When we implement a website or an on-line marketing campaign for a client, I always make sure that I am copied personally on any correspondence that goes through from a potential customer to one of our clients. This is especially helpful in a number of different ways but foremost, it allows me to keep an eye on website activity and specifically, lead generation. One thing that has been apparent in the last couple of months is that direct leads are down– but they aren’t “out.” In fact, I had lunch yesterday with a potential new client who reads this blog regularly and picked up the phone to talk about her business. So let’s take a look at lead generation and how to be smarter in today’s economy. (more…)