How to Generate Free Leads Using Blogs

Posted by Jess on Jan 15th, 2009

Are You A Blogger?

Before we answer that, lets start by defining the term blog.

According to Wikipedia:

A blog (a contraction of the term “Web log“) is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Now that we all know what a blog is, lets look at the various platforms available to for blogging and then get into how you can use your blog to build your list and generate interest in your business.

There are several free platforms available to the aspiring blogger such as:

• Weebly
• Tumblr
• Wordpress.com
• Wordpress.org (this requires hosting)
• Blogger, which is owned by Google

There are many more sophisticated platforms available, for those of you with more web knowledge you may want to consider one of these: Top Ten Blogging Platforms for Web Designers But, for the sake of this article, I am sticking with those that are simple and easy to use for the novice.

I have experimented with all of the blog platforms on the list and have found Wordpress.org to be the best. In fact, this site and blog is powered by Wordpress.org. My advice is to check them all out and see which one will work for you and your business.

Now, to get to the main matter at hand, how can you use your blog to generate free leads for you business?

You could break this method down into three sub methods or techniques:

1. Personal Branding
2. Funded Proposal
3. Free Info Product

Method Number One – Personal Branding

This is my preferred method to use for lead generation. By creating a yourname.com blog and marketing your blog through your Facebook and MySpace profiles is a great way to build relationships and draw people into you business opportunity.

You want to think of your Facebook or MySpace accounts as parties where you socialize and meet new people. You then use your blog as your “house” where you invite your new friends to after you meet them at the party. This is a long term approach, but one perfected, can yield great results.

Method Number Two – The Funded Proposal

The best way to execute this method is to find an affiliate product that is in direct relation to your business. For example, if you are in Network Marketing, finding an affiliate informational product that fellow MLM’ers would need you can build a list of people you know are open to the concept of Network Marketing.

You then create a blog that reviews these various products, for example, Mike Dillard’s line of Magnetic Sponsoring products. By creating a review site/blog with your affiliate links, you will be not only generating another stream of income, you will be building you list to market to in the future.

This also works for straight up affiliate marketing. I use this method all the time. Again, this method is a long term approach, but once the work is done on the front end it is just a matter of maintaining the content on the blog.

Method Number Three – Create A Free Info Product

This method is for those who really like to write and have interest in creating their own Ebook. If this is you, then read on…

Similar to the funded proposal, you offer information on a subject you know your market would be interested in. Let’s say you are an affiliate for Drugstore.com and there is a great skin care line for anti-aging you want to sell.

Create a 15-20 page Ebook about the benefits of that particular kind of product on reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Maybe include some PLR nutritional and health information as an added bonus.

For this method you will need a subscription to an auto-responder service, I use Aweber. You will need to create a lead capture page and form in order to not only “capture” their name and email address but also to be able to email them the Ebook.

Overall, you goal with your blog should be to put valuable information on the web that will build you as an expert in the eye of your readers and therefor build a relationship with your list. By providing value, you build trust and by building trust you will grow your business.

Any question? Leave a comment and I will reply as soon as I can.

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1. How To Use Web 2.0 To Market Your Business says:

   April 14, 2009 at 4:37 pm

   [...] Web Logging or “Blogging”: Websites that are online diaries or journals documenting your… [...]

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