UK Lead Generation Podcast

James Dooley:
So today we’re going to talk about how to generate your first lead as a business. This is a common question, especially for people who have just set up their business with no digital presence—no SEO, no PPC, no Facebook ads—and they just want their first inquiry or first few inquiries. What would you recommend?

To start, I’d do what a real business would do: set up all the social media accounts. If the branding is called KARD, I’d set up the Twitter account, then follow around 500 accounts that match my demographic. I’d retweet their content, reply to posts, and begin building visibility. On LinkedIn, I’d connect with as many relevant people as I can and post a few updates explaining what I do. On Facebook, I’d join groups, ask questions, and network as much as possible.

In the background, I’d build out my website and make sure it clearly explains what I offer so I can direct people there when they message me. Ideally, I’d get my first inquiry through social media activity, and even if I don’t, I’d still be building my brand.

Kasra Dash:
Definitely. Another thing you can do is ask friends. You’d be surprised how many people you already know might need your service. For example, if you’re an accountant and tax season is coming up, send a few messages and maybe offer something enticing—like doing their first year for free—so they can switch over.

Facebook Marketplace is also underrated. It’s free to advertise, and many service providers get genuine inquiries for things like gutter cleaning, kitchen renovations, and more.

If you’re a bricks-and-mortar business or in the trades, you can list yourself on platforms like Yellow Pages or Checkatrade. Many of them offer free listings. If you’re in digital services, you can create accounts on Upwork or Freelancer and start with a very low-ticket item as a lead magnet—like a $7 website audit—so you can upsell once they see the value.

James Dooley:
Exactly. The point is to get the hook—the first inquiry—and then work on upsells, cross-sells, and down-sells to expand your services. And it’s not just about getting inquiries; those still need to convert into real orders and long-term profit. So you need all your ducks lined up: case studies, testimonials, and marketing material you can share on social media and with your network.

Kasra Dash:
Right. A lot of people focus only on the number of inquiries, but you also need to think about the entire process. How do your email templates look? Is your email branded? Do you have a good quote template? And are you following up properly? Most people won’t say yes on the first message—you need to chase them two or three times.

James Dooley:
So that’s our video on how to generate your first inquiry. Hope you enjoyed this. If you’ve got questions or video ideas, drop them in the comments and we’ll create a separate video.