Bering McKinley Blog

MSP Marketing Strategy: 11 Steps to Attract and Convert Quality Leads

Written by Josh Peterson | Oct 15, 2025 4:00:00 PM

Your MSP delivers. Your clients stay. But growth? It’s unpredictable. One quarter’s great, the next is dry. You’ve tried email blasts, bought cold leads, and hoped referrals would carry you.

They won’t. Not anymore. Over 61% of marketers struggle with lead generation today (HubSpot). Not because of weak services, but because their marketing strategy is stuck in the past.

What worked five years ago won’t move the needle now. Buyers are more selective, and trust takes longer to build. If you’re still guessing with your MSP marketing strategy, you’re leaving serious revenue on the table.

The good news? A clear, modern approach changes everything. Let’s explore how to build a strategy that actually drives results.

Why Your MSP Marketing Isn’t Working (Yet)


Here’s the truth: MSPs aren’t selling products. You’re selling trust, uptime, and peace of mind.

That’s hard to communicate with generic ads or templated emails.

Here’s why most MSPs struggle:

  • No strategy or roadmap: Many rely on ad hoc campaigns or monthly promotions with no long-term plan
  • Low differentiation: If your messaging sounds like every other MSP, buyers tune out
  • Overreliance on referrals: Referrals are valuable, but not scalable
  • Lack of consistency: Starting and stopping marketing efforts kills momentum

Instead of jumping on the latest trend, start with a strong foundation.

11 Steps to Build a Scalable MSP Marketing Strategy That Gets Results


A strong MSP marketing strategy is about doing the right things in the right order. Here’s how to develop a system that expands alongside you without squandering time or resources.

Step 1: Define clear goals tied to revenue

Your MSP marketing strategy should align directly with business outcomes. This means going beyond vague goals like “more visibility.”

Set SMART goals:

  • Specific: "Generate 50 qualified leads per quarter"
  • Measurable: Track form fills, call bookings, and Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs)
  • Achievable: Based on current team capacity and funnel data
  • Relevant: Support sales or client onboarding growth
  • Time-bound: Evaluate every quarter

Example: If your typical deal size is $4,000 each month and your closing ratio is 25%, you require 16 qualified leads to finalize four deals and achieve a monthly growth goal of $16,000

Step 2: Know exactly who you’re targeting

Generic messaging won’t attract decision-makers. Your managed service provider marketing must speak to the unique needs of each buyer segment.

Define ideal client profiles (ICPs):

  • Small business owner (10–50 employees): Looking for IT support and cost savings
  • Internal IT manager: Needs help with endpoint management or compliance
  • CEO of a fast-scaling company: Prioritizes risk mitigation and business continuity

Customize communication for each persona. A CEO doesn't care about patching schedules. Highlight ROI and risk reduction instead.

Step 3: Build a message that resonates

Your MSP doesn’t need flashy copy. You need clarity and credibility.

Start with a messaging framework that answers three questions:

  • What problem do you solve? ("We reduce IT downtime.")
  • How do you do it better? ("Through 24/7 monitoring and proactive patch management.")
  • Why should I trust you? ("We support 120+ clients with a 97% retention rate.")

Highlight trust signals:

  • Client testimonials
  • Local business certifications
  • Case studies with real outcomes
  • Staff credentials and security standards

The goal? Make your buyer feel confident they’re making a smart choice.

Step 4: Choose the right MSP digital marketing channels

The best channel mix depends on your audience size and internal resources. Start lean, then scale.

Start with high-impact digital channels:

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Capture intent-driven leads
  • Google Ads: Run branded and service-based keyword campaigns
  • LinkedIn Ads: Target decision-makers in specific industries or job roles
  • Email marketing: Nurture warm leads over time

Companies that prioritize SEO see 67% more leads per month than those that don’t.

Pro tip: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to identify keywords like “MSP in Dallas” or “IT support for legal firms.”


Step 5: Invest in MSP content marketing that educates

Buyers do their homework. According to Demand Gen Report, 96% of B2B buyers consume content before engaging with a vendor.

Make content your lead magnet.

