Lead generation services operate differently from sales lead vendors. A lead generation service may use telemarketers, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Internet sources to identify prospective leads for your business.

Lead generation services can be expensive. The best lead generation services for financial advisors charge per lead. For example, you’ve got a choice of lead generation services that charge by the hour or by sales lead. Ask your prospective lead generation service how many leads you’ll expect to receive per hour. If the service charges $10 per lead or $150 per hour, it’s reasonable to expect more than 15 leads per hour.

Clients report superior new business development results from lead generation services. The lead generation services that call you at the office–somehow getting past the receptionist’s attempt to screen them out–aren’t the providers you’re looking for. (Hint: ask these guys to give you a lead page for free to test the service. They’ll usually decline your request.)

Ask elite business developers in your company for their super-secret lead generation service recommendations. You should expect higher quality sales leads and an improved call-to-close ratio. source: financialservices.about.com