What tactics do you use when early opps aren’t progressing into qualified pipeline?
I've used a number of different tactics to progress early opps that aren't progressing. From a Marketing perspective, there are usually two overarching goals you can help with in this case - one is just creating continued awareness of your brand (be front and center / top of mind) and another is getting a meeting setup.
Typically to drive awareness in these cases you'd leverage display advertising. If you have a way to do that at an account level even better - and if you can personalize it that's even better!
For meetings, I've seen direct or dimensional mailers work, as well as getting face-to-face with a client. Take them to dinner or out for drinks. Go see them! It's a lot easier to get a deal done in person, especially in this post-COVID world where that just isn't happening at the same pace!
When early opportunities aren't progressing into qualified pipeline, a few tactics that can be deployed consist of:
- Review targeting: Are you generating the right types of opportunities?
- Reevaluate the qualification process and pitch. Can the sales team better refine their qualification process?
- Provide additional value. Are you nurturing the opportunities in the best way?
Ultimately, you have to identify where the breakdown is happening to be able to identify the remedy.