2023 Guide to Generate B2B Leads

Michael Glaubitz

B2B sales is an ever-evolving field. As technology advances, new strategies emerge. It’s time to level up your b2b lead generation and make sure you’re making the most of your efforts. This guide will help you understand why b2b leads are so valuable, how to generate b2b leads, and what b2b sales strategies are most successful in 2023.

You’ll learn b2b lead generation strategies and the importance of sales leads b2b. We’ll also provide b2b sales tips on how to generate b2b leads and convert b2b sales opportunities more efficiently. With this guide, you’ll be able to maximize your b2b lead generation efforts in 2023 and beyond.

What is B2B sales?

B2B sales refers in essence to selling something or services to other companies. B2B sales are usually driven by B2B sales representatives or other employees that close the deal. They provide specialized services to companies in the field of marketing, sales call administration and sales support for B2B sales and marketing campaigns for their clients. Sales reps in the B2B sector have a wide variety of skills and need different skills.


In today’s digital world, b2b leads are critical for successful b2b sales. Generating b2b leads is the foundation of b2b sales and content marketing strategy. It’s estimated that b2b companies generate up to 70% of their revenue from b2b leads. That’s why b2b sales teams dedicate a significant portion of their efforts to b2b lead generation.


It’s also important to understand that b2b leads can come from various sources such as social media, email campaigns, and content marketing. Each of these b2b lead sources has unique challenges, advantages, and disadvantages.

Importance of B2B sales strategy

A b2b sales strategy is important for any b2b company. It provides a roadmap for sales reps to follow when it comes to b2b lead generation and b2b sales conversion. A good b2b sales strategy should include the following elements:


-Identifying the right b2b leads


-Developing effective b2b sales tactics


-Developing b2b sales KPIs to measure success


-Creating b2b sales campaigns that are tailored to different customer segments


-Tracking b2b lead conversion and b2b sales performance


When b2b companies have a well-crafted b2b sales strategy, b2b sales reps are able to convert b2b leads more efficiently and effectively. They also know what b2b lead sources work best for their b2b company, and how to track b2b sales performance metrics.

Why is B2B sales strategy crucial?

A b2b sales strategy is crucial because it helps b2b companies generate more b2b leads and convert them into b2b sales opportunities. It also provides b2b sales reps with a framework to work within when generating b2b leads and converting b2b sales opportunities.


By having an effective b2b strategy in place, b2b sales reps are able to understand the b2b leads they should focus on, the tactics that will be most effective in b2b lead generation and b2b sales conversion, and how to track b2b sales performance.


A b2b sales strategy also ensures b2b companies are constantly generating new leads to keep their pipeline full. Also check out this Lead generation article for more helpful tools.

Remember sales and marketing teams win together

If you look at this as a sport, your marketing staff plays the game and your sales representatives play the scoreboard. The sales and marketing departments could work separately, but strong synergies make them stronger than the whole. Using the right marketing strategy, your potential buyers will have an opportunity to see your products and services well before your sales reps have a phone call — and so they can give you an easier way to present your pitch.

Identify opportunities for repeat business

A b2b sales strategy must include a plan for capturing repeat business. A b2b company should look at past customers as potential sources of future b2b leads, and find ways to engage with them to increase the chances that they will come back in the future.


This could involve offering incentives or discounts, maintaining an open dialogue with past clients, or providing additional b2b sales support such as customer service or b2b sales training. All of these activities can help b2b companies build long-term relationships and increase the chances of repeat b2b sales.


By having a b2b strategy that focuses on converting b2b leads into customers Alternatively, you could offer upsells and cross-selling services to existing customers.

Leverage Account-Based Marketing

Even in a market where your product is tailored for multiple industries your approach leads to impersonal and unreliable sales tactics. Instead of casting the net and searching for people interested in your company, switch the script.


Account-Based Marketing (ABM) is a b2b sales technique that targets key b2b accounts. This method focuses on building relationships with high-value b2b customers and tailoring b2b marketing strategies to meet their individual needs.


ABM requires sales reps to have an intimate knowledge of the b2b customer, so b2b sales reps should use b2b lead research to learn more about b2b customers before engaging.


ABM is a great b2b sales strategy for b2b companies that want to focus on fewer high-value b2b leads and increase bb sales efficiency. It also helps b2b companies reach b2b customers that might not be reached with traditional b2b sales tactics.


By utilizing ABM, b2b companies can increase b2b sales and have more successful b2b selling experiences.

Prepare Before You Approach Your Audience

During sales meetings, preparation is necessary. Always think about the best way of solving the problems of your potential customers and offering the best solution during the pitching process. In direct communication with clients, they gain trust and attention from them.


