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How hard are you working at generating leads for your business — whether it is a brick and mortar storefront, a freelance shop or somewhere in between?

I’m interested because I redesigned this site, along with a side project called Outspoken Profiles, to create a better user experience for visitors. This ‘UX’ is designed to encourage people to get in touch with me — on their terms. Here’s a look at how I’m making this happen:

First, I created a welcome message on the homepage that makes it look and feel more like a custom landing page. It’s not text heavy and includes a big, attention grabbing image that’s intended to guide your eyes toward the email form on the lower right side of the box.

The message is simple: I want to help you learn more, and all you need to do is submit your name and email.

That’s important — not only can you reassure users of good intentions by letting them know you want to help, but make them take action by submitting their information, or ‘opting-in’, to receive free information. Sure, this is a great way to generate leads but it also fixes you in their mind as a resource, and that’s more valuable than just a list of email addresses.

Second, if the email form in your welcome message isn’t obvious enough, hammer the point home with secondary forms in other prime spots.

The form pictured at left is an example of my sidebar form, and I spent some time considering what I wanted it to say. Eventually I decided to use the phrase my mentor, Scott Westerman, taught me to ask: “How can I help?”

How directly are you telling visitors you want to help them?

Grow Your Audience Instantly By Focusing Outward

Focus on them.

Being a good steward of helpful information can be tough, because let’s face it, we are all our own favorite topic of conversation. Still, give it a shot. I’ve built a social media brand on being inquisitive, listening to the advice of others and, I’d like to think anyways, asking people what they need from me.

Use email capture forms in multiple places to connect regularly with visitors, and convert them into loyal followers and fans. This is important because casual visitors won’t lead to opportunities to be of service and — yes — find ways of growing the revenue you bring in.

Helping people help themselves is a kick-ass way of assuring yourself new jobs.

Doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive, it just means that showing value is a surefire way of gaining an edge in getting jobs and business. That’s why you need to brand yourself on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook.

But that’s for another post. For now, I’m just curious what you can share about using social media tools, email forms and web design to help more people achieve their goals (leave a comment — you know you’ve got some original ideas!).

Tagged as: Lead Generation