How to generate leads for your business: 10 lead generation tips 

What are leads and why do they matter?

A lead is anyone who shows real interest in you, your product, or your service. Maybe they ask you a question, say they’re looking for a new deal, or simply look eager to know more. Leads are the spark that keeps any business moving forward.

But not every lead is the same. Some people are curious, while others are ready to take action. That’s why it pays to tune into what people say and how they say it.

Liam Holmes says, “I am a firm believer in reading body language and tone of voice. I pay attention to how people are receiving the information I give them, and I gather clues as to whether someone is interested in what I am offering.”
......................Liam Holmes, UW Partner Creator

High-quality leads usually have a reason for making a change. Georgia Hare explains how she spots a quality lead that’s likely to convert to a UW Partner or customer.

Georgia Hare says, “People who have various income streams are more likely candidates for Partnering, and people moving homes as customers are likely to switch, rather than someone with existing services.”
.......................Georgia Hare, UW Partner Creator

Leads are important because, to put it simply, they’re the lifeblood of your business. Every quality lead is a chance to build a relationship, win a loyal customer, and keep your momentum going. Without a steady stream of leads, it’s much harder to grow or bounce back when things go quiet.

What is lead generation?

Lead generation is the process of attracting and capturing potential customers. It involves using various strategies and channels to encourage people to engage with your business.

The goal of lead generation is to build a pool of prospects – your leads – who can be nurtured into loyal customers over time. Rather than just finding any leads, focus on quality connections who have a genuine interest and match your target audience.

Here are some of the key tactics businesses use to generate leads:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

• Paid search advertising

• Content marketing

• Direct mail

• Email marketing

• Social media

• TV advertising

• Networking events

• Word-of-mouth and referrals

By using multiple touchpoints from this list, you can keep your business visible and accessible to those looking to engage.

Lead generation tips for beginners

Getting started with lead generation doesn’t have to be complicated; all it takes is a few simple steps and a bit of practice. The best approach is to focus on building real connections, listening closely, and helping people see the value in what you offer.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Listen first

Successful lead generation starts with understanding the person you’re talking to.

Liam shares, “I provide the information, but I also listen with the intention to understand a person and their specific situation. When I listen and understand, I’m better equipped to guide this person down the path of becoming a customer or partner.”

By focusing on their needs instead of jumping straight into a sales pitch, you spot genuine interest and save time on leads who aren’t a good fit.

2. Be relatable and authentic

People connect with real stories and honest experiences, not with pushy sales talk.

Sam Earnshaw says: “Be yourself, be relatable, and don’t oversell it. If using social media, then make sure your social media backs up what you’re saying. You have to be authentic.”
.....................Sam Earnshaw, UW Partner Creator

Sharing your personal journey and being transparent helps build trust, which is key to moving leads further along naturally. Daljit Panesar adds their perspective on this approach:

Be yourself, share the why, and edify your journey and credibility with supporting videos.
.....................Daljit Panesar, UW Partner Creator

3. Trust is everything

Building trust early on shapes a positive experience that leads to lasting connections.

Tracey Auckland notes, “I make sure that their experience is a positive one. I’m confident when I speak and definitely not ‘salesy’ – just honest and authentic. They have my contact details, and I talk to them about my own experience as a customer and that of my family and friends.”
.....................Tracey Auckland, UW Partner Creator

Being open and approachable creates a warm welcome that turns potential leads into loyal customers.

4. Spot patterns

Keep an eye out for the common signs that someone’s ready to make a change.

Look for clues like conversations about saving money, moving house, or exploring new opportunities. These signals show who might be most interested next. As Tracey says, “Someone is more likely to join as a UW Partner or customer if they have a strong reason, but what’s key is how much they want to change their circumstances and their lives!”

How to generate leads

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to put these proven strategies into practice. Effective lead generation combines practical methods you can repeat consistently with creative touches that make you stand out.

Here are some of the tried-and-tested approaches our UW Partners use to build a steady stream of leads and grow their business every day.

1. Tap into your local network

A local connection is one of the fastest ways to build trust and credibility. Liam swears by neighbour letters – sharing flyers, papers, notes, and other bits of physical communication to people in the area – not just because they spread the word, but because they start conversations with people you might already know, or who recognise your face in the community.

You can expand this approach using handwritten notes, flyers, or by attending local events.

For UW Partners, this might mean combining utility-saving conversations with everyday local life – think dog walks, school drop-offs, or the local pub quiz. The key is showing up as a helpful neighbour, not a faceless sales rep.

2. Use social media thoughtfully

Think of social media as your digital shop window, offering the chance to showcase who you are and what you care about. And don’t forget, it doesn’t always have to be formal and rigid.

“I dabble with TikTok with very relaxed content. I utilise TikTok as a fun way to interact about my fun lifestyle as a UW Partner,” says Liam.

