Types of lead generation business opportunities in 2024 include:
- Rank & Rent
- Organic traffic
- Paid advertising
- Email marketing
- Social media
- Generating leads for ecommerce brands
Business In The News reports that "lead generation is the number one goal for 91% of marketers in 2024." To get high-quality leads, you need to use a type of lead generation that targets the right people on the right platforms. Research suggests that "95% of marketers think they know which channels generate the most leads for their business". Yet further data from Ruler Analytics states that "37% of marketers report generating high-quality leads among their most significant challenges".
Understand what types of lead generation are available and how to get attention to drive the best leads to your offers. Then, learn how they work and whether they're the best choice for your company. This article covers fourteen types of lead generation business opportunities explained, outlines how to make the right choice for your brand, and why you need to develop a clear strategy to acquire new customers in 2024.
14 Types Of Lead Generation Business Opportunities Explained
1. Rank & Rent Lead Generation Websites
Rank and rent websites are a type of lead generation that focuses on the local market. Build micro websites in one location that target one service. Editor Ninja reports that "the interest in lead generation strategies has increased by 100% from 2017-2022". Rank and rent uses localized methods like on and off-site SEO, content creation, and other marketing tactics to get sites to the top of Google. Those sites produce leads. Then, you can sell them to a business owner for a flat fee, percentage, or paid-per-lead pricing strategy.
2. Paid Traffic
Paid traffic is a kind of lead generation that uses advertising campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, or TikTok. In 2023, paid ads can get a few quick wins. TechJury states that "people are 155% more likely to search for your brand after seeing it advertised." But paid ads run on dollars, and costs are rising. Viden Globe suggests that "the price of paid ads on Google increased by 20%-30% in 2022". Benefits of paid traffic include:
But ad fatigue and high levels of competition can make paid traffic pricey, and you only get leads if you keep paying for them. There's also the risk of click fraud, ad blocks, and people who just ignore them. Siteefy says that "the average person sees about 10,000 ads every day, but most are irrelevant".
3. Organic Traffic
This type of lead generation focuses on free traffic using methods like blogs, social media posts, or YouTube videos. HubSpot suggests that "marketers with blogs are 13Xs as likely to drive positive ROIs". To get attention on the Internet, you need to blend on and off-site SEO strategies like backlinks and citations, GBP and Google maps, and user-generated content.
Marketing Charts shares that "59% of B2B marketers think SEO has the biggest influence on lead gen". Organic traffic takes time and requires a marketing strategy to generate results. But in 2023, research shows that "27% of lead generators think stated organic search results in the most leads".
4. Generate Leads For Affiliate Offers
To generate leads for affiliate offers, focus on referral marketing and building real relationships with your ideal audience. Authority Hacker shares that "a brand that uses affiliate marketing sees average ROIs of $15 for every $1 spent." (That's a return of 1400%). To create a stream of high-quality leads, use strategies like:
Lead generation for affiliate marketing takes a mix of organic approaches like using the right keywords and long tail keywords and SEO strategies, including UX htags and mobile responsiveness. Then, run paid ads or leverage influencer marketing to get a few fast wins.
PRO TIP:
Add your affiliate link everywhere you share your offers to generate more leads.
5. Generate Leads For Big eCommerce Brands
Generate leads for big ecommerce brands by connecting companies with the right people. This type of lead generation can drive sales and boost revenue for the brand. B2B lead generation companies can get a marketing qualified lead using strategies like:
Databox reports that in 2024, B2C companies have "more than 30 landing pages". Using a strategy like landing pages allows you to target different market segments. Then, you can create tailored and curated content that elicits a response from each specified audience.
6. Lead Generation Arbitrage
Arbitrage is a type of lead generation where you get leads and do the work yourself. With arbitrage, you eliminate the go-between, so you don't pay an agency to get new customers. Instead, you can build and rank websites, create a YouTube channel, or develop a social media page.
Build awareness around your brand and connect with people who need your product or service. Then, have a member of your sales team follow up and close the deal. Research from Data Axle shows that "under 20% of sales qualified leads are followed up correctly".
7. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing uses platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram to connect and interact with potential customers. By leveraging this lead generation technique, a small business can build brand awareness, boost sales, get more attention, and drive traffic to its offers.
Data from Social Media Examiner suggests that "66% of marketers get leads using social media with only six hours per week on social marketing". Popular approaches to get more leads with social media marketing include things like:
- Add social proof, like reviews & testimonials
- Leverage influencers & paid ads
- Host live streams & video content
- Post limited-time offers & discounts
- Focus on retargeting & a lead magnet with a clear CTA
Statista says that "more than 4.89 billion people use social media globally in 2023." Social media is a way to get more leads from people who might not see your offer elsewhere.
8. Email Marketing
This type of lead generation uses emails to build relationships, share information, nurture a potential lead, and boost engagement. Email marketing can grow sales and increase the lifetime value of a customer. Demand Gen reports that "53% of marketers feel emails are the most effective channel for early-stage lead generation". To create effective email campaigns, design a lead generation strategy with things like:
- A compelling subject line & personalized language
- Keep it short, clear & relevant
- Make sure the body of your email matches your headline
- Talk about the benefits, not the features
- Use actionable language around the next steps and your CTA
In 2023, emails are still a cost-effective and profitable way to collect data, stay connected, and make more sales. Campaign Monitor reports that "each dollar spent on email marketing, you earn around $42 in return (a 4400% ROI) and is the highest performing lead generation tool".
9. Inbound Marketing
Inbound lead generation is a marketing method that draws people to your brand through curated content or video creatives that get them to take action on an offer. The focus of inbound marketing is that the buyer comes to you. In contrast, with outbound lead generation, you reach out to possible clients through cold calling, an ad in the local newspaper, or an email campaign.
WP Forms indicates that "50% of marketers say inbound marketing strategies, like onsite forms, are their top source for leads". Further data from SERP Watch suggests that "inbound marketing is 10X more effective in improving lead conversion rates than outbound marketing".
10. Lead Generation Landing Pages
Landing pages are a marketing strategy and an effective type of lead generation explicitly designed for one goal or call to action. A landing page can increase conversions and lower the cost of acquiring a new lead. Marketo says that "68% of companies use landing pages to generate more leads". In 2023, a few key tips for creating a landing page that gets traffic include:
Then, test and track your results. See what works and adjust what doesn't.
11. Public Relations
Public relations is a lead generation type that focuses on building relationships with key people like customers, employees, investors, media personnel, and the general public. This lead generation idea is a cost-effective way to broaden your reach and scale a brand.
In 2023, influencers play a fundamental role in public relations. Data from Meltwater suggests that "93% of PR experts think influencer marketing is a key tool for PR".
12. Lead Generation Events
Events in lead generation can pinpoint and capture possible prospects and increase sales. This type of lead generation technique uses live or virtual affairs like a conference, trade show, or product demonstration to get in front of a broader audience and advertise a product or service. Splash suggests that "52% of marketers believe that event marketing results in the best ROIs".
13. Word Of Mouth
Word of mouth is social proof and one of the most influential types of lead generation to increase sales and boost brand awareness. SEMRush indicates that "word of mouth gets 5X more sales than compared to paid ads". Influencers and social engagement can drive a sales lead or land a paying customer. Reviews and testimonials build trust and connect with potential customers on an emotional level. Research from HubSpot states, "75% of people don't believe in paid ads, but 70% trust reviews from other consumers".
14. Direct Mail
Direct mail is a type of lead generation that applies to sending people physical mail like a postcard, letter, or catalog to gain a qualified lead. Data from Lob's State of Direct Mail report reveals that "74% of marketers think direct mail gets the highest ROI of any lead gen channel in 2023". But to connect with a lead quality high enough to pursue your direct mail campaign, it needs to include a few key features:
Direct mail is still an effective way to generate leads, attract new clients, and build awareness. Research from The Winterberry Group predicts that "spending on direct mail will grow from 1.6% to 3.3% of ad dollars in 2024".
