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What are leads in sales? Here’s a simple explanation for any industry.

If you’re new to sales, you may have questions about some of the sales lingo you’re hearing. Are you wondering what are leads in sales or whether there’s a difference between leads and prospects? You may be unsure of how to identify leads and what to do with them once you have them. Have no fear – this guide will explain everything you need to know about leads in sales.

What are leads in sales? A brief definition:

A sales lead is a prospective client who has shown some interest in the product you’re selling or your company. This prospective client could be an individual or even another business. There are many ways that leads may be introduced to your company. You may become aware of a lead if they were to contact you by phone, email, or even stopping by the office. A lead may have filled out a questionnaire on your website looking for more information.

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lead-managerBlitz lead management software enables leads to feed automatically into Blitz, assign them to staff and start an automatic follow-up process. Sign up for a 30-day FREE trial.

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Leads are also developed even if the consumer is not the ones approaching you.

A lead could have been created when they filled out a form looking for more information, though not necessarily on your website. Your access may come through marketing efforts such as advertising or even trade shows. Information on leads can even be purchased from third-party companies. If you’re networking correctly, leads are often shared between sales colleagues.

So, when does the sales process begin?

The answer to that question is simple: as soon as your leads are identified. Take a moment and think about who may be future leads for your company or product. If you work in the insurance field, your leads are consumers who may be looking for home or auto insurance. Other leads would be businesses who are looking for liability or rental insurance. If you work in the corporate cleaning world, your leads may be businesses who have recently suffered an emergency, such as flooding or a fire. Think outside of the box when trying to determine your leads. The possibilities could be endless.

Leads exist as soon as you know of a business or consumer’s interest in your company, or you have identified that there’s  a role your company could fill that would  benefit them.

But what do you do once you’ve identified your lead?

Well, it’s time to turn a lead into your customer. Take this opportunity to learn all that you can about your lead. Do you share any connections? It is a possibility that you have a peer in common or even that you both attended the same college. When first speaking with a lead, it’s best to personalize your sales call, email, or meeting to make your lead feel at ease and develop a trust in you.

What are leads in sales? Here’s a quick recap:

A lead is a person or company that has shown interest in the product you’re selling. It’s up to you to capitalize on the lead and turn it from a prospect to a customer. See, the definition is simple!

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lead-managerBlitz lead management software enables leads to feed automatically into Blitz, assign them to staff and start an automatic follow-up process. Sign up for a 30-day FREE trial.

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How does your company manage leads? Share your thoughts in the comments section.