Best Data Sourcing tips to boost your B2B Sales

Published On:
February 8, 2022

  1. What is Data Sourcing?
  2. Getting the qualified B2B leads
  3. Aspects of data sourcing to consider
  4. Parting Words
  5. Talk to the Datagenie Expert Today

Data sourcing is the low-hanging fruit for the sales and marketing sector. While PPC, SEO and blogging take time, gathering highest quality b2b data is no difficult feat. Most entrepreneurs or marketers often fail to acknowledge the two customer acquisition methods. The first involves creating a stellar digital presence through media coverage using PR and other tools. The other method is much simpler and comes with considerable risk.

What is Data Sourcing?

Data sourcing refers to the various approaches that vendors use for compiling leads. Note that several companies provide sales and marketing data. The test is to pick the best one of the lot. The end goal is to get high-quality data and Qualified B2B Leads and transform them into customers. What lies next are tips on how to approach sales data. 

Getting the qualified B2B leads

There are several methods of effective b2b lead generation out there. One of them is through a best lead generation service provider. A service provider, typically, specialises in rendering direct marketing services. It is on these sites that the products and services get promoted. Once an online user visits this site and fills up a request form, the data gets added to the database. The service provider then processes the information and segments the leads as per pre-defined qualifiers. So, when a business approaches the service provider, they have the dataset ready for you. A good service provider will always provide Free trial where the business can fetch B2b contact data.

Alternatively, you can create your internal mailing list through referrals and information gathered at events and seminars. Also known as self-compiled data.

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    Aspects of data sourcing to consider

    Selecting a data provider

    Some marketers type keywords and resort to the quick-fix of a Google search, and select the first option that comes up. Although SEO is a valuable system, things are different when it comes to data providers. Those seeking data sourcing through agencies and third parties must do their due diligence and look up the background thoroughly. When doing so, try to enquire into the data acquisition methods and whether the data is dated.

    Many might not be aware, but data vendors typically fall under three categories of data sourcing for B2B busisness: compiled, crowd-sourced or self-reported. The data collection method strongly correlates with its accuracy. 

     

    Compiled Data

    This method is an assortment of data collected over time, wherein the different data points are merged. The trouble with compiled data is that the information is, on average, about 18 months old by the time it features in the database. Let alone how old it is at the point of B2B Sales.

    Crowd-sourced data

    The method involves sourcing data from a crowd or group of people. Often, agencies offering the database run an incentive-based plan. In this method, users are encouraged into providing contact records. In return, they get ‘credits’ for downloading additional data, for instance. The primary drawback is that the data points get subjected to overlapping and conflicting information.

    Self-reported data

    In this, the contact or people publicly provide data about themselves. The data is accurate and up-to-date. Although precise, do not take the data for granted. Probe questions to the vendors about how often they gather such information. The method marks the fundamental aspect of sourcing fresh data pieces. The technique helps to ensure minimal errors, thereby increasing the chances of the campaign becoming a success.

    Quality versus Quantity

    Typically, marketers opt for the cheapest data vendor. While gaining the most returns from expenditure is understandable, one must ensure that the plan is sensible and brings better-fitting and precise results. The success of any sales and marketing department depends more on the quality of its sales funnel. A Quality data vendor should have data cleansing and maintenance services that ensure, data is accurate, relevant and powerful at the time it is unleashed onto the marketing campaign.Consider the deal where you can get a whole database for something much lesser than the market price. Now, this sounds like a great discount. No doubt! But, the contacts themselves may not fit the desired demographics of your company or brand. Even if a fit, the data may be old and outdated. In a more apt deal, the campaign will deliver a higher delivery or response rate. That is, the yield is much higher. The idea is to pitch to the appropriate target audiences, or else your efforts and investment will go bust.

    Data Testing

    Just like your investments, you should test your data. The vendors will likely provide a dataset to see the accuracy of their data and information. Now, it is crucial that you, from your end, vet the data to gauge where your potential ROI can go with the information provided. Also, do not forget to evaluate all the aspects of the contact details. Run sample campaigns, if need be. Doing so gives an idea of the open and response rates. Alternatively, you can try to use data from multiple providers as well.

    One-time versus Recurring

    It’s important that you consider whether you need the data for a short-term project or a long-term one. In the former case, once a campaign gets done, the list is put in a cycle and nurtured. The data then ultimately expires and is deemed unusable. According to HubSpot, contact-related datasets expire at a rate of 30 per cent per annum. Often, marketers end up repurchasing many of the same (and hence, expired) contacts.

    A better approach is to opt for best lead generation service provider that provides data cleaning services. These make sure the dataset is updated regularly. Doing so renders an accurate data set. This aspect of data sourcing can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars from getting new datasets each time you choose to run a new campaign.

    Also, look out for list suppression in your chosen recurring data provider. A suppression list consists of subscribers who have opted out from receiving your communications. In short, they serve as a do-not-contact list. There are auto-suppression lists as well!

    Parting Words

    In a nutshell, when seeking data sourcing avenues, keep a few items on your checklist. See that the database fits with your campaign objectives. Also, specify criteria, including location, industry and age. Next, inquire about their data collection method(s) and whether you can test the data. Note that the trustworthy and credible vendors offer the chance to test-run the data.

    Talk to the Datagenie Expert Today

    For those looking to grow their businesses through lead generation, Datagenie brings it all to the table. With 250 million touchpoints and 100 million contacts in 15 million companies the world over, there is no absolutely better place to start than right here! Plus, all the data is verified and validated in real-time, so you can always be sure of its accuracy.

    Click here to get a free 10-day trial today.