Getting a steady stream of leads is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners. And in places like Timaru and Geraldine, you can’t always rely on foot traffic or word of mouth alone. The good news is, AI tools can help you get noticed, start conversations, and convert more leads – without making you work longer hours.
Here are 7 AI-powered ways to bring in more leads
1. Reactivate old leads automatically
If you’ve ever quoted a job and never heard back, you’re not alone. An AI-powered reactivation campaign can go through your old leads, send a personalised message, and follow up if they don’t reply. These sequences run in the background and often bring back leads you’d forgotten about.
Live example: A local tradie in South Canterbury reactivated 200 past leads using an AI-driven SMS and email campaign. Within a week, he’d booked 5 new jobs.
2. Use AI to write lead magnets
Lead magnets – like checklists, guides, or templates – are great for collecting emails. But writing them can be a mission. With AI, you can draft a professional lead magnet in under an hour.
Tip: Ask ChatGPT to “Write a free guide for homeowners preparing for a bathroom renovation” and tweak the result.
3. Automate your website chat
Adding a chat widget to your website lets potential customers ask questions while they’re interested. AI-powered bots can handle the basics and even book appointments.
Live example: A small accounting firm in Timaru set up an AI chatbot that answers common tax-time questions and books a call if needed.
4. Use AI to repurpose your best content
That blog post you wrote two months ago? You can turn it into five social posts, an email newsletter, and a short video script – all with the help of AI.
Prompt to try: “Take this blog post and write a LinkedIn post for tradespeople who want better project management systems.”
5. Improve your follow-up game
Many leads don’t convert because the follow-up isn’t fast enough or consistent. AI tools can send personalised emails, remind you to call, or trigger a message when a quote is opened.
Live example: A Timaru-based plumber now closes 3x more quotes by using AI to follow up with a friendly message two days after sending a quote.
6. Answer FAQs before they’re asked
Potential clients often hesitate to get in touch because they’re unsure about cost, timing, or how things work. AI can help you generate a bank of well-written answers to the questions people are too shy to ask.
Prompt to try: “What are the top 10 questions a homeowner would ask before booking a house painter in South Canterbury?”
7. Create short, smart videos
Short videos work wonders for social proof and lead generation. With the help of AI, you can write a video script, generate captions, and even produce slides – without hiring a video team.
Live example: A builder in Ashburton now uses AI to turn before-and-after project photos into short video reels, helping attract new renovation enquiries.
AI makes marketing less about luck – and more about systems
Every lead generation strategy works better when it’s consistent. AI doesn’t get bored or busy. It doesn’t forget. And it’s always ready to do the next thing. That’s why building AI into your marketing can help you stay in front of your ideal clients – even when you’re flat out on the tools.
Want help getting the leads flowing?
If you’d like to build simple, AI-powered lead systems that actually suit your business (and don’t cost a fortune), I’d love to help. Let’s build something that works for how you run things here in South Canterbury.