LinkedIn is the gold standard for B2B lead generation—no argument there. With over 1 billion professionals, it's an unmatched resource for finding decision-makers and building your pipeline.
But here's the thing: if you're only using LinkedIn, you're leaving opportunities on the table.
The best sales teams don't rely on a single source. They diversify their lead generation strategies, combining multiple channels to find prospects that actually convert. More sources mean more data points about your prospects, which translates to better personalization and higher conversion rates.
We've compiled 30 proven ways to find quality leads that you can use alongside LinkedIn to supercharge your sales efforts. Whether you're in B2B SaaS, recruiting, or agency sales, these strategies will help you discover prospects your competitors are missing.
Understanding Leads: The Foundation
Before diving into tactics, let's align on terminology.
What is a Lead?
A lead is a potential customer who has shown interest in your product or service. They might have:
- Visited your website
- Downloaded a resource
- Engaged with your content
- Fit your ideal customer profile
Leads exist at the top of your sales funnel. They're prospects you've identified but haven't yet qualified.
Leads vs. Prospects: What's the Difference?
A prospect is a qualified lead. For a lead to become a prospect, they must:
- Match your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
- Show active interest in what you offer
- Have the authority or influence to make purchasing decisions
Think of it this way: all prospects are leads, but not all leads are prospects. Your job is to find quality leads and qualify them into prospects worth pursuing.
The Foundation: Before You Start Finding Leads
Effective lead generation starts with preparation. Here's what you need before you begin:
1. Build Your Inbound Strategy
Outbound prospecting works best when combined with a strong inbound foundation. Your inbound strategy should include:
Website Optimization:
- Clear value proposition on your homepage
- Educational blog content addressing customer pain points
- Case studies and social proof
- Lead magnets (templates, guides, tools)
Content Marketing:
- Industry-specific blog posts
- Downloadable resources
- Video content and webinars
- Original research and data
Conversion Optimization:
- Strategic placement of CTAs
- Lead capture forms
- Live chat or chatbot
- Newsletter signup
When prospects research you (and they will), your inbound presence should reinforce your credibility and value.
2. Define Your ICP and Buyer Personas
You can't find the right leads if you don't know who you're looking for.
Ideal Customer Profile (ICP):
Your ICP describes the company characteristics of your best customers:
- Industry and sector
- Company size (revenue, employees)
- Geographic location
- Technology stack
- Growth stage
- Budget range
Why it matters: Companies matching your ICP have the fastest conversion cycles, highest lifetime value, lowest churn, and best ROI.
Buyer Persona:
Your buyer persona describes the individual decision-makers within your ICP:
- Job title and seniority
- Role and responsibilities
- Goals and objectives
- Challenges and pain points
- Decision-making authority
- Communication preferences
Pro Tip: Base both your ICP and buyer personas on actual customer data. Analyze your best customers—those with the highest LTV, fastest time-to-close, and lowest churn. What do they have in common?
3. Create a Lead Research Document
To personalize outreach at scale, you need organized data. Create a spreadsheet with these columns:
Basic Information:
- First name
- Last name
- Job title
- Company name
- LinkedIn profile URL
- Email address
- Phone number
Personalization Data:
- Recent LinkedIn posts or articles
- Company news (funding, expansion, hiring)
- Shared connections
- Educational background
- Previous companies
- Hobbies or interests
- Pain points or challenges
Custom Personalization:
- Personalized intro line
- Relevant case study to share
- Specific value proposition
- Referral source
This document becomes your goldmine for crafting messages that actually get responses.
Why You Need Multiple Lead Generation Sources
Here's why diversifying your lead generation matters:
1. Deeper Insights: Different platforms reveal different information about prospects. LinkedIn shows professional background, Twitter shows thought leadership, company websites show initiatives and priorities.
2. Better Personalization: The more you know about a prospect, the better you can tailor your outreach. Multi-source research gives you multiple personalization angles.
3. Higher Quality: Leads found through multiple sources (especially those actively engaged in your industry) tend to convert at higher rates.