Create content that solves problems:

  • Blog posts: "How to Protect Remote Employees from Cyber Threats"
  • Videos: "What’s in a Managed Security Plan?"
  • Checklists: "10 Questions to Ask Your MSP Before Signing a Contract"
  • Case Studies: Highlight measurable outcomes for clients

Content builds authority, trust, and organic traffic.

Bonus: It also powers your email sequences and social media posts.


Step 6: Use lead magnets that deliver value

To turn traffic into leads, give prospects a reason to opt in.

High-performing lead magnets for MSPs:

  • Free network assessment
  • Cybersecurity risk scorecard
  • IT budgeting template
  • “Guide to Choosing the Right MSP for Your Industry”

These tools should demonstrate your expertise while qualifying the lead.

Add gating forms to landing pages and track conversions through a CRM, such as HubSpot or ConnectWise.

Step 7: Implement a nurture system that works

Leads rarely convert right away. You need a system to stay top of mind.

Create email nurture tracks by stage:

  • New leads: Educational emails with blog content and guides
  • Warm leads: Case studies, webinars, and ROI calculators
  • Sales-ready leads: Offers like assessments or demos

Use marketing automation tools to personalize and trigger messages based on behavior.

Example: If someone downloads your "Cybersecurity Checklist," follow up with a case study on how your services prevented a ransomware attack

Step 8: Focus on local SEO for geographic reach

Most MSPs serve clients in specific cities or regions. Use local SEO to dominate your area.

Key local SEO tactics:

  • Optimize your Google Business Profile
  • Include city names in meta titles and H1 tags
  • Build local citations (Chamber of Commerce, industry directories)
  • Collect and respond to Google Reviews

Stat to know: 78% of local mobile searches lead to an offline purchase.


Step 9: Track, measure, and optimize

You can't improve what you don't measure.

Monitor these key metrics:

  • Website traffic by source
  • Form fills and call requests
  • Email open and click-through rates
  • Ad performance and ROI
  • Cost per lead (CPL)
  • Lead-to-customer conversion rate

Review results monthly. Drop what isn’t working. Double down on what converts.

Utilize resources such as Google Analytics or Zoho to make reporting easier.

Step 10: Align sales and marketing teams

Misalignment leads to missed revenue.

Marketing and sales must agree on:

  • What a qualified lead looks like
  • When a lead should be handed off
  • How feedback loops work between teams

Hold regular syncs to review lead quality and win rates. Make sure that both teams are paddling towards the same goal.

Step 11: Scale with strategic support

As you grow, so do your marketing needs. You’ll need to:

  • Refine buyer personas
  • Build out campaign calendars
  • Expand your content library
  • Launch targeted industry verticals

This is where Bering McKinley’s BMK Vision becomes invaluable. It offers:

  • A full baseline marketing assessment
  • A quarterly strategy roadmap
  • Access to seasoned consultants who’ve scaled MSPs before

No guesswork. Just predictable, data-driven growth.

Key Takeaways

  • A successful MSP marketing strategy starts with clearly defined revenue-driven goals and ideal client profiles

  • Positioning is vital. You need to convey value and outcomes to differentiate yourself from other managed service providers

  • Utilize content marketing and paid advertising to increase visibility and develop organically in the long run

  • Utilize gated content and lead magnets to transform traffic into leads. Then, cultivate them through behavior-based email sequences

  • Monitor effectiveness using marketing KPIs such as cost per lead and ROI to augment initiatives consistently

  • Strategic assistance, including quarterly planning, guarantees sustainable scalability and steady pipeline expansion

Your Next 100 Leads Start with a Strategy

You don’t need more tools. You need a plan.

The MSPs that win in today’s market do things differently. They have a clear MSP marketing strategy. They’ve built systems that consistently generate and nurture leads. And they work with trusted partners who help them scale without costly trial and error.

Ready to build a growth engine? Let’s Talk!

With BMK Vision, you get more than advice. You get a full-service roadmap to results. Our consultants understand the MSP space inside out and help you implement what matters. From assessments to quarterly plans, we drive growth you can measure.

Book a discovery call today. Let’s map your growth journey.

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