Archive for March, 2011

Seven things to consider adding to your website to help generate leads

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Your website should be your most effective marketing tool for lead generation and education. The days of “online brochures” are gone.

At the very least, make sure your phone number is on every page of your site. But if you want to get the best results, be sure to add conversion opportunities such as:

• A sign up form (offering a newsletter, notifications of special offers, etc. in exchange for an email address)
• An opportunity to download discount coupons
• A free report download
• A webinar invitation
• A way for prospects to email you with questions
• A “chat now button” for online instant messaging questions

That’s it.  Quick post today.   : )

For planned giving marketing- absence of children tops the list

Friday, March 18th, 2011

For planned giving marketing, determining who to target is always a tricky task.  There’s lots of literature out there on this subject.  But I found this little nugget that really stood out from the pack.

According to Russell N. James III*, “The most dominant factor in predicting charitable estate planning was not wealth, income, education, or even current giving or volunteering.  By far, the dominant predictor of charitable estate planning was the absence of children.”

*Source: “Causes and Correlates of Charitable Giving in Estate Planning: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Examination of Older Adults,” Association of Fundraising Professionals, July 2008. http://www.legacyleaders.ca/files/Russell%20James%20Report.pdf

Who answers your telephones?

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

answer your telephones correctlyIs the person who answers your phones also your least trained employee? If so, why?

Do they answer the phones with class or “attitude”?  And furthermore, does that person understand the value of an inbound lead?

The fact is… you’re putting one of the most important parts of your business (capturing leads) in the hands (or ears) of someone who needs to be trained properly. Give them pointers on politeness and empower them to do what they must to get a call to the right person. Especially if it’s a new business call!

Give them scripts that they must follow so each inbound call is treated like gold.  Step outside of the box and think like your customers.  How would they want and expect your phones to be answered?

Perhaps even include a benefit statement in the script such as, “JJJ Locksmith… your key to open doors… 24 hours a day, 7 days a week… how can we help you?”

Also, teach them the importance of writing down names and phone numbers without any errors. One missed call could be a missed opportunity for a million dollar client.