If you're tired of chasing the wrong contacts, wasting hours on bad data, or just want a smarter way to build your next prospect list, you're in the right place. This guide is for B2B marketers, SDRs, and anyone looking to get real results from their outbound efforts—without buying into the hype. We’ll walk step by step through how to use LeadGenius to build a custom prospect list that’s actually useful.
Let’s skip the buzzwords and get into what works.
Why Custom Prospect Lists Even Matter
Before we dive into buttons and filters, let’s get honest: Most “lead lists” on the internet are recycled, outdated, and packed with dead ends. A custom list built for your business—rather than a one-size-fits-all export—means:
- Better response rates: You’re reaching the right people, not just anyone with an email address.
- Less wasted time: No more chasing leads that will never convert.
- More control: You decide the exact criteria, so you don’t end up with junk.
That’s the promise. But it only works if you’re clear on who you want to reach and get the process right.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Ideal Prospect
Before you even log in, stop and write down:
- Who are you trying to reach? (Industry, company size, geography, job title, tech stack, etc.)
- What matters for your outreach? (Seniority, specific pain points, buying intent...)
If your “ideal customer” is just “anyone in tech,” you’re setting yourself up for a long, frustrating slog. The more specific you are, the better your results.
Pro tip: If you’re not sure, look at your last 10 best customers. What do they have in common?
Step 2: Log In and Set Up Your Project
Head into LeadGenius and start a new project. You’ll usually find a “Create Project” or “New List” button on your dashboard.
- Name your project with something specific—avoid “Q3 List” and go with “NYC SaaS CTOs 50-200 Employees.”
- Add a description if you want to keep track of what you’re trying to accomplish.
What works: Keeping things organized from the start helps you avoid duplicate efforts later.
What to ignore: Don’t get bogged down in color-coding or tagging unless your team actually uses it.
Step 3: Set Your Target Criteria
This is where you tell LeadGenius who you want. Most of the heavy lifting happens here, so don’t rush.
You’ll need to set:
- Company filters: Industry, location, size, funding, technologies used, etc.
- Contact filters: Job titles, seniority, department, function, etc.
Tips:
- Use “contains” instead of exact matches for job titles—there are a million ways to say “Head of Marketing.”
- For company size, pick a range that matches your typical buyers. Don’t just grab everything from 1-10,000 employees.
- If you care about tech stack, use those filters—but only if it genuinely matters for your pitch.
What works: Combining several filters to get a focused list, not just a big one.
What doesn’t: Over-filtering to the point where you get 12 people. Start specific, but not so narrow that your list is useless.
Step 4: Request Data Enrichment (Optional, But Powerful)
LeadGenius can go beyond what’s in their database. If you need extra info—like direct dials, LinkedIn URLs, or custom fields—you can request enrichment.
- Decide what data you actually need. More columns = more work (and usually more cost).
- Request only what you’ll use. Don’t ask for a dozen social profiles if you’re never going to look at them.
Pro tip: Direct phone numbers are gold, but they’re not always available. Ask, but don’t expect miracles.
What works: Custom enrichment for high-value segments, not every random contact.
What to ignore: Bells and whistles like Twitter handles if they don’t fit your outreach.
Step 5: Review and Approve Sample Data
Before you commit to a full list, LeadGenius will usually provide a sample set for review.
- Check for accuracy. Are these the right types of companies and contacts?
- Look for oddities. Wrong industries, weird titles, or companies outside your target area? Flag them now.
- Give feedback. The more specific you are (“No VPs, only C-level” or “Only companies with US HQs”), the better your final list.
What works: Taking 10 minutes to review now saves hours of cleanup later.
What doesn’t: Skipping this step and hoping for the best.
Step 6: Approve, Wait, and Download
Once you’re happy with the sample, approve it. LeadGenius’s team (or automation, depending on your plan) will build out the full list.
- Timelines vary. Sometimes it’s fast; sometimes you wait a couple of days, especially for complex requests.
- Download your list in CSV or whatever format your CRM can take.
Pro tip: Always sanity-check your exported data for duplicates, typos, or missing info. No platform is perfect.
Step 7: Import Into Your CRM (and Clean Up)
Don’t just dump your new list directly into your CRM or outreach tool. Take a few minutes to:
- Remove obvious junk (test emails, “info@” addresses, etc.)
- Standardize fields so your CRM doesn’t get cluttered with weird formatting.
- Tag or segment prospects so you know this batch came from LeadGenius.
What works: Spot-checking 20-30 rows before bulk import. You’ll catch weird stuff early.
What doesn’t: Blindly trusting that every field lines up with your CRM’s expectations.
Step 8: Start Outreach—But Iterate
Now you’re ready to send those first emails or LinkedIn messages. But don’t fall for the “set it and forget it” trap.
- Track response rates by segment or campaign. If something’s not working, dig in.
- Refine your targeting for the next list. Maybe “VP” was too broad, or “SaaS” needs to be “Enterprise SaaS.”
- Double down on what works. If certain segments love your pitch, build more lists like that.
What works: Treating prospecting like an experiment, not a one-time blast.
What to ignore: Vanity metrics like list size. Ten engaged prospects are better than 10,000 ghosts.
What LeadGenius Does Well (and Where It Falls Short)
Good:
- Custom research: Real people, not just scraping public data.
- Flexible criteria: You can get niche, weird, or highly specific if you need to.
- Helpful enrichment: Actual LinkedIn URLs, direct dials, etc.—when available.
Not-so-good:
- Speed: Custom lists take longer than “download 10,000 leads now” tools.
- Cost: More customization and manual research = higher price per lead.
- Data decay: Even the best lists get outdated quickly. Don’t expect miracles months later.
Bottom line: Use LeadGenius when quality matters more than speed or volume.
Keep It Simple, Iterate, and Don’t Overthink It
Building a great prospect list isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little upfront work and a willingness to tweak. Start specific, review your results, and don’t be afraid to try again with tighter (or looser) criteria. The best lists are built over time, not in one marathon session.
Just remember: The goal isn’t more leads—it’s better ones. Quality trumps quantity, every time.