21 Lead Generation Strategies that Deliver the Best Results
21 Lead Generation Strategies that Deliver the Best Results

21 Lead Generation Strategies that Deliver the Best Results

Ever wondered how top entrepreneurs and marketing strategists generate leads effectively?

In this article, experts from founders to CEOs from a variety of industries to share their best lead generation strategies.

The insights begin with the importance of partnering with local event planners and conclude with building strategic referrals and partnerships, giving readers twenty-one invaluable insights. Discover the strategies that can transform your business growth.

  • Partner with Local Event Planners
  • Leverage Experiential Marketing
  • Build Relationships with Real Estate Agents
  • Use Founder-Led Video Content
  • Engage to Convert
  • Share Free, Useful Tools
  • Speak Publicly to Target Audience
  • Host Exclusive Webinars for C-Suite Executives
  • Launch a Targeted Podcast
  • Utilize Cold Email Outreach
  • Post LinkedIn Thought Leadership
  • Show Value to Open Doors
  • Install Exit Popups for Email Collection
  • Leverage Targeted Content Marketing
  • Say No to Bad Clients
  • Re-Engage First Person Connections
  • Use DuxSoup for Automated Outreach
  • Invest in Google Ads
  • Publish a Lead Generation Book
  • Use a Multi-Channel Approach
  • Build Strategic Referrals and Partnerships

21 Lead Generation Strategies that Deliver the Best Results

Partner with Local Event Planners

As a florist, my best lead generation strategy has been partnering with local event planners and venues. This collaboration creates a consistent stream of referrals for weddings, corporate events, and parties. By offering exclusive deals to these partners, I’ve established a mutually beneficial relationship that keeps both sides motivated.

To enhance this strategy, I actively showcase these collaborations on social media, tagging the event planners and venues in posts. This not only provides social proof but also expands my reach to their networks. One such partnership resulted in a 25% increase in bookings over a single quarter, proving the power of collaboration.

I recommend this approach because it builds trust within a community and creates long-term relationships. Unlike one-off campaigns, partnerships keep generating leads as both parties grow. Plus, it positions your business as a trusted expert in the industry, making it easier to attract high-value clients.


Sophie Marasco, Founder, Thanks A Bunch Florist

Leverage Experiential Marketing

The best lead generation strategy we implemented was leveraging experiential marketing to blend creativity with client outreach. It wasn’t just about throwing events; it was creating moments that became undeniable proof points of our value. For instance, Good Kids started by hosting dynamic themed events across cities like New York, Toronto, and Paris. These events were designed not just for fun but to showcase the capabilities of crafting narratives that resonate deeply with an audience.

Here’s the kicker: attendees from major brands saw the direct application of our creative approaches to their needs. From these events, we transitioned leads into actionable partnerships. Brands admired our tone of voice, the magnetic content, and how we drove engagement. This turned into conversations like, “Can you do this for our campaign?” which then led to high-profile collaborations, like Kat Von D’s makeup and shoe brand revamp.

Why recommend it? Because experiential marketing establishes an authentic, direct connection. It’s not an intrusive ad or cold outreach—it’s living proof of value, right in front of decision-makers. 

It builds not just leads but loyal advocates who see your work in action. If you align your events or experiences with a brand’s needs, the ROI in credibility and trust is unmatched. Plus, it’s fun. It’s where branding meets entertainment, and that’s where we thrived.

 

Steve Rock, Partner, Good Kids

Build Relationships with Real Estate Agents

Building relationships with local real estate agents has been our most effective lead generation strategy. They constantly encounter clients who need plumbing inspections or repairs before buying or selling a home, and we’ve positioned ourselves as their go-to team for quick, reliable service. We made this work by committing to fast response times, clear communication, and delivering quality work that makes them look good to their clients. To keep the relationship strong, we provide agents with maintenance tips they can pass along to homeowners, which creates trust on both sides. This approach has brought us consistent referrals and a steady stream of jobs without relying on costly ads or cold calls. It’s all about finding partners who benefit when you succeed.

