It’s the goal of any business, no matter what size or what products or services they sell, to generate revenue. To do that, businesses need to generate leads. More than that, though, if you’re hoping to turn leads into customers, you can’t just expect any old lead generation strategy to work — you have to figure out how to generate quality leads. 

Think of it like fishing. A quality lead is one that could very likely turn into a customer if you use the right bait. You wouldn’t use the same kind of bait to fish for tuna in the open ocean that you would for bass in the river behind your house. Just as you want to customize your bait for the fish you’re trying to catch, you should customize your lead generation strategies to maximize your number of quality leads. 

Now, only you will be able to determine the right kind of “bait” needed to generate quality leads. You’re the one who knows your customers better than anyone. Nevertheless, it helps to have a few ideas of where to begin. For starters, there are a few ways you can generate leads for free, so you can save your precious marketing dollars and still generate some revenue. These methods include: 

1. Post On Third-Party Websites. When you post your products or services on websites like Fiverr or Upwork, you’ll be marketing to people who are already searching for someone who can do what you do. 
2. Regularly Create Content. When you post something on your social media that directs people to your company’s website, it will lead to a spike in traffic. Do this consistently, and your content will direct people looking for your services to your site. 
3. Network Online. Whether you use Quora, Facebook, LinkedIn, or even Reddit, there are plenty of online platforms to connect with people directly and get a better understanding of what people are looking for in products and services like yours. Lead generation strategies in this realm can connect you both to people you know and people you don’t. 

Whatever strategies work for you, one thing is certain: You shouldn’t limit yourself to just one method. Use different kinds of bait, drop it in different bodies of water, and see what works. When you’re pulling leads from all different places, you’re more likely to get a lead on the line. So, though lead generation can be time-consuming and sometimes costly, when done right, the revenue will always follow.