Four Hot Tips To Making Customers Take Notice And Snag Sales Leads
Businesses and individuals are always searching for sales leads, but often are unsure of how to tell their story in a way that will get prospective customers to take notice. Chief operating officer, Prezi, Jim Szafranski, has four tips to nab those leads and follow through.
That said, marketing teams are increasingly looking towards leveraging multimedia content as a tool to tell their stories. Webinars in particular are on the rise as a key tool for engaging prospects and driving leads to sales teams.
According to the 2015 Demand Gen Report, 73 per cent of marketers said webinars were the most successful engagement tactic for generating top-of-funnel qualified leads. Additionally, 65 per cent said that webinars were most successful in converting and accelerating mid-and bottom-funnel leads.
The reason webinars are so effective is because they require active engagement from the audience. Prospective customers take 30 minutes out of their day, answer live poll questions, participate in Q&A, and provide you with feedback — all of which provides sales teams with data that enables them to have more valuable conversations.
When it comes to creating an engaging webinar presentation, there are a few key tactics to keep in mind. Follow these four steps to tell a visual story and build an emotional connection with your brand to drive results — whether you’re looking for marketing-qualified leads or trying to close the deal.
1. Tell stories through data
Most presentations involve data, charts, or graphs, to validate our ideas. However, data and charts alone are not enough to inspire action from your audience. Combining data with storytelling is a far more powerful way to persuade your audience.
This is exemplified through the real-life example of the Save the Children Foundation. They ran an A/B test of two brochures, each one designed to drive donations. The first brochure had charts, facts, and figures about global poverty and hunger.
The second combined this data with a story about a girl whose life would be directly impacted by donations to the foundation. The brochure with the story drove twice as many donations than the one only containing data.
When crafting a presentation designed to persuade your audience, first start with an emotional hook (a story) that will drive people to make the decision you want them to make. From there, back the story up with insightful data, to help your audience rationalise their decision.
2. Use ‘micro-storytelling’
As your audience wait for your webinar to start, they will see a holding section which is often a simple title section. This actually presents an opportunity to tell a ‘micro-story’. You might choose to include a short blurb along with your title, or open with imagery that sets the tone for your presentation.
The point is that you shouldn’t leave any space within your presentation untouched by your brand’s voice and story. Take advantage of the time you have with your audience to build a relationship with them from the moment they first see your presentation, to the survey they fill out at the end of the webinar.
3. Be authentic
Authenticity has become increasingly important given the amount of noise that marketers have to compete with today. Audiences are far less receptive to cheesy marketing messages, and instead seek out unique and genuine content to determine which brands they can trust.
In order to build authenticity into your webinar presentations, steer clear of generic stock images. Spend time finding unique images that bring your message to life. For example, if you’re including a customer testimonial in your presentation, don’t just include a chunk of text and read it out to your audience.
Consider asking your customer to tell their story via video and play it to your audience. Better yet, ask the customer to come onto your webinar as a speaker and tell their story live.
4. Incorporate visual metaphors
Visual metaphors are powerful tools to make your message memorable for your audience — a crucial factor in encouraging them to take action once your webinar is over.
Take the three main points of your presentation, and try equating each of those with a visual aid that represents your message. For example, if you are talking about the challenges and successes of a certain business initiative, consider using an image of a mountain to represent both the obstacles along the climb and the success at the summit.
Latest News
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Florencia Aimo (lead image) has been appointed to the role of vice president of integrated marketing and communications, Australasia, at Mastercard after the departure of Kirsty Redfearn earlier this year. In the new role, Aimo will lead Mastercard’s marketing efforts across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. She will manage a high-performing team of […]
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Bastion has appointed one of the industry’s most respected and experienced leaders, Cheuk Chiang, as CEO for Australia and New Zealand to deliver against the agency’s plans for significant growth. Lead image: Jack Watts and Cheuk Chiang Chiang, whose career has been deeply rooted in innovation and leadership across creative, media, data and technology, where […]
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
It’s only Wednesday, and this week in the professional sporting world has already been shrouded in disappointment. From the Cronulla Sharks’ Braydon Trindall being barred from training and playing for the immediate future due to an alleged Drug and Alcohol driving charge, to the Newcastle Knights losing superstar Kalyn Ponga to a long-term injury and […]
The Power Of Nostalgia: Reinvented Macca’s Chant Gets Aussies Singing
If you, like most of the country, can’t seem to get the iconic Big Mac chant out of your head and have been seriously craving a famous burger over the last few weeks, you have experienced first-hand the success of the latest Macca’s Big Mac campaign. Bringing back the iconic chant and last week introducing […]
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
