How To Increase Qualified B2B Sales Leads

In B2B sales, the real challenge isn’t generating leads—it’s generating the right leads.

If you’re looking to improve your sales pipeline quality and increase conversion rates, the solution lies in strategic preparation, not just volume. At Air Marketing, we’ve seen time and again that the single most effective tactic for boosting lead qualification is pre-call research.

By understanding the prospect before you ever pick up the phone, you equip yourself with the insights needed to have meaningful, relevant conversations that open doors—not shut them.

These insights were originally explored in our Calling Masters webinar – watch the full session here.


Why Pre-Call Research Is Key to Better Lead Quality

Cold calling, when done without context, is often met with indifference. When done with insight, it becomes a powerful tool for starting qualified sales conversations.

Pre-call research helps shift your approach from generic outreach to tailored messaging. It increases credibility, improves rapport, and ensures you’re targeting people and businesses with the highest potential to convert.


Start with a Clear Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

High-performing sales teams don’t treat every prospect equally—they prioritise the ones that match their Ideal Customer Profile.

Understanding your ICP allows you to filter by relevant industry sectors, company size, and decision-making roles. That clarity ensures you’re speaking to organisations that not only need what you offer, but are structurally and strategically aligned to act on it.

This is a fundamental step in every outbound campaign we run at Air. It keeps messaging sharp, outreach relevant, and lead qualification rates high.

For a deeper dive into defining and leveraging your ICP, read our guide: Swipe Right: How to Match with Your Ideal Customer Profile.


Solve Specific Problems, Don’t Deliver Generic Pitches

The most successful sales calls start with a solution-focused mindset. But you can’t offer a solution if you don’t understand the problem.

By taking a few minutes to explore recent company activity, sector trends, and likely challenges, you’re better positioned to demonstrate value. That preparation allows you to speak directly to the pain points that matter most, making your proposition immediately more compelling.


Use Insight to Build Trust

Tailored calls that reference specific details about the prospect’s business stand out. Whether it’s a recent funding round, industry recognition, or a strategic initiative—they signal that you’ve done your homework.

This builds trust early in the call and positions you as someone who respects the prospect’s time. In a crowded market, that kind of credibility makes all the difference in moving a lead from cold to qualified.


What to Research Before You Call

Here’s how to prepare efficiently and effectively:

1. Company Information

  • Industry trends and challenges

  • Company size and structure

  • Press coverage, funding, partnerships

  • Website content and service lines

2. Decision-Maker Context

  • Job title and responsibilities

  • LinkedIn activity and content

  • Career milestones or professional interests

It’s about surfacing the information that can enrich the conversation—not overwhelming the prospect with a data dump.

3. Business Triggers

  • Expansion into new markets

  • Hiring trends or leadership changes

  • Regulatory pressures or sector innovation

  • ISO or ESG ambitions

These are often signs that an organisation is navigating change—and may be more receptive to new solutions.

4. Tools to Make It Easier

Our team leverages tools that cut through the noise, including:

  • BuiltWith – to assess technology stacks

  • Google News – for timely updates

  • LinkedIn – for individual signals and social proof

  • CRM history and intent data – for deeper context across previous interactions


Stay Focused: Efficient Research Yields Faster Results

Pre-call research doesn’t need to take hours. When done with discipline, it can take just 5–10 minutes and yield much higher-quality conversations.

The key is to find the balance: not so much research that it delays outreach, but not so little that it results in unqualified leads.

To maintain momentum, set clear time limits per prospect, segment your research by persona or vertical, and focus only on details that will genuinely support your conversation.


Putting Research Into Action

Research is only useful when it’s applied. Here’s how to bring it into the conversation without overwhelming the prospect:

Start With Relevance

Mention a recent update or known challenge to demonstrate that you’ve prepared. Then link that insight directly to how your solution can help.

Avoid Information Overload

Use just enough detail to demonstrate understanding. The goal is to create a sense of familiarity and relevance, not to show off how much you know.

Ask Smarter Questions

Guide the conversation by referencing industry context or common pain points. Asking “Is that something you’re seeing as well?” opens the door to discussion and deepens the prospect’s engagement.


Common Cold Calling Challenges – and How Research Helps

Cold Call Anxiety

Preparation builds confidence. Knowing your value proposition, understanding the audience, and being ready for objections makes each call more manageable.

Staying grounded in facts and insights also keeps the call professional, even when a prospect isn’t receptive.

Engaging Senior Stakeholders

Executives expect relevance and impact. Research allows you to cut to what matters—commercial results, risk mitigation, or strategic growth.

By speaking their language and demonstrating domain knowledge, you elevate the conversation and increase your chances of success.


