How to Measure AI Lead Generation Success

AI lead generation is an investment. Like any investment, you need to measure returns. Here are the metrics that matter and benchmarks to aim for.

Key Performance Metrics

• Emails sent - Volume of outreach activity
• Delivery rate - % that reach inboxes (should be 95%+)
• Open rate - % that open emails (target: 40-60%)
• Reply rate - % that respond (target: 5-15%)
• Positive reply rate - % interested responses (target: 2-8%)
• Meeting rate - % converted to meetings (target: 1-3%)
• Cost per meeting - Total cost ÷ meetings booked

Calculating ROI

Example calculation:

• AI lead gen cost: $2,000/month
• Meetings booked: 20
• Cost per meeting: $100
• Meeting to customer conversion: 25%
• New customers: 5
• Average customer value: $5,000
• Revenue generated: $25,000
• ROI: 12.5x

Track the full funnel to understand true ROI. A high reply rate means nothing if replies do not convert.

Optimizing Performance

• Low open rates - Test different subject lines, sender names
• Low reply rates - Improve personalization, value proposition
• Low meeting conversion - Refine targeting, ICP definition
• High unsubscribes - Check messaging relevance, frequency

A/B test systematically. Change one variable at a time to learn what works.

What gets measured gets improved. Set up proper tracking, review metrics weekly, and continuously optimize. AI lead generation should be an ROI-positive channel - prove it with numbers.