4. Reduced Risk: If one channel becomes saturated or less effective, you have other sources keeping your pipeline full.
5. Competitive Advantage: While competitors focus only on LinkedIn, you're finding prospects they're missing entirely.
Now, let's explore the 30 ways to find quality leads.
30 Proven Ways to Find Quality Leads
LinkedIn Strategies (1-10)
1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
The premium tool built specifically for sales prospecting.
Why It Works: Advanced filters let you target prospects by job function, seniority, company size, technology used, and much more. Lead recommendations and saved searches keep your pipeline fresh.
How to Use It:
- Set up boolean search strings for your ICP
- Use "Posted on LinkedIn in the past 30 days" filter to find active users
- Filter by "Changed jobs in the past 90 days" for warm opportunities
- Save searches and check weekly for new results
2. LinkedIn Advanced Search
Available to all users, Advanced Search offers powerful filtering.
Why It Works: Free (or included with basic Premium) and effective for building targeted prospect lists.
How to Use It:
- Search by job title, company, location, industry
- Use "People Also Viewed" to find similar prospects
- Filter by connections (2nd-degree for warm intros)
- Export results to your CRM
3. LinkedIn Posts Engagement
Mine the engagement on viral industry posts.
Why It Works: People engaging with industry content are active, interested, and likely decision-makers.
How to Use It:
- Find viral posts in your industry
- Click "Reactions" and "Comments"
- Identify decision-makers from your ICP
- Reach out with context: "I saw you commented on [Post Topic]..."
4. LinkedIn Groups
Yes, they're still useful for lead generation.
Why It Works: Groups are self-segmented by industry, interest, or role. Members have opted into conversations about specific topics.
How to Use It:
- Join relevant industry groups
- Access the members list
- Filter for your ICP criteria
- Engage in discussions before reaching out
5. LinkedIn Events
Virtual and in-person events attract engaged prospects.
Why It Works: Event attendees are actively learning and networking—they're open to conversations.
How to Use It:
- Find industry-relevant events
- Check the attendees list
- Connect before, during, or after the event
- Reference the event in your outreach
6. LinkedIn Polls
Create polls to attract and identify leads.
Why It Works: Polls generate engagement and self-identify prospects based on their responses.
How to Use It:
- Post a poll addressing a common industry pain point
- Segment respondents by their answers
- Reach out with tailored messaging based on their response
7. "People Also Viewed" Feature
LinkedIn's algorithm does prospecting for you.
Why It Works: LinkedIn suggests similar profiles based on viewing patterns. It's like getting free lookalike audience targeting.
How to Use It:
- Visit a profile matching your ICP
- Scroll to "People Also Viewed"
- Explore similar profiles
- Add matches to your prospect list
8. LinkedIn Company Pages
Research target accounts directly.
Why It Works: Company pages show recent updates, employee count, job postings, and connections.
How to Use It:
- Visit your target company's LinkedIn page
- Click "See all employees"
- Filter by job function and seniority
- Build a list of relevant contacts
9. "Posts by Others" on Company Pages
See who's creating content about target companies.
Why It Works: Employees posting about their company are often engaged, proud team members—good contacts.
How to Use It:
- Go to a target company's LinkedIn page
- Check "Posts by others"
- Identify active employees
- Engage with their content before reaching out
10. LinkedIn Recommendations
Get warm introductions through your network.
Why It Works: Warm referrals have significantly higher conversion rates than cold outreach.
How to Use It:
- Search for prospects in your 2nd-degree network
- Identify mutual connections
- Request introductions
- Reference the mutual connection in outreach
Company & Website Strategies (11-15)
11. Company Websites
Go straight to the source.
Why It Works: Company websites reveal priorities, initiatives, and contact information.
How to Use It:
- Visit "About Us" and "Team" pages for decision-maker names
- Check "Careers" for growth signals (hiring = budget)
- Read blog posts to understand priorities
- Review case studies to see their customer base
12. Competitor Customer Lists
Find prospects using competitor solutions.
Why It Works: These companies already recognize the problem you solve and have budget allocated.
