Jill Kurtz, Owner, Kurtz Digital Strategy

Social media can help you connect with your customers. This makes social media a powerful lead generation tool for businesses. There are two main ways that you can draw people into your sales funnel.

Content Marketing

Great content attracts new followers and helps you to engage with connections. To get people into your sales funnel, focus on content that people will value so much they are willing to give you their contact information.Consider:

• White papers

• Ebooks

• Reports

• Webinars

• Email newsletters

People access the content by giving you their name, email address, etc. They get the information, you get a lead.Use social media to get ideas for valuable content. What are people talking about? What questions are commonly asked?Also use social media to promote your content. When a connection shares your post, you may just have another lead!

Campaigns and Contests

Everyone loves a freebie or a chance to win a prize. This is a great way to motivate them to give you their information.

• Random drawing: In exchange for their contact information, entrants get a chance to win a prize.

• Sign up forms: Let people sign up to get first notice of promotions, sales and specials.

• Contests: Invite people to create and post photos, videos and other content around a theme.