For the 95% of accounts not receiving hyper-focused attention, deploy scalable "horizontal plays." These are persona-specific campaigns, like sending an RFP template to all procurement contacts. This tactic keeps your brand top-of-mind across your territory without being spammy or resource-intensive.
Don't unleash a generic AI agent on your entire database. To get high response rates, segment contacts into specific sub-personas based on role, behavior, or status (e.g., churn risk). Then, train dedicated sub-agents or campaigns for each persona, allowing for true personalization at scale in batches of around 1,000 contacts.
In December and January, B2B buyers are actively planning for the new year. Instead of generic content, offer mid-funnel tools like a "vendor comparison checklist" or "RFP kickstart kit." These capture high-intent prospects who are in the process of evaluating or changing their business vendors.
Personalization is not one-size-fits-all. Director-level and above prospects are 50% more likely to respond to company-level relevance (e.g., business initiatives). In contrast, individual contributors and managers are more receptive to individual-level personalization.
Using phone, email, and social isn't merely about finding a channel that works; it's about becoming a known person. When a prospect has heard your voice on a voicemail and seen your face on LinkedIn, you are no longer an anonymous bot. This human connection dramatically increases the likelihood of a response, even if it's a polite 'no'.
To stay top-of-mind with prospects who aren't ready to buy, map out the critical decisions they'll face around a compelling event. By providing resources that help them navigate these inherent challenges (e.g., compliance, tax), you become a trusted advisor, not just another vendor waiting for an opportunity.
Instead of pursuing large companies, elite sellers identify and focus on key business events, like mergers or new market entries, that create an urgent need for their product. This strategy shifts focus from account size to the probability of a timely need, leading to more efficient prospecting.
Instead of maximizing the volume of prospects at the top of the funnel, strategically narrow your focus to fewer, high-potential accounts. This 'martini glass' approach prioritizes depth and engagement over sheer productivity, leading to better quality opportunities.
Instead of a direct "just following up" message, tag your prospect in a relevant industry post on LinkedIn. This provides value, gives them visibility, and serves as a subtle reminder, positioning you as a helpful resource rather than a persistent seller.
A top enterprise AE focuses intensely on only 20 of his 400 accounts (5%) for a six-month period. These accounts are chosen based on the high probability of a compelling event occurring. This extreme prioritization allows for deep, meaningful engagement rather than spreading efforts thinly across an entire book.
AI outbound tools pull from the same databases, hitting the same people with similar messages. To stand out, go fully manual. Research individuals, send unique, short messages, and target people not in common databases. This "back door" approach is more effective for high-value deals.