11 Tested Strategies for B2B SaaS Lead Generation in 2024

By
Iga Wójtowicz
September 23, 2024
5 min read
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Generating high-quality leads for a B2B SaaS company can be challenging, can’t it? The market is crowded, and it’s tough for sales reps and SaaS founders to find ways to stand out.

If you’re responsible for driving growth for your SaaS startup, you know how important B2B SaaS lead generation is. 

It’s at the core of your sales funnel—without a steady flow of qualified leads, scaling becomes difficult. And that’s something nobody wants.

I’ve worked in the lead generation space for over a decade, helping SaaS companies generate over 5,000+ leads

Over the years, I’ve learned that not all strategies are equal. Some are effective, while others can be a waste of time. 

That’s why I’ve put together this guide, which focuses on 11 tested strategies for B2B SaaS lead generation in 2024

These strategies have been tested and shown to work in real-world situations—so you’re getting practical advice that can help.

This is not just a list of generic tips. If you miss this, you might overlook strategies that could generate leads for you every day.  

So, get comfortable, and let’s go through these strategies step by step.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • What is B2B SaaS Lead Generation?
  • Top 11 Strategies for B2B SaaS Lead Generation in 2024
  • Pros and Cons of Different Strategies
  • Key Tips for Implementing These Strategies Successfully

Let’s start by understanding some basic overviews of lead generation. 

Also Read: How to generate 10-20 B2B Meeting Ready Leads Everyday? [Step-By-Step Guide] 

What Is B2B SaaS Lead Generation? 

B2B SaaS lead generation is the process of identifying and attracting other businesses interested in your SaaS product. Unlike B2C, where you target individual consumers, here, you focus on reaching companies that could benefit from your software.

A tailored lead generation strategy is crucial in the SaaS industry. It’s not just about getting any leads; it’s about finding the right businesses that match your product's solutions. 

From my decade of experience, I’ve seen that personalized approaches—like targeted emails or content—help attract qualified leads, build trust, and drive long-term customer relationships.

A well-planned lead generation strategy ensures you reach the right audience, engage them effectively, and turn them into loyal customers, which is key for SaaS growth.

Top 11 Strategies for B2B SaaS Lead Generation

Here are top 11 strategies for B2B SaaS Lead Generation:

  1. Cold Email Outreach
  2. LinkedIn Engagement & Outreach
  3. Twitter Engagement & Outreach
  4. Lead Magnets or Giveaways
  5. SEO and Content Marketing
  6. Paid Ads
  7. Affiliate & Referral Marketing
  8. Webinars
  9. Community & Groups
  10. Free Trials
  11. Join SaaS Events

Each of these strategies can help you attract and convert potential customers. In the next section, we’ll break down each strategy and explain the fundamentals of effective B2B SaaS lead generation.

Strategy Type Pros Cons Avg. Cost to Generate 100 Leads
Cold Email Outreach Outbound Direct and targeted; cost-effective; scalable Can be seen as spam; low response rates; requires time for personalization $200 - $500
LinkedIn Engagement & Outreach Outbound Access to decision-makers; builds trust; scalable outreach Time-consuming; crowded space; requires careful management $500 - $1,500
Twitter Engagement & Outreach Outbound Real-time engagement; low cost; direct interaction Short attention span; limited depth; requires consistent activity $300 - $800
Lead Magnets or Giveaways Inbound Builds trust; cost-effective; gathers qualified leads Requires high-quality content; potential low engagement; ongoing management $500 - $1,200
SEO and Content Marketing Inbound Long-term lead generation; builds authority; cost-effective Takes time to see results; needs regular updates; requires expertise $1,000 - $3,000
Paid Ads Outbound Quick results; precise targeting; scalable Can be costly; ad fatigue; requires constant optimization $2,000 - $5,000
Affiliate & Referral Marketing Inbound Low cost, high ROI; expands reach; builds trust Quality control issues; requires management; slow start $300 - $700
Webinars Inbound Builds authority; captures interested leads; interactive Requires planning; no immediate conversion guarantee; risk of tech issues $1,000 - $2,500
Community & Groups Inbound Builds trust; creates loyal following; cost-effective Time-consuming; slow process; risk of over-promotion $200 - $600
Free Trials Inbound Builds trust; higher conversion rates; direct engagement Risk of low commitment; requires strong onboarding; potential high support costs $800 - $2,000
Join SaaS Events Outbound Direct access to audience; builds trust quickly; immediate feedback Can be expensive; requires preparation; limited reach $1,500 - $4,000

1. Cold Email Outreach

When it comes to B2B SaaS lead generation, cold email outreach is one of the most direct and effective methods. You and I both know that getting in front of potential customers can be a challenge, especially in a crowded market. 

