Top 4 Ways to Generate Leads in Digital Marketing (Smart Tactics for B2B and B2C)

Generate leads in digital marketing through:

1. Content marketing and SEO
2. Social media marketing and paid advertising
3. Cold outreach and automation
4. Referrals and networking

Content marketing and SEO create the foundation for digital lead generation. When you create content that addresses your audience’s questions, you establish authority. Strategic keywords then drive organic traffic to your website. Get tips from other marketing pros about making content for different platforms. 

Social media and paid advertising target specific prospect demographics. Marketing experts recommend finding quality leads in Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook groups. Focus on platforms where people search for solutions that your agency provides. Spending a few hours each day on these platforms can help you find clients looking for services. And AI tools automate this monitoring process to reach clients directly. 

Cold outreach and lead magnets capture contact information. Presenting guides, templates, or webinars for personal details creates a sales funnel path. Also, encouraging referrals from past customers generates warm leads with higher conversion rates.

With 61% of marketing professionals having trouble with acquiring leads, these strategies work together to address that business challenge. We will highlight how each strategy complements one another, whether in B2B or B2C. 

1. Optimize Content Marketing and SEO for Inbound Digital Marketing Leads

Content marketing combined with SEO attracts people searching for solutions that you provide. This method makes people more willing to try what you offer. It works for both business and consumer markets, but in different ways. Benefits for B2B marketers:

• Content shines when it’s based on data, teaches the audience, and produces good results.
• Since the buying process is longer, the business needs content at each decision stage.
• B2B content targets many stakeholders within an organization.

For B2C marketers:

• Leads are captured when content is emotionally engaging and visually appealing.
• Decisions happen faster, demanding content that creates immediate interest and urgency.
• Content for B2C speaks directly to individual consumers and their personal needs.

Content marketing directs prospects to you through the information on search engines. It leads to 3 times more than traditional outbound methods. It is the most affordable lead generation strategy that costs 62% less than the other methods. Here’s how to optimize your content through SEO:

• Create high-quality blog posts, videos, ebooks, or webinars. Solve problems and answer questions your target audience is searching for. Use SEO to improve rankings on Google for “digital marketing agency near me” searches. AI website builders like Snapps.ai speed up content creation. They maintain quality and SEO optimization, so you can publish consistently. If you work in marketing tech, create guides on marketing automation. Also, share your best email marketing tips. Creating these resources positions your brand as helpful and knowledgeable.
• Suggest lead magnets to convert content readers into leads. Include a free downloadable guide or a digital marketing webinar sign-up on your blog. Interested visitors submit their emails to access it. 
• Make sure your content is discoverable. Optimize keywords and meta tags to improve site performance. Higher organic rankings drive traffic and generate leads in digital marketing. Invest time in keyword research and SEO tools to refine your strategy.

Alex Cattoni built a million-dollar business in her first year without paid ads. She created content on social media and YouTube to drive organic traffic to her website. She points out that a useful checklist, guide, or masterclass fixes email address problems. After you capture leads, nurture them with emails. These emails should build trust and show you understand their challenges. Afterward, transition to sales emails that present your services as the solution.

2. Tap into Social Media and Paid Advertising Channels

Social media and paid ads generate leads for businesses growing their customer base. These platforms allow digital marketing agencies to reach their audiences. They focus on demographics, interests, behaviors, and job titles. For B2B lead generation:

• Targets specific decision-makers by job title, industry, and company size.
• Shows your expertise through helpful, informative content.
• Guides customers through longer sales processes by sending messages in a step-by-step order.
• Connects with professionals where business discussions occur.
• Optimizes campaigns using data that focus on business results and ROI.

B2C companies engage consumers directly with visually appealing and emotionally resonant messaging. Here are the benefits of social media and paid ads:

• Reaches a wide consumer audience of different age groups and interests.
• Share your brand’s story that resonates emotionally with your audience.
• Make engagement interactive and encourage your customers to connect with your brand.
• Drives immediate sales with interesting offers.
• Builds communities around your brand values and lifestyle.