How to Use It:
- Check competitor case studies and testimonials
- Look for customer logos on their website
- Search "[Competitor Name] customer" on Google
- Approach with a comparison or upgrade angle
13. Industry Awards and Winners Lists
Target successful, growing companies.
Why It Works: Award-winning companies are typically well-funded, growing, and open to innovation.
How to Use It:
- Research industry award programs
- Get lists of winners and nominees
- Target decision-makers at these companies
- Congratulate them in your outreach
14. "About Us" and "Newsroom" Pages
Find company updates and priorities.
Why It Works: Recent announcements indicate budget, priorities, and timing.
How to Use It:
- Monitor target company newsrooms
- Look for funding, expansion, product launches
- Reach out when announcements align with your solution
- Reference the news in your messaging
15. Customer Review Sites
Find buyers actively evaluating solutions.
Why It Works: Reviews reveal dissatisfaction, needs, and evaluation criteria.
How to Use It:
- Check G2, Capterra, TrustRadius, Software Advice
- Read reviews of your competitors
- Identify pain points you solve better
- Target reviewers who mention those pain points
Content & Community Strategies (16-20)
16. Industry Blogs and Publications
Find thought leaders and engaged buyers.
Why It Works: People publishing or commenting on industry content are actively engaged in the space.
How to Use It:
- Follow top industry blogs
- Note authors and frequent commenters
- Engage with their content
- Reach out with relevant insights
17. Podcast Guest Appearances
Target industry influencers and experts.
Why It Works: Podcast guests are industry leaders, often decision-makers, and comfortable with conversations.
How to Use It:
- Listen to industry podcasts
- Note guest names and companies
- Find them on LinkedIn
- Reference the podcast in your outreach
18. Webinar Attendees
Access highly engaged, education-focused prospects.
Why It Works: Webinar attendees are actively seeking solutions and open to learning.
How to Use It:
- Host your own webinars and capture registrations
- Sponsor industry webinars for access to attendee lists
- Follow up post-webinar with relevant resources
- Segment follow-up based on webinar topic
19. Industry Forums and Communities
Find niche, highly-engaged prospects.
Why It Works: Forum members are actively discussing challenges—perfect for solution providers.
How to Use It:
- Join relevant forums (Reddit, industry-specific communities)
- Identify active contributors
- Provide valuable input without pitching
- Build relationships over time
20. YouTube Channel Subscribers
Target video content consumers.
Why It Works: YouTube subscribers are engaged learners, often researching solutions.
How to Use It:
- Create valuable YouTube content
- Capture email addresses for downloads or follow-ups
- Engage with commenters
- Partner with industry YouTubers for exposure
Social Media & Platform Strategies (21-25)
21. Twitter/X Industry Lists
Find and organize industry voices.
Why It Works: Twitter conversations reveal priorities, challenges, and interests in real-time.
How to Use It:
- Create Twitter lists by industry or role
- Monitor conversations and engagement
- Engage with relevant tweets
- DM or connect on LinkedIn with context
22. Twitter Advanced Search
Use Twitter's search operators to find prospects.
Why It Works: Advanced search finds prospects discussing specific topics, pain points, or needs.
How to Use It:
- Search for pain points: "struggling with [problem]"
- Use geo-targeting: "near:[city]"
- Filter by date for recent conversations
- Engage or reach out via LinkedIn
23. Facebook Groups
Yes, Facebook can work for B2B.
Why It Works: Industry-specific Facebook groups are active communities where prospects gather.
How to Use It:
- Join industry-specific groups
- Engage authentically (no spam)
- Answer questions and provide value
- Connect with active members
24. Instagram Business Accounts
Useful for visual industries and personal brands.
Why It Works: Business accounts are often managed by decision-makers in creative or consumer-facing industries.
How to Use It:
- Search industry hashtags
- Engage with relevant content
- Review business account followers
- DM or connect via LinkedIn
25. Quora Industry Topics
Find prospects asking questions.
Why It Works: Questions reveal pain points and buying intent.
How to Use It:
- Follow relevant Quora topics
- Answer questions thoughtfully
- Include your expertise (not pitches)
- Connect with question-askers
Startup & Funding Strategies (26-27)
26. Startup Directories (Product Hunt, AngelList, BetaList)
Find early-stage companies before competitors do.