Cold emails offer a way to reach out to targeted prospects directly, giving you the opportunity to introduce your SaaS product and start building a relationship.

Why Cold Email Outreach? 

Cold email outreach allows you to connect with businesses that may not have heard of your SaaS product yet. It’s like knocking on the doors of companies that could benefit from your software, making it a valuable tool in your lead generation toolkit. 

But not all cold email campaigns are created equal. The key is personalization and scalability, which is where Salesforge.ai comes into play.

Agent-Frank-in-Salesforge
This image shows how you can set up the AI Agent Frank in Salesforge

How Salesforge.ai Enhances Cold Email Outreach?

Using Salesforge.ai can significantly improve your cold email outreach efforts. 

 Sequence-Builder-in-Salesforge
This image shows the Sequence Builder in Salesforge

Here’s how: 

  • Scalable Personalization: Salesforge.ai allows you to personalize each email based on the recipient’s details, such as their LinkedIn profile or company information. This makes your outreach feel more genuine and less like a mass email. 

Example of Standard AI Personalized Email

Standard-AI-personalized-email
This image shows the Standard AI personalized email in Salesforge

Example of Salesforge Overdrive

 Salesforge-Overdrive
This image shows the overdrive feature in Salesforge
  • AI-Powered Campaigns: With Salesforge.ai’s advanced AI, you can craft effective cold email campaigns that adapt to the behavior and responses of your prospects. This means you’re not just sending emails—you’re engaging in a conversation that evolves.

  • Email Verification: Before sending out emails, Salesforge.ai verifies the email addresses to ensure your messages land in the right inboxes, improving your deliverability rates. 
Also Read: 10 Tips to Lower High Cold Email Spam Rates in 2024

Cost of Generating Leads with Cold Email Outreach 

Typically, the cost of generating leads through cold email outreach can vary depending on the scale and tools used. With Salesforge.ai, the pricing starts at $48 per month for the Pro plan, which includes 1,000 contacts and 5,000 emails. 

For more extensive needs, the Growth plan at $96 per month offers 10,000 contacts and 50,000 emails, with additional features like Primebox™ for managing replies. 

This investment is relatively low, considering the high return potential in terms of lead generation.

Salesforge.ai Use Case 

Let’s say you’re targeting mid-sized tech companies in the U.S. You can use Salesforge.ai to:

  • Segment Your Audience: Create a list of prospects based on industry, company size, and job roles.

  • Craft Personalized Emails: Use Salesforge.ai’s AI tools to write emails that address specific pain points these companies face. 

Here’s an email template you can use to send cold email outreach. 

Subject: Could we help your team achieve more?

  • Monitor Responses and Adjust: With the Primebox™ feature, you can easily manage and track responses, allowing you to adjust your strategy in real-time. 

Pros and Cons of Cold Email Outreach

Pros:

  • Direct and Targeted: You’re reaching out directly to decision-makers, which can speed up the lead generation process.

  • Cost-Effective: Compared to ads, cold emailing can be done with minimal costs, especially if you use tools to automate and personalize.

  • Scalable: With the right tools, you can scale your outreach efforts while still maintaining a personal touch.

Cons:

  • Can Be Seen as Spam: If not done correctly, cold emails can end up in spam folders or be ignored.

  • Needs Time and Effort: Crafting personalized emails and managing follow-ups requires time and effort.

  • Low Response Rates: Not everyone responds to cold emails, so you need a high volume to see significant results.

In short, cold email outreach, when done correctly with tools like Salesforge.ai, can be a powerful driver of B2B SaaS lead generation

It’s about reaching the right people with the right message at the right time, and Salesforge.ai makes that process efficient and effective.

2. LinkedIn Engagement & Outreach

LinkedIn is a great platform for B2B SaaS lead generation because it’s where professionals and decision-makers connect. When you and I think about finding leads, we need to be where our prospects are—on LinkedIn. 

 Frank-Sondors-LinkedIn
Frank Sondors LinkedIn

Why Use LinkedIn for Lead Generation?

