5 Ways to Future-Proof Your B2B Outbound Lead Generation Strategies

The life of a B2B marketer is never dull, especially when it comes to outbound lead generation. 

This year alone we’ve witnessed significant shifts that require strategic adaptability. Take, for instance, the ripple effects of iOS 17 privacy changes and the upcoming Google Chrome Cookie Deprecation, both casting a profound impact on tracking and data collection practices. 

Meanwhile, the latest updates to Google and Yahoo Email Spam Filters have thrown an additional curveball, making it even trickier to secure that coveted spot in the inbox. 

These challenges underscore the importance of thinking ahead. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that things aren’t going to slow down. The only constant is change, right? We have to be ready.    

Let’s dig into five practical strategies to help future-proof your B2B outbound lead generation and thrive in this crazy environment.

1. Focus on First-Party Data

We have to face it; Between GA4, iOS 17 and iOS 14 adjustments, and the imminent demise of cookies in Chrome, the reliability of third-party data for B2B outbound lead generation is dwindling. 

We must reassess our strategies and that means recognizing the shift toward first-party data. 

Relying on first-party data ensures accuracy and helps us create more personalized and trustworthy messaging. It also allows you better targeting and relevance in your outreach efforts. 

While there are any number of ways to capture first-party data, there are a few we think will help you stay ahead of the game:

Website Visitor Identification

Wouldn’t it be nice to know who is visiting your site? Wouldn’t it be even better if you could capture their work email addresses, names, and company information to put into your sales and marketing funnel? 

That’s exactly what website visitor identification tools do. They capture the people on your site – the people already familiar with your brand and already interested in what you have to offer. It’s basically an abundance of warm leads that can be used for outbound lead gen.

Build Targeted Remarketing Campaigns

One of the challenges B2B marketers are going to face in their outbound lead generation efforts has to do with the new Google and Yahoo email spam filter updates. With a new complaint rate threshold of 0.3%, cold email outreach is going to become a bit tricky. 

The key is to warm up your leads through retargeting. You can still use lead lists but you won’t run the risk of getting your email pinged. And once a user clicks on an ad and comes to your site, you now have first-party data.

Creative Email Capture

Whether it’s newsletters, lead magnets, ebooks, or whatever, you need to get creative in capturing user emails. No one wants to willingly turn over their contact information but if you give them a good reason, they will. 

Focusing on first-party data sets you up for more precise, tailored, and trustworthy outbound lead-generation efforts.

2. Build Stronger Relationships with Target Audiences

The era of cold, impersonal outreach is rapidly on its way out. According to Gartner,

77 out of 100 cold emails you send never get opened. 

Even before the tech changes we noted above, businesses were already realizing the pitfalls of mass messaging. The future lies in building stronger relationships with our target audience through personalized and tailored campaigns. 

That means understanding the unique pain points, preferences, and needs of each potential customer. It also means creating very strategic segments and leveraging CRM data. 

For example, when a user comes to your site and downloads a report, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are interested in your product. However, if a user comes to your site, visits a product page, visits the pricing page, and then fills out a request a demo form, they likely are. We can’t treat these visitors the same way.

We have to evolve our outbound lead gen to 1-to-1 target marketing. People want to feel understood. In fact, according to McKinsey 71% of consumers expect personalization and 76% get frustrated when they don’t find it. 

By integrating personalization into your outreach strategies, you can start earning that much-needed trust and building relationships that will help drive sales. 

3. Embrace Privacy-Compliant Technologies

People care about privacy and they care about what you do with their data. According to Norton, 85% of global adults want to do more to protect their online privacy and 86% of US voters support requiring companies to minimize the types of user data they collect.

As a business, you can’t just incorporate technologies that respect user privacy, you have to show consumers you respect their privacy. 

This means using compliant ESPs that make it easy for consumers to unsubscribe.

Do NOT send emails to users without an unsubscribe option.

You are way more likely to get marked as spam and any trust you might’ve had will be eroded.

Additionally, be careful of your lead lists. Make sure you are only purchasing opt-in emails and intent-based leads that fit your ICP. As we said before, targeting is the name of the game, and bad targeting means spam complaints.

By prioritizing privacy in your B2B outbound lead generation strategies, you can build trust, enhance your reputation, and create stronger connections with your target audience.

4. Focus on Content Quality

No one can escape the discussion around content quality and certainly no one in the B2B outbound lead generation space. Especially when it comes to landing in the inbox.

Email filters are designed to sift through millions of messages and real, quality content is essential to getting in. When content is relevant, personalized, and devoid of spammy elements (think too many links), it increases the likelihood of making it through to the primary inbox (and not that blasted Promotions tab!).

Here are a few tips for creating quality content that will get your message in the inbox:

• Get Personal: Personalization goes beyond addressing your email recipients by name; it involves creating messages that are tailored to each individual. Segment and craft your messages based on pages visited, assets downloaded, companies, interests, and whatever else will make that message seem personal. The more you know about your audience, the more effective your messaging will be.

• Test, Test, Test: Regularly testing your content is imperative. What might work for one audience might not work for another. Make sure to A/B test subject lines, messaging styles, and content formats. Use the data you have to refine your campaigns.

• Be Human: Write your subject line and your email like a regular person. Outreach emails tend to be so formal and so cold. We have talked about the importance of building connections and your subject line is no different. Tell your potential customers why they need to open this and make them feel like this email is written just for them. Show them you are a real person and get in that 23% of cold opens.

