Lead generation plays a crucial role in driving growth and expanding the customer base. While many companies continually seek innovative strategies to generate quality leads and opt to handle lead generation in-house, an increasing number are turning to outsourcing as a viable solution.
But the question is: Is outsourcing lead generation services right for your business? What are the pros and cons of outsourced lead generation for the B2B industry?
What is Lead Generation?
Before delving into the outsourcing aspect, it’s essential to understand the significance of B2B lead generation. But, if you already have a clear understanding of what lead generation is, you can skip this part and jump right into the pros and cons of outsourcing lead generation.
1. Lead generation is identifying and nurturing potential clients
These are those who are likely to be interested in your products or services. Anyone who has shown interest in your company’s products or services is already considered a lead.
However, they may not be qualified to buy. They are only potential customers you have not done business with but have already given reasons that they would want to in the future.
Related: Frightening Ways Your Business is Losing Leads
2. Lead generation is this thorough process of attracting and gaining the interest of prospective clients
That’s right, lead generation is this thorough process of attracting and gaining the interest of these prospects and ultimately converting them to increase future sales. Likewise, it is a very important part of the sales process of a lot of businesses.
In fact, effective lead generation strategies are pivotal in fueling sales pipelines and boosting revenue. That is to say, there are so many ways on how you can generate leads, such as through blog posts, live events, webinars, or paid ads.
In this very lucrative market, you need to find new ways and strategies to be heard through the noise and chaos. Traditional marketing as a way to reach your target audience is way over, as well as simple email blasts.
With the internet today, customers can do their research about a certain brand they find interesting through various channels, such as social media, search engines, and other online platforms. That is why, building your digital presence is critical if you want to stay in the business.
Undoubtedly, this is where lead generation comes in. While it can be a time-consuming process and there is no one-size-fits-all solution, this is an essential process you must undertake.
Considering that:
Now, for businesses who want to take marketing off their plate, the thought of having outbound lead generation comes into play. There are a plethora of lead generation agencies eager to offer their services, helping you market your brand, cutting expenses, and generating qualified leads for your business.
Keeping your lead generation efforts in-house or deciding whether to outsource can be a tough decision. You want to meet your end goal of getting as many leads as possible without having to overwhelm your staff or having you break the bank.
So, what should you do? Should you outsource or keep it in-house?
Outsourced Lead Generation vs. In-House: The Pros and Cons
Outsourcing lead generation definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. Every company in any given industry wishes to outsource its services to save time, money, and effort in handling other core functions of the business.
Most often, the outsourced partner has more experience, skills, and resources when it comes to rendering services and support to the customers. Lead generation agencies can offer your business the in-depth knowledge and technical expertise you will need to successfully carry out your B2B lead generation marketing strategies and slam dunk those leads to victory.
However, outsourcing lead generation is not for everyone. If you are a business owner or a B2B marketer, it is crucial to know what your capabilities are before deciding to train an in-house lead generation expert or hire a reputable lead generation agency.
The Advantages: How Can Outsourcing Lead To Increased Revenue?
1. Higher Conversion Rates
As mentioned earlier, outsourced lead generation services often provide higher quality leads. With better leads in the pipeline, your sales team can focus on converting these prospects into customers, resulting in higher conversion rates and increased revenue.
2. Access to Expertise
First, Outsourcing lead generation allows you to tap into the expertise of professionals who specialize in this field. These agencies or service providers have a wealth of experience, industry knowledge, and of proven methodologies to generate high-quality leads efficiently.
3. Reaching the Right People
Of course, while you may have found a lead generation superstar within your company, who has all the skills you need to successfully put into action your inbound lead generation strategies, they could be limited by time and resources.
One of the reasons why lead generation companies are successful in what they do is because they have the appropriate contacts and data which allows them to speak to the right people who are qualified to do business with you.
You may have the budget to get hold of contacts and data owned by a B2B agency to execute your lead generation efforts and have your staff generate the leads, they would need some time to create the appropriate contact list and develop the corresponding analytical skills to separate the good leads from the bad ones.
4. Reduce Costs
Who doesn’t want to pay less but earn more, right? Marketing costs a lot of money — that is the truth we cannot hide away from. Even a small in-house marketing team;
That’s a lot of expenses considering you have other departments to worry about. There are preconceived notions that outbound lead generation agencies are more expensive than in-house.
However, if you take into account all facets of marketing you need to consider to implement inbound lead generation, an outsourced agency’s cost will end up being a lot more cost-effective. You can get access to a range of skills, knowledge, and technology when you need them, as you need them at a more affordable rate.
Moreover, by outsourcing lead generation, you can avoid the expenses associated with hiring and training an in-house team. Outsourcing providers often offer flexible pricing models that allow you to scale your lead generation efforts according to your budget and needs.
5. Market Expansion
Outsourced lead generation services often have a broader reach and can target new markets that your in-house team might not have the capacity to explore. This market expansion can open up new revenue streams and diversify your customer base.
Check out this B2B guide to successful market expansion.
6. Faster Ramp-Up
Technology is ever-changing at a very rapid pace, which means you need to adapt and constantly update your products/services, as well as make sure your marketers are always on top of things.
Newcomers to outbound lead generation may take 3-6 months to adjust and learn all the tools and marketing approaches. However, with external experts, this period can be drastically reduced. Since lead agencies already have the right people for the job, there’s no need to build up the knowledge.