On LinkedIn, users are in a business mindset. They are looking for solutions, networking, and learning from industry peers. For SaaS companies, this makes LinkedIn an effective place to engage potential customers.

How to Engage on LinkedIn

  • Optimize Your Profile: Make sure your LinkedIn profile clearly shows what your SaaS product does and how it can help.  
 Frank-optimized-LinkedIn-profile
Frank optimized LinkedIn profile
  • Engage with Content: Comment on posts and share insights that are relevant to your industry to attract attention from potential leads. 
 Frank-LinkedIn-Post
  • Share Useful Resources: Post content like blog articles, guides, or case studies that can help your audience solve specific problems. 

How to Do LinkedIn Outreach

  • Personalize Connection Requests: Add a note that explains why you want to connect. Mention a shared interest or how your SaaS solution can help.

  • Send Value-Focused Messages: After connecting, send messages that provide something useful, like a free guide or an invite to a webinar, rather than pushing for a sale.

  • Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator: It allows you to filter and find the right prospects based on criteria like job title, industry, or company size. 
LinkedIn-Sales-Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Pros and Cons of LinkedIn Engagement & Outreach

Pros:

  • Direct Access to Decision-Makers: LinkedIn allows you to connect directly with decision-makers and influencers in your target companies.

  • Builds Trust Through Engagement: Engaging in meaningful conversations builds credibility and trust, which are key to converting leads.

  • Scalable Outreach: With the right tools, you can reach a large audience without compromising personalization.

Cons:

  • Time-Consuming: Building genuine relationships on LinkedIn requires time and consistent effort.

  • Overcrowded Space: Many companies use LinkedIn for outreach, so standing out can be challenging.

  • Requires Careful Management: Over-automation can lead to generic messaging, which might turn potential leads away.

LinkedIn Outreach Tools to Scale Your Efforts

If you want to scale your outreach, LinkedIn outreach tools can help you automate and personalize your efforts:

  • Skylead: Helps automate connection requests and follow-up messages with personalization features.

  • Lemlist: Allows you to send personalized LinkedIn messages and emails, improving engagement rates.

  • Salesrobot: Offers features for automated LinkedIn outreach and sequences while keeping the tone personal.

  • Expandi: Another tool for automating LinkedIn outreach, allowing for drip campaigns and smart messaging.

These tools make it easier to manage outreach efforts and scale engagement on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn offers a space to engage and reach out to potential leads for B2B SaaS lead generation. By using the right approach and tools, you can connect with the right people and start meaningful conversations that lead to business opportunities.

3. Twitter Engagement and Outreach

If you and I were discussing social media for B2B SaaS lead generation, Twitter might not seem like the first choice. But it's a platform where you can connect with industry leaders, decision-makers, and potential customers directly. 

Twitter's real-time conversations make it a strong tool for SaaS companies to engage and conduct outreach.

Why Use Twitter for B2B SaaS Lead Generation?

Twitter is where businesses discuss industry trends, share insights, and talk about challenges. For your SaaS business, this means you can jump into relevant conversations, share valuable content, and show your expertise. 

Frank-Sondors-Twitter
Frank Sondors Twitter

This builds trust and can drive potential customers to consider your product.

How to Engage on Twitter

  • Join Relevant Conversations: Look for trending topics and hashtags in your industry. When you engage in these conversations, you put your SaaS business in front of people who are already interested in your field.

  • Share Useful Content: Tweet about solutions to common problems, share links to helpful articles, or post quick tips. This helps you get noticed and provides value to your followers. 
  • Use Polls and Questions: Encourage engagement by asking questions or creating polls. This can start conversations and provide insights into what your audience needs.

How to Do Twitter Outreach

  • Personalized Direct Messages (DMs): After identifying potential leads, send DMs that are personalized based on their recent tweets or interests. This approach is more effective than generic messages. 
Message-requests-in-Twitter
  • Participate in Twitter Chats: Get involved in Twitter chats that are related to your industry. This is a good way to connect with potential leads and showcase your knowledge.

  • Use Twitter Lists: Organize leads or companies into Twitter lists. This allows you to keep track of their tweets, engage with them, and stay visible to your target audience. 

Pros and Cons of Twitter Engagement and Outreach

Pros:

  • Real-Time Engagement: Twitter allows you to engage with your audience instantly, making it easier to build relationships quickly.

  • Low Cost, High Reach: With the right content and engagement strategy, you can reach a broad audience without spending much on ads.

