Nabbing the eyeballs of potential customers online is like mastering an intricate art form these days. It’s all about thinking outside the box, way beyond the same old marketing tricks.
Visual content has become a real game-changer for businesses trying to get more qualified leads and one of the real MVP for us here at Venngage? Infographics. They can shake things up, making it easy for brands to explain even the trickiest stuff in a way that’s simple and, let’s face it, pretty darn cool.
If you’re looking for a backstage pass on how infographics can level up your lead generation, this article is all you need. I’ll spill the secrets on how to create them, what to put in them and how to make sure the right people see them. And don’t worry, we won’t forget to talk about turning boring data into something that says, “Trust us, we know our stuff!”
Click to jump ahead:
- What’s a lead?
- Leads v.s qualified leads
- Different types of qualified leads
- How to increase the number of qualified leads with infographics
- Why generating qualified leads matters
- Infographic do’s & don’ts
What’s a lead?
In the world of marketing and sales, a “lead” is a potential customer or prospect who has demonstrated interest in a product or service offered by your business. They could have signed up for your updates, downloaded your free guide or just dropped you a message asking for more info.
When it comes to using infographics, knowing your leads is like having the secret recipe for success. By creating infographics that speak directly to what they’re looking for, you’re basically hitting the jackpot in the world of lead generation.
Decoding the difference: leads vs. qualified leads
In the world of marketing, the terms “leads” and “qualified leads” often get thrown around and understanding the difference between the two is key to refining your lead generation strategy. A lead generation tool can help you generate leads and collect valuable data.
So, we’ve covered the definition of leads, but what about qualified leads?
Qualified leads, on the other hand, are a more refined subset of leads. These are the individuals or businesses who not only show interest but also meet specific criteria that deem them more likely to become actual customers. These criteria can include factors such as demographic alignment, specific engagement with your brand or a demonstrated intent to make a purchase.
To sum it up, here are the key differences between leads and qualified leads to help you focus your efforts on those potential customers who are more likely to convert:
Leads:
- Show interest in a product or service.
- Have provided contact information or shown initial interest.
- Include a broad range of potential customers, including those with varying levels of interest and intent.
Qualified leads:
- Meet specific criteria for potential conversion.
- Have demonstrated a genuine need, budget and decision-making authority.
- Are more likely to convert into paying customers due to their higher level of interest and alignment with the target customer profile.
Breaking down the different types of qualified leads
When it comes to rounding up potential leads, it’s not a one-size-fits-all game. Understanding the different types of qualified leads can be a game-changer in tailoring your marketing and sales approaches to cater to their specific needs and preferences.
1. Marketing qualified leads (MQLs): These are the leads who’ve shown interest in your offerings through various marketing activities. They could be the ones clicking on your content, exploring your website or subscribing to your newsletter. They’re intrigued, but they might need a little more nurturing before they’re ready to seal the deal.
2. Sales qualified leads (SQLs): Think of these leads as the ones who’ve raised their hands and are ready to get down to business. They could be the ones requesting product demos, asking for quotes or actively showing buying signals. They’re the hot prospects in your pipeline, close to making a decision.
3. Product qualified leads (PQLs): This group has already gotten a taste of what you’re offering, probably through a trial or demo. They’ve experienced the value firsthand and are seriously considering taking the plunge and becoming paying customers.
4. Service qualified leads (SQLs): These leads are eyeing the services you provide and have expressed a need for specific solutions. They might be the ones reaching out for advice, looking for tailored services or showing a keen interest in what you have to offer.
5. Qualified subscribers: These subscribers aren’t just random names on your list; they’re the ones who’ve actively engaged with your content, consistently opening your emails or participating in surveys. They’ve shown a genuine interest in what you have to say.
6. Qualified web leads: These leads are the ones knocking on your virtual door through your website. They might be the ones filling out your contact forms, initiating live chats,or seeking more information about your products or services.
By aligning your infographics with the characteristics of these qualified leads, you can effectively guide them through the sales funnel and increase your chances of turning them into loyal customers.
