If you’ve ever burned hours cobbling together account lists from random spreadsheets, outdated CRMs, and a dozen browser tabs, you know how much it sucks. The right list is half the battle—without it, even the best sales or marketing pitch lands with a thud. This guide is for folks who need sharper, more relevant account lists, fast. Maybe you’re running B2B outbound, maybe you’re in marketing, maybe you’re just tired of guessing who to target.
Let’s walk through how to use HoneyPipe segmentation tools to actually get lists that are worth your time. I’ll show you what works, what’s just smoke and mirrors, and how to avoid common time-wasters.
Why Segmentation Actually Matters (and Where Most People Screw It Up)
Before we get into clicking buttons, let’s get real: Most “targeted” lists aren’t actually targeted. They’re just a dump of companies filtered by industry, employee count, or geography. That’s not segmentation—that’s lazy filtering.
Real segmentation means grouping accounts based on the stuff that actually predicts whether they’ll care about what you’re offering. That could be:
- Tech stack (what software they use)
- Recent funding or hiring (signals growth, or pain)
- Business model or product type
- Triggers (like new leadership, expansion, or layoffs)
Most people skip this and settle for “SaaS companies with 50+ employees in North America.” You can do better. HoneyPipe makes it possible, but only if you use it right.
Step 1: Get Clear on Who You Actually Want
Don’t open HoneyPipe yet. Seriously. Spend 10 minutes answering these:
- Who’s been a great customer before? Name names.
- What do they have in common? (Tech, size, industry, pain points...)
- What triggers make them buy? (New funding? Layoffs? Compliance deadline?)
Write this down. If you skip this, you’ll build a generic list and waste everyone’s time. The best segmentation tool in the world can’t fix a fuzzy target.
Pro tip: If you don’t know your ICP (ideal customer profile), talk to your best sales rep or customer success person. They’ll have opinions.
Step 2: Log In and Start Simple
Now, go ahead and log into HoneyPipe. The dashboard can look intimidating, but you don’t need to use every bell and whistle.
Start with a Base Filter
- Go to “Account Lists,” then “Create New List.”
- Pick a broad filter to narrow the universe: industry, company size, or geography is fine for now.
- Don’t go overboard here—think “B2B SaaS in the US, 50-500 employees.”
This gives you a starting pool you can actually work with. If you start too narrow, you’ll miss out on good fits. If you start too broad, you’ll be stuck sifting through noise.
Step 3: Layer On Real Segmentation (The Good Stuff)
Here’s where HoneyPipe stands out from the dozens of me-too data platforms. Start using segmentation criteria that actually matter:
Use Advanced Filters
- Tech Stack: Filter for companies using or dropping certain tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, AWS). This is gold for SaaS sales.
- Recent Activity: Look for signals like new job postings, funding rounds, or leadership changes. Most generic tools don’t surface this stuff.
- Intent Data: (If you have it) Tap into signals like content consumption or buying intent. Just don’t trust “intent” data blindly—sometimes it’s just noise.
Avoid These Traps
- Don’t chase every signal: Some “intent” or “growth” triggers are just vanity metrics. Stick to the ones that actually line up with your customers’ buying behavior.
- Don’t make your filter list a mile long: The more criteria you add, the more you risk zero results or weird outliers. Keep it focused.
Pro tip: Save your favorite filter combos. You’ll use them again.
Step 4: Build and Refine Your List
Once you’ve set your filters, HoneyPipe will spit out a list. Here’s where most people just hit export and call it a day. Don’t.
Sanity Check Your Results
- Are there obviously bad fits? (Competitors, tiny companies, folks you’ve already sold to)
- Are you seeing repeat names or outdated info? If so, tweak your filters or check your data sources.
- Does the list reflect your ICP? If not, back up and rework your criteria.
Add Custom Fields (If You Need Them)
- Add columns for key signals: tech used, recent funding, hiring trends, etc.
- Don’t overload your team with info—stick to what’s actionable.
Export (But Don’t Spam)
- Export as CSV or push to your CRM.
- Don’t just dump it into a sequence and start blasting. Take a minute to personalize outreach based on the segmentation you worked so hard on.
Step 5: Keep It Fresh (and Don’t Obsess)
Your list is only as good as the data behind it. HoneyPipe updates their data pretty regularly, but no source is perfect. Here’s how to keep things real:
- Set reminders to refresh lists monthly. Don’t assume your list from last quarter is still gold.
- Update your segmentation logic as you learn. If you notice certain triggers aren’t working, drop them.
- Compare your list to conversion data. Are these accounts actually engaging or buying? If not, re-examine your filters.
What to Ignore
- Don’t waste time with every new “AI-powered” filter unless you see real-world results.
- Ignore the temptation to create dozens of micro-segments. It’s better to have one or two solid, actionable lists than a graveyard of over-segmented ones that nobody uses.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of HoneyPipe
- Collaboration beats silos: Share segmented lists with sales, marketing, and CS. Real insights come from feedback, not just data.
- Test, don’t assume: Try out a new segment with a small outbound push before betting the farm.
- Don’t believe the hype: No tool gives you magical leads. The real edge is using segmentation to focus your time and effort, not automating everything.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
It’s easy to get lost in filters, signals, and “cutting-edge” data sources. The truth? The best results come from sticking to basics: know your ICP, focus your filters, and keep your lists fresh. If you’re not sure, ship it and see what happens—then adjust.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Build the list, get feedback, and keep tweaking. That’s how you make segmentation actually work for you—not the other way around.