  • Direct Interaction: You can interact directly with decision-makers, influencers, and potential customers.

Cons:

  • Short Attention Span: Twitter’s fast-paced nature means your content can easily get lost in the feed.

  • Limited Depth: Twitter’s character limit can make it hard to convey complex ideas, which might require follow-up content or discussions.

  • Requires Consistent Activity: To stay relevant, you need to be active and consistent, which takes time and effort.

Twitter Outreach Tools to Scale Your Efforts

To make Twitter outreach more efficient, you can use tools that help automate and manage your efforts:

  • Hootsuite: Allows you to schedule tweets, monitor conversations, and manage multiple accounts to stay on top of engagement and outreach.

  • TweetDeck: Provides an easy way to organize and engage with various Twitter lists and track mentions, hashtags, and more in real time.

  • SocialBee: Helps automate your Twitter posting while also allowing you to customize and personalize tweets for better engagement.

  • Audiense: Offers audience insights and helps you create highly targeted Twitter campaigns to engage potential leads.

These tools help manage your Twitter engagement and outreach more effectively, allowing you to scale your B2B SaaS lead generation efforts without losing the personal touch.

Twitter is a valuable channel for B2B SaaS lead generation when you engage meaningfully and use the right tools for outreach. 

By participating in conversations, sharing valuable content, and using outreach tools to stay organized, you can connect with potential leads and build relationships that can turn into business opportunities.

4. Lead Magnets or Giveaways

Lead magnets or giveaways work well because they provide value upfront. When you give something useful, like a free eBook, whitepaper, webinar, or a free trial of your SaaS product, you’re not just asking for contact details—you’re showing that you understand the prospect’s challenges and have a solution. 

Alex-Hormozi-Selling-Books-as-a-Lead-Magnets

Alt-text: Alex Hormozi Selling Books as a Lead Magnets

This builds trust and positions you as an expert in your field.

How to Create Effective Lead Magnets or Giveaways

  • Identify What Your Audience Needs: Think about the biggest pain points your potential customers face. What information or tools can help them solve those problems? For example, a guide on "How to Improve Your SaaS Sales Funnel" could be a great lead magnet if your audience struggles with conversions. 

In our case - we have created this lead magnet. 

Salesforge lead magnet
  • Offer High-Value Content: The more valuable your lead magnet, the more likely people will be to share their contact information. This could be a detailed industry report, a free trial of your software, or access to a special webinar that provides unique insights.

  • Promote It Strategically: Once you have a lead magnet, promote it where your audience spends time—on LinkedIn, Twitter, your website, or in email campaigns. This helps you attract the right kind of leads.

How to Use Giveaways for Outreach

  • Run a Giveaway Campaign: You can run a giveaway where participants enter by sharing their email or completing a survey. Make sure the prize is relevant to your SaaS offering, like an extended free trial or a consulting session. This ensures the people entering are genuinely interested in your product.

  • Engage and Follow Up: After someone downloads your lead magnet or participates in a giveaway, follow up with personalized emails that provide additional value. This could be a related blog post or a demo of your SaaS tool. 

Pros and Cons of Lead Magnets or Giveaways

Pros:

  • Builds Trust Quickly: Providing something valuable upfront builds trust and positions you as an expert.

  • Cost-Effective Lead Generation: Compared to paid ads, lead magnets can be a more cost-effective way to generate quality leads.

  • Gather Qualified Leads: People who engage with your content are likely interested in your SaaS product, leading to higher-quality leads.

Cons:

  • Requires Quality Content: Creating valuable lead magnets takes time and effort. Poor-quality content can harm your brand.

  • Potential for Low Engagement: Not everyone who downloads a lead magnet will become a customer, so nurturing is key.

  • Ongoing Management Needed: You need to constantly update and manage lead magnets to keep them relevant. 

Lead magnets and giveaways are effective for B2B SaaS lead generation because they provide value upfront, build trust, and attract qualified leads. 

By offering something your prospects need and promoting it well, you can turn interested prospects into potential customers. 

5. SEO and Content Marketing

SEO and content marketing work hand-in-hand to bring your SaaS product to the attention of the right audience. When someone searches for terms like "best CRM software for small teams," and your SaaS ranks high, you’re positioning yourself as a potential solution. 

This makes SEO-focused content a powerful way to capture leads who are actively looking for what you offer.