At the end of the day, crafting interesting and unique email content will help your messaging resonate with your audience and get you through those pesky email filters. 

5. Stay Informed and Agile

Life comes at you fast, especially in the B2B digital marketing space. 

You have to be proactive and you have to stay on top of what is happening, especially when it comes to things like regulatory developments. Take for example the Google spam filter updates I mentioned above – if you are using email for your outbound lead generation and don’t know the requirements – your emails will be marked as spam and your lead gen will go down the toilet.

Everyone has their own ways of staying informed but I recommend engaging with industry publications, attending webinars, and joining LinkedIn groups. 

Along with staying informed, you must stay agile. This means you have to adapt and adapt quickly. Real-time data analysis and campaign performance monitoring are essential. If something isn’t working, you can’t wait 90 days to find out. Staying agile will allow you to adjust strategies swiftly and meet the evolving demands of your audience. 

The only way to stay future-proof is to be future-ready. You have to know what has happened in order to know what is coming. 

Get Future-Ready Now

B2B outbound lead generation is only going to get harder and if we have learned anything, flexibility is the key to success. 

Teams must embrace first-party data, personalize outreach, and prioritize privacy. These aren’t just trends; they are strategies for building trust and creating meaningful connections with your target audience. 

Additionally, by focusing on content quality, staying informed of industry changes, and continually refining your strategies, you can truly set yourself up for success.

We should look at this as an exciting time. These changes force us to learn, evolve, and put on our creative caps. The success of tomorrow’s lead generation efforts hinges on our ability to not just be responsive to change, but to be catalysts for it. Embrace the changes, think outside the box, and drive your future forward.

Important Next Steps

• See what targeted outbound marketing is all about. Capture and engage your first 500 website visitor leads with Customers.ai X-Ray website visitor identification for free.
• Talk and learn about sales outreach automation with other growth enthusiasts. Join Customers.ai Island, our Facebook group of 40K marketers and entrepreneurs who are ready to support you.
• Advance your marketing performance with Sales Outreach School, a free tutorial and training area for sales pros and marketers.

B2B Outbound Lead Generation FAQs

Q. What is B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

It is a process where businesses proactively reach out to potential clients to generate leads through methods like cold calling, emailing, and social media outreach.

Q. Why is B2B Outbound Lead Generation important?

It’s crucial for consistent business growth and revenue, helping to actively seek new clients and maintain a steady pipeline of potential customers.

Q. What are the best practices for B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Best practices include understanding your target market, personalizing communication, using a multi-channel approach, and consistent follow-up.

Q. How does B2B Outbound Lead Generation differ from Inbound Lead Generation?

Outbound lead generation involves proactive outreach to potential customers, while inbound relies on attracting leads through content marketing and SEO.

Q. What are effective tools for B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Essential tools include CRM software, email marketing tools, social media platforms, visitor identification platforms, and lead databases.

Q. How can social media be used in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

It can be used to identify and engage with potential leads and build relationships through targeted content and interaction.

Q. What role does content play in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Content like personalized emails and informative blog posts can engage and nurture leads throughout the outbound lead generation process.

Q. How do you measure the success of B2B Outbound Lead Generation campaigns?

Success is measured by tracking response rates, conversion rates, number of qualified leads, and ROI.

Q. What are the challenges of B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Challenges include reaching the right audience, overcoming market saturation, and effectively handling rejection or non-responses.

Q. How can automation improve B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Automation streamlines repetitive tasks, ensures consistent follow-ups, and analyzes lead data for more effective targeting.

Q. What is the role of personalization in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Personalization increases engagement by making communications more relevant and appealing to each prospect.

Q. How important is follow-up in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Follow-up is crucial for nurturing leads, building relationships, and converting prospects into customers.

Q. What are effective strategies for cold emailing in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Effective strategies include compelling subject lines, personalization, providing value, and a clear call to action.

Q. How can networking events be used for B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

They provide opportunities to meet potential leads in person, understand their needs, and establish connections for future follow-ups.

Q. What is the impact of data quality on B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

High-quality data is essential for targeting the right prospects and achieving a higher success rate.

Q. How do legal considerations impact B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Compliance with laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM Act is crucial to avoid legal issues and maintain a positive brand reputation.

Q. What is the role of a sales team in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

The sales team executes outreach strategies, engages with leads, and converts them into customers.

Q. How can businesses overcome objections in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Overcoming objections involves understanding concerns, providing clear responses, and demonstrating product or service value.

Q. What are the trends in B2B Outbound Lead Generation for 2024?

Trends include the use of AI, focus on personalization, and multi-channel communication strategies.

Q. How does targeting affect the success of B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Accurate targeting ensures focus on prospects most likely to be interested and convert, improving campaign effectiveness.

Q. Can B2B Outbound Lead Generation be outsourced?

Yes, it can be outsourced to specialized agencies or freelancers for efficient management.

Q. What is the role of customer feedback in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Customer feedback helps refine strategies, understand market needs, and improve offerings.

Q. How can businesses integrate email and social media for effective B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Integrating both channels allows for a cohesive strategy, leveraging each channel’s strengths.

Q. What is the importance of a value proposition in B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

A clear value proposition conveys the benefits of your product or service, increasing engagement chances.

Q. How can businesses optimize their website for B2B Outbound Lead Generation?

Optimizing involves ensuring a user-friendly website, providing relevant information, and clear calls-to-action.