Research + Relevance = Better Leads

If your goal is to increase qualified B2B sales leads, pre-call research is one of the most impactful habits you can adopt.

It improves call quality. It raises conversion rates. It helps you stop wasting time on the wrong leads and start focusing on the right ones.

At Air Marketing, we embed this thinking into every sales campaign we deliver—because preparation isn’t a luxury in outbound sales. It’s a performance advantage.

Ready to Improve Your Lead Quality?

Air Marketing helps businesses generate more qualified B2B leads through targeted, insight-led outbound sales campaigns. From strategy and messaging to SDR execution and reporting, we manage the full process—so you get results without guesswork.

📞 Request a quick discovery call and learn how our outsourced SDR teams can build your pipeline with precision.

CALLING MASTERS | Pitch The Panel – Live!

 

Struggling to hit quota? Feeling frustrated with missed sales? Calling Masters will equip you with the skills and strategies to dramatically raise your cold calling game.

In this sixth, and final, episode of our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’re putting your cold calling skills to the test! Four brave sales reps dialled into the webinar and pitched live to our expert panel, where they received instant, personalised feedback. Tune in and pick up game-changing cold calling tips by witnessing the participants’ techniques and the panel’s feedback.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Erik Pollitt – Training Consultant at Air Sales Academy

Gracie-May Bryan – Campaign Operations Manager at Air Marketing

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

CALLING MASTERS | Final Hurdle: The Art of Closing

 

Consistently getting to the decision-maker, crafting a perfect pitch – but struggling to secure the deal?

In this fifth episode of our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’re exploring how to turn your successful cold calls into closed deals. We’ll equip you with the essential skills and strategies to confidently navigate objections and guide prospects towards a positive decision.

You’ll learn:

  • Mastering Objections: Discover effective techniques to overcome common objections and keep the conversation moving forward.
  • Building Value & Urgency: Learn how to highlight the value proposition of your offering and create a sense of urgency to act.
  • The Art of the Close: Explore different closing techniques and identify the ones that best suit your calling style.
  • Leaving the Door Open: Learn how to gracefully navigate a “no” while leaving the door open for future opportunities.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Erik Pollitt – Training Consultant at Air Sales Academy
Amy Cooke – Head of Sales US at Lead Forensics 

Alex Burgess – Account Director at Air Marketing

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

CALLING MASTERS | Pitch Perfect: Taking Your Prospect on a Journey

 

Feeling like your cold calls are missing the mark? Struggling to engage prospects and leave a lasting impression?

In this fourth episode of our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’re exploring the art of the perfect pitch. We’ll equip you with the skills to craft a compelling narrative and guide your prospect towards a positive outcome.

You’ll learn:

  • Hook ‘Em from the Start: Master the art of crafting captivating introductions that grab attention and break the ice.
  • The Power of Storytelling: Discover how to weave a compelling narrative that resonates with your prospect’s needs and challenges.
  • Building Value Throughout the Call: Learn how to highlight the benefits of your offering in a way that’s tailored to each prospect.
  • A Smooth Landing: Master the art of transitioning from a captivating pitch to a clear call to action.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Erik Pollitt – Training Consultant at Air Sales Academy
Tom Happé – CEO and Founder at Trueleads

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

CALLING MASTERS | First Impressions: How to Engage on a Cold Call

 

Struggling to make a strong impact on calls with your prospects?

In this third episode of our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’ll equip you with the skills to craft powerful first impressions that turn cold calls into warm conversations.

You’ll learn:

  • How to bypass gatekeepers with powerful introductions that grab attention.
  • How to craft a personalized pitch that resonates with each prospect.
  • How to develop confident communication skills that instill trust and command attention.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Maria Vanezi – Director at Ezicomms Marketing
Gracie-May Bryan – Campaign Operations Manager at Air Marketing

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

CALLING MASTERS | Getting Connected: How to Improve Contact Rates

 

Struggling to connect with decision-makers on cold calls? Spending hours leaving voicemails that never get returned?

If your skills need sharpening on bypassing gatekeepers, leaving compelling voicemails and connecting with real people, then this webinar is for you.

In this second episode of our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’re discussing the key elements of getting connected with your prospects, so you can dramatically improve your contact rates.

You’ll learn:

  • How to identify and navigate common gatekeeper tactics to reach decision-makers directly.
  • How to support phone calls with multi-channel messages and the importance of personalization.
  • The importance of Active Listening and how you can use it to your advantage in the early stages of the call.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Erik Pollitt – Training Consultant at Air Sales Academy
Amy Cooke – Global Development Director at Lead Forensics

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

CALLING MASTERS | Pre-Call Research: How to Prep

 

Tired of wasting time on unqualified leads and getting stuck in voicemail jail?

