will start popping up (more will come!)

So, brilliant you, as Katy Perry would say…”You’re a firework! C’ mon show them what your worth!..” (I opted for a theme song this year instead of resolutions. I know..corny as it is, try cranking this one!)

The world really needs your brilliance now more than ever, so let it shine! It’s just the right thing to do.

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