Lead gen finds names. Talent demand gen builds preference so the right people want to talk and apply.

Lead-gen recruiting is list building and outreach volume: find profiles, send messages, hope for replies. Talent demand generation focuses on market conditioning: creating awareness, clarity, and trust so response and apply rates rise even before outreach. It’s the same logic as revenue demand gen—build preference upstream, then convert downstream. In practice: clear positioning + proof, repeated exposure in the right places, and consistent messaging across recruiters/managers. The output isn’t “more activity”; it’s better conversion efficiency—higher reply rates, more qualified applicants, fewer drop-offs, better offer acceptance. Lead gen is a tactic. Demand gen is a system.