Start the Year Strong: Build a Pipeline That Actually Converts

A strong year started with a pipeline you could trust. Too many MSPs headed into Q1 with a list of “maybes”, leads that didn’t fit, and sales activity that felt busy but didn’t move deals forward. In this MSPs in Conversation panel, we talked about what it actually took to build a pipeline that converted, without relying on luck, discounts, or last-minute scrambling.

We heard from MSP leaders and industry experts who’d built repeatable sales and marketing habits that created steady demand and better-fit opportunities. From tightening your messaging and lead sources to improving follow-up and sales process, we covered the practical shifts that helped you win the right clients, shorten sales cycles, and start the year with momentum.

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Key Takeaways

1

Build a Pipeline with Structure, Not Hope

Define what a lead, prospect, and client mean in your business and create consistent engagement plans for each. A structured pipeline drives predictability instead of relying on “maybes.”

2

Consistency Beats Intensity

Regular, scheduled pipeline and follow-up activity outperforms bursts of effort. Small, consistent actions compound into measurable results.

3

Align Sales and Marketing Operationally

Clear ownership and shared accountability between sales and marketing ensures leads are generated, managed, and progressed effectively.

4

Turn Your Team into Opportunity Spotters

Engineers, techs, and account managers often uncover new opportunities first. Empowering them to identify and flag these moments strengthens your pipeline.

5

Lead with Bigger Conversations

Start with strategic topics like cybersecurity and AI, then position managed services as the natural next step. Higher-level conversations create stronger opportunities.

Featured Panelists
Ben Town
Hosted Network
Kristal Jamieson
One Little Seed
Aaron Smith
Morphability