If you want to increase your closing rate over the phone, you need to understand who you’re selling to. 

In this webinar, the first in our Calling Masters series in partnership with Lead Forensics, we’re discussing the key elements of pre-call preparation to ensure that you’ve packed out your cold call toolbox.

You’ll learn:

  • How to quickly gather relevant knowledge about your prospect’s business, their specific needs, and the key players you need to connect with.
  • Which essential tools will help inform your approach during your call to the prospect.
  • How to apply the information you find during your research on the cold call and ensure your sales success.

Our panel features:
Marco Alfano-Rogers – Sales Director at Air Marketing
Fran Hall – Account Director at Air Marketing
Jamie Beaumont – CEO and Founder of Playter

Host:
Joe Duccarreaux – Brand Awareness Manager at Lead Forensics

Who is it for?
Founders & CEOs
Sales & Marketing Leaders
Revenue Leaders
Sales & Marketing Managers
Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)
Business Development Representatives (BDRs)

Cold Calling Vs Social Selling – Let’s settle the debate.

There is a long-standing debate raging among sales professionals – which is more effective, social selling or cold calling? To me, the answer is simple.

Now, I am not going to bore you to death with stats which, depending on who you speak to, can be validated both ways. Instead, I’m going to give you some insight that I have gained as a Sales Professional who has sat on both sides of the fence, sometimes stuck in the middle, for over a decade.

So, my insight:

Logging into a webinar recently, I watched keenly as the debate in discussion swung from side to side, with each team offering their opinions. On one side, the UK’s top social seller and on the other, a Canadian based CMO from a well-known Sales Engagement Platform provider and advocate of cold calling. Both camps provided stats to back up their arguments, making it a close call. Although either could have come out on top, in my opinion, cold calling won this round. However, was this down to the geographical benefit of the stats, a more engaging presentation or more tangible evidence? I’m still unsure.

Since this debate, I’ve viewed multiple posts, blogs and podcasts to try and determine a winner for myself. I came across a recent Hubspot blog which appeared to settle the debate in favour of social selling, boldly stating that prospective customers and sales people alike “hate” cold calling. The blog consisted of impressive conversion figures, with the origins of these stats referenced, however, what is often left unclear is the industry, target, sales cycle, resource or end result of these stats origin. Without knowing the full picture, how can we possibly judge what is best for our businesses?

My background includes an enjoyable period as an Event Manager, assisting in the growth of the largest sales and marketing expo in Europe. At this event, exhibitors included direct sales people, cold callers and, what appeared to be, the more passive social sellers. All evidenced by the solutions which they were there to present. There has always been one impression that stuck with me after this event. Whilst the direct sellers had a constant sense of energy and approached any delegate who came within talking distance, the social sellers would wait to be approached – usually sat on their mobile phones. I’ll leave it to you to conclude whose stands were busier…

Now, it seems that these characteristics are commonplace, as shown to me by a recent experience. A well-known, international sales trainer recently posted on LinkedIn, “I have an associate looking for support in their telesales process.” The post had received dozens of comments and recommendations, however, with the benefit of having their phone number, I picked up the phone and introduced Air, asking how we could help. I was astounded to find out that from a 2-day old post requesting TELESALES SUPPORT I was the first person to pick up the phone and call. Now, yes, I was connected to and known by this person through social media, we’d swapped some niceties and a few messages which supported our conversation, but I was the only person to call and actually have a conversation! Whilst multiple people had attempted to social sell, guess what? The prospect wanted a conversation and, funnily enough, I was the only one introduced to their associate.

If this doesn’t settle the debate, I don’t know what will… it pays to use both!

Both cold calling and social selling have their place, it’s not really a matter of which one is better. When used together, they maximise the effectiveness, reach, efficiency and quality of your process. Each prospective client will buy in a different way and their more likely to notice your company if you get on their radar in 2 or 3 different ways. Any marketeer or sales professional worth their salt will tell you that a multi-channel, multi-touch approach will always maximise effectiveness.

Here at Air, we have multiple ways to win new business for ourselves and our clients. We run targeted email campaigns, sponsored LinkedIn mails, Facebook ads, engage traffic using IP trackers, networking events and referral channels. I will social sell, but I will still pick up the phone and cold call too. One shameless stat I will give you is that we’ve seen 257% growth in a year. We’re an award-winning company who are about to go through our second office move in less than 12 months due to increasing demand and our work with well-known household brands. And do you know why? Because wherever our clients and their customers are, and however they like to buy, we ensure we’re there too. Simple.

If you would like to discuss how we can help your business, give us a call: 0345 241 3038, or email: contact@air-marketing.co.uk.

Opinion Piece by Simon Murthwaite, Sales Director, Air Marketing Group