JI
JI
CASE STUDY · LINKEDIN ADS

Building a High-Converting LinkedIn Lead Generation Campaign

An ABM-first LinkedIn program that 3x'd MQL-to-SQL and cut cost-per-SQL by 52%.

#linkedin ads#abm#b2b#lead-gen
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

By pairing a tight ICP list, creative built for scroll, and lead-form gating, this LinkedIn Ads program turned a $45k/mo channel into a top-3 pipeline source.

A scale-up B2B SaaS operating in the Sales-tech SaaS space.

OBJECTIVES
  • Turn LinkedIn from a top-of-funnel spend line into a pipeline channel.
  • 3x MQL-to-SQL conversion.
  • Reduce cost per SQL by at least 30%.
CHALLENGES & INITIAL SITUATION

The team had inconsistent execution across channels, no shared dashboard, and no repeatable framework for prioritizing investment.

  • Broad targeting produced high-volume MQLs that sales rejected.
  • Creative treated LinkedIn like a landing page — copy-heavy and dense.
  • Lead forms had 9 fields, killing conversion.
MARKETING AUDIT
  • No documented ICP or JTBD anchored to marketing programs.
  • KPIs tracked in isolation, not tied to revenue outcomes.
  • Tool sprawl with 4+ overlapping platforms and no single source of truth.
  • Content and paid teams operating on separate roadmaps.
STRATEGY
  • Built a 1,200-account ICP list; ads targeted only those accounts.
  • Rewrote creative for scroll — one hook, one proof, one CTA.
  • Cut lead-form to 4 fields with enrichment on the backend.
  • Added a nurture sequence tuned to the ICP's buying committee.
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
  1. 1
    Discovery & Audit
    Weeks 1–2

    Baseline every metric that matters.

    • Current-state audit
    • ICP + JTBD document
    • KPI tree
  2. 2
    Strategy & Planning
    Weeks 3–4

    Define bets, sequence, and ownership.

    • Quarterly roadmap
    • Framework selection
    • Executive review deck
  3. 3
    Implementation
    Weeks 5–12

    Ship the work in weekly cycles.

    • Campaigns live
    • Dashboards deployed
    • SOPs documented
  4. 4
    Measurement & Iteration
    Weeks 13+

    Compound gains with weekly review.

    • Weekly readouts
    • Experiment log
    • Next-quarter plan
EXECUTION
  • Kicked off with a 5-day baseline sprint to map current state and quick wins.
  • Locked scope for the first 90 days to prevent context switching.
  • Ran a weekly 45-minute execution review — decisions only, no status updates.
  • Stood up a live dashboard as the single source of truth for the leadership team.
CAMPAIGN ASSETS
  • Landing page system (hero, ROI proof, comparison, FAQ).
  • Email nurture sequence (7 emails across 21 days).
  • Sales enablement one-pagers and battlecards.
  • Executive dashboard with weekly and monthly views.
METRICS & RESULTS
Cost per SQL
-52%
Before$1,120
After$540
MQL → SQL
+200%
Before9%
After27%
SQL volume / mo
+209%
Before22
After68
Pipeline from LI
+255%
Before$220k/mo
After$780k/mo
BEFORE VS AFTER
COST PER SQL
$1,120
$540
MQL → SQL
9%
27%
SQL VOLUME / MO
22
68
PIPELINE FROM LI
$220k/mo
$780k/mo
KEY LEARNINGS
  • The account list is 60% of LinkedIn performance — creative and copy are the remaining 40%.
  • Short forms + enrichment beat long forms + qualification every time.
  • Sales must be in the room when the ICP list is built.
COMMON MISTAKES
  • Skipping the audit phase to 'move faster' — teams later rebuild the same work.
  • Confusing activity metrics with outcome metrics in weekly reviews.
  • Running too many experiments in parallel to reach statistical clarity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Anchor every quarter to one primary outcome metric — everything else is a leading indicator.
  • Run a monthly framework review — retire what isn't producing decisions.
  • Give one owner accountability per workstream — shared ownership stalls output.
IMPLEMENTATION CHECKLIST
  • Document ICP and JTBD before writing any brief.
  • Publish a single KPI tree tied to revenue.
  • Ship the dashboard before the first campaign.
  • Run a weekly 45-min decision review with the DRIs.
  • Retrospect every 30 days; adjust bets accordingly.
RESOURCES USED
  • Site's Connected Growth System framework
  • SaaS SEO Roadmap Template
  • CAC & LTV Calculator
  • Marketing Maturity Assessment
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does an engagement like this take?

Most SaaS engagements produce visible outcomes in 90 days and compound over 6–12 months.

Is this replicable at earlier stages?

Yes — the framework scales down. The number of workstreams changes, not the sequence.

What's the single biggest determinant of success?

Executive commitment to one primary outcome metric for the quarter.

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By pairing a tight ICP list, creative built for scroll, and lead-form gating, this LinkedIn Ads program turned a $45k/mo channel into a top-3 pipeline source.

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