Blake Beesley, Operations and Technology Manager, Pacific Plumbing Systems

Use Founder-Led Video Content

The best lead generation strategy I’ve implemented is founder-led video content paired with DM outreach to my LinkedIn network.

A study by LinkedIn/Edelman in 2024 uncovered that 9 out of 10 decision makers are more open to sales and marketing pitches when preceded by good thought leadership. When I create good content, consistently, I book more high-quality sales calls. It’s that simple. 

By creating and sharing content on LinkedIn, I’ve been able to position myself as a thought leader while staying directly involved in business development.

Video has been particularly effective because it lets my audience see who I am—not just what I know. People don’t buy a $50k service from someone they don’t know. Video fast-tracks that trust.

But content alone doesn’t drive leads. I use that content as a bridge to start conversations in the DMs with my warm network. When I reach out, it’s not a cold pitch—it’s a continuation of the trust and connection I’ve already built through my posts. 

And this system is extremely scalable. I create the bulk of my video content from recording myself on podcasts or booking time with my team, who film me answering questions about video marketing. Even my time doing DMs can be outsourced to a good SDR one day. So the time commitment is a non-issue. 

This lead gen strategy is fantastic for B2B companies selling high-ticket services or products because it speeds up the trust you can build at scale.

Justin Vajko, Founder & CEO, Dialog

Engage to Convert

The best lead generation strategy I’ve implemented revolves around the principle of “engage to convert.” This means identifying what your audience is naturally engaging with and building a campaign around that.

For instance, I ran a lead generation campaign for an insurance agency where, instead of pushing links for quotes, we offered a quiz and personalized assessment. This approach encouraged users to participate actively, creating a sense of value and curiosity.

The interactive format not only boosted engagement but also pre-qualified leads, as the quiz responses gave us insights into their needs. By focusing on organic engagement, this strategy builds trust and seamlessly guides potential clients into the conversion funnel. It’s highly effective because people prefer personalized, interactive experiences over traditional sales pitches.

Rizala Carrington, CEO, MyGrowthAgent.com

Share Free, Useful Tools

Building tools I actually need, then sharing them for free, has brought in more leads than any marketing strategy. When other developers or businesses use these tools, they naturally want to know who built them and what else we offer.

It’s simple but effective: Solve a real problem in your industry, give away the solution, and let your work speak for itself. People trust and remember companies that make their lives easier, not ones that just sell to them.

This approach brings in higher quality leads too—they’ve already used something you built and know you can deliver. Much better than cold outreach or paid ads.

Vincent Schmalbach, Web Developer, AI Engineer & SEO Expert, Vincent Schmalbach

Speak Publicly to Target Audience

The most effective lead generation strategy we’ve implemented at Brand of a Leader is public speaking directly to our target audience. This approach aligns perfectly with who we are—a personal branding agency—and leverages the power of my personal brand. Public speaking provides unmatched visibility and allows potential clients to gain an in-depth understanding of our process and the value we bring, all within the span of an hour. These talks and workshops not only deliver actionable insights but also build trust and credibility, creating a natural connection with our audience. 

In fact, many of our clients first discovered us through these events, making public speaking a cornerstone of our lead generation efforts.

Marina Byezhanova, Co-Founder, Brand of a Leader

Host Exclusive Webinars for C-Suite Executives

One of the most effective lead generation strategies we’ve implemented is hosting exclusive, high-value webinars tailored specifically for C-suite executives in our target industries. These webinars are not just about showcasing our expertise in website development and maintenance but are designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these high-end businesses.

What sets this approach apart is the level of personalization and relevance we bring to the table. We conduct thorough research to understand the pain points and aspirations of our audience, and then we craft content that resonates deeply with them. By bringing in industry experts and thought leaders to co-host, we create a platform for meaningful discussions rather than just a sales pitch.

