Lead Generation: 25 Motivators to Entice Storage, Security, and Data Management Prospect to Register Their Contact Information with You

The more prospects who choose to register their contact information with you the better. Someone who opts-in to your house list is demonstrating an interest in your message. Some may represent immediate sales opportunities. Others can be inexpensively nurtured over time using email until they purchase, opt-out or are disqualified as a prospect.

To build your house list you need to give your prospects a reason to share their contact information with you. Having a great product or special offer may not be a good enough incentive because many visitors will not be in purchasing mode when they first get to your web page. Most will be in learning mode. Keep that in mind when deciding what incentive to offer.

Here are the most common motivators that entice people to register their contact details on a web site:

1. To request pricing or other information
2. To access or download a white paper or article
3. To see a product demonstration
4. To attend a webinar (or to view a recording of one)
5. To attend a telephone seminar (or to hear a recording of one)
6. To read a research report
7. To download an e-book
8. To access a trial product
9. To subscribe to an e-newsletter
10. To subscribe to a print magazine
11. To get special access to VIP benefits
12. To participate in a forum
13. To access technical support
14. To access a peer network such as a user group
15. To use an online tool or calculator
16. To get a coupon or discount code
17. To register for an event such as a trade show or seminar
18. To receive notifications (e.g. product availability, new listings, etc)
19. For a customized experience (e.g. to store preference data)
20. To download an audio file (e.g. a telephone seminar, podcast, music)
21. To enter a high-value sweepstakes
22. To join an affiliate program
23. To join a loyalty program (e.g. airline miles)
24. To receive a gift
25. To participate in a survey

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Best practices doe choosing the right opt-in motivators

The best incentive for your business will depend on your unique situation. However, in general the following best practice rules apply:

• Offer credible value-add information related to what the visitor is looking for. Your brochure does not qualify as an incentive to register.
• The offer should be of value to a prospective customer, not to the general public. Remember you want sales prospects, not just a list of names.
• Keep the title of your offer relevant to what you sell.
• The offer should relate to a prospect’s purchase decision process.
• If possible, provide immediate gratification once the form is completed.
• Always tell the visitor what is in it for them.
• Don’t ask for too much information. You can get more information later. At least ask for a full name, company name and an email address.
• Build trust. Clearly state your privacy policy on the registration page. Tell the visitor what will happen when they register and assure them they can easily opt-out.
• Keep it simple. The page must look and work simply. Don’t let the programmers over-complicate it.
• Test different incentives and registration page designs.

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About the Author

David X. Lamont is an accomplished marketer of IT products and a partner at Marketingsage, a PR and lead generation firm that specializes in marketing data storage, data management, and enterprise software products. He can be reached by email at blog [at] marketingsage.net. Fellow marketers and IT professionals are invited to join his network on LinkedIn and to subscribe to this blog (see sidebar).