Social media and paid ads work because they reach people where they already spend their time. Users in the US spend over 2 hours a day on social media. This makes it a brilliant spot for generating leads in digital marketing. It lets your brand become part of what people already enjoy. Paid advertising raises your visibility. It targets specific groups with tailored messages to drive conversions. Here are ways to let consumers make a purchase:

• Build a strong presence across social media. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are great for attracting and nurturing leads.Share content created, respond to comments, and share the human side of your brand. Always include next steps in your posts, like “Download our free guide” or “Sign up for a free trial.” Gather leads from Facebook Lead Ads that collect info quickly. Then, use Instagram Story links to guide users to landing pages. 53% of marketers use social media as their main lead generation tool. For B2B digital marketing, 44% of marketers say LinkedIn is best for finding new leads.
• Speed up strategies with targeted digital ads. Google search ads connect with people who are looking for digital marketing solutions. Social media ads let you focus on certain groups. You can target them by their interests and behaviors. While Lead Form Ads on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn collect user information without making them leave the platform. Run these ads giving out a “free website traffic audit”. When users click, a form appears to collect their business email and website URL.
• Retarget and display ads. Don’t miss the opportunity to reconnect with website visitors who didn’t take action. Retargeting ads on social media keep your brand in front of interested users. This gives them another chance to buy your services. To build custom audiences, add a tracking code to your website. This way, you can reach out to those who viewed PPC management or content marketing but didn’t contact you. Then, follow up with messages to encourage conversions.

Gary Vaynerchuk says social media now grabs more attention than any other medium. He highlights the need to create unique content for each platform. Posting the same thing everywhere isn’t effective. GaryVee advises to test your creative ideas with organic social media. This way, you can make informed choices before investing in paid campaigns. He believes that each post’s success depends on its creative quality. Measure what works and connect with customers in ways that don’t feel pushy.

3. Implement Email Marketing and Nurture Digital Leads through Automation

Email marketing and automation systems nurture leads after capturing information. This method works well for both B2B and B2C digital marketing strategies. B2B businesses take weeks or months to make purchasing decisions. Email marketing and automation benefit B2B companies by:

• Staying in touch with those who might take months to decide on a purchase.
• Build trust through your expertise before asking for a sale.
• See which leads are most interested based on how they interact with emails.
• Set up automatic follow-ups based on what actions leads take.

B2C companies use email and automation to keep customers engaged. This technique boosts purchases by delivering timely and personalized messages. These faster-paced campaigns benefit B2C businesses by:

• Staying in contact with customers after their first visit to your website.
• Remind shoppers about products they left in their carts.
• Suggest new products based on past purchases.
• Create excitement with special discounts and limited-time deals.
• Build customer loyalty through regular communication.

Email marketing delivers good results where every $1 spent generates an average return of $42. You fully own your email list. Other platforms change their rules, but yours stay the same. Plus, you see exactly how people interact with your emails. Here’s what to improve in this strategy over time:

• Create different email lists based on how people find you. Send them content through blog posts or social media to move them toward making a purchase. When someone subscribes to your newsletter, send them a welcome series. This series should have useful tips and details about your services. Regular emails keep your brand fresh in their minds. 89% of marketers use email to find new customers. Make sure your emails provide useful tips, industry news, and special promos. It builds trust rather than asking for sales.
• Use lead generation software and CRM tools. Automation platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesmate send emails based on triggers. Triggers include someone downloading your digital marketing guides. These tools automatically send a follow-up email two days later. For B2B companies it might take multiple contacts before a company buys. Set up scoring systems to identify who opens emails or visits your pricing page.
• Match your email content to the customer’s buying journey. New leads get educational content and light offers. While, interested leads receive product comparisons or customer stories. Those who are ready to buy get a free trial, consultation, or sales call booking. By the time your sales team contacts them, they already understand your value. Regular emails can make leads 20% more likely to become customers, research shows. 

Matthew Larsen transformed his business through automated cold email campaigns. His system sent out 20,000 targeted emails each day. It consistently booked one call for every 1,000 emails. It gave him 20 new client calls each day. Larsen spent 60 minutes each day on social media outreach. This effort kept his pipeline full, even during slow days. 

