Attract Clients and qualified leads for service providers

Generate referrals 24/7 by choosing the right programs
by Jan Riley

If you are a industry specialist I know you understand the importance of generating referrals. In fact just about every service professional out there has one thing in common – a need for steady qualified leads. That is why I am so puzzled that so few professionals choose to use the power of their website to capture potential clients and attract qualified leads. Did you know your website could create perfect relationships and attract new clients that you haven’t even met yet – automatically 24/7?

Is your website sitting out there like a dumb blonde – pretty but useless? Many professionals view their websites like an expensive brochure, which by the way when was the last time a brochure got you a juicy consulting gig? Yes it is necessary to have a brochure style branding page but there are other ways to use the web to get clients – even if you are not technically savvy. First you must start to see the internet for what it is – a medium for sharing information, just like books, radio, TV and Films.

The problem for many specialists is that there is so many options and the tools that are available spring up and change rapidly. Businesses get lost because the medium is SO huge! All the options in the technology coupled with learning technology stops many businesses from using internet tools at all. Don’t let that stop you! There are tools available for you right now that would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create only 5 years ago. Now you can use those same technologies to compete with any size competitor and win.

But which technologies? …Should you focus on articles, SEO, email, websites, newsletters, banners, ezines, audio, RSS, video, blogs, vlogs, myspace, utube, adwords, social networking or podcasting? How do you know which tools will really help your business capture qualified leads that turn into face to face meetings or jobs? You could literally spend all your time just researching the different options before you even begin to master just one of them. After all, you have a business to run as well, so it’s important to choose a solution that fits into your business and lifestyle or no matter how good it is - it just won’t work for you.

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One reason consultants and trainers aren’t utilizing internet technology to get leads is because it is simply too overwhelming. Yes, you know you should have a newsletter or free report and you’ve heard that a blog would be a good idea too. You might have even considered creating an e-book, audio series or video for sale but the problem is finding the time and motivation to learn how to do it or you may consider it too expensive to implement.

If your website is still a very pretty paperweight let me suggest three things that will help you turn a static site into a magnet for new business.
The first is to create an irresistible giveaway product. No, it doesn’t have to be an all expense paid vacation to Tahiti because most likely what your target group really wants is great information - so give it to them. Write an e-book, special report or educational series.

Next, create a capture page that is designed to do only ONE thing – trade your irresistible giveaway for their name and email address. Ok, it’s irritating, but if your info is juicy enough (include a teaser or table of contents) then your prospects will gladly participate and add a link to this page all over you site.

Third, use an “automated runs while you sleep system” so the whole thing runs on runs while you do other things. The most common for this purpose is an autoresponder service. This will allow you to set up the sign up box and automatically deliver your product. Best of all you can set up another sequence that will drip market your prospects. Once the system is set up – it literally runs by itself. All you do is direct people to your irresistible giveaway.

Don’t let the technology stop you from jumping into the web to catch a few new clients. Start with something simple and build from there. Remember, your most valuable giveaway is your expertise and experience. When you let people get a taste of just how much you have to offer don’t be surprised if the damn just breaks open.