Artslab Creatives

Using LinkedIn B2B Marketing for Outreach: The Human Way to Generate Quality Leads

Let’s be honest, most B2B outreach on LinkedIn feels… lazy. You log in, accept a connection request, and within 60 seconds, you’re hit with another generic pitch:

“Hi there, I help businesses like yours 10x their revenue using AI and synergy.”

Delete. Unfollow. Block.

If that’s how you’re approaching LinkedIn B2B marketing, you’re leaving money on the table. LinkedIn isn’t just another sales platform, it’s the world’s most powerful B2B networking tool, and when used strategically, it can transform how you generate leads, build authority, and close deals. But here’s the twist: success on LinkedIn doesn’t come from pitching. It comes from positioning. When you combine content with community, messaging with meaning, and tools with timing, you create relevant outreach that actually converts.

We’ll walk you through what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a LinkedIn B2B marketing strategy that drives real results without feeling robotic.

In this article: 

Step One: Redefine What Outreach Means 

Build Your Personal Brand First

Tools of the Trade: Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator Worth It?

From Cold to Warm: Add Value with Content

Running Ads? Yes, They Work (But Be Smart About It)

Check Your Progress: How to Check Social Selling Index on LinkedIn

The Punch List: Best Ways to Market B2B on LinkedIn

The Outreach Revolution is Human

Redefine What Outreach Means

You’re not just spraying messages and praying anymore. Successful LinkedIn B2B marketing strategy starts with treating LinkedIn like a relationship-driven platform, because that’s what it is.

Imagine you’re at a networking event. Would you walk up to a stranger and say, “Buy my software”? No? Then don’t do it on LinkedIn.

Build Your Personal Brand First

Before sending a single message, take a long, hard look at your profile. Your personal brand is your handshake, your pitch, and your storefront, all in one. A strong LinkedIn marketing strategy depends on how you present yourself.

A few tips:

  • Craft a headline that clearly communicates what you do and who you help
  • Use your “About” section to tell a story, not list clichés
  • Regularly post insights, behind-the-scenes moments, or even failures

Want a quick credibility boost? Start with value-first posts. People engage with stories more than stats, so get personal. Talk about what you’ve learned, not just what you’ve achieved.

Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator Worth It?

Ah yes, the question everyone asks: is LinkedIn Sales Navigator worth it?

The answer? If you’re serious about B2B outreach, absolutely.

Here’s what it lets you do:

  • Pinpoint decision-makers using advanced filters
  • Save leads and accounts for warm follow-ups
  • Track job changes, company updates, and content engagement

But remember, even the best tools can’t fix bad outreach. Use Sales Navigator to find the right people, but let thoughtful content and messaging close the deal.

From Cold to Warm: Add Value with Content

Content is your shortcut to trust. If your goal is LinkedIn ads lead generation or direct messages that convert, content warms your audience before you pitch.

Here’s what works:

  • Teach: Break down your approach or share actionable frameworks
  • Show: Post behind-the-scenes from your business or client wins
  • React: Comment thoughtfully on others’ posts to grow visibility

We once worked with a SaaS founder who posted a short story about a client’s onboarding nightmare, and how their product fixed it. The result? Four inbound demos in one day. No pitch. Just story + value.

Running Ads? Yes, They Work (But Be Smart About It)

Let’s talk LinkedIn ads lead generation. They’re powerful, but brutal if you’re unprepared.

Pros:

  • Extremely accurate targeting by role, company size, or industry
  • Great for webinars, lead magnets, and product launches

Cons:

  • Cost per click can be high
  • Creative fatigue happens fast

The key is to pair your ads with genuinely useful offers. Think checklists, free audits, or short training, not vague whitepapers nobody reads.

If you’re just getting started, test ads with small budgets and refine based on engagement. Don’t blow $500 on a “Free Demo” ad that screams please talk to me.

Check Your Progress: How to Check Social Selling Index on LinkedIn

You might be wondering: “How do I know if I’m doing this right?” Easy, just learn how to check social selling index on LinkedIn.

Your SSI score rates how well you:

  • Build your brand
  • Find the right people
  • Share valuable content
  • Strengthen relationships

Just search “how to check social selling index on LinkedIn” and log in. Scores over 70? You’re doing well. Under 60? Time to double down on engagement and consistency.

The Punch List: Best Ways to Market B2B on LinkedIn

To wrap it up, here are the best ways to market B2B on LinkedIn (without sounding like a chatbot):

  1. Lead with value in content and conversations
  2. Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to get laser-targeted
  3. Mix organic and paid strategies for reach and conversion
  4. Track your SSI to improve consistently
  5. Treat your profile like a landing page

The Outreach Revolution is Human

At the end of the day, LinkedIn B2B marketing isn’t about automation hacks or growth gimmicks. It’s about being a real person talking to real people, with problems you know how to solve.

But here’s the kicker, none of it really matters if you don’t have a proper CRM in place. You can build great content, use Sales Navigator, and get your SSI score above 70, but without a system to capture, track, and follow up on those leads, you’re leaking revenue.

We talk more about this in our next article on why your CRM might just be the unsung hero of your whole B2B strategy.  

That’s how you win on LinkedIn in 2025.