GrowthRise Mastermind Recap Jan 13, 2026

Here is a recap of what we talked about on today’s GrowthRise Mastermind call (for B2B Marketing Leaders).

You can join the weekly call on Tuesdays at 10am PT on Zoom.

1) Topics Covered

Topic: Google Ads Strategy for AI CRM Startup

• Challenges: Low search volume for AI-specific keywords, new brand with limited recognition, unclear whether to focus on brand campaigns or competitor keywords, limited Google Ads experience
• Advice: Focus on Meta and YouTube for demand generation rather than Google Search initially; use Keyword Planner to assess search volume; consider broader industry keywords without the “AI” modifier; prioritize brand awareness over bottom-funnel tactics for now

Topic: LinkedIn Message Ads

• Challenges: Need for targeted outreach with limited audience data; requirement of 300–500 contacts minimum for LinkedIn matching
• Advice: Upload targeted lists with first name, last name, email, company name, and LinkedIn profiles; craft compelling, pain-point-focused messaging; expect ~$0.50 per message sent with strong conversion potential for demo bookings

Topic: Lead Conversion Optimization

• Challenges: Credit card requirement causing drop-off in trial signups despite strong initial form completion rates (3–4%)
• Advice: Remove credit card requirement from the digital UI; offer guided 14-day trial setup through scheduled sessions instead; allow sales team to handle payment discussions during personalized calls

2) Tools Recommended

• Google Keyword Planner (for search volume analysis)
• Meta Ads (for demand generation and brand awareness)
• YouTube Ads (for educational content and targeting decision-makers)
• LinkedIn Message Ads (for targeted outreach)
• LinkedIn Sales Navigator (for prospecting)
• HubSpot (for scheduling trial setup sessions)

3) Best Advice

For early-stage companies with new or niche products, prioritize demand generation + brand awareness through Meta and YouTube over Google Search campaigns. Focus on educating the market about the solution before expecting meaningful search volume for product-specific keywords.