Why It Works: Startups need tools, services, and partners. Getting in early builds relationships.
How to Use It:
- Browse Product Hunt launches in your ICP's industry
- Check AngelList for funded startups
- Review BetaList for pre-launch companies
- Reach out with founder-friendly offers
27. Funding Announcements (Crunchbase, TechCrunch)
Target companies that just raised capital.
Why It Works: Freshly funded companies have budget and are actively building.
How to Use It:
- Set up Crunchbase alerts for funding rounds
- Monitor TechCrunch funding announcements
- Congratulate founders on their raise
- Position your solution as a growth enabler
Niche & Specialized Strategies (28-30)
28. Industry-Specific Platforms
Find prospects where they naturally gather.
Examples by Industry:
- Developers: GitHub, Stack Overflow, Dev.to
- Designers: Behance, Dribbble, Figma Community
- Marketers: GrowthHackers, Inbound.org
- Freelancers: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal
Why It Works: Platform-specific data reveals skills, experience, and activity.
How to Use It:
- Join relevant platforms
- Review portfolios and profiles
- Engage with their work
- Reach out with personalized context
29. Job Boards
Find companies hiring (budget signal).
Why It Works: Companies hiring for specific roles have budget and growth plans.
How to Use It:
- Monitor job boards for relevant positions
- Target companies hiring for roles related to your solution
- Example: If you sell sales tools, target companies hiring SDRs
- Reach out to hiring managers or relevant stakeholders
30. Industry Association Directories
Access vetted, industry-committed companies.
Why It Works: Association members are invested in their industry and connected to peers.
How to Use It:
- Find relevant industry associations
- Access member directories
- Target members matching your ICP
- Reference the association in outreach
Turning Leads into Customers: Your Outreach Strategy
You've found great leads—now what? The key is organized, personalized, multi-channel outreach.
Using LinqMaster to Streamline Outreach
LinqMaster combines LinkedIn automation and email outreach to help you scale personalized outreach without sacrificing quality.
Step 1: Import Your Leads
Upload your lead research document (CSV) to LinqMaster. Include all your personalization data as custom variables.
Step 2: Create Custom Variables
LinqMaster supports native variables like:
- {{firstName}}
- {{lastName}}
- {{companyName}}
- {{jobTitle}}
Plus custom variables you create:
- {{recentPost}}
- {{mutualConnection}}
- {{painPoint}}
- {{personalizedIntro}}
Step 3: Build Your Sequence
Create a multi-step, multi-channel sequence:
- LinkedIn Connection Request (with personalized note)
- Follow-up LinkedIn Message (if they accept)
- Email Outreach (if you have their email)
- Email Follow-up (value-add content)
- Final Touch (case study or resource)
Step 4: Personalize at Scale
Use your custom variables to create messages that feel one-to-one:
Hi {{firstName}},
{{personalizedIntro}}
I noticed {{companyName}} is {{painPoint}}. We've helped similar companies like {{socialProof}} achieve {{outcome}}.
Would you be open to a quick 15-minute conversation about how we could help {{companyName}} with {{solution}}?
Best,
[Your Name]
Step 5: Monitor and Optimize
Track:
- Connection acceptance rates
- Response rates
- Meeting booked rates
- Conversion rates by source
Optimize based on data—double down on what works.
Best Practices for Multi-Source Lead Generation
1. Quality Over Quantity
Don't just collect names. Find prospects who genuinely fit your ICP and have active buying signals.
2. Layer Your Research
Use multiple sources to build a complete picture. LinkedIn + Twitter + Company Website = deep personalization.
3. Act Quickly on Buying Signals
When a company announces funding, expansion, or hires for a relevant role—reach out immediately.
4. Diversify Your Sources
Don't rely too heavily on any single channel. Test different sources and track which produce the best results for your ICP.
5. Organize Meticulously
Use a CRM or spreadsheet to track:
- Lead source
- Research notes
- Outreach attempts
- Responses
- Next steps
6. Personalize Every Touch
Generic outreach fails. Use your research to craft messages that show you understand their business and challenges.