Having b2b sales reps think about and prepare for b2b sales calls in advance will lead to more successful b2b sales pitches. To start, b2b sales reps should research b2b leads before attempting to engage with them. This could include researching the b2b customer’s industry, understanding their current situation, and finding b2b sales opportunities.

Go social

Cold calls or Emails don’t have the same effect in reaching prospects. Some companies are happy to get contact from vendors via social media. You should also be reassured that anything sent via social networks should always feel personalized.


Be sure to keep up with b2b sales best practices on social media. Your b2b sales reps should know how to use b2b social media platforms to connect with b2b leads, build relationships and generate b2b leads.


Social media has the potential to reach a large audience quickly. It can be used to engage b2b leads, build relationships and generate b2b leads. The right b2b sales strategy on social media can also help b2b sales reps increase their reach and visibility with b2b customers.


By leveraging social media, b2b companies can have more successful b2b sales experiences and find new customers daily.

Focus on sales experience throughout the buyer’s journey

A good salesperson can put himself on the buyer’s side. Take a look at the entire sales cycle and find the right balance between simple and complex sales.


Sales reps should focus on b2b sales experience throughout the entire b2b buyer’s journey. This means that b2b sales reps should be responsive, helpful, and understanding when engaging b2b leads.

Create a follow-up plan

No b2b sales journey is complete without a follow-up plan.


A b2b sales rep should always have a plan of action in place for b2b leads that don’t respond to b2b sales offers or don’t convert into b2b customers right away. A good b2b sales plan includes multiple b2b sales touch points, such as b2b emails, b2b calls, b2b social media messages, b2b direct mail, and b2b events.


By creating a follow-up plan that includes multiple b2b sales touch points, b2b sales reps can keep in contact with b2b leads when they are ready.

Set a Feedback Process For Lost Leads

It’s important for b2b sales reps to understand why b2b leads don’t convert into b2b customers. It could be that the b2b customer wasn’t ready, had a bad b2b sales experience, or simply didn’t find the b2b product/service useful.


To get an understanding of b2b sales performance and b2b customer experiences, b2b companies should set up a feedback process for b2b leads that don’t convert. This could include b2b surveys or b2b customer interviews.

Develop a Lead-Nurturing Plan

If you don’t close a sale immediately, you don’t have the potential customer buying your product. Keep nurturing leads through constant valuable conversation and communication.


Lead nurturing is the process of staying in touch with b2b leads until they are ready to make a purchase. A b2b lead-nurturing plan can include b2b emails, b2b calls, b2b direct mail, b2b events, and b2b social media messages.

Ask for referrals

Referrals can help open up more doors for you. Just ask customers to refer your firm to peers, so you can have the leads ready for follow-up.


A b2b sales rep should always ask b2b customers for referrals. Referrals can be an effective way to generate b2b leads and open up more opportunities for b2b sales reps.


By leveraging b2b referrals, b2b companies can gain access to new b2b leads and increase their pipeline. It does not hurt to get referrals from leads that did not become customers also.

B2B sales process used to be much easier

Possibly in the past, when sales reps could simply talk to customers in person it was easier or simple but we do not agree with that. But with the rise of digital sales, sales teams need to make sure they have a lead generation strategy in place that helps them connect with potential b2b customers and turn them into paying ones. Here are some free Lead generation Resources from a Hubspot Article.

A new B2B buyer has emerged

They’re highly informed and have access to a wealth of sales resources. This buyer is looking for sales information that offers value, convinces them to take action, and builds trust in the brand. B2B salespeople need to find sales leads, build relationships, understand their customer’s needs, and craft an effective sales pitch.


Sales teams also need to be able to use data-driven insights and knowledge of technology trends to make their pitch more powerful. A salesperson should know how to follow up with new customers, nurture existing ones, and stay ahead of the competition by using creative sales strategies.


By understanding what drives B2B buyers and learning how they buy can help salespeople get better sales leads.

Modern buyers pay a lot of attention to peer recommendations

Peer recommendations, review sites, sales blogs and videos, sales podcasts, and sales articles all help modern buyers make decisions. Therefore, salespeople should create content that is useful to their target audience in these formats.


They should leverage virtual events and webinars to generate sales leads and build relationships with potential clients. They can also use social media to stay in touch with prospects and customers.


By staying ahead of the curve on sales trends, finding new sales leads, engaging customers effectively, and leveraging technology trends, sales teams can maximize sales opportunities in the B2B market. With the right strategies and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful B2B salesperson.

Modern buyers can be extremely skeptical about sales reps and the marketing messages they encounter

According to research, over half of buyers prefer doing research online instead of interacting with sales reps because they are more concerned about selling products or assisting customers. In the meantime, salespersons are always focused purely on selling instead of helping prospective customers, and they haven’t even been there.


