SlideShare as a Lead Generation Tool
February 2, 2010
I’m starting to like Slideshare. In 2009 I uploaded 4 presentations and got 478 views (and 2 favorites!), or so they informed me in a recent email. Last month I starting using their new Leadshare tool to see if it would generate leads and what they would cost.
Leadshare is a self-service (DIY) tool to spread your marketing message and collect leads from people who view your presentations and documents. There’s no set-up fee, and you pay only when you collect a lead (starting at $3.00 per lead). You’re required to deposit funds in advance and get “credits.”
There are 3 ways viewers can make contact:
- When the viewer visits your presentation, they see the “Contact Me” option and fill out the form to learn more
- When the viewer downloads your Powerpoint or PDF they’re asked to fill out a short contact form
- The contact form shows up again (either after slide 3, or at the end or via a call to action on the bottom)
This flips the standard process of asking for information before people can view your documents. With LeadShare people view your document first, and then they’re asked for their contact info. When someone submits the contact form, you receive an email notification (and your account is charged for the lead).
Leads you collect are opt-in from people who demonstrated an interest in your content, so it would seem they’re more qualified than leads from AdWords. Your leads can be further qualified through questions you add to the form, from just name and email address, to address, phone, and up to 5 custom questions.
So, does it work? Since I set up Resolve Digital’s campaign a couple weeks ago we’ve received 9 leads at a cost of $27.00. After my initial follow-up I received no replies. I can’t say the leads have led to any prospects.
But I am encouraged by the program and plan to upload more presentations tailored to our prospects. It just makes sense that someone who provides their contact information after viewing one of our presentations is more qualified than somebody who simply clicks on an ad. And with ever-increasing competition and rising keyword bids on Google AdWords, I suspect it will lead to a higher ROI.
We’ll see. Meanwhile you can learn more about LeadShare here. And if you have experience with Leadshare please let us know how it works for you.
Biznik social networking for entrepreneurs
March 29, 2009
I was surprised to be turned away when I tried to join a local business networking group because “we only have room for one person from your profession, and your spot has been filled” recalls Dan McComb of Biznik.com
In 2005, Dan and Lara Eve Feltin co-founded Biznik, with a simple premise: business networking shouldn’t suck.
Today Biznik has grown to over 25,000 forward-thinking business people in 120 countries. “We always have room for one more, no matter what profession you represent (as long as it’s legal!” say Dan. His message is resonating with growing numbers of small business people. Social media guide Mashable named Biznik one of the Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs.
Members connect using Biznik’s social network and strengthen relationships at more than 100 member-hosted events every month. Unlike most social networking that emphasizes building huge lists of friends and followers, Biznik is about building business relationships, sharing ideas, resources and opportunities.
All members are required to use their real names and provide real data. Biznik editors review all profiles to ensure compliance with this policy.
They offer three membership levels (basic membership is FREE). I’ve only recently joined so I can’t really say that it has produced dramatic results. But it’s an intriguing idea and I’m excited to be part of this rapidly growing community.
Biznik is just beginning their 100k member challenge. Check it out and join now.
Internet marketers: the hirsute brotherhood. (An exhaustively researched analysis of Twitter users)
March 20, 2009
There are host of excellent tools and apps that allow Twitter users to analyze almost any statistic, trend or meme that exists on the web. But some trends are too subtle for even the most advanced application to detect, too mysterious for a mere computer to interpret. I refer of course to connection between Internet Marketers (including SEO Experts, Google Specialists, Web Traffic Gurus and Affiliate Marketers) and interesting facial hair.
The list below comprises a small sampling of the countless examples of this connection that can be found on Twitter. There are of course many others, and I welcome further contributions to this by no means complete list.
http://twitter.com/AaronMartirano
http://twitter.com/erockefeller
http://twitter.com/jagadeeshmp
http://twitter.com/SEO_MARKETERPRO
It’s not about you.
February 7, 2009
It’s about your visitors!
Mediterranean Summer screenshot
Here’s a nice tidbit I received from one of our clients, David Shalleck, on how a web presence is an essential part of his marketing.
“We did the Volochef.com site in a timely fashion so I could press my editor into mentioning Volochef on the Mediterranean Summer book jacket, which it does. I get reader mail from time to time.”
“Turns out a journalist in Germany read Mediterranean Summer, got an assignment to do a piece for a new yachting/lifestyle magazine, needed a chef to be part of a panel discussion, thought of me from the book, and contacted me from my site.”
“Now I will be featured in the article, with a photo and call to action for the book. Every little bit helps. Maybe someday I’ll sell rights there.”
These things don’t happen every day, but they do happen. David gets it. He’s now using his blog and videos to help spread the word via social media, with his websites at the hub of his strategy.
Have you got a web success story? Share it with us!