7. Follow Up Persistently
Most deals require 5-7 touchpoints. Create multi-step sequences that provide value at each stage.
8. Test and Iterate
A/B test your outreach messages, sequences, and channels. What works for one audience might not work for another.
Measuring Lead Generation Success
Track these metrics to optimize your efforts:
Lead Source Metrics
- Leads generated per source
- Lead quality score (fit to ICP)
- Time to generate leads
- Cost per lead (if applicable)
Conversion Metrics
- Lead-to-prospect conversion rate
- Prospect-to-opportunity conversion rate
- Opportunity-to-customer conversion rate
- Average deal size by source
Efficiency Metrics
- Time from lead generation to first contact
- Response rate by source
- Meeting booked rate
- Sales cycle length
Goal: Identify your highest-quality lead sources and double down on them.
Common Lead Generation Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: No Clear ICP
Trying to sell to everyone means selling effectively to no one. Define your ICP first.
Mistake 2: Generic Outreach
Copy-paste messages get ignored. Use your research to personalize every message.
Mistake 3: Single Channel Dependence
Relying only on LinkedIn (or any single source) limits your reach and exposes you to risk.
Mistake 4: No Follow-Up System
Most prospects need multiple touchpoints. Create sequences that systematically follow up.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Data
Track what's working and what isn't. Make decisions based on metrics, not gut feel.
Mistake 6: Pitching Too Early
Build rapport before pitching. Provide value, ask questions, understand needs—then present solutions.
Mistake 7: Poor Lead Organization
Losing track of leads, outreach status, or follow-ups kills pipeline. Use a CRM or organized system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many lead sources should I use?
A: Start with 3-5 sources that align best with your ICP. Master those before expanding. Quality beats quantity.
Q: How do I measure which lead source is most effective?
A: Track lead source in your CRM and measure conversion rates from lead → prospect → opportunity → customer. Also measure time-to-close and deal size by source.
Q: Can I automate prospecting across multiple sources?
A: Yes, partially. Tools like LinqMaster automate LinkedIn and email outreach. For other sources, you'll need to manually extract leads but can still automate the follow-up.
Q: How much time should I spend on lead research?
A: For high-value prospects, invest 5-10 minutes per lead. For broader outreach, aim for 2-3 minutes per lead with strong ICP filtering upfront.
Q: What's the best lead source for B2B SaaS?
A: LinkedIn Sales Navigator typically performs best for B2B SaaS, but diversifying with company websites, funding announcements, and industry communities improves results.
Q: How quickly should I reach out after finding a lead?
A: For time-sensitive signals (funding, job changes, expansion), reach out within 24-48 hours. For general prospecting, prioritize quality research over speed.
Q: How do I avoid being spammy when using multiple sources?
A: Always lead with value and relevance. Reference how you found them, why you're reaching out, and what specific value you can provide.
Start Building Your Multi-Source Lead Generation Engine
You now have 30 proven strategies to find quality leads beyond LinkedIn. But remember: tactics without execution are worthless.
Here's your action plan:
Week 1: Foundation
- Define/refine your ICP and buyer personas
- Set up your lead research spreadsheet
- Choose 3-5 lead sources to start with
Week 2: Research
- Dedicate 2 hours daily to prospecting
- Build a list of 50-100 qualified leads
- Gather personalization data for each
Week 3: Outreach Setup
- Create your outreach sequences in LinqMaster
- Write personalized message templates with variables
- Set up tracking and metrics
Week 4: Execute and Optimize
- Launch your outreach campaigns
- Monitor response rates and engagement
- Adjust messaging based on early results
Ongoing:
- Consistently add new leads to your pipeline
- A/B test different approaches
- Double down on highest-performing sources
The sales teams winning in 2025 aren't just working harder—they're working smarter. They're finding prospects competitors miss, personalizing at scale, and building relationships across multiple channels.
Ready to build your multi-source lead generation engine? Try LinqMaster free for 7 days and see how easy it is to automate personalized LinkedIn and email outreach at scale.
Your next great customer is out there. Go find them.