What Are Examples Of Lead Generation Strategies?
Examples of lead generation strategies include rank and rent websites, paid ads, retargeting, and product trials. Other lead generation strategies include:
Create an offer that's better than the competition. Include opt-ins like a free giveaway or a loyalty shopper discount on your landing pages. Search Engine Land reports that the "top 10% of landing pages get 3-5X better conversion rates". Further research suggests that "search outperforms social media by 300% for driving traffic to content sites". The key is to own digital real estate like a website. Then, share content on the Internet that gives them the best answer or solution to their problems.
What Is The Most Common Type Of Lead Generation?
Online lead generation is the most common type of lead generation. Statista says that "there are over 5.19 billion global Internet users". imFORZA says that "93% of people's online experiences begin with a search engine". In 2024, the fastest and most cost-effective way for a B2B lead generation campaign to reach a broad audience and get attention from a potential client is to leverage an online lead generation strategy like:
Of course, how much a lead is worth depends on factors like the niche, the quality of the lead, the number and consistency of leads generated, and the lifetime value of that lead to a business owner. There are several ways to determine how much a lead is worth, including:
PRO TIP:
In 2024, email marketing is still one of the most common types of lead generation. Data says that "78% of companies use email to get, nurture, and convert more qualified leads".
Why Is Lead Generation Important For Brands?
Lead generation is important for brands because it's the best way to connect with the right people and grow sales. Lead generation can boost brand awareness, increase credibility, and build trust with an identified target audience. Edelman says, "81% of consumers cite trust as the most essential aspect when choosing a brand". When done right, the lead generation business model can be highly profitable. But there are other reasons lead gen is important for brands like:
The lead generation process is any marketing method that gets attention from your ideal buyer and gets them to take action. Lead generation processes can include digital marketing techniques like:
- Content creation or video creatives
- Social shares and stories on platforms like Facebook or TikTok
- Partnerships with other business owners in your industry on sites like LinkedIn
Brands that want to stay relevant, see better ROIs, and generate high-quality leads need to develop the right B2C or B2B lead generation strategy. HubSpot says, "lead generation is the number one priority for marketers in 2023". The key is to learn everything you can about your ideal buyer. Next, spend the time on lead nurturing the right potential customer. Then, increase your reach and post on multiple platforms to generate more qualified leads for your brand.
How Do Outsourced Lead Generation Companies Support Growing Businesses?
Outsourced lead generation companies support growing businesses by saving them time, helping them increase their reach, and getting them the highest quality leads. Data shared by CustomerThink indicates that "outsourcing B2B lead generation results in 43% better outputs than in-house lead gen methods." Other benefits to outsourcing lead generation include things like:
PRO TIP:
Outsource your lead gen strategy to a company that is results-driven and understands the voice of your brand.
Related Lead Generation Business Articles
- Local Lead Generation Business Model Explained: This article shares a comprehensive overview of the lead generation business model and three reasons why it's the best way to drive online traffic and get the highest quality leads for business owners in 2024.
- Local Lead Generation Vs. SEO Agency: Read more about the difference between lead generation and SEO, including why you need SEO and how the two business models work together.
- How To Start A Local Lead Generation Business: In this article, we cover the differences between lead generation and other forms of advertising.
Why Local Lead Generation Is The Best Choice In 2024
Local lead generation is the best choice for a lead generation business opportunity because you're creating digital wealth. A local lead generation company builds and ranks small websites that get to the top of the SERPs and produce high-quality leads for local business owners. Instead of relying on techniques like paid ads or posting on public forums, you own valuable digital real estate.
At the top, your lead gen sites are in front of people actively searching for your product or service. But you own the website, the tracking number, and the leads. You can sell those leads to a local contractor for profits as high as 85%-90% or a flat fee of $500-$2,000+ per month.
Take this site above that I built in 2015. This website has made me over $216,000 and is only one of over 80 I own. Because of local lead generation, I have created residual income and now earn more than 52K/month. To learn how I was able to generate passive income and make money on the Internet, check out this local lead generation training course.
