Lead Management Software Channel Feature

Trends to Support Lead Management Software Value

When Facebook (News - Alert) first entered the market in 2004, could any marketer truly understand the what was about to happen? Social networks and social media until that point had been little more than opportunities for social interactions and few understood that this movement would forever change the way we do business. 

This Mashable report recently examined some of the trends that savvy inbound marketers should keep in mind today, especially those hoping to get the most value out of their lead management software. The first on the list shouldn’t be of too much surprise as the mobile phenomenon continues to expand. 

Mobile/M-commerce – U.K.-based grocer, Tesco, launched a test last summer for virtual grocery shopping in subways and bus stops in Seoul, South Korea. Full color photos offered extensive visuals of available products and QR codes could be accessed for more information. If customers placed an order by a certain time, they could have their groceries delivered to any address, same day. For those seeking to leverage the power of lead management software through mobile devices, the smartphone is the way to go.

Personalize – Google (News - Alert) has been thwarted time and again by the dominance of Facebook in the social media realm. The former has not given up, recently announcing plans to merge public search with Google+. This personalized approach to search is expected to significantly improve the user experience. Plus, lead management software will get a significant boost as marketers can deliver content users want, while they gain the most targeted leads they’ve ever been able to generate. 

GeoSoMo – it’s still too soon to tell what role GeoSoMo (geo social media) will play in lead management software or the marketing space in 2012. In fact, it’s really a Mashable term, but the idea is to get social geographically. The concept was gaining attention among the 18 to 34 crowd in 2011 and services like Gowalla and Foursquare (News - Alert) have already gained significant followings. Generating leads through GeoSoMo is possible with the right strategy and the ability to be always-on. 

Automation – marketers of yesteryear would salivate over the number of channels marketers today have to reach potential customers. Marketing automation is a necessity to manage the dozens of channels and the sub-channels within those channels and new channels emerging each week. Lead management software can help in the process, as long as you support your strategy with automation. 

Integrating information – the amount of information captured in any lead management software platform must be available for integration into your marketing efforts, or the first step accomplishes nothing of value. You are likely capturing volumes of information, demanding you have the right tools to organize that information so it can be integrated into your strategy to drive results. Information is intelligence in today’s market and those falling behind will be left there to die.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny