Blog Details

Waterfall Enrichment: A Detailed Guide [2024]

Discover the power of waterfall enrichment for email finder tools, revealing how it maximizes data coverage, improves lead generation, and enhances contact accuracy.

Try waterfall enrichment for free →

Imagine... You’ve just identified your dream lead. They’re exactly who you’ve been searching for. But there’s a catch. You don’t have their email address.

You turn to your go-to data provider, but they come up empty-handed.

Frustrating, right?

It’s a situation every marketer and sales person dreads.

You have the perfect lead, but without their contact info, they’re just another name on a list. It feels like you’re missing out on golden opportunities, time and time again.

But what if there was a way to ensure you never hit a dead end again? What if you could guarantee you’d find the contact details you need, no matter what?

That’s where waterfall enrichment comes in.

What is waterfall enrichment?

Waterfall enrichment isn’t complicated. It’s a smart way to boost your data quality.

Here’s how it works:

Instead of depending on just one data provider, you line up several.

Start with the first one. If they don’t have the data you need, move to the next. Keep going until you get the information you're after.

Waterfall enrichment flow

It’s like having multiple chances to win. If one vendor falls short, another one might hit the jackpot.

This method ensures you get the best data without paying multiple times for the same record.

The benefits of waterfall enrichment

1. Maximum coverage
A single vendor can’t enrich your entire prospect list.

But with waterfall enrichment, you’re not limited to one source. By tapping into multiple vendors, you ensure no potential lead slips through the cracks.

2. Up-to-date contact data
Data goes stale, fast. Some providers don’t keep up.

By using multiple sources, you increase the chances of getting the freshest, most accurate contact information available.

3. Low cost
Waterfall enrichment lets you leverage volume. By sending large amounts of data requests, you can negotiate better prices.

These savings get passed on to you, making it a cost-effective solution.

4. No more switching
Tired of jumping from one email finder tool to another? With waterfall enrichment, you get the best of all worlds.

It ensures you receive the most accurate data, no matter which vendor is providing it.

5. Gain a competitive edge
Using a mix of well-known and niche data providers can unlock contact details that your competitors might miss.

This gives you the opportunity to reach prospects who haven’t been approached before, giving you a distinct advantage. Less competition means more chances to close the deal.

Should you build your own waterfall enrichment? 

Thinking about building your own waterfall enrichment system? Here’s why you might want to rethink that.

Cost
Using iPaaS tools like Make.com to create your workflow sounds easy, but costs can skyrocket fast.

Each action in the process adds up, and without bulk discounts, you’ll end up paying more per enriched contact. That’s money better spent elsewhere.

Time:
Building a waterfall enrichment setup isn’t quick. It can take weeks to get it up and running.

And once it’s live, you’ll need to constantly maintain it. That’s valuable time that could be better spent on closing deals and growing your business.

Complexity:
Managing multiple vendors, subscriptions, and credits is a headache waiting to happen.

APIs change, credits run out, and rate limits hit unexpectedly. You’ll find yourself constantly fixing and tweaking—when you could be focusing on what really matters.

Data quality:
Your DIY system probably won’t have access to as many data sources as a specialized service.

That means fewer leads enriched and potentially outdated or incomplete data. Not exactly what you want when you’re trying to stay ahead of the competition.

All in all, let the experts handle it. You’ll get better data, faster results, and more time to focus on growing your business.

Watson: boosting your GTM with waterfall enrichment

Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions, Watson is the only platform you need to enrich your contacts with professional email addresses.

Here’s the twist: with a single subscription, you gain access to a handpicked selection of 10+ B2B data sources that cover all countries, company sizes, and industries.

The outcome? This blend of multiple providers gives Watson the highest enrichment rate on the market.

How waterfall enrichment works with Watson

1. Upload a CSV of your prospects

You already know your ideal customers—now it’s time to connect with them. Just upload your CSV file, and we’ll enrich it with the contact details you need.

2. We search through top data vendors for professional emails

We scan 10+ premium data sources, including Apollo, Icypeas, Hunter, ContactOut, and more, to find each prospect’s email address.

3. Reach leads your competitors can’t

While your competitors might rely on a single data vendor, you’ll uncover untapped prospects by using multiple sources, giving you the edge to close more deals.

Want to test out waterfall enrichment?

Don't just use one data provider. Use many.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Let's go!

Get early access

Drop your email to be invited to the beta.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong!!!
GDPR compliant
50 free leads
CSV enrichment