How to Generate B2B Leads: Proven Strategies That Work

How to Generate B2B Leads: Proven Strategies That Work

Generating B2B leads isn’t just about throwing out ads and hoping for the best. It takes strategy, consistency, and a mix of inbound and outbound techniques to really fill up your pipeline. If you’re looking to grow your business with quality leads, here are some tried-and-tested methods that top brands are using—along with tips to get you started.

Top Strategies for B2B Lead Generation:

1. Inbound-Led Outbound
2. A/B Testing for Optimization
3. Outbound Lead Generation
4. SEO for Organic Growth
5. Employee Advocacy on LinkedIn

1. Inbound-Led Outbound: The Best of Both Worlds

Ever heard of inbound-led outbound? It’s a smart way to blend inbound marketing efforts (like website traffic and content engagement) with outbound sales strategies (like cold outreach). Instead of blindly reaching out to prospects, you use inbound insights to guide your outbound efforts.

Brand Example: RB2B

RB2B nails this strategy by tracking anonymous website visitors and matching them with LinkedIn profiles. This allows sales teams to reach out to people who have already shown interest, making outbound efforts way more effective.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• Analyze Inbound Data: Keep an eye on who’s visiting your website and engaging with your content.
• Personalize Outreach: Use data-driven insights to make your messages relevant and timely.
• Align Marketing & Sales: Share insights between teams so outreach efforts feel natural, not random.
• Use Tech Tools: Platforms like RB2B help you connect the dots between inbound engagement and outbound outreach.

Want to learn more? Check out this video: Inbound-Led Outbound Explained

2. A/B Testing: Find What Works Best

Not every email, ad, or landing page will perform the same. A/B testing lets you compare different versions of your content to see what gets the best results. Small tweaks—like a different subject line or CTA—can make a big difference.

Brand Example: ExecVision

ExecVision mastered A/B testing in their outbound campaigns. By experimenting with personalized email subject lines and message formats, they boosted their response rates significantly.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• Start with Clear Goals: Decide what you want to improve—open rates, click-throughs, conversions, etc.
• Test One Element at a Time: Keep it simple. Change just one thing (e.g., CTA wording, subject line) so you know what’s working.
• Use Meaningful Sample Sizes: A test with 10 emails won’t tell you much. Aim for a bigger audience.
• Iterate & Improve: Apply what you learn and keep testing!

3. Outbound Lead Generation

Sometimes, you can’t just wait for leads to come to you. Outbound tactics—like cold emails, calls, and LinkedIn outreach—can be powerful when done right. The key? Personalization and smart targeting.

Brand Example: Trueleads

Trueleads helps businesses automate LinkedIn outreach, email marketing, and lead generation, ensuring you connect with the right people at the right time. Their CRM integrations make tracking and optimizing campaigns seamless.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• Know Your ICP (Ideal Customer Profile): Target decision-makers who actually need your product.
• Make It Personal: Nobody likes generic cold emails. Tailor your messaging.
• Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Find and connect with high-value leads efficiently.
• Track Performance: Measure what’s working and refine your approach.

4. SEO

If your website isn’t optimized for search engines, you’re missing out on free, high-quality leads. SEO helps you attract potential clients actively searching for solutions like yours.

Brand Example: HubSpot

HubSpot dominates SEO by creating high-value content that ranks for key industry terms. Their blogs, e-books, and guides bring in a constant flow of organic traffic.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• Do Keyword Research: Find out what your audience is searching for.
• Create Value-Driven Content: Blog posts, guides, and videos that answer real questions.
• Optimize Your Pages: Use strong headlines, meta descriptions, and internal links.
• Build Backlinks: Get other reputable sites to link to your content.

5. Employee Advocacy on LinkedIn: Amplify Your Reach

Your employees can be some of your best brand ambassadors. Encouraging them to share your company’s content on LinkedIn increases visibility and credibility.

Brand Example: IBM

IBM has an employee advocacy program that empowers team members to share content and insights. This not only boosts reach but also establishes employees as thought leaders.

Top Tips to Get Started:

• Make Sharing Easy: Provide pre-approved, shareable content.
• Offer Training: Teach employees how to build their personal brand.
• Recognize & Reward Engagement: Encourage participation with incentives.
• Lead by Example: Get leadership involved in sharing company updates.

Other Lead Gen Strategies to Consider:

• Webinars & Virtual Events: Showcase your expertise and capture leads.
• Partnerships & Co-Marketing: Collaborate with complementary businesses to expand your audience.
• Retargeting & Paid Ads: Stay top-of-mind with visitors who have already engaged with your brand.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to B2B lead generation. The best results come from a mix of strategies, continuous testing, and refining what works. Stay adaptable, keep delivering value, and you’ll attract and convert high-quality leads.

At Trueleads, we help businesses supercharge their lead generation efforts with smart automation, targeted outreach, and data-driven strategies. Want to take your lead gen to the next level? Learn more here.