Time to read: 3 minutes. “How long should it take to start generating leads on my blog? How many blog posts are needed to make money, how often?” The answer may surprise you. In many cases we’re talking about a few months. Really? Yes, really. Here’s proof and 5 steps you can take right now to make it happen for you.

A few months? Really?

Really.

Ed Worthington sells office copiers. It took him a few months time to get his first copier sales leads from his copier blog. Prospects found his blog on Google and contacted him.

What’s his secret? Ed blogs in question-answer format. This helps him get found by clients “Googling” for helpful advice. He also writes blog articles that  give customers guidance—making sure they don’t get ripped off. He steers them clear of risks. Ed explains solutions to problems customers have in was that creates clarity AND active curiosity in him.

This creates response! (leads)

Todd Todd Giannattasio, of Tresnic Media, challenged himself to write 50 articles in 25 days. His results? 1000% increase in targeted traffic to his Web site and, within a few months, business leads.

The Google factor

In some cases it can take as little as 2 days to get listed on page 1 of Google… if you play your cards right. And if you have a track record of posting relevant content in ways the Googlebot can understand. Here’s an example of a video I uploaded, optimized for keywords and Google listed on page 1 in just 2 days. 

How can you get results like that?

Let’s talk about what it means to “play your cards right” and start getting leads in a few months.

Here’s what to do…

First, I’ll be honest. I’m not getting leads from my Vimeo video listing that is 2 days old. But will I soon?

Yes.

I know this because I am doing what you can do too. Here’s what to do:

1. Do your homework on how your target market searches on Google. I know many of my prospects are trying to start “using LinkedIn for sales leads.” Plus I see HubSpot (a “content competitor” of mine) has top placement here. This search term is important enough for them to be there too.
2. Solve a problem. Ed Worthington knows people want to avoid getting ripped off when buying office copiers. And I know people need to find a way to start using LinkedIn for sales leads. Ed and I solve problems. This is ESSENTIAL for you to focus on when writing blog titles and articles. Right now, ask yourself… what pressing problem do I solve? What pain do I remove? What pleasure do I create? What freedom do I permit? What connection do I allow? Ed, Todd and I discuss this in more detail in this free blogging for lead generation course.
3. Create response. My videos and blog posts are designed to create “ah-HA’s” for my prospects—moments of clarity that create urges within them. Are yours? Use short success stories to illustrate and PROVE you know how to create success for readers. Offer to help the viewer create similar success for themselves. Lay out a “better way” and quickly invite potential customers to join you on a journey… to teach them how to have that same success.
4. Keep it brief + ALWAYS make a call-to-action. My video (in the above example) is 2 minutes long for a reason. More importantly I go for it. I try to get a lead. Don’t be afraid to. You’re not selling—you’re helping prospects take a step toward solving their problem, learning a new skill or avoiding a risk.Make sure you don’t confuse your prospect’s strong desire to get some relief (for free) with their not wanting to be pitched what you sell.Short videos that scratch itches and contain calls-to-action (using Web links in the description and within the video) work. Period.  Make sure all of your videos have calls-to-action.
5. Dominate. I’m currently dominating page 1 search results for this term. I’m not bragging. I’m saying, “look… you can too!” Now, with this video, I have increased my chances of being discovered as an expert and engaged with. This leads me to… leads!

How long should it take to start generating leads on your blog? Yes, “it depends” but in many cases we’re talking about a few months.

Photo credit: ArtNow