Lead Generation Strategies That Start With "U" and "V"

Today we look at several lead generation strategies that start with "U" and "V":

The Letter U

User Groups

User groups are another effective way to generate more demand for your products and services. You can have different groups for executives, who want to discuss strategy, resourcing, process – and practitioners, who want to discuss product roadmap, how-to, hear case studies, etc. Providing valuable content and giving your user community the opportunity to interact on a regular basis strengthens support for your brand and gives you a chance to highlight other services and products your users may not be aware of.

The Letter V

Viral Marketing

Viral marketing can be a simple video, story, or podcast. It can also be a game, or an immersive experience. Backup Trauma (www.backuptrauma.com) by LiveVault is an excellent example of how to build a compelling experience that takes a humorous approach, while highlighting the strengths of the company. This particular version generated millions of downloads for LiveVault. The key to a successful viral campaign is to tap into the emotional element – make it funny, controversial – something people just have to watch and pass on. A good viral approach can drive more demand than almost anything else on this list.

Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds haven’t been really embraced by B2B marketers yet. They involve using Avatars (representations of you in a character form), having an online experience in an alternative , 3-D virtual world. The most common approach has been game form, where Advertisers design games and experiences that take the visitor through different scenarios while highlighting their brand. Second Life is the best know vendor in this space. If you really have a creative bent and some time on your hands, this is another approach that really leverages the interactive nature of the Internet.

Virtual Tradeshows

Growing in popularity, virtual tradeshows offer visitors the experience of going to a tradeshow without leaving the comfort of their office. They typically support an actual live event. While online, you can check in for sessions, viewing them in webcast form, post questions, visit ‘virtual tradeshow booths’ and network with other online visitors. This is an inexpensive way to reach many people – typically they cost $5000-$20,000 to promote. Consider adding one of these to your arsenal this year.