The reason I recommend this strategy is twofold. First, it positions us as thought leaders and trusted partners who genuinely understand our clients’ business landscape. Second, it provides an opportunity to build real relationships with decision-makers, making the lead conversion process more natural and less transactional. This human-centered approach has not only increased our lead quality but also strengthened our brand reputation in the market.

Ashwin Thapliyal, Head of Marketing, Exemplifi

Launch a Targeted Podcast

We launched the Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast in early 2023, intentionally targeting our ideal customer profile (ICP). While podcasts are often viewed as a top-of-funnel activity, we’ve found that strategically selecting guests can also drive direct business opportunities. By inviting potential clients or partners to join as guest speakers, we not only foster valuable conversations but also spark interest in what we do. Many of our current clients first engaged with us after being featured on the podcast. Additionally, the podcast content provides a subtle yet effective way to integrate our brand—whether through ads, sponsorships, or organic mentions—enhancing awareness while delivering value to our audience.


Joran Hofman, Founder, Reditus

Utilize Cold Email Outreach

Cold email outreach has proven to be highly effective for our agency. We are very selective and spend considerable time qualifying leads and perfecting the copy, but it has been worthwhile. While cold email isn’t suitable for everyone, if you conduct thorough research and target the right businesses and decision-makers who genuinely need your services, it can be a substantial source of leads with incredible ROI.

I would recommend cold emailing for most service-based agencies, but it’s crucial to do your research. Avoid sending emails to blind lists obtained from sources like Apollo, qualify and enrich each lead first. Additionally, set up your email systems properly; cold emailing requires significant technical setup. You need to distribute your sending across multiple domains and have a robust sales CRM to channel positive responses back to your sales team. Most importantly, ensure you have an irresistible offer and compelling email copy!


Adam Haworth, Founder, Contactora

Post LinkedIn Thought Leadership

LinkedIn thought leadership has been the best performing strategy for our company. Our team and I post narrative-driven content, with 3/4 “helping” and 1/4 “selling” posts, plus frequent outbound engagement and commenting. This has led to high-win-rate opportunities, and millions in attributable revenue, more than any other source.


Alex Boyd, Founder, RevenueZen

Show Value to Open Doors

The best lead-gen strategy I have used throughout is showing value. Sometimes people are scared to give something away for free, but if you show that you can provide value you then get to justify the price tag. Fortunately/unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I get to look at many different company’s and organizations’ SEO agencies’ “deliverables”. I am regularly astonished at what gets passed off as SEO. I am also sometimes especially surprised when our due diligence outpaces a $10K/month agency output.

My point here is not to brag, its to highlight that if you show up with value you open doors. We don’t need to pitch strongly because value is often shown in discovery or initial discussions.

Context is also very important to add value, SEO is so often subjective and accompanied by the ubiquitous “it depends” statements. This is severely overused and is an unprofessional bar to set. Of course it depends – everything depends. Explain why, give for instance,s and explain the different scenarios of why it depends. Do that and you are showing significant value that unfortunately not many get to observe.

So, nothing earther shattering there, just true, tried and tested with experience.


Trevor Stolber, Co-Founder, CTO, VibeLogic

Install Exit Popups for Email Collection

The best and simplest lead generation strategy I implemented is installing an exit popup that collects emails.

I run a link-building agency, so naturally, most of my prospects are SEO agencies looking for high-quality backlinks.

In my popup, I offer a simple message: “Subscribe to get a list of high-quality domains.”

Lead generation doesn’t need to be complicated. Most of the time, it’s just about giving users what they want in exchange for their emails.


Peter Ngo, CEO, SERP Solutions

Leverage Targeted Content Marketing

One of the best lead generation strategies I’ve implemented for my business is leveraging highly targeted content marketing. By creating valuable, niche-focused blog posts, guides, and case studies tailored to specific audience pain points, I’ve been able to attract the right leads organically. The key is understanding your audience’s challenges and delivering actionable, authentic content that positions you as a trusted resource. I also pair this strategy with email marketing and social media amplification to ensure maximum reach and engagement. This multi-channel approach not only generates leads but also builds long-term relationships with potential clients.


