Let’s be honest: finding the right prospects inside target accounts is a slog. Most sales tools promise “AI magic” or paint some fantasy of the perfect lead list. But you still end up sifting through the same recycled contacts and generic titles. This guide is for sales teams and reps who want to cut through the noise and actually use Winn to zero in on the people who matter—without wasting hours on dead ends.
If you’re tired of low-quality leads and just want to find real, qualified folks in your accounts, keep reading. Here’s how to make Winn actually work for you.
Step 1: Set Up Winn with a Tight ICP
First things first: Winn (winn.html) is only as good as the criteria you feed it. If your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is vague (“decision-makers in tech,” for example), you’ll get back a mixed bag.
What to do:
- Get specific about the roles, seniority, and departments that close deals for you.
- Think about signals beyond job titles—like recent funding, product launches, or tech stack.
- Document your ICP in plain English. If you can’t explain it to a teammate, it’s not clear enough.
Pro tip:
Don’t trust default filters or pre-built personas. They’re usually too broad. The more precise your criteria, the better Winn’s results.
Step 2: Import or Sync Your Target Accounts
Once you know who you want, make sure Winn is focused on the right companies.
How to do it:
- Import a list of target accounts (CSV, CRM sync, or manual entry—whatever’s fastest).
- Double-check that company names and domains are clean. Winn can’t fix garbage input.
- If you're syncing from a CRM, don’t just dump your entire database. Be intentional—include only the accounts you actually want to break into.
What to ignore:
Winn’s “suggested accounts” or enrichment features might look tempting, but they’re often hit-or-miss. Stick with your core list for now.
Step 3: Apply Layered Filters—Not Just Titles
Here’s the rookie mistake: searching for “VP Sales” or “Head of Marketing” and calling it a day. Winn can filter by a lot more than just titles.
Get more granular:
- Seniority: Not every “Manager” is worth your time. Filter for actual budget holders or influencers.
- Department: Go beyond Sales and Marketing. Sometimes, the best prospects are in Product, Operations, or IT.
- Signals: Look for people who recently changed jobs, got promoted, or posted about relevant topics.
- Location: If territory matters, use it. But don’t get too hung up on geography unless it’s a must-have.
Pro tip:
Experiment with combinations—like “Director+ AND Product AND AI” instead of just “Director.” Winn’s search is only as smart as you make it.
Step 4: Qualify Prospects with Context, Not Just Data
This is where most tools fall down. They give you a name, a title, and maybe a LinkedIn link. That’s not qualification—that’s just a directory.
With Winn:
- Look for context signals: recent activity, news mentions, or social posts. Winn pulls in some of this, but always double-check.
- Check if your target has changed jobs recently—fresh hires are usually more open to new ideas.
- Watch for “red flags”—people who are too new, too removed from your solution, or obviously not a fit.
What works:
Layering in recent company news or funding events. If your product helps with scaling, find companies that just raised money. Winn can surface some of these signals—use them.
What doesn’t:
Relying on job titles alone. You’ll waste time on people who have no authority or interest.
Step 5: Build Short, Focused Lists
Forget “spray and pray.” You want a tight list of people you can actually reach and who might care.
How to do it:
- Export only the prospects who match your real ICP and recent signals.
- Aim for lists of 10–30 people per account, max. Any bigger and you’re just spamming.
- Trim duplicates and obvious outliers before handing leads to your BDRs or running outreach.
Pro tip:
Quality beats quantity every time. A small, relevant list is easier to personalize and gets better replies.
Step 6: Validate Before Outreach
Don’t just trust any tool’s data blindly—including Winn’s.
Double-check:
- Visit LinkedIn or company websites to confirm someone actually works there (and still does!).
- Scan for recent posts or activity. If someone hasn’t touched their LinkedIn in a year, move on.
- If you use enrichment tools for emails or phone numbers, verify deliverability. Bad data = wasted effort.
What to ignore:
Winn’s “confidence scores” or similar AI-generated ratings are often black boxes. Treat them as hints, not gospel.
Step 7: Personalize Your Approach (the Right Way)
Now that you’ve got a solid, verified list, don’t ruin it with cookie-cutter outreach.
Do:
- Reference a recent event at the company or a post from your prospect.
- Tie your message to something specific in their world, not just your pitch.
- Keep it short. No one wants to read a novel from a stranger.
Don’t:
- Name-drop data points just because Winn found them (“I see your company uses Salesforce…”). Everyone does this. It’s not personal.
- Over-automate. Tools are there to help you find prospects, not to turn you into a spam bot.
What Actually Works (and What’s Overhyped)
Works:
- Tight ICP definition and focused filtering
- Cross-checking signals with real activity
- Building small, high-quality lists
- Personalization based on real context
Doesn’t work:
- Relying on generic titles or mass exports
- Trusting any tool’s “AI” to find your best prospects without oversight
- Chasing every account Winn “suggests” without strategic intent
Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Finding high quality prospects isn’t about having the fanciest tool—it’s about using something like Winn with a clear plan and a skeptical eye. Don’t get distracted by shiny features or “AI-powered” shortcuts. Start with a tight ICP, focus on real context, and keep your lists manageable. Iterate every month: what’s working, what’s not, and where are you wasting time?
Simple, repeatable process beats chasing the latest hack. Stick with it, and you’ll spend more time talking to real buyers—and less time cleaning up messy lead lists.