What Are Leads and Why Do They Matter?
A lead is a person who shows interest in your product. They give you their contact information. This could be an email address. It could also be a phone number. They might have downloaded an e-book from your website. Or they may have signed up for a newsletter. This action shows they are interested. This interest is a very important first step. Without leads, a business cannot grow. Leads are the fuel for business growth. They are the potential customers of tomorrow.
The Different Types of Leads
Not all leads are the same. Some are more ready to buy phone number lead than others. We can put leads into different groups. The first group is an Information Qualified Lead (IQL). This lead is just starting to learn. They may have read a blog post. They are gathering information. They are not ready to buy yet. The next group is a Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL). This lead is more interested. They might have downloaded a product guide. They have shown more engagement. They are closer to a purchase than an IQL. The final group is a Sales Qualified Lead (SQL). This is a very important lead. An SQL is ready to talk to a salesperson. They have a problem they want to solve. They believe your product can help. They are very close to making a purchase.
The Customer Journey: From Stranger to Customer
The journey of a lead is very interesting. It starts with a person who knows nothing about your brand. They are a stranger. Then, they discover your brand. They might see an ad. They might read a blog post. Now they are a prospect. When they give you their information, they become a lead. They then move through different stages. They become an IQL, then an MQL, and finally an SQL. At each stage, your job is to give them more information. You must build their trust. Eventually, they become a customer.