Case Study: How to Generate 5,000 Leads in 90 Days with Brevo

Introduction

Imagine turning a brand‑new email list into 5,000 qualified leads in just three months—all without a massive ad budget. That’s exactly what happened for a SaaS startup that adopted Brevo (formerly Sendinblue). In this case study we break down the strategy, the tools, and the step‑by‑step execution that made the jump from zero to 5,000 leads possible.

Why Brevo?

Brevo combines email marketing, automation, CRM, and landing‑page creation in a single platform. For fast‑moving teams, this means fewer integrations, lower costs, and real‑time data—all essential for rapid lead generation.

• Automation workflows that trigger on form fills, page visits, or tag changes.
• Segmentation based on behavior, lead score, and custom fields.
• Built‑in landing pages with A/B testing and GDPR‑compliant forms.

Step 1 – Define the Goal and Audience

Goal

5,000 marketing‑qualified leads (MQLs) in 90 days, measured by form submissions that passed a 70‑point lead‑score threshold.

Target Persona

Early‑stage founders and product managers looking for a low‑cost marketing automation solution.

Step 2 – Build a High‑Converting Funnel

1. Magnet Creation

We designed a "Starter Guide to Marketing Automation" ebook (12 pages) that addressed the top three pain points of our persona.

2. Landing Page

Using Brevo’s drag‑and‑drop builder, the landing page included:

• Clear headline: "Unlock Your First 100 Leads in 30 Days – Free Guide"
• Social proof badge (3 client logos)
• Single‑field email capture form with double opt‑in
• Exit‑intent pop‑up offering a 15‑minute strategy call

3. Thank‑You Flow

Immediately after signup, Brevo sent a welcome email with the ebook download link and a soft pitch for a free demo.

Step 3 – Drive Traffic

Organic Channels

• SEO‑optimized blog posts targeting long‑tail keywords like "marketing automation for startups".
• LinkedIn posts in founder groups, linking to the landing page.

Paid Channels

• Twitter Promoted Tweets ($1,500 budget) aimed at #SaaS founders.
• Google Search ads on niche terms (cost‑per‑click $2.20).

All ads used UTM parameters so Brevo could attribute each lead.

Step 4 – Nurture with Automation

We set up a 5‑email drip sequence in Brevo:

1. Day 0 – Deliver the guide and introduce the brand.
2. Day 2 – Share a case study (the one you’re reading) to build credibility.
3. Day 5 – Offer a checklist with quick wins.
4. Day 10 – Invite to a live webinar on “Automation Best Practices”.
5. Day 14 – Personalised demo invitation based on lead score.

Each email included dynamic content that changed based on the lead’s activity (e.g., webinar registration).

Step 5 – Score & Segment Leads

Brevo’s built‑in scoring assigned points for:

• Downloading the guide (+10)
• Clicking any email link (+5)
• Attending the webinar (+30)
• Visiting pricing page (+15)

When a contact reached 70 points, they were automatically moved to the "Hot Leads" list and handed off to sales.

Results – Numbers That Speak

Metric	Result
Total leads captured	5,367
Cost per lead (CPL)	$3.20
Email open rate	48%
Click‑through rate	12%
Marketing‑qualified leads	5,000
Sales‑qualified leads	1,200

The campaign stayed under the $5,000 total spend budget, delivering a 15× ROI on ad spend alone.

Key Takeaways

• All‑in‑one platforms like Brevo reduce friction and speed up execution.
• Start with a single, high‑value lead magnet and expand based on data.
• Automation and lead scoring are critical to move prospects from MQL to SQL efficiently.
• Combine organic and paid traffic for a balanced acquisition mix.

FAQ

Can I replicate this without a design team?

Yes. Brevo’s templates require only basic copy and branding colors; you can launch a landing page in under an hour.

What if my list grows slower than 5,000 leads?

Adjust the ad budget or increase organic content frequency. The automation workflow remains the same.

Is the lead‑score threshold universal?

No. Tailor the points to reflect your own sales funnel milestones.

Do I need a separate CRM?

Brevo’s built‑in CRM is sufficient for early‑stage companies; you can sync to larger CRMs later.

How often should I audit the funnels?

Check performance weekly—look at drop‑off points and tweak email copy or ad targeting.

Next Steps

Ready to turn zero leads into thousands? Start your free Brevo account today, download the starter guide, and follow the exact workflow outlined above.

Internal Linking Suggestions

• Link to a blog post on "Creating Irresistible Lead Magnets".
• Link to a tutorial on "Setting Up Lead Scoring in Brevo".

External Reference

For more in‑depth statistics on email marketing ROI, see the DMA 2023 Email Marketing Benchmark Report.