xSellerate Blog | Sales, Lead Generation & Business Growth Tips

How Lead Generation Works....in simple terms!

Written by Sean Piggott | Apr 7, 2025 8:00:00 AM

You want more customers. More sales. More growth.

But here’s the thing:

Before someone buys from you, they need to know you exist. That’s where lead generation comes in.

It’s not magic. It’s not luck. It’s a process. Let’s break down how lead generation actually works — in plain English.

Step 1: Find the Right People

First, you need to know who you want to talk to.

Good lead generation starts with a clear profile:

  • Industry
  • Job title
  • Company size
  • Problem they care about

This is called your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). It helps you stop wasting time on people who will never buy.

Step 2: Get Their Attention

This is where your message matters.

You can grab attention by:

  • Sending a cold email
  • Posting something valuable on LinkedIn
  • Running an ad
  • Offering a free download on your website

Good messaging speaks to a pain or a goal. It makes people stop and think:

"That’s exactly what I’ve been dealing with."

Step 3: Start a Conversation

Once you’ve got their attention, it’s time to engage.

This could mean:

  • Booking a call
  • Starting a chat
  • Answering a question
  • Sending over something helpful

The goal is to move from stranger → interested → conversation.

Step 4: Nurture Until They’re Ready

Not everyone will buy right away. That’s okay.

But staying in touch is key:

  • Follow-up emails
  • Sharing useful content
  • LinkedIn touchpoints

People buy when they’re ready. Lead generation makes sure they think of you when that time comes.

Step 5: Book the Call and Close the Deal

This is where lead generation hands over to sales.

Your system should deliver:

  • A qualified lead
  • At the right time
  • With the right context

You take the call. You solve the problem. You win the deal. That’s how growth happens.

What Makes Lead Generation Work (or Not)?

It’s not about being loud. It’s about being smart.

Lead generation works when:

  • Your targeting is tight
  • Your message is clear
  • Your follow-up is consistent

It fails when it’s:

  • Random
  • Generic
  • Forgotten

Want a Done-For-You Lead Gen System?

We help SME founders build lead generation machines without:

  • Hiring sales staff
  • Running ads
  • Wasting time on dead leads

With xSellerate Ignite, you get:

  • Targeted outreach
  • Smart follow-up
  • Weekly call bookings

Book a Free xSellerate Pipeline Audit to See How It Works >>