The 71st Sydney Film Festival has announced that it will present the World Premiere of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line for its Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, June 5, at the State Theatre, followed by a post-screening celebration in the Sydney Town Hall. The Hardest Line tells Midnight Oil’s trailblazing story for the first time […]
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
IntelligenceBank, the platform that empowers global marketing teams to go to market faster, maintain brand integrity across channels and maintain legal compliance, is pleased to announce open entries for the 2024 Brandies. Once again, the Brandies will celebrate the brilliant brand work produced by marketing and brand heroes worldwide. Past winners included marketing teams from […]
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
The Fred Hollows Foundation has appointed Ardent, an independent full-service agency, to lead its upcoming public relations campaign, concluding a competitive pitch process. The exciting partnership will see Ardent support The Foundation across earned media relations, ambassador procurement, influencer engagement, and social media amplification for their two major community fundraising events in 2024. With an […]
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Fiverr International Ltd. has released its 2024 Business Trends Index, which is compiled from trending searches for freelance digital services on Fiverr’s platform. Among the millions of searches on the marketplace over the past six months, AI, eCommerce and social media marketing all saw significant increases. The Index shows that businesses are seeking out skilled […]
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
oOh!media has launched Perth’s first 3D anamorphic billboard. Located in Yagan Square, the billboard will display ads for local science museum Scitech, created by oOh!’s creative innovation hub POLY. Richard Moore, production and content director, POLY, said: “oOh! continues to invest in adding scalable 3D and 3DA technology to our digital network across Australia. It […]
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
Crown Resorts and MasterChef Australia are setting the table to welcome fans and foodies to a new pop-up restaurant and unique dining experience called ALUMNI at Crown Melbourne, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. ALUMNI will see a rotating cast of MasterChef Australia alumni at a pop-up restaurant for a limited time, […]
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
The Foxtel Group has announced that Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group chief commercial and content officer and BINGE managing director, has resigned and will be leaving the Group later this year. “Since joining the Foxtel Group in 2018, Amanda has been instrumental to the Foxtel Group’s content strategy and has played a key leadership role in […]
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
After more than 100 years, Australians will hear from the Anzacs of Gallipoli in their own words. Tomorrow, Thursday April 25, in an Anzac Day eight-page special, News Corp Australia’s state and regional mastheads will publish The Lost Letters. Kept safe by the Australian War Memorial, the hand-written letters have been transcribed for this special. […]
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the agency, Akkomplice has joined Howatson+Company. Akkomplice was founded in Melbourne by Kenny Hill in 2014 after leadership roles with JWT, DDB and M&C Saatchi. Since then, the independent creative agency has worked with leading brands, including Kellogg’s, Darrell Lea, Mercedes-Benz, Sirena, Slater & Gordon, Pringles, Choice Hotels, Wesfarmers […]
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
Google has announced that it will be delaying the end of third-party cookies on Chrome potentially into 2025. Google said that there were “ongoing challenges” with the deprecation plans, related to “reconciling divergent feedback from the industry, regulators and developers.” It had been planned to finally kill the cookie in the “second half of Q4” […]
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Marketing advisory, strategy, and analytics company Forethought have revealed that only 3.3 per cent of Australians ranked education as the top priority for the Federal budget, falling well behind areas such as cost of living (53 per cent), healthcare (13 per cent), and housing (13 per cent). When it comes to education in particular, universities […]
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
Charity organisation Cancer Chicks has launched a powerful new brand platform and campaign, FUCC It, empowering young women living with cancer and gathering support from everyday Australians. “FUCC It”, developed via an integrated partnership between Initiative IMPACT and MBCS, aims to become a cultural catchcry to empower young women not to let cancer, severe chronic […]
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.
Entries For Five Decades Of Advertising Graduates Awards Close On Monday
Entries for the Five Decades of Advertising awards close Monday. And no extensions! Any bribery is open til Wednesday.
Cadbury Extends Commitment To Women’s Sport With Sweet New Wallaroos Deal
Rot your teeth, get fat and support women's sport all at the same time with this sweet new sponsorship arrangement.
Campfire X & Nando’s Partner To Acknowledge Traditional Land Owners Across Australia
Chicken chain unveils important First Nations initiative. The actual chickens more concerned with the Adani coal mine.
Lisa Ronson, Naysla Edwards & Ben Hill Join MFA Awards Signature Judging Panel
MFA Awards adds some serious clout to its judging panel. Still no confirmation Paulini will be performing on the night.
Connect Hearing ‘Sounds Good’ Platform Via Bread Agency
Every office has that one hard of hearing person that's oblivious to the fact. Ramp up their insecurities with this.
Ipsos Iris Data: Australians Prioritise Entertainment & Sports Over Serious News In March
Data shows Aussies prioritising light entertainment over hard news. And who can blame them if you've seen the hard news!
Fur Media Partners With Mad Paws To Support Advertisers
It's never good if your office smells like faeces & brine chunks in aspic. Not if you're pet-friendly agency Fur Media.