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The power of CRM data enrichment (with waterfall enrichment)

This guide explores the power of CRM data enrichment, highlighting why waterfall enrichment - leveraging multiple data sources for better accuracy - is the best way to supercharge your sales process.

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Let’s be real for a second: when it comes to CRM data, “garbage in, garbage out” isn’t just a saying... it’s a hard truth.

Imagine this scenario: your sales team has an overstuffed CRM full of contacts that range from somewhat useful to flat-out obsolete.

Half of the email addresses are bouncing, company names have changed, and you’ve got a contact who switched jobs two years ago but still sits there in your CRM like a bad Tinder match you forgot to unmatch. Ouch.

Enter CRM data enrichment, your knight in shining armor.

Let's break down what this is, why it’s a must-have for your sales process, and why waterfall enrichment is the crème de la crème of all enrichment methods.

So, what exactly is CRM data enrichment?

At its core, CRM data enrichment is the process of supplementing the data in your CRM with additional information.

We're talking about filling in missing details (like job titles, phone numbers, or company size), updating stale records, and even adding juicy new tidbits like social media profiles or recent news on a prospect’s company.

Think of your CRM as a cake. Without data enrichment, it's a plain, sad sponge cake - edible, but not that exciting.

With data enrichment? Suddenly, you’ve got a multi-layered, decadent chocolate cake with whipped cream, sprinkles, and maybe even a cherry on top.

Your sales team now has way more context, which means they can personalize their outreach, prioritize leads better, and close deals faster. And all can be done in bulk.

Why bother enriching your CRM?

Well, I could just say because it’s awesome, but that’s not very convincing, is it?

So here’s the deal:

More informed sales conversations

If your reps have a full picture of who they’re talking to—company size, industry, revenue, job title—they’re less likely to fumble awkwardly through calls. They’ll sound like pros.

Improved lead scoring

Better data equals more accurate lead scoring. You’ll know which leads are actually worth pursuing (instead of chasing that “CEO” who’s actually a solopreneur).

Faster lead qualification

With more data already at their fingertips, your sales reps don’t have to spend half a call asking basic qualification questions.

They can jump straight into the juicy stuff - like how your product can solve the prospect's problems.

Cleaner CRM = happier life

Okay, maybe not a happier life, but definitely a more organized one.

A well-maintained CRM reduces bounces, irrelevant emails, and bad calls. It also helps marketing teams by giving them a solid list to work with, instead of a haunted house of bad data.

Why waterfall enrichment? (And why it's the best!)

If CRM contact enrichment is your hero, waterfall enrichment is the superhero.

Here’s why:

Traditional data enrichment often relies on a single data provider, and while that’s better than nothing, it’s also not ideal.

Single-source enrichment is like getting all your weather updates from just one app - sure, it might work, but what if that app is wrong or doesn’t cover every city you need? That’s where waterfall enrichment comes in.

Waterfall enrichment is a process that taps into multiple data providers.

So, instead of relying on one source to enrich your CRM data, it uses several - just like a waterfall, where the flow doesn’t stop at one layer but cascades down through multiple levels, pooling together all the best data.

If one provider can’t find the email address or the right company info, the waterfall moves on to the next, and the next, and the next. It’s like having multiple scouts all doing the dirty work of data gathering for you.

The result? Better data coverage, more accurate information, and a higher chance of getting what you need for every contact in your CRM.

Tools to enrich your CRM (and how they stack up)

Alright, now that I’ve sold you on the wonders of waterfall enrichment, let’s talk tools (and their alternatives).

There’s no shortage of CRM enrichment tools out there, but not all are created equal. Some might only update basic information, while others dive deep into a wealth of third-party sources to give you richer, more reliable data.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some big players:

  1. Watson (waterfall enrichment)
    • What it does: Watson is an email finder tool that works with  waterfall enrichment, meaning they  aggregate contact info from premium vendors such as Apollo, Hunter, DropContact and many more.
    • Pros: Maximum possible coverage due to multiple vendors being used, up to date data, and low price (especially compared to using multiple tools).
    • Cons: As of now, Watson only offers email enrichment. More data points for enrichment are planned.
  2. Clearbit
    • What it does: Clearbit is like the go-to guy for real-time data enrichment. It fills in the gaps in your CRM, from company details to employee counts, tech stack info, and more.
    • Pros: Great real-time enrichment, useful for companies who need fast updates. Their browser plugin also helps you enrich data directly from LinkedIn profiles (nice bonus!).
    • Cons: The pricing can be a bit steep if you’re a smaller team or company. Plus, it's more suited for companies with a strong focus on B2B sales.
  3. ZoomInfo
    • What it does: ZoomInfo is a giant in the data space, known for its vast B2B database. It offers rich company profiles, including detailed org charts, and is especially loved by enterprise sales teams.
    • Pros: Super detailed company info and the org charts can be a game-changer for account-based selling.
    • Cons: It’s pricey and can feel like overkill for smaller sales teams or businesses focused on SMBs.
  4. LeadIQ
    • What it does: LeadIQ is a great middle-ground tool for teams that want to combine lead generation with enrichment. It helps you discover leads and adds the missing details directly into your CRM.
    • Pros: Excellent for prospecting, not just enrichment. It's user-friendly and integrates well with most CRMs.
    • Cons: Not as deep in company-specific data compared to ZoomInfo or Clearbit. More geared toward SMBs and smaller teams.
  5. InsideView
    • What it does: InsideView enriches CRM data with real-time insights about companies and industries, pulling from news articles, financial reports, and even social media.
    • Pros: Great for strategic selling, as it goes beyond basic info to include insights on industry trends and even company leadership changes.
    • Cons: Coverage can sometimes feel patchy depending on the industry, and it’s less focused on individual contact enrichment.

Why waterfall > single-source tools

Each of the tools above is great on its own, but here’s the kicker: even the best data provider is bound to have gaps. That’s why tools that leverage waterfall enrichment, like Watson, come out on top. By using multiple data providers in tandem, you can cover those blind spots that individual sources might miss.

So, if you’re serious about keeping your CRM data sharp, waterfall enrichment is the way to go. It’s like giving your sales team the ultimate cheat code, but without the guilt of actually cheating.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up: CRM data enrichment is a game-changer. Whether you’re looking to clean up your records, get better at qualifying leads, or simply make your salespeople sound smarter on calls, enriched data is your secret weapon. And if you want the best of the best, go for waterfall enrichment.

After all, the more data sources you have, the more likely you are to hit the jackpot when it comes to accuracy.

So go ahead—take your CRM from drab to fab, and let your sales team reap the benefits. I promise you won’t regret it!

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