How to Implement SEO and Content Marketing for Lead Generation

  • Create Content That Solves Problems: You want to create content that directly addresses your audience's pain points. For example, if potential customers struggle with managing remote teams, write blog posts or guides on "How to Manage Remote Teams Effectively with SaaS Tools." This kind of content attracts traffic and helps prospects see your product as a valuable solution.

  • Optimize for Keywords Your Audience Uses: Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Ubersuggest can help you find the right keywords that your target audience is searching for. Integrate these keywords naturally into your content, titles, and meta descriptions to improve your visibility on search engines. Ranking well for these keywords drives relevant traffic to your site.

  • Offer Clear Calls to Action (CTAs): Always guide readers to the next step, such as signing up for a free trial or downloading a guide. A well-placed CTA can turn visitors into leads.

How to Use Content Marketing for Outreach

  • Repurpose Content for Different Platforms: You can take a detailed blog post and turn it into an infographic, a video, or a LinkedIn post. This strategy helps you engage different audience types and directs more traffic back to your website.

  • Guest Blogging and Backlinking: Contributing guest posts to industry websites can expose your SaaS to a broader audience. Adding backlinks to your site not only drives traffic but also boosts your SEO ranking. 

Pros and Cons of SEO and Content Marketing

Pros:

  • Long-Term Lead Generation: Once your content ranks well, it can bring in leads for months or even years.

  • Builds Trust and Authority: High-quality content positions you as an expert, making it easier for prospects to trust your brand.

  • Cost-Effective: Compared to paid ads, content marketing has a lower cost over time and provides ongoing results.

Cons:

  • Takes Time to See Results: SEO and content marketing are long-term strategies that require patience and consistency.

  • Requires Regular Updates: Content needs to be updated regularly to stay relevant and keep ranking high. 

  • Needs Expertise: Effective SEO requires a good understanding of keyword research and optimization techniques.

Tools for SEO and Content Marketing

  • SEO Tools:

    • Ahrefs: Great for keyword research, backlink analysis, and monitoring SEO performance.

    • SEMrush: Helps you track keywords, competitors, and content performance.

    • Ubersuggest: Useful for keyword ideas, traffic estimation, and SEO audits.

  • Content Tools:

    • Jasper: An AI-based tool that helps create engaging and optimized content quickly.

    • SurferSEO: Provides guidelines for optimizing content based on what’s already ranking, ensuring that your content meets SEO standards.

SEO and content marketing are strong methods for B2B SaaS lead generation because they attract potential customers who are already looking for solutions like yours. 

By using the right tools and strategies to create valuable content and optimize it for search engines, you can consistently draw in qualified leads and grow your SaaS business. 

6. Paid Ads

Paid ads, whether on Google, LinkedIn, or Facebook, let you reach potential customers who are actively searching for solutions like yours or who fit your target customer profile. 

For example, when someone searches for “best CRM software for small businesses” on Google, your ad can appear at the top, directly capturing their attention. 

Ad on LinkedIn
Linkedin Ads

This can lead to immediate engagement and quicker conversions.

How to Use Paid Ads Effectively

  • Target the Right Audience: Use audience targeting features on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook to focus on decision-makers or specific industries that align with your SaaS offering. This way, you ensure that your ads reach the people most likely to convert.

  • Create Compelling Ad Copy: Your ad should clearly explain what problem your SaaS solves and why someone should click. Use strong CTAs like "Try Free for 14 Days" or "Get a Demo" to encourage immediate action. 
LinkedIn Ads
  • Optimize Your Landing Pages: Ensure that when someone clicks your ad, they land on a page that matches their expectations and provides more details, a clear value proposition, and an easy path to conversion, like a sign-up form or demo request.

Pros and Cons of Using Paid Ads for B2B SaaS

Pros:

  • Quick Results: Unlike SEO, which takes time, paid ads can generate leads almost immediately.

  • Precise Targeting: You can target ads to specific demographics, job roles, or industries, ensuring your message reaches the right people.

  • Scalability: You can quickly scale up your ads to reach a larger audience or dial them down based on performance and budget.

Cons:

  • Costly: Running paid ads, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, can be expensive. You must monitor your budget closely to ensure a good return on investment (ROI).

  • Ad Fatigue: The same audience may see your ad multiple times, leading to reduced effectiveness over time.

  • Requires Constant Optimization: To get the best results, you must continuously test and adjust your ad copy, targeting, and budget, which can be time-consuming.