4. Encourage Referrals, Partnerships, and Engage in Digital Marketing Communities

Referrals, partnerships, and community engagement rely on current connections. They avoid the need to build new ones from scratch. For B2B companies, referrals from satisfied clients are high-value, so they close deals faster. Here are other benefits of this method for B2B companies:

• Access decision-makers through trusted introductions.
• Shorter sales cycles as trust are established from the beginning.
• Higher-value opportunities from qualified referrals.
• Reduced customer acquisition costs compared to cold outreach.
• Stronger relationships with both referrers and new clients.

Referral programs drive quick growth for B2C businesses. Happy customers share their positive experiences with friends and family. Other benefits include:

• A lower budget is needed to get customers because of the existing customer base.
• Higher trust levels come from personal recommendations.
• Instant growth occurs as each customer brings a lot of new leads.
• Word-of-mouth marketing that outperforms advertising.

These relationship-based strategies work because people trust recommendations from people they know more. 92% of consumers trust friends and family more than any other ads. For small businesses with tight budgets for digital marketing, do this:

• Turn your happy customers into a lead source. Create a referral program where existing customers are rewarded for referring new leads. Give a $100 account credit for each referral that becomes a paying client. Or, an online course provider might have a “give $10, get $10” discount. Referral leads convert better and faster because they come with trust via word of mouth. Customers referred by others stay 37% longer, and they cost little in ads.
• Connect with complementary businesses to access new audiences. Co-host a webinar or “digital masterclass” with a partner or cross-promote each other’s email lists. Each company gets exposure to the other’s prospects. Such partnerships increase leads by tapping into an audience that already trusts the other partner.
• Be present in the right communities. For B2B marketing, actively participate in industry forums, LinkedIn groups, and Q&A communities such as Quora or Reddit. Also, attend virtual or in-person networking events and digital marketing conferences can significantly boost your visibility and connections. For B2C, be active in Facebook Groups related to your niche. Respond to comments on social media or build your own community. These avenues let you generate leads online for free by building real relationships.

TK Kader describes referral marketing as a “secret weapon.” It encourages happy customers to introduce you to future customers through warm introductions. He highlights that B2B lead generation referrals rely on recognition or exclusive access, not cash rewards. Kader recommends asking for referrals when they share that they are satisfied. Simplify the referral process by using ready-made emails. Focus on nurturing relationships consistently, not just asking for help once. 

How Can I Measure the Success of My Digital Lead Generation Campaigns?

• Conversion Rate: Track how many decided to get your digital marketing services. See who signs up for a newsletter or requests a demo. A good conversion rate shows that you meet your audience’s needs.
• Cost Per Lead (CPL): Calculate your total spending to get a new lead. Divide how much your campaign costs by how many leads you generated.
• Lead Quality Score: Check how likely leads are to turn into customers. Consider demographics, engagement levels, and buying signals.
• Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate how much you generated from your lead generation campaigns. Divide by your total investment to make sure it is worthwhile.
• Lead-to-Customer Ratio: Track what percentage of leads convert to paying customers. Identify which platforms most digital marketing leads come from.
• Landing Page Performance: Check the bounce rate, time on page, and form completion rate. This will help you improve your lead capture pages. Better-performing pages improve conversion rates.
• Email Engagement Metrics: Track open rates, click-through rates, and response rates for your emails. Assess what you need to improve to have more people opening your emails and converting.
• Social Media Metrics: Track engagement, clicks, and conversions from social platforms. This shows which platforms generate leads in digital marketing.

Can Website Builders Generate Digital Marketing Leads?

Website builders are powerful tools for generating digital marketing leads when used strategically. There are website builders for digital marketing agencies that generate leads with their built-in lead capture features. Marketers can use customizable contact forms, pop-ups, newsletter sign-ups, and landing pages. These tools help create websites with clear calls to action. They guide visitors to important conversion points. Many digital marketing agencies find website builders with SEO-friendly features. Newer AI-powered platforms like Snapps.ai take lead generation to the next level. This platform automatically optimizes page elements based on visitor behavior. You can create personalized experiences that increase conversion rates and generate leads.