The success of your business depends on finding customers or clients. You are probably reading this article because you’ve determined that you are not getting enough consistent leads. You’re not alone — Most founders are not naturally-born salespeople and most struggle with generating consistent leads. But what if you knew how to get free leads for your business?
Fear not, for I am about to impart a tried and tested technique to generate as many new leads as your heart desires!
The best part? The method I’m going to teach you is 100% free!
In this post, we’ll explore a reliable and simple method of generating leads by using online groups on platforms like Facebook, Slack, and Reddit. This method alone has served as the foundation for many new businesses’ entire lead-generation strategies and can help you get your business off the ground. By joining relevant online groups and communities, you can tap into a vast network of potential customers who will likely be interested in your products or services. I know because I’ve used this method time and time again.
So read on to learn how to get free leads for your business!
What Are Online Groups?
Online groups, also known as online communities, are virtual spaces where people with common interests or goals can connect, share information, and engage with each other. These groups can be found on social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit, as well as on messaging apps like Slack and Telegram. Because these groups are filled with like-minded people, it’s easy to target your business’s ideal customers and come into contact with free leads.
For example, if you offer computer programming services, you might want to look into the Reddit community “r/CodingHelp”. Here you’ll find a forum filled with people looking for assistance with various development projects. These are all potential clients, and you can leverage your knowledge and the steps outlined in the rest of this post to start generating leads for free.
Steps: How to Use Online Groups to Generate Leads
Follow this framework to start turning free online groups into lead-generating machines.
- Join relevant groups.
The first step to getting free leads from online groups is to join relevant groups related to your industry or niche. Look for groups where your target audience is likely to be active and engaged. Once you’ve joined the group, take some time to read through the discussions and get a feel for the group’s culture, norms, and rules. Then, start engaging with the group by answering questions, sharing insights, and offering help where you can.
- Offer VALUE.
To stand out in online groups and generate leads, you need to offer value to the group. This could include sharing helpful resources, providing expert advice, or offering free consultations or samples of your product. By offering value, you demonstrate your expertise and build trust with potential customers. This can lead to inquiries about your products or services and, ultimately, generate leads for your business.
- Engage with group members.
Engaging with group members is key to building relationships and generating leads. Take the time to respond to comments and questions and offer support and guidance where you can.
Perhaps the most fruitful tactic to generate free leads on online groups is to leverage private messaging or DMs. Offer value and engage with group members in the public forums; answer questions and provide valuable insights. From here, you can steer the conversation from public to private, where the relationship between you and your potential lead can become even stronger.
For example, a user in a group may post a question. Then, you can provide an informed and helpful answer, followed by an “invitational phrase” such as “If you have any more questions about this, send me a message; I’m happy to help!” or something similar.
Be respectful and avoid being too pushy or salesy. Instead, focus on building relationships and offering value. If your engagement is on point, members of the group may even start marketing for you by recommending you to others who may have questions.
For example, I’m a member of an online group called Elpha, a professional network that includes lots of business owners and startup founders. Every day, I search Elpha for the most recent posts asking for advice about starting a business, and I answer the ones that are relevant to my coaching and offer to chat about it on a video call and I get several leads per week this way. What’s more, the moderators have gotten to know me so that now when relevant questions come up, they tag me in the posts and suggest that the author contact me — all for free!
What are the Best Online Groups to Use?
Reddit, Facebook, and Slack are some of the best platforms to find free leads from online groups. Here’s a bit more information on each platform so you can decide which one or ones (don’t be afraid to try them all) are best for you and your business:
There are thousands of subreddits (topic-specific communities) on this platform, covering everything from niche hobbies to professional industries, making Reddit one of the best ways to target leads.
Facebook groups related to your industry or niche are lead goldmines. Once you’ve joined a relevant group, you can quickly gain notoriety in the group for your expertise if you provide value.
Slack
Slack is a messaging app designed for teams to collaborate and communicate. However, it’s also a great platform to find online groups related to your industry. Slack communities are oftentimes more intimate than Reddit or Facebook groups, making them a great option to build relationships.
Others
In addition to these platforms, there are many other online groups and communities that can be great resources for finding free leads. Quora, Discord, and niche groups like Elpha are a few other examples. The key is to find groups that are relevant to your business and engage with the community in a meaningful way. By offering value, building relationships, and using insights to tailor your marketing efforts, you can generate leads for your business for free.
TLDR: Finding leads online can be easy, but you need to be consistent to get free leads for your business.
Leads are the lifeblood of your business. But generating them can also be expensive. Luckily, utilizing online groups is a simple and cost-effective method to find free, targeted leads that are ready to pull the trigger.
If there is one key takeaway from this post, it’s to remember to offer value in whatever online group you are a part of and be consistent. If you can reliably demonstrate expertise in your field and place yourself in an environment where your target customers and clients like to hang out, you are bound to find leads. And now that you know how to get free leads for your business, you can close more sales!
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