Get Started

With SalesHive

For other inquires, please email carly@saleshive.com
We've Set 91,543 B2B Sales Meetings.
close (x)

What Is Demand Generation Vs Lead Generation?

Demand Generation Vs Lead Generation

There's a lot of confusion out there about demand generation vs lead generation.

Here's the simple explanation: Demand generation is the process of creating awareness and interest in your product or service. Lead generation is the process of converting that awareness and interest into sales leads.

So demand generation is about getting people to pay attention to you, and lead generation is about getting people to actually buy from you.

Most businesses focus on lead generation, because that's where the money is. But if you want to be successful in the long run, you need to focus on both demand generation and lead generation.

The best way to think about it is this: Demand generation is about planting seeds, and lead generation is about harvesting the crops.

If you want a healthy, sustainable business, you need to do both.

Deep Diving The Differences Between Demand Generation And Lead Generation?

The main difference between demand generation and lead generation is that demand generation is focused on creating awareness and interest in a company’s products or services, while lead generation is focused on generating leads that can be converted into customers.

Demand generation typically involves activities such as content marketing, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. These activities aim to generate more traffic to a company’s website and create brand awareness.

Lead generation, on the other hand, is all about converting this traffic into leads. This can be done through various means such as providing gated content, running webinars, or setting up free trials.

So, which one should you focus on? It really depends on your business goals. If your goal is to increase brand awareness and interest, then demand generation should be your focus. However, if you’re looking to generate more leads and customers, then lead generation should be your primary focus.

Both demand generation and lead generation are important components of a successful marketing strategy. By understanding the difference between the two, you can ensure that you’re using the right tactics to achieve your business goals.

Understanding the Differences Between Demand Generation And Lead Generation?

To understand the difference between lead generation and demand generation, it's helpful to think about the different stages of the sales funnel. Lead generation is all about generating interest in your product or service and getting people to enter into your sales funnel. Demand generation, on the other hand, is all about nurturing those leads and turning them into customers.

Demand generation focuses on creating a high-quality pipeline of leads that are ready to buy, whereas lead generation is more about generating a larger volume of leads that may not be quite as far along in the buying cycle. In order to be effective at demand generation, you need to have a strong understanding of who your target customer is and what their needs are. You also need to have a plan for how you're going to reach those customers and get them interested in your product or service.

Lead generation is often seen as the first step in the sales process, but it's important to remember that not all leads are created equal. In order to generate high-quality leads that are more likely to convert into customers, you need to focus on generating targeted leads. This means spending time on creating quality content that will attract the attention of your target customer. It also means using effective lead capture forms and strategies to ensure that you're getting the contact information for the right people.

Once you have a good volume of targeted leads, it's time to start working on demand generation. This involves creating compelling offers and developing a strong relationship with your leads. The goal is to turn your leads into customers by providing them with the information and resources they need to make a purchase.

Demand generation takes a lot more work than lead generation, but it's worth it in the end because it results in higher-quality customers that are more likely to buy from you. If you're not sure where to start, consider hiring a demand generation agency to help you get started.

Table of Contents
Get In Touch With Our Team

Loading...

Learn more about our B2B Lead Generation Services.

More  Blog Posts

Content Creation That Drives B2B Lead Generation
In today’s competitive B2B landscape, content creation isn’t just about filling your blog with keywords—it’s about crafting strategic, value-driven assets that attract and convert high-quality leads. With 82% of B2B buyers prioritizing interactive content and 88% of marketers reporting video’s lead generation success, businesses must adapt to emerging trends to stay ahead. At SalesHive, a...
Read More
Inbound Lead Gen: Outsourcing for Growth
Inbound lead generation remains a cornerstone of sustainable business growth, but executing it effectively requires expertise, resources, and advanced tools. As companies navigate the competitive landscape of 2025, outsourcing this critical function to specialized agencies has emerged as a strategic advantage. This post explores why outsourcing inbound lead generation drives growth, highlights top strategies, and...
Read More
B2B Event Marketing: Best Practices for Events
In today’s hyper-competitive B2B landscape, events remain one of the most powerful tools for generating high-quality leads, building brand authority, and fostering meaningful relationships. However, with 2025’s evolving trends and technologies, businesses must adapt their strategies to maximize ROI and stay ahead of the curve. Below, we break down the latest innovations, actionable strategies, and...
Read More
B2B Event Marketing Strategies to Boost Lead Flow in 2025
Event marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for B2B lead generation, with 84% of business leaders agreeing that in-person events drive critical customer relationships. But as buyer expectations evolve, so must your strategies. Below, we break down actionable tactics to future-proof your event marketing efforts and turn gatherings into lead generation engines. Top...
Read More
Retargeting Campaigns: Best Practices for Lead Generation Success
In today’s competitive B2B landscape, retargeting campaigns have become a cornerstone of effective lead generation strategies. These campaigns allow businesses to re-engage prospects who’ve already shown interest in their products or services, turning lukewarm leads into tangible opportunities. For companies like SalesHive—a Denver-based B2B sales agency with a proven track record in lead generation—retargeting is...
Read More
Case Study: Successful B2B Lead Generation Campaigns
In today’s competitive B2B landscape, generating high-quality leads requires a strategic blend of technology, creativity, and data-driven decision-making. This post explores proven tactics and real-world examples of successful campaigns, with insights into how SalesHive—a leader in B2B lead generation—helps businesses scale their outreach effectively. The Evolution of B2B Lead Generation in 2025 Modern B2B lead...
Read More
Inbound Lead Gen: Best Practices for Success
Inbound lead generation remains one of the most effective ways to attract high-quality prospects who are actively seeking solutions to their challenges. As businesses navigate the evolving digital landscape of 2025, adopting proven strategies and leveraging cutting-edge tools is critical to staying ahead. In this post, we’ll explore the best practices for inbound lead generation...
Read More
Optimizing Google Ads for Enhanced B2B Lead Generation
In today’s competitive B2B landscape, generating high-quality leads requires more than just a basic Google Ads campaign. With 75% of B2B buyers using search engines to research purchases and 89% starting their buying journey online, optimizing your Google Ads strategy is critical for capturing decision-makers at the right moment. This guide explores actionable tactics to...
Read More
Pay-Per-Meeting Models: A Strategic Approach to Modern Lead Generation
The digital marketing landscape continues evolving rapidly — but one trend stands out as a game-changer for businesses seeking measurable results: pay-per-meeting (PPM) models. By aligning payment structures with tangible outcomes like scheduled sales appointments, companies now prioritize quality over quantity in their lead generation efforts while leveraging proven tools like search engine optimization (SEO)....
Read More
Hiring Internally vs. Externally for Lead Gen Teams: A Strategic Guide for 2024
Building a high-performing lead generation team is critical for driving revenue growth, but hiring the right talent remains one of the most complex decisions for sales leaders. Should you promote from within or recruit externally? Let’s explore the pros, cons, and strategic implications of both approaches. Why Hiring Decisions Matter for Lead GenerationLead generation teams...
Read More
B2B Lead Generation

We’ve Set 85,000+ B2B Sales Meetings.

Contact Us Now To Learn How!

sales development outsourcing and lead generation
Real-Time Alerts

New Meeting Booked

Prospect Company
 
Prospect Title
 
Meeting Source
 

AI Email Customization

Use our eMod customization engine to make emails more engaging and highly customized. Use public information about the prospect and company to send hyper-customized emails.
magic-wandenvelopepicturephonewheelchairlinkchevron-down