A confident small business owner sitting at a desk in a bright, modern office, brainstorming and planning lead generation strategies. Surrounding icons represent digital marketing, referrals, alliances, publicity, direct mail, and advertising as key elements of a successful business growth plan

Revenue Isn’t the Only Answer

August 04, 20253 min read

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times—maybe you’ve even said it yourself: “Revenue can solve a lot of business problems.” It’s absolutely true in some ways. When new business rolls in, it’s easier to pay bills, sleep at night, and start dreaming big again. But there’s another side to this: revenue can just as easily smooth over issues that need real attention—like profit margins that erode over time, processes that leak time or money, or sales approaches that aren’t as sharp as they could be.

No matter what season your business is in, lead generation sits at the root of every strong business. If summer has felt especially slow this year, take heart—you’re not alone, and it’s the perfect excuse to give your approach a fresh look. The conversations I've been having over the summer prove to me that it's not just you.  Over the years, I’ve worked with owners across all kinds of industries, and I want to share some of our go-to practices for sparking new leads and keeping the pipeline healthy. Maybe one of these ideas is the nudge you need:

Alliances & Joint Ventures:
Some of your best leads might be just outside your own circle. I love to see businesses team up—whether that means swapping guest spots on a webinar, building bundled offers, or just making thoughtful introductions. The right partnership can open doors you never could on your own. Partnerships are at the heart of our expertise, and we've been building them for over 20 years.  It's the best way to scale your business!

Referral Systems:
Your current customers and network already trust you, so why not tap into that? Build an intentional referral system that makes it easy—and even fun—for people to send friends your way. Give people a reason to make a referral so that everyone wins.

Digital Marketing:
Digital gets noisy, but it works when you show up consistently and offer real value. Focus on sharing helpful resources, optimizing your website for the right search terms, and meeting your audience where they’re already spending time online. Have you heard of Ask Engine Optimization (AEO) yet?  It's time to dig in and get noticed.

Publicity & PR:
Nothing beats a bit of third-party validation. Pursue interviews, guest articles, or podcast spots in places where your target clients are tuning in. Oftentimes, podcasters are looking for great interviews and you could be just the right answer for both teams! A well-placed feature can build your reputation and bring in leads that genuinely trust you right out of the gate.

Direct Mail:
Don’t write off the “old-fashioned” approaches—sometimes a great postcard or letter stands out in ways endless emails never will. If you have a well-defined list, test a small direct mail campaign and see what comes back your way.

Advertising:
Ads can still be powerful, whether you lean on social platforms, local print, or something else. The keys? Be crystal clear about your offer, track your results, and never stop refining your message based on what you learn.

If there’s one thing I’ve observed in all my years of business consulting, it’s that there’s no silver bullet—no one-size-fits-all trick that works for every business, every time. But when you’re willing to try new approaches, mix up your tactics, and keep learning, you’ll be amazed at what’s possible.

Maybe you’ve already tried some of these strategies—or maybe you have a lead generation success story of your own. I’d love to swap ideas, celebrate what’s working for you, or help you brainstorm how to kick things up a notch. If you’re ready for fresh momentum (or just a conversation with someone who gets it), let’s find a time to talk. Schedule a call with us right now to get started.

Every business has untapped potential—sometimes all it takes is the next connection or the next creative nudge. Let’s see what we can grow, together.

Be Blessed.  Do Good Stuff Today!

With 20+ years of Fortune 5 experience, Terry Stein helps established businesses achieve sustainable growth and profitability. He combines actionable strategies with a servant leadership approach.

Terry Stein

With 20+ years of Fortune 5 experience, Terry Stein helps established businesses achieve sustainable growth and profitability. He combines actionable strategies with a servant leadership approach.

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