Paid ads can be a powerful tool for B2B SaaS lead generation because they allow you to reach your target audience quickly and effectively. By targeting the right people with the right message, you can drive immediate traffic and generate leads. 

However, it’s essential to balance the costs and continuously optimize your campaigns to get the best results. 

7. Affiliate Marketing and Referral 

Affiliate marketing and referrals work by encouraging others to promote your SaaS product in exchange for a commission or reward. Imagine having a network of people who believe in your product and are willing to promote it to their audience. That’s what affiliates and referrals do. 

They help you reach new potential customers who trust the person or company referring to them. For you, it means reaching a wider audience without spending heavily on ads. 

Take a look: Salesforge Refferal Program
Salesforge-Affiliate-Program
This image shows the Affiliate Program in Salesforge

How Affiliate Marketing Works

  • Affiliates Promote Your Product: You partner with affiliates who promote your SaaS through their channels—such as blogs, websites, or social media. Each time they bring in a new customer, they earn a commission.

  • Performance-Based: This method is performance-based, meaning you only pay for actual results, like a lead or a sale, making it cost-effective.

How Referral Programs Work

  • Encourage Word of Mouth: Referral programs encourage your existing customers to refer your SaaS to others. You can offer them incentives, like a discount or a month of free service, for each successful referral.

  • Builds Trust Quickly: A recommendation from someone they trust speeds up the decision-making process for new customers.

Pros and Cons of Affiliate Marketing and Referrals

Pros:

  • Low Cost, High ROI: You pay only when you get a result, making it a cost-effective strategy.

  • Expands Reach Quickly: Leveraging affiliates and referrals can help you reach a wider audience faster than other methods.

  • Builds Trust Through Third-Party Endorsements: Potential customers are more likely to trust recommendations from someone they know or follow.

Cons:

  • Quality Control Issues: You may have less control over how affiliates present your product, which could affect your brand.

  • Requires Management: Both affiliate and referral programs need ongoing management to ensure that affiliates are performing well and staying on message.

  • Slow Start: It might take time to find the right affiliates or get your customers to participate in a referral program actively.

Affiliate marketing and referral programs can be great for B2B SaaS lead generation because they allow you to reach new customers through trusted sources at a lower cost. 

While they require some management, the benefits of reaching a wider audience and paying only for results make them worth considering for your SaaS growth strategy.

8. Webinars

Webinars give you the opportunity to connect with your target audience in real-time. Unlike a blog post or a static piece of content, webinars allow you to interact, answer questions, and explain how your SaaS product can solve specific problems. 

When someone attends a webinar, they’re already showing a level of interest. This makes them a warmer lead than someone who just visits your website. 

Webinar on Email Deliverability

How to Use Webinars for Engagement and Outreach

  • Educate and Inform: Use webinars to provide valuable information about industry trends, challenges, or solutions. When you educate your audience, you position yourself as an expert in your field, which helps build trust. 
  • Showcase Your SaaS Product: A webinar is a perfect place to give a live demo of your SaaS product. You can walk attendees through the features, show real-world use cases, and answer any questions they have on the spot.

  • Follow Up with Attendees: After the webinar, follow up with attendees by sending them a recording or additional resources. This keeps the conversation going and helps turn interested attendees into qualified leads.

Pros and Cons of Webinars

Pros:

  • Builds Authority and Trust: Sharing valuable knowledge and engaging directly builds authority in your niche and trust with potential customers.

  • Captures Highly Interested Leads: People who take the time to attend a webinar are usually more interested, making them better-quality leads.

  • Interactive and Engaging: Unlike static content, webinars allow for real-time interaction, which can help address potential customer objections right away.

Cons:

  • Requires Planning and Resources: Hosting a successful webinar takes time to plan, create content, and promote.

  • No Immediate Conversion Guarantee: Not all attendees will turn into customers right away; nurturing might be needed.

  • Technical Glitches: Dependence on technology means things can go wrong—like connectivity issues or poor audio.

Webinars are a strong strategy for B2B SaaS lead generation because they allow you to engage with your audience directly, provide value, and build trust. 

With a well-executed webinar, you can turn interested attendees into loyal customers by showcasing your expertise and product in a personal and interactive way.

9. Community and Groups

Communities and groups offer a unique way to engage directly with your target audience. Unlike ads or cold emails, where you’re pushing your message out, communities allow you to pull people in by offering valuable insights, help, and content. 

When you participate in groups or build a community around your product, you’re not just promoting; you’re building relationships.