Lilach Bullock, Founder, Lilach Bullock

Say No to Bad Clients

The best lead generation strategy I’ve ever implemented? Saying no to bad clients.

Here’s the thing-every ‘no’ clears space for the right opportunities. Instead of chasing leads, I focused on building a magnetic personal brand that attracts people who actually value what I do.

It’s simple: If you’re always selling, you’re always struggling. Build authority, share your best insights, and let the right clients come to you.


Ana Maria Bubolea, Founder, Brand Strategist, How We Grow

Re-Engage First Person Connections

Currently, the best lead generation strategy I have implemented has been to re-engage with my first person connections. Sometimes the best answer is right under our nose and our best relationships are the one we already have. Authentic DMs with first person connects are a great way to re-engage, create conversation and uncover opportunities you didn’t know exist.


B Randall Willis, Founder, Right Angle

Use DuxSoup for Automated Outreach

Using DuxSoup has been very valuable for my business. I’m able to send out Connection Messages, InMails (both paid & free) among other things at scale with no effort required daily at a very affordable cost. Highly recommend!


Chelsea Clark, Founder & CEO, momfluence

Invest in Google Ads

Google Ads. It’s one of those tools that, when done right, can really pay off. If you have a solid budget and a landing page that truly speaks to your audience, you can start seeing some great results. But, don’t just target broad, generic terms. Be specific. Go after those niche clients who are already searching for exactly what you offer. Combine that with a landing page that’s clear, straightforward, and outlines your pricing and offers, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the leads start coming in.


Scott Gabdullin, CEO and Founder, Learo

Publish a Lead Generation Book

Publishing my own lead generation book has transformed how I attract premium clients. My 76-page quick read hooks busy professionals with proven strategies they can use right away, while establishing me as the trusted expert in my field. It’s opened doors for speaking engagement, brought in leads through Amazon, and shared with others by satisfied readers. Unlike other lead generation tactics that fade quickly, my book continues bringing in warm leads month after month while building the deep trust that only comes from being a published author.


Scott Hartley, Certified Inbox Optimization Specialist, Hit The Inbox

Use a Multi-Channel Approach

The best lead gen strategy that has consistently worked for my business over the last decade consists of a multi-channel approach. LinkedIn combined with cold email, both from an outbound perspective and inbound via valuable content. Strategic LinkedIn outreach combined with email when you have a solid personal brand, is a winning combo. Really want to land a target account? Pick up the phone. Call them. Really want to amplify those efforts? Add some LinkedIn ad spend to promote valuable content targeting those specific audiences, and you’ve got a hyper-focused lead gen system that delivers consistently.


Mandy McEwen, Founder/CEO, Mod Girl Marketing

Use a Multi-Channel Approach

The best lead gen strategy that has consistently worked for my business over the last decade consists of a multi-channel approach. LinkedIn combined with cold email, both from an outbound perspective and inbound via valuable content. Strategic LinkedIn outreach combined with email when you have a solid personal brand, is a winning combo. Really want to land a target account? Pick up the phone. Call them. Really want to amplify those efforts? Add some LinkedIn ad spend to promote valuable content targeting those specific audiences, and you’ve got a hyper-focused lead gen system that delivers consistently.


Mandy McEwen, Founder/CEO, Mod Girl Marketing

Build Strategic Referrals and Partnerships

One of the most effective lead generation strategies I’ve implemented has been strategic referral and partnership building. By actively seeking introductions to like-minded leaders, I’m able to forge meaningful connections that lead to genuine business growth. Once a relationship is established, I ask for further introductions to other leaders who might be interested in a conversation about how my services could benefit their teams and companies. This approach has proven to be highly successful, as it builds on trust and shared goals.


Rebecca Goldsberry, Elite Sales & Leadership Coach, Southwestern Consulting

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