Maximizing infographic data visualization to attract qualified leads
When it comes to leveraging infographic data visualization to draw in those coveted qualified leads, a strategic approach can make all the difference. Let’s dive into some effective tactics to maximize the impact of your infographics:
- Create compelling and relevant content: Craft infographics that address the pain points and interests of your target audience, offering valuable insights and solutions that resonate with their needs. Looking for more ideas? Consider these 10 content marketing infograhics for your strategy.
- Optimize for search engines (SEO): Ensure your infographics are optimized with relevant keywords, meta descriptions and alt tags to enhance their visibility and searchability, ultimately driving more qualified traffic to your website.
- Promote social sharing: Grow your brand’s social media influence and encourage social sharing of your infographics by integrating social sharing buttons, enabling your audience to spread the word across various platforms, amplifying your reach and engagement.
- Embed in blog posts and articles: Integrate your infographics seamlessly within your blog posts and articles, enhancing the visual appeal and providing an engaging supplement to your written content, thereby increasing reader retention and interaction.
- Use email marketing campaigns: Incorporate your infographics into your email marketing campaigns, delivering visually appealing and informative content directly to your subscribers, fostering deeper engagement and driving qualified leads to your website.
If newsletters and email blasts are part of your email marketing strategy, these blogs on Mailchimp newsletter ideas and how to improve email blast design using infographics might come in handy.
- Offer exclusive access to premium content: Entice potential leads with exclusive access to premium content, such as in-depth reports or industry insights presented through interactive and visually captivating infographics, incentivizing them to explore further and engage with your brand.
- Leverage influencer outreach: Collaborate with industry influencers to promote and share your infographics, leveraging their credibility and reach to expand your audience and attract qualified leads that align with your target market.
- Utilize landing pages and forms: Direct your infographic traffic to dedicated landing pages equipped with forms tailored to capture relevant lead information, enabling you to nurture and follow up with potential leads effectively.
- Interactive infographics and quizzes: Enhance user engagement by incorporating interactive elements within your infographics, such as quizzes and surveys, creating an immersive and personalized experience that encourages active participation and data collection from interested leads.
- Host webinars and workshops: Use infographics as a visual aid during webinars and workshops, providing valuable insights and data-driven presentations that showcase your expertise and value proposition, thereby fostering trust and credibility among potential leads.
- Guest blogging and syndication: Expand your reach by collaborating with industry-relevant blogs and publications, sharing your infographics through guest posts and syndication, tapping into new audiences and generating qualified leads through increased exposure.
- Retargeting campaigns: Implement retargeting campaigns that display your infographics to users who have previously interacted with your website, reinforcing your brand message and value proposition and guiding interested leads back into your conversion funnel.
- Collaborate with industry partners: Forge strategic partnerships with complementary businesses or industry partners to co-create and distribute infographics, leveraging mutual networks and audiences to enhance brand visibility and attract qualified leads with shared interests.
- Track and analyze performance metrics: Continuously monitor and analyze performance metrics related to your infographics, such as views, shares and engagement rates, enabling you to refine your strategies, optimize content and effectively tailor your approach to attract and convert qualified leads.
Not sure which type of infographic to pick? Here are 9 of the most popular types of infographics that might inspire you.
Why generating qualified leads matters
Working smart, not hard: Focusing on the leads that are genuinely interested can make the whole sales and marketing game a lot smoother. It’s like picking the low-hanging fruit and saving your energy for the ones that really count.
Getting personal for real connections: Taking the time to understand your audience means you can speak their language and offer them exactly what they need. It’s about building trust and forming real connections that go beyond just making a sale.
Sealing the deal with eager leads: When you’ve got leads that are already interested, it’s like having a head start on closing that deal. You’re not starting from scratch; you’re already in the game with a much higher chance of hitting that home run.
Saving your efforts for the right targets: By focusing on those promising leads, you’re not wasting your resources chasing after dead ends. It’s like cutting out the noise and zeroing in on the folks who are more likely to become your loyal customers in the long run.