SaaStr Event
SaaStr Event

How to Use Communities and Groups for Engagement and Outreach

  • Join Existing Groups in Your Industry: Find groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or industry-specific forums where your potential customers hang out. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and provide value without immediately pushing your product.

  • Create Your Own Community: If you can’t find a group that matches your niche, why not create one? By building a community around your SaaS product or the problem it solves, you create a space where you can share content, host webinars, or discuss industry trends. This positions you as a leader in the space and attracts leads.
Join Salesforge HQ Community!
 Salesforge community on Slack
Salesforge community on Slack
  • Share Valuable Content and Resources: Post articles, guides, case studies, or videos that can help members solve their problems. This type of content shows your expertise and makes people more likely to consider your SaaS solution.

Pros and Cons of Using Communities and Groups

Pros:

  • Builds Trust Over Time: Regular engagement in communities helps build trust and credibility, making it easier to turn members into leads.

  • Creates a Loyal Following: People who engage with your content and advice are more likely to become loyal customers.

  • Cost-Effective: Unlike paid ads, building a community or joining groups can be done with minimal cost, relying more on time and effort.

Cons:

  • Time-Consuming: Building and maintaining a community or being active in groups takes time and consistent effort.

  • Slow Lead Generation Process: It may take time to see results, as trust and engagement need to be built gradually.

  • Risk of Over-Promotion: Overly promoting your product can turn members away. It's essential to balance promotion with genuine value.

Communities and groups are effective for B2B SaaS lead generation because they help you build trust, share value, and engage directly with potential customers. 

By being part of these spaces or creating your own, you can nurture relationships that eventually turn into leads.

10. Free Trials

Offering a free trial gives your prospects a risk-free way to test your SaaS product. When they can see the benefits of your solution in their own business environment, it builds trust and helps them make a more informed decision. 

It’s much easier for someone to commit to a purchase when they’ve already experienced the value your product provides. 

For example - we offer 7 days free trial to test our product. 

Salesforge free trial
Salesforge Signup Page

How to Use Free Trials for Engagement and Outreach

  • Make the Onboarding Simple: Make sure that the process to sign up for a free trial is quick and easy. If it’s too complicated, you might lose potential leads right at the start. Provide a step-by-step guide or an onboarding walkthrough to help users get started smoothly.

  • Engage During the Trial Period: Don’t just leave users on their own during the trial. Send helpful tips, guides, or video tutorials that show them how to get the most out of your SaaS product. You want to engage them and ensure they see the value.

  • Follow Up Before the Trial Ends: As the trial period is nearing its end, follow up with users to get their feedback, address any concerns, and encourage them to convert to a paid plan. A personalized approach can make a big difference here.

Pros and Cons of Free Trials

Pros:

  • Builds Trust and Confidence: Prospects can see how the product works for them before making a financial commitment.

  • Drives Higher Conversion Rates: Leads generated through free trials are more likely to convert because they have already interacted with the product.

  • Engages Users Directly: Free trials allow you to engage directly with users, gather feedback, and make improvements based on real user experiences.

Cons:

  • Risk of Low Commitment: Some users might sign up without serious intent to buy, leading to wasted resources.

  • Requires Strong Onboarding: Without a good onboarding process, users might not see the full value of the product and drop off.

  • Potential for High Support Costs: Providing support to free trial users can increase costs, especially if many users need help.

Free trials are a great strategy for B2B SaaS lead generation because they allow prospects to experience your product firsthand. By engaging them during the trial period and making the onboarding easy, you can convert interested users into loyal customers.

11. Join SaaS Events

When you attend SaaS events, you’re putting yourself right in front of your target audience. These are people who are actively looking for solutions, partners, and ideas to grow their businesses.

SaaS event

By being present, you get to showcase your SaaS product, build brand awareness, and engage directly with potential customers who are more likely to be interested in what you offer.

How to Use SaaS Events for Engagement and Outreach

  • Network with Decision-Makers: SaaS events attract key decision-makers from various industries. Use this chance to introduce yourself, share what your SaaS does, and understand their pain points. It’s easier to build trust face-to-face or in a live virtual setting.

  • Host a Booth or a Session: If the event allows, consider hosting a booth or a speaking session. This gives you a platform to demonstrate your product’s value, share customer success stories, and answer questions on the spot. 


  • Follow Up After the Event: After the event, follow up with the people you met. Send personalized emails or messages to continue the conversation and move them further down the sales funnel.