Most consumers are surveyed regarding their views on the process. The survey showed that 57% of respondents preferred shopping at stores where the customer isn’t pressured or inconvenienced when following up. This also applies to digital follow ups and hard sells.

Lastly, they are aware of risks associated with purchases

Modern buyer wants to be sure they made the right choice and will do everything they can to reduce the negative experience during a sale. Buyers may doubt themselves over making the right choices or are afraid to commit, potentially missing out on a better vendor.


They may also be worried about sales tactics, price gouging, and even cyber security. To gain trust in salespeople, buyers will look into sales representatives’ credentials and reputation. This means that sales teams need to invest in building relationships with prospective customers, providing evidence of effective sales strategies, and displaying a commitment to customer service.

B2B vs. B2C Sales: What’s different with the sales strategies?

B2B sales is different from B2C sales in a few key ways. First, B2B sales cycles are often much longer than B2C sales. This means the sales process needs to be finely tuned and well-executed over an extended period of time before you can close the deal.


Additionally, with B2B sales there’s typically more data involved because decisions are made based on facts rather than emotions. Finally, relationships tend to play a larger role in B2B sales since they’re essential for building trust and credibility with prospects over the long haul.

B2B selling examples

B2B sales can vary depending on the industry and the size of the deal. Here are a few sales examples:


– Business-to-business sales for software and products: These sales often involve complex contracts, integrations, and negotiations.


– Media sales: In media sales, salespeople need to be well-versed in digital marketing solutions to help their clients grow their businesses.


– Professional services: With professional services, salespeople must understand the unique needs of their clients to provide tailored solutions that best fit their needs.


– High-ticket items: For high-ticket items like cars or luxury goods, salespeople must have the necessary skills to navigate long sales cycles, negotiate effectively, and close the deal.


Now that you understand what B2B sales is and how it differs from B2C sales, let’s move on to sales strategies for success.

Resellers

Reselling is a sales strategy that involves selling someone else’s product or service. This can be an effective sales strategy for B2B sales, especially if you don’t have the resources to develop your own products.


When reselling, it’s important to partner with reputable companies that provide quality products and services. You should also research the market to make sure there’s enough demand for what you’re selling and get feedback from customers about their experiences with the product or service.


Finally, establish partnerships with other salespeople in your area so that you can refer each other business when opportunities arise. By partnering with others in your industry, you can build relationships and tap into larger networks of potential customers.

Producers

Producing is another sales strategy that involves creating and selling your own products or services. This sales strategy can be more profitable than reselling, but it requires more resources and a deeper understanding of the market.


When producing, research what types of products or services are in demand and who your competitors are. You should also create marketing materials to help promote your product or service. Additionally, make sure you have a reliable sales pipeline in place to generate leads and keep track of sales activity.

Institutions

Institutional sales is a sales strategy that involves selling to larger organizations such as universities, government agencies, and corporations. This sales approach requires a more complex sales process and negotiation skills.


To be successful in institutional sales, you need to understand the needs of the organization before reaching out. You should also develop relationships with key decision-makers and use data to back up your sales pitch. Additionally, you should practice active listening so that you better understand their requirements and can tailor your sales strategy accordingly.

Governments

Government sales can be a lucrative sales strategy, but it requires a different approach than B2B sales. Government sales involve selling to local, state, and federal agencies. This sales approach is often more formal and requires knowledge of regulations and the bidding process.


To be successful in government sales, you need to understand government procurement processes and regulations. You should also establish relationships with decision-makers who have influence over purchasing decisions and develop strategies to differentiate your offerings from other vendors. Finally, make sure you’re proactive in following up on bids so that you don’t miss any opportunities.

Conclusion

B2B sales is a complex process that requires salespeople to understand the unique needs of their clients and develop strategies to meet those needs.


Many sales strategies can be used, including reselling, producing, institutional sales, and government sales. By understanding the differences between these sales strategies and having the necessary resources in place, you can achieve success in B2B sales.


By using these strategies and cultivating the right mindset toward sales, B2B sales teams can become more successful. In the end, developing strong relationships with potential buyers is key for generating sales leads and closing deals.


Check out this article for our strategies and software to help you. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a top-performing B2B salesperson!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Glaubitz

Michael has over 22 years in Public Safety but has always had side jobs. From Logistics to Real Estate, Finance, and Staffing there have been many experiences. These all lead to Social Selling and Marketing as both a Salesperson, Small Business Marketer and Recruiter. By combining all of this experience with an innate desire to serve others he plans to deliver more value than you can handle.

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