Additionally, they already know the market very well and have the tools necessary to accomplish the task. This allows you to focus on things that matter most for your business, its core competencies, and revenue-generating activities, and catch up with the competition almost immediately.
Ready to boost your sales pipeline with outsourcing?
The Disadvantages: Why not outsource?
Given the fact that outsourcing can offer a lot of benefits for your business, as with anything else, it also has its drawbacks.
When you outsource, you put that big chunk of trust and responsibility into the hands of another person. For some companies, it means losing control.
1. Losing Control
Entrusting your lead generation efforts to an external provider means relinquishing a certain level of control. That’s why, it’s crucial to establish clear communication channels, set expectations, and closely monitor the progress and quality of leads generated.
2. Lack of Quality
Lack of quality control can also be another drawback for many companies looking to outsource their lead generation efforts. Most of these companies fear that the quality control they have internally will not be reflected when outsourced.
3. Miscommunication
Miscommunication could also happen. Possible misalignment of communication and direction can cause conflicts between you and the agency.
4. Alignment with Company Values
By the same token, alignment with company values can also be a problem. Outsourcing may require diligent selection of a service provider that aligns with your company’s values, brand image, and target audience. The outsourcing partner should be well-versed in your industry and capable of representing your brand effectively.
5. Data Security and Privacy Concerns
Lastly, sharing sensitive customer data with a third party comes with inherent risks. So, make sure that the outsourcing provider follows strict data security protocols and adheres to relevant privacy regulations.
All of these— lack of control, lack of quality, miscommunication, alignment with company values, and data security and privacy concerns — can all be avoided.
When hiring an offshore lead generation agency, always check how they communicate with their clients and how often. A well-equipped and reputable lead generation agency will take the time to keep you updated on all the important aspects of your project. Make sure that they understand your reservations when it comes to the quality of your services/products and that they have a quality assurance process in place to see to it that all key messages and brand guidelines meet your business’ expectations and standards.
With all these advantages and disadvantages, how can you ensure that your company will benefit from lead generation outsourcing?
Benefits of Outsourcing Lead Generation
Outsourcing lead generation services offers numerous advantages that can propel your business forward. Let’s explore some of the key benefits:
1. Scalability and Flexibility
One of the significant advantages of outsourcing lead generation is the scalability and flexibility it offers. According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, 59% of businesses outsource to gain access to scalable resources.
Moreover, outsourcing allows you to adjust the volume of leads generated based on market conditions and business requirements. Whether you need to ramp up lead generation during peak seasons or scale it back during quieter periods, outsourcing provides the agility to adapt to changing needs.
Discover the reasons why you need to outsource b2b lead generation.
2. Faster Results
Also, experienced lead generation service providers have refined processes and access to a wide range of resources, enabling them to deliver results faster compared to building an in-house team from scratch.
According to a study by the Content Marketing Institute, 57% of B2B companies outsource lead generation to accelerate results. Outsourcing providers bring specialized expertise and industry knowledge to the table, allowing them to optimize lead generation campaigns and generate qualified leads more efficiently.
3. Advanced Tools and Technologies
Primarily, outsourcing partners often have access to cutting-edge technologies and tools that can optimize lead generation campaigns and enhance overall performance. These tools can include customer relationship management (CRM) software, lead scoring systems, marketing automation platforms, and data analytics tools. By leveraging advanced technologies, outsourcing providers can streamline lead generation processes, improve targeting, and maximize conversion rates.
Related: AI-Powered Sales: Strategies for Implementing AI in Outsourced Software Sales
4. Cost-Effectiveness
In the same way, cost considerations play a vital role in business decision-making. Outsourcing lead generation can offer cost-effective solutions compared to building and maintaining an in-house team.
In fact, according to a report by the Outsourcing Institute, 78% of businesses outsource to control costs. That is to say, outsourcing eliminates expenses associated with hiring, training, and managing an in-house team, as well as investments in lead generation infrastructure and technologies. Furthermore, outsourcing providers often offer flexible pricing models that allow businesses to optimize their lead generation efforts according to their budgets and needs.
5. Industry Expertise
Without a doubt, outsourcing lead generation allows you to tap into the expertise of professionals who specialize in this field. These experts possess industry knowledge, market insights, and proven methodologies for generating high-quality leads.
6. Focus on Core Competencies
By outsourcing lead generation, you can free up your internal resources to focus on core competencies and revenue-generating activities. Besides, by delegating lead generation to experts, your team can devote more time and energy to strategic planning, product development, customer relationship management, and other essential aspects of your business. This improved focus can lead to enhanced productivity, efficiency, and overall business growth.
On a final note, keep in mind that not all businesses are the same. When running through your list of outsourcing considerations, find the balance — consider your unique operations and weigh all your possible options.
Related: 7 Actionable Tips to Better Manage Outsourced Marketing Campaigns
Takeaway
Outsourcing lead generation service can be a game-changer for businesses seeking growth and increased sales. While it does come with certain risks and challenges, proper due diligence and effective collaboration can mitigate potential issues.
By carefully selecting a reliable outsourcing partner and maintaining clear communication, businesses can harness the benefits of outsourcing lead generation, turning it into a strategic advantage rather than a disaster.
Remember to evaluate your specific business needs, consider the associated risks, and thoroughly vet potential outsourcing providers.In the end, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether outsourcing lead generation for your business is better or a disaster waiting to happen.
It all boils down to which one is the most suitable for your business needs. If you are a forward-thinking decision-maker, you would want to make sure that you use the best tools to hit your goals and implement the best strategies for the growth of your business.
