HOT OR NOTThe Best Methods for Finding New

B2B Customers in 2014

A recent study showed that generating more leads is the biggest challenge B2B marketers are facing.

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Generating more leads

Improving lead quality

Increasing product/service awareness

Reaching decision makers

Working within budget

WHICH B2B LEAD GENERATION METHODS WORK BEST?

MOS

T EFFECTIVE

LEAST EFFEC

TIVE

Inside Sales

Telemarketing

Email or Electronic Newsletters

Webinars

Executive Events

Tradeshows, Conferences

Company Website

Search Marketing

Sponsorships / Associations

TV Advertising

Radio

Outer Media

Rich Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Other Web 2.0 Tools

Pinterest

Virtual, On-Demand Events

Direct Mail

Blogs

Online Display Ads

Public Relations

Print Advertising

Online Video

Google +

Twitter

Create beautiful real estateWEBSITES THAT WORK

INFOGRAPHIC BY PLACESTER

Built with indexable IDX for better online marketing, local search, and SEO. For expert help, visit placester.com

Sources:

http://www.insidesales.com/insider/lead-generation/why-social-media-is-overrated-for-lead-generation/http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2013/11232/the-most-effective-b2b-lead-generation-methodshttp://www.btobonline.com/article/20130729/DIRECT10/130729975/report-lead-generation-top-goal-for-b2b-content-marketinghttp://www.slideshare.net/hschulze/b2b-content-marketing-trends-2013http://www.optify.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/B2B-Lead-Generation-Report-2013.pdf

EMERGING TRENDS

71% of B2B marketers are using content marketing to generate leads.

88% of B2B marketers said case studies were effective.

89% of B2B marketers said customer testimonials were effective.

37% of B2B marketers are using marketing automation to generate leads.

49% of B2B marketers are heavily engaged in mobile marketing for generating leads.

78%

60% 55% 52%46%

As you can see, social media platforms aren’t the best for generating B2B leads. However, of the five major platforms, LinkedIn is the most effective.

Customer testimonials & case studies were cited as the most effective B2B content marketing tactics

Remember: Generating B2B leads is not an exact science. What might work well in some industries may not produce the same results in your industry. So, keep at it, keep experimenting, and let's make 2014 one of the hottest years in B2B lead gen history!

(Social media platforms in order of effectiveness for generating B2B leads)

#1

#4#5

#2#3LinkedIn Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest

When we group these different methods into categories, outbound marketing proves to be the most effective for generating B2B leads.

Outbound(inside sales, telemarketing,

etc.)

Other2%

5%

10%

17%

27%

39%

Events(tradeshows, webinars, etc.)

Online(websites, search, etc.)

Traditional(radio, TV, etc.)

Social (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)