Building a solid prospect list starts with clearly defining your ideal client. Think about the companies that would benefit most from what you’re offering. Think about those you already work with.

What’s their size? Which industries are they in? Where are they located? Most importantly, who makes the decisions in these businesses?

Answer those questions, and use it to build your list with these tools:

• Apollo — My favorite database - it’s easy to use and massive (with affordable options for lead generation). Not ideal for finding phone numbers, though, if you’re interested in that.
• ZoomInfo — Excellent for comprehensive company and contact details, especially for enterprise-level prospects.
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator — Ideal for highly specific searches, like job titles, industries, and recent activity. Not ideal for finding email accounts - and you need your leads’ emails for cold email.
• Clay — A great choice for advanced list-building workflows and custom targeting.
• PhantomBuster — Automates lead collection from LinkedIn and other platforms.

A well-curated list is not just about finding prospects who fit your criteria. It’s the foundation for personalized outreach that grabs attention and resonates with your audience.

Filters I Apply in Apollo:

• Location: Target prospects in specific regions or cities that align with your business.
• Industry: Focus on niches where your product or service offers the most value.
• Company Size: Filter by employee count or revenue for better alignment.
• Verified Email: Check this box to ensure you get only leads with email accounts.
• Technologies: Companies using a specific tool, e.g. HubSpot, YouTube, Shopify, or Xero.
• Role/Title: Target decision-makers for your offer, such as owners, founders, CMOs, or CFOs.