Pros and Cons of Joining SaaS Events

Pros:

  • Direct Access to Target Audience: You get direct access to potential leads who are interested in SaaS solutions.

  • Builds Trust Quickly: Face-to-face interactions help build trust faster than online methods.

  • Opportunity for Immediate Feedback: You can get real-time feedback on your product, pitch, or strategy.

Cons:

  • Can Be Expensive: Attending or sponsoring events can be costly, especially when you consider travel, accommodation, and event fees.

  • Requires Time and Preparation: You need to prepare materials, pitches, and follow-up strategies to make the most out of the event.

  • Limited Reach: Unlike digital strategies, events are confined to those attending, which can limit the audience size.

Joining SaaS events is a strong strategy for B2B SaaS lead generation because it allows you to connect directly with potential customers, build relationships, and showcase your product. 

By engaging actively at these events and following up afterward, you can turn valuable connections into qualified leads.

Inbound vs. Outbound Lead Generation: Which Is More Effective?

When you and I think about generating leads for a B2B SaaS, the debate often comes down to inbound vs. outbound lead generation. Both methods have their strengths and challenges, and knowing which one to use—or when to combine them—can make a big difference in your lead generation strategy.

What Is Inbound Lead Generation?

Inbound lead generation focuses on attracting potential customers to you. Think about SEO, content marketing, webinars, and social media. 

Here, you create valuable content that addresses your target audience’s pain points and interests. 

When they search for solutions, they find your content, and this pulls them towards your SaaS product.

What Is Outbound Lead Generation?

On the other hand, outbound lead generation is more about reaching out to potential customers directly. 

This includes tactics like cold emails, cold calls, paid ads, and direct messaging on platforms like LinkedIn. 

You identify potential leads and reach out to them with targeted messages about how your SaaS can solve their problems.

Which Is More Effective for B2B SaaS?

The effectiveness of inbound vs. outbound lead generation depends on your business goals, resources, and target audience. Let’s break it down:

  • Inbound Lead Generation works well if you have the time and resources to invest in content and SEO. It’s about building trust and authority over time.

  • Outbound Lead Generation is faster and more direct. It’s ideal if you need quick results and are targeting specific prospects who might not yet be aware of your product.

Pros and Cons of Inbound and Outbound Lead Generation

Aspect Inbound Lead Generation Outbound Lead Generation
Pros Builds trust and authority over time Immediate and direct engagement with potential leads
Cost-effective in the long run Provides quick results
Generates high-quality leads who are already interested Highly targeted outreach to specific prospects
Cons Takes time to see results Can be costly (ads, tools, sales teams)
Requires consistent content creation and updates Often perceived as intrusive
Needs SEO and content expertise Lower response rates without proper targeting and messaging

When choosing between inbound and outbound lead generation, it’s not about which one is better; it’s about what fits your strategy. 

If you have the patience to build trust and authority, inbound might be your best bet. 

But if you need immediate results and have the budget to reach out directly, outbound can work wonders. Often, combining both approaches gives you a balanced strategy that leverages the strengths of each.

What Are The Key Tips For Successful B2B SaaS Lead Generation?

You and I both know that generating leads for a B2B SaaS company isn't just about getting any leads—it's about getting the right ones. 

Here are some key tips that can help you succeed in B2B SaaS lead generation.

  1. Know Your Customer: Understand their needs and challenges.
  2. Optimize Your Website: Make navigation easy and use clear calls to action.
  3. Create Helpful Content: Address audience problems to attract them.
  4. Use Email Nurturing: Send targeted emails to keep leads interested.
  5. Show Social Proof: Use reviews and testimonials to build trust.
  6. Run Targeted Ads: Direct ads to your ideal customer.
  7. Measure and Improve: Track performance and adjust strategies.

Successful B2B SaaS lead generation involves a mix of understanding your audience, creating valuable content, optimizing your website, and constantly measuring your efforts. 

By following these key tips, you can attract and convert more qualified leads for your SaaS business.

Conclusion:

B2B SaaS lead generation needs a mix of strategies, from cold emails and LinkedIn outreach to SEO and webinars. Choosing the right ones for your goals and optimizing them is key to getting quality leads.

For effective cold email outreach, try Salesforge. Its AI-driven personalization and scalability can help you connect with the right prospects and boost your lead-generation efforts.

Iga Wójtowicz
Content & Community Manager