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How to Build Ultra-Targeted Lead Lists in ListKit: Advanced Search Framework

Said Jrad avatar
Written by Said Jrad
Updated this week

If you want high-quality outbound results, your leads need to match your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) exactly. That’s where ListKit’s advanced filtering system shines — giving you complete control over who ends up in your campaign and why.

Whether you're starting from scratch or using predefined templates, this guide will walk you through how to turn general filters into precise targeting machines.



Step 1: Start With Precise Keyword Input

Keywords are your foundation. Instead of relying only on industry tags (which can be vague or inaccurate), ListKit lets you search based on the actual language used on company websites, job descriptions, and metadata.

Why Keywords Matter:

  • They reflect how companies describe themselves — not how databases categorize them.

  • They let you bypass irrelevant tags and speak the language of your niche.

Example:
Rather than relying on an “HVAC” industry tag, search for real-world terms like:

heatpump, rooftopunits, ductsealing, airflowdesign, refrigerantleak, zoningcontrol


Pro Tip:
Use a tool like ChatGPT to generate niche-specific keywords. Example prompt:

“Give me 30 niche-specific keywords for commercial HVAC services.”



Step 2: Filter by Region — the Right Way

Don’t make the rookie mistake of using the People location filter — always use the Company location filter. This ensures your results are based on where the company is headquartered, not where the employee happens to live.

Tip:
You can target multiple countries at once. Want U.S. + Canada + U.K.? Go for it — just apply them under the Company tab.



Step 3: Choose the Right Company Size

Your offer isn’t for everyone. Company size is critical for matching scope, budget, and relevance.

Use employee count, not revenue — it’s more accurate and publicly verifiable.

Suggested Brackets:

  • SMBs: 1–10, 11–50, 51–200

  • Mid-Market & Enterprise: 201–500, 500–1000, 1000+

Pro Tip:
Start narrow (e.g., 11–50) for testing. Once you see what works, scale from there.



Step 4: Target Specific Roles That Own the Problem

Think: Who cares most about the pain point you solve?

Start with decision-makers, then layer in functional owners. Here's a sample breakdown:

Marketing Services?

  • CMO, VP Marketing, Head of Growth, Marketing Manager

Sales Enablement or Training?

  • CRO, VP Sales, Sales Manager, SDR Manager

Back-Office Ops or Automation?

  • COO, Director of Ops, Program Manager

Healthcare?

  • Medical Director, Practice Manager, Clinic Owner

Home Services or Construction?

  • Owner, Project Manager, Field Supervisor

Pro Tip:
Pair 1 exec title with 1–2 functional titles per list for better coverage.



Step 5: Clean Up with Industry Filtering (But Only After Keywords)

Even with great keyword targeting, junk can slip in. That’s why industry filtering is a cleanup step, not a starting point.

Use Data Visualization in ListKit:

  • Run a search

  • Click "Data Visualization"

  • Hover over unwanted industries and click to exclude

Then, manually enter 5–10 relevant industries under the Company industry filter to keep your targeting tight.



Step 6: Advanced Filters to Maximize Precision

Once you’ve built a solid base, refine it even further using these advanced options:


Technology Stack

If your offer depends on tech (e.g. Shopify devs, HubSpot setups), filter by companies using that platform.


Funding Status

Target companies that have just raised capital or are in a growth stage — perfect for high-ticket SaaS or services.


Include/Exclude Domains

Already pitched certain companies? Paste their domains into the Exclude field.
Want to build a list of dream accounts? Use the Include filter to prioritize them.



Optional: Customizing Pre-Built Templates (If You’re Short on Time)

Don’t want to start from zero? ListKit also offers predefined filters — templates built for common ICPs.

To customize one:

  1. Go to Filters > Saved Filters

  2. Apply a relevant predefined filter (e.g., “C-Suite SaaS”)

  3. Layer on specifics: location, job titles, keywords, tech stack, etc.

  4. Click “Save As” to create your custom variant

You can build variations for different verticals (healthcare, financial, manufacturing, etc.) and save them for repeat use.



Final Checklist Before Export

Before pulling the trigger:

  • Double-check that your filters are aligned with your offer

  • Save your filter set for future re-use

  • Use the “Exclude Past Leads” option when exporting

  • Limit contacts per company if you want fewer people per account

  • Monitor industry balance using the Data Visualization tool



Build With Precision. Convert With Confidence.

Whether you're building your lists from the ground up or customizing high-performing filters, ListKit gives you the tools to prospect smarter — not harder. The more intentional your targeting, the higher your response rates, engagement, and booked calls.

Use this process once, and you’ll never settle for generic scraping again.

Let me know if you want this in checklist format, video script, or embedded into a training doc for your users!

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