Tracey agrees, “I use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and occasionally LinkedIn - these platforms increase the opportunity for someone to reach out when the timing is right for them. I post about my lifestyle: holidays, my garden, days out AND the savings from the Cashback Card! Also, stories about saving people money.”

Sam shares some advice on how to get the most out of social media platforms to generate leads: “Consistently posting. For me, I love using LinkedIn… I decided I wanted to work with switched-on women who are working full-time, on maternity leave, or working from home, and I've found that LinkedIn has my target audience. Each post I do builds a story that they can relate to.”

Check out our guide on flexible ways to make money as a stay-at-home mum here.

3. Leverage referrals and word of mouth

Referrals are one of the most powerful ways to generate leads because they come from people who already know and trust you. Tracey highlights how vital building genuine relationships is to create this natural flow of referrals.

She says, “Networking is great as you build relationships and trust, and people are then happy to become a UW customer themselves and also very happy to refer you.”

When customers feel valued and supported, they become enthusiastic advocates for your service. To encourage this, make it easy for them to share their positive experiences, whether it’s by telling friends and family, posting on social media, or taking part in referral schemes.

Building a network of satisfied customers who are willing to refer others will create a ripple effect. Your reputation grows organically, and your business benefits from warm leads who come with built-in trust. Focus on nurturing these relationships, and referrals will naturally follow.

4. Personalise follow-ups

Once your customers show interest, an effective follow-up is where potential turns into a real connection. Taking a relaxed, friendly approach rather than a pushy sell shows that you respect your lead’s time and builds rapport.

Liam explains: “If I have a potential customer in the works, I’ll often follow up with a relaxed approach via text, a voice note, or a phone call over the course of a few days to a week to touch base.” This helps leads feel comfortable, rather than pressured.

Similarly, Tracey stresses the need for timely follow-up, especially when you receive a referral. “If I receive a referral, I always contact the person immediately and find out when would be the best time to have a chat in the next few days.” A swift response shows professionalism and genuine interest, which can set you apart from others.

In practice, personalised follow-ups mean referencing previous conversations and tailoring your messaging to the prospect’s specific situation. This might be as simple as recalling their main reason for switching services or sharing an example relevant to their needs. Keeping follow-ups varied across channels – like texts, calls, or emails – means the message is noticed without becoming overwhelming.

The key is balancing persistence with genuine attention, making your prospect feel valued and understood on a personal level. This approach nurtures trust, turning leads into loyal customers and enthusiastic partners.

5. Showcase real-life stories

Authentic, real-life stories are an excellent way to build trust and make your offer tangible.

Tracey says, “I often use relatable case studies for someone in a similar demographic to the person I'm speaking with. For example: ‘I've recently helped 'John Smith’ set up all his services in his new property, which took away all the worry at a time that was already stressful.’"

Liam also uses storytelling strategically, sharing moments where UW has helped others. He finds that recounting “a story or a moment that helped someone else in a similar situation to the person I am now speaking with” helps prospects connect emotionally and imagine the positive impact on their own lives.

Compelling success stories focus on real benefits, whether that’s saving money, simplifying bills, or improving family life – and back them up with concrete examples or testimonials. The best stories include numbers or specific outcomes that add credibility and highlight value, such as typical savings or dozens of happy customers in the same situation.

Including video testimonials or images further brings stories to life and increases engagement. When prospects hear or see others’ positive experiences, it offers persuasive social proof that builds confidence.

Sharing these stories across various channels, like social media, emails, or casual follow-up chats, makes your message more memorable and helps keep leads warm and engaged until they’re ready to take the next step.

6. Be consistent and patient

Consistency is key in lead generation; results don’t happen overnight. Sam recommends maintaining steady activity every day, saying, “Some will [turn into leads], and some won’t. If [they’re] not interested, then keep them up to date as circumstances change. If it's not for them, then let them look and then say no, they will then come back potentially when the time is right.” This leaves the door open in a friendly, non-pressurising way that can lead to conversions further down the line.

Tracey also highlights the importance of sticking to your routine, especially when progress feels slow or when you face challenges. She says, “I have, and still do have, periods when lead generation is a challenge.  What I’ve found is that being consistent on social media platforms is really important.” Perseverance helps you build momentum and eventually reap rewards.

Incorporating consistent messaging across channels supports brand recognition and trust. It’s better to focus on quality and authenticity regularly than to flood your audience with too much information at once.

Patience complements consistency. Lead generation is a process that involves nurturing relationships and gradually moving prospects along when they’re ready. Keep your focus on meaningful communication rather than instant results. With time, consistency fosters trust, leading to more warm leads and lasting connections.

Grow your business with effective lead generation

At UW, we support our Partners with proven lead generation strategies, ongoing support, and practical tools to help them connect with prospects and grow their business confidently.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your networking skills to the next level, we provide the resources and motivation to keep you moving forward. Join a community that values genuine connections and rewards your efforts with extra income and the satisfaction of helping others.

Discover what it means to be a UW Partner here.