500 Leads Per Month: My Automated Email Strategy for a Marketing Agency

Generating a consistent flow of high-quality leads is the lifeblood of any successful digital marketing agency. Yet, many agencies struggle to maintain a scalable system that delivers results month after month. As a full-stack marketer specializing in B2B lead generation, I recently helped a North American digital marketing agency overcome this challenge by designing an automated outbound email process.

The result? A steady pipeline of 500 qualified leads per month and significant growth in their client base.

Here’s how we achieved this milestone.

Step 1: Understanding the Target Audience

Before launching any campaign, I worked closely with the agency’s leadership to define their ideal customer profile (ICP). For this digital marketing agency, the ICP included:

• Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to grow their online presence.

• E-commerce brands struggling with high customer acquisition costs.

• Local service providers seeking better ROI on digital marketing campaigns.

We identified their pain points, such as poor lead generation, lack of measurable ROI, and the need for advanced strategies like PPC, SEO, and automation. This groundwork allowed us to craft messaging that resonated deeply with their prospects.

Step 2: Setting Up the Tech Stack

I implemented a robust tech stack tailored to support an automated and scalable outbound strategy:

1. Apollo.io: Used to build a targeted database of prospects filtered by geography, industry, company size, and revenue.

2. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Added context and enriched the lead profiles with up-to-date professional details.

3. Lemlist: Automated personalized email sequences while ensuring high deliverability and engagement.

Step 3: Building the Lead Funnel

Data Collection and Cleaning

Using Apollo.io, I curated a list of 5,000 high-potential leads. I then used Hunter.io and NeverBounce to verify the email addresses, reducing the risk of bounces and ensuring that emails reached the intended inboxes.

Segmenting the Audience

The leads were segmented into:

• E-commerce businesses

• Local service providers (e.g., dentists, contractors, legal firms)

• SMBs with underdeveloped digital marketing strategies

Each segment received messaging tailored to their specific needs.

Step 4: Crafting Personalized Messaging

Effective messaging was crucial to this campaign’s success. I created 3-stage email sequences for each segment:

1. Initial Outreach:

   
   

   • Subject lines were designed to capture attention, such as:

     • "Struggling to Cut PPC Costs? Here's the Solution."

     • "How [Agency Name] Can Boost Your Online Presence by 40%."

       
       

   • Personalized intros referencing LinkedIn details or recent news:

     • “I noticed [Company Name] recently expanded into [City]. Our team specializes in helping businesses like yours dominate local searches.”

       
       

2. Follow-Up Email (Sent 2-3 Days Later):

   • Focused on social proof:

     • "How We Helped [Industry-Specific Example] Drive 3x Leads in 90 Days."

   • Included a link to a case study or blog post.

     
     

3. Final Email (Sent 5 Days Later):

   • Direct call-to-action:

     • "Are you available for a quick chat this week to explore how we can save you time and drive better results?"

Step 5: Automating the Process

Using Lemlist, I automated the email sequences, while keeping a human touch:

• Dynamic placeholders like company names, job titles, and industry pain points were used to personalize each message.

• I incorporated LinkedIn profile insights into the first email’s opening line.

I conducted A/B testing to optimize subject lines and email content. For instance:

• Subject Line A: "Get More Leads for Your Local Business Today"

• Subject Line B: "Transform Your Marketing Results with Our Proven Strategy"

• Winner: Subject Line A (achieved a 22% higher open rate).

Step 6: Measuring and Optimizing

Tracking performance was essential. I used the built-in analytics in Lemlist and Apollo.io to measure:

• Open Rates: Maintained at 65% by using engaging subject lines and verified data.

• Reply Rates: Averaged 18% due to the relevance and personalization of the emails.

• Call-to-Action Engagement: Resulted in over 160 booked consultations in the first three months.

  
  

Example Insight: Emails that included a case study link saw a 32% higher reply rate compared to emails without links.

Results Achieved

By the third month of the campaign, the results spoke for themselves:

• 1,500+ warm leads generated in total.

• A steady flow of 500 qualified leads per month, directly feeding the agency’s sales pipeline.

• Increased bookings for discovery calls and closed deals with five new clients, each worth $20,000+ annually.

  
  

This consistent lead flow significantly boosted the agency's monthly revenue and provided long-term growth opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

1. Audience Segmentation Matters: Personalizing messaging for specific segments ensures higher engagement.

2. Tech Stack Integration: Combining tools like Apollo.io, Lemlist, and LinkedIn created a streamlined, efficient workflow.

3. Testing and Optimization: Regularly testing subject lines and content improved overall campaign performance.

4. Social Proof Works: Including case studies and success stories helped build trust and drive conversions.

Want to Achieve Similar Results?

Are you ready to scale your lead generation efforts and fill your sales pipeline with qualified prospects? I can help your agency achieve the same success with a customized, automated outbound strategy.

Sign up for a free consultation today and let’s discuss how to build a lead-generation engine tailored to your business goals. Click here to schedule your consultation.