Look, if you run a service business, there’s one thing that keeps you up at night…

👉 Getting more leads.

Not just “any” leads. The right leads. The ones who actually book appointments, show up, and pay you money.

And if you’re still relying on word-of-mouth, waiting for referrals, or hoping your “Facebook post” somehow brings in customers… you’re playing the slow game.

Here’s the truth: If you want to scale, you need a system that generates leads on autopilot. No more guessing. No more hoping. Just consistent, predictable new customers coming in.

This guide will show you exactly how to generate leads for contractors, plumbers, HVAC, realtors, CPAs, and other local service businesses. Step by step. No fluff. No theory. Just what works.

Let’s get into it.

Before we talk about solutions, let’s address the elephant in the room…

Why do most local businesses struggle to get leads?

Here’s what I’ve seen:

❌ No online presence – If people Google “best plumber near me” and you don’t show up, you’re invisible.
❌ Slow response times – If a lead contacts you and you take 2 days to respond, they’re already gone.
❌ No follow-up system – 80% of sales happen after the 5th follow-up… but most businesses stop after 1.
❌ No automation – You’re doing everything manually. Meaning you’re always chasing leads instead of converting them automatically.

Good news? All of these problems are fixable.

Here’s how to fix them and get more leads immediately.

1. Dominate Google My Business (GMB) & Local SEO

📌 Keywords: local SEO for contractors, Google My Business optimization, rank #1 on Google

Fact: 46% of ALL Google searches are looking for local businesses.

And where do those people go? Google My Business.

If your GMB profile is optimized, you’ll get free, high-quality leads without spending a dime on ads.

Here’s how to make sure you rank high in local searches:

✅ Claim your Google My Business profile and fill out every detail (hours, services, location).
✅ Get reviews—lots of them. More reviews = higher rankings. (We’ll automate this in Step 3.)
✅ Post updates weekly (Google rewards active profiles).
✅ Use high-intent keywords in your description (e.g., “emergency plumber in [city]”).
✅ Add high-quality photos of your work (Google loves visual content).

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re not ranking on Page 1 of Google, your leads are going to competitors. Fix that ASAP.

2. Automate Lead Follow-Ups (Because Speed Wins)

📌 Keywords: lead follow-up automation, CRM for service businesses, customer follow-up system

Let me hit you with a stat:

78% of customers go with the first company that responds.

So if a lead reaches out and you don’t respond within 5 minutes? You lost them.

Solution: Automate your follow-ups.

Here’s what this looks like:

🔹 Missed Call Text-Back – If someone calls and you don’t answer, AI automatically texts them back:
“Hey, saw you called! How can we help?”
🔹 AI Chatbots & Auto-Responders – Answer FAQs, book appointments, and qualify leads automatically.
🔹 CRM & Lead Nurture Sequences – Follow up with leads via text and email (5-7 touchpoints).

🚀 Result: More leads convert into actual customers without you chasing them down.

3. Get More Google Reviews (on Autopilot)

📌 Keywords: Google review automation, online reputation management, customer feedback strategy

90% of customers read online reviews before choosing a service.

More reviews = higher rankings = more leads.

But most businesses don’t ask for reviews. And when they do, it’s awkward.

Solution: Automate your review requests.

✅ After every job, AI texts the customer:
“Hey [Name], thanks for choosing us! Could you take 30 seconds to leave a review? It really helps!”
✅ AI filters negative feedback so you can fix issues before they go public.
✅ Your Google ranking improves, bringing in more organic leads.

💡 Pro Tip: Businesses with 200+ reviews get 3x more calls than those with under 50.

4. Run Targeted Facebook & Google Ads (If You Want More Leads, Faster)

📌 Keywords: Facebook ads for contractors, Google Ads for service businesses, local lead generation strategies

Now, if you want leads instantly, paid ads are your best friend.

Here’s what works right now:

🔹 Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) – You ONLY pay for actual leads, not clicks.
🔹 Facebook Lead Forms – No website needed. People submit their info right in Facebook.
🔹 Retargeting Ads – Follow up with website visitors who didn’t book.

💡 Pro Tip: Ads work best when combined with automated follow-ups. Otherwise, you’re just burning money.

5. Reactivate Old Leads & Maximize ROI

📌 Keywords: lead reactivation, AI-powered lead nurturing, SMS marketing for service businesses

Your old leads are sitting on a goldmine.

Maybe they weren’t ready before. Maybe they forgot.

But now? They might need you.

Solution: Run a lead reactivation campaign:

✅ Send a quick text blast to old inquiries:
“Hey [Name], we’ve got an exclusive deal for [service]. Interested?”
✅ Use AI to follow up automatically.
✅ Convert past leads into paying customers (without spending more on ads).

🚀 Result: More revenue without new marketing spend.

The Lead Generation Game Plan (Recap)

Want more leads? Here’s your playbook:

✔️ Dominate Google My Business → Rank high, get free leads.
✔️ Automate lead follow-ups → Convert more leads with speed.
✔️ Get more Google reviews → Higher rankings = more trust = more leads.
✔️ Run paid ads strategically → Use LSAs & Facebook Lead Forms.
✔️ Reactivate old leads → Make more sales without spending more.

🚀 Do this, and your service business will NEVER struggle for leads again.

Need Help Automating Your Lead Generation?

If you’re serious about scaling your business without working harder, we can help.

✅ AI automation for lead follow-ups, reviews & CRM
✅ Done-for-you lead generation systems
✅ More leads, more sales, less stress



👉 Book a Free Strategy Call and let’s build your lead gen machine.