Building lasting relationships: Engaging with the right leads isn’t just about making a quick sale; it’s about building relationships that last. It’s like having a solid crew that not only sticks around but also brings in more folks like them, creating a loyal community around your brand.
What’s a good lead generation conversion rate?
As a general benchmark, a healthy lead generation conversion rate often falls within the range of 5% to 10%.
According to databox, landing pages usually hit around 2.35% conversion, but the real winners (top 25%) are hitting 5.31% or even higher. Ideally, you’d want to be in the top 10%, where conversion rates reach 11.45% or higher.
Remember, though, what’s considered “good” can vary depending on your industry, the audience you’re targeting and how complex your sales process is. It’s crucial to keep an eye on these numbers over time to understand how your strategies are working and where you might need to make some tweaks.
Here’s a breakdown of the data done by ruler analytics on the average conversion, form and call rate across 14 industries:
Nailing your infographic game: dos and don’ts
When it comes to crafting infographics that truly resonate with your audience and drive lead generation, following these key do’s and don’ts can make all the difference:
Do’s:
Keep it simple: Break down complex information into bite-sized, easy-to-digest chunks, so your audience can get the gist without feeling overwhelmed by the details.
Make it pop: Add eye-catching visuals, vibrant colors and engaging illustrations that make your infographic a visual delight and keep your audience scrolling for more.
Tell a story: Weave a compelling narrative that captivates your audience, taking them on a journey that’s not just informative but also emotionally engaging and memorable.
Sprinkle some stats: Incorporate relevant and interesting data and statistics to back up your key points, making your infographic both informative and credible and giving your audience those “wow” moments.
Stay on brand: Infuse your brand’s personality and style into your infographic, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with your overall brand identity, making it instantly recognizable and reinforcing brand trust.
Include a clear call to action (CTA): Encourage your audience to take the next step by including a clear and concise call to action that guides them towards the desired action, whether it’s exploring your products, signing up for a service or engaging with your content further.
Optimize for sharing: Make it effortless for your audience to share your infographic with others by incorporating social sharing buttons, encouraging them to spread the word and expand your reach within their networks.
Don’ts:
Overload with information: Avoid stuffing your infographic with excessive information, as it can overwhelm your audience and dilute the impact of your key messages. Keep it concise and focused on the essential points.
Use of small fonts & complicated layouts: Stick to clear, legible fonts and avoid tiny text that might require your audience to squint. Ensure that your text is easily readable, even at a quick glance.
Compromise on data accuracy: Always ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data presented in your infographic. Double-check your sources and ensure that the information you’re presenting is factual and trustworthy. Data accuracy aside, here’s how you can source and cite your infographics properly to boost credibility.
Lack of visual hierarchy: Maintain a clear and logical structure within your infographic, utilizing a cohesive visual hierarchy that guides your audience through the content in a seamless and intuitive manner, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable reading experience.
Neglect mobile optimization: Don’t forget about the mobile audience. Optimize your infographic for mobile viewing, ensuring that it maintains its visual appeal and readability across various screen sizes and devices.
Forget to include sharing options: Don’t underestimate the power of sharing. Encourage your audience to share your infographic by integrating sharing options, allowing them to effortlessly spread your content within their circles and amplify your reach.
Key takeaway: Craft meaningful connections and convert qualified leads with infographics
Incorporating engaging infographics into your lead generation approach isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about forging meaningful connections with your audience. By leveraging the storytelling prowess and visual appeal of infographics, you have the opportunity to establish your brand as a trusted expert in your industry, setting yourself apart from the competition.
These dynamic visual tools not only attract a higher quantity of qualified leads but also enable you to cultivate deeper levels of engagement. By presenting information in a visually digestible format, you can effectively communicate complex concepts and value propositions, resonating with your audience on a more profound level.
Ultimately, the strategic integration of infographics empowers you to not only increase your lead count but also nurture these leads into long-term, loyal customers. It’s a powerful way to build credibility, strengthen brand recognition and drive sustainable growth in today’s competitive digital landscape.
