HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Target Buying Signals, Not Just Job Titles

Target Buying Signals, Not Just Job Titles is a cold outreach tactic for getting your first users: Prioritizing prospects who are showing they're ready to buy right now, through timing, tech-stack clues, events, or public intent, so your outreach feels timely instead of random.

It's a strong fit for B2B SaaS teams, and works especially well for B2B SaaS, sales-led startups. As a cold outreach play, plan for medium effort and expect results to build gradually over time, all grounded in 6 linked primary sources.

Cold outreachMedium effortSlow

Why does cold outreach work for this?

Reaching someone at the exact moment a need is active makes outreach feel almost magical rather than intrusive, and intent-scored leads convert far better than a flat list. Sales teams also ignore low-priority leads, leaving a rich, uncontested pool for you.

The exact steps (4)

The full step-by-step this founder ran, what they posted, where, and in what order, plus the watch-outs, is part of the library.

Unlock the steps · $29 oncePlus all 3,000+ tactics and the new ones we add weekly.

Sources

Works for
B2B SaaS

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Target Buying Signals, Not Just Job Titles" tactic work for?
It is a good fit for B2B SaaS — pick it when your product looks like that, since the play is shaped around how those users find new tools.
How is the "Target Buying Signals, Not Just Job Titles" tactic verified?
It is drawn from 6 primary sources — real founder write-ups and interviews, not generic advice. They are linked in the Sources section above so you can read the original accounts yourself.
How much effort is it and how fast are results?
It is medium effort, and results tend to be slow.
Where can I see the exact step-by-step?
The full step-by-step a founder ran, documented via Not Sure How to Market Your SaaS and Start a SaaS Business From Scratch, is in the paid library.

Related tactics

Cold outreachHigh effort· Slow

Reach Big Brands Through Their Marketing Agencies

Instead of cold-pitching enterprises directly, target the performance-marketing agencies that serve them, using cold email, LinkedIn, and warm intros to get a foot in.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Medium

Automate Cold Email, Then Take Over Replies by Hand

Running automated cold email outreach at scale, stepping in personally the moment someone replies, and booking them straight into demos.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachLow effort· Fast

Reference a Concrete Outcome, Not 'Improvement'

Frame your one-line value around a specific metric the prospect cares about (signups, revenue, no-shows, conversions) instead of a vague 'I can improve X.'

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Medium

Skip the Broad Blast and DM Actual Prospects on Reddit

Instead of relying on launch-day traffic from random viewers, directly message individuals who fit your real customer profile in relevant threads.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Slow

Warm Up Cold DMs by Being Visible First

Post consistent content on Twitter/LinkedIn/Threads so prospects recognize your name, then send Twitter DMs; outreach converts far better once people have already seen you.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Medium

Feed Name, Title, Location and Company Into the AI So Calls Sound Personal

Each lead is called by first name with their location, job title, and company already loaded, and the AI mirrors the prospect's speaking style and keeps calls short so the conversation feels human.

Read the steps →

Get all 3,000+ tactics in one place

Filter by your product and channel, follow the exact steps, and get the new tactics we add every week. One payment, yours for good.

Unlock for $29 onceBrowse by channel