What are the five fundamental steps of an account-based strategy, in order?

• A. Select the best accounts; Know about them; Engage the right way; Collaborate with sales; Track real stuff
• B. Identify targets; Segment accounts; Message repeatedly; Close deals; Review outcomes
• C. Build personas; Create content; Engage channels; Align with sales; Measure results
• D. Define goals; Score accounts; Activate campaigns; Measure impact; Optimize

Answer: (A)

In an account-based strategy, you begin by selecting the best accounts to pursue, focusing on where the value and fit are strongest. Next you dive into knowing those accounts well—their industries, pains, buying roles, and decision processes—so you can tailor every move. Then you engage in the right way, using personalized, account-specific messaging and a coordinated approach across channels. After that, collaboration with sales is essential, aligning goals, content, and outreach so the team works as one to move the account toward a decision. Finally you track real results—pipeline impact, revenue, and engagement metrics—to learn, prove value, and optimize the approach.

The other sequences lean too heavily on broad segmentation, generic content, or early closing without the necessary account insight, cross-functional alignment, or rigorous measurement that ABM relies on.