15 lead generation ideas
Video and online
- YouTube videos that answer buyer questions (YouTube lead generation)
- A QR code on screen at the first high point of each video
- Benefit-first links in the first and last description lines
- A one-page sign-up page with a single offer
- A sign-up form at the end of helpful website pages
- Short clips that point to your full videos (Shorts)
Offers 7. A checklist or scorecard for your customer's biggest problem 8. A free workshop or live Q&A 9. A short email course delivered over five days
People and partnerships 10. Guest appearances on podcasts and channels your customers watch 11. Swapping mentions with a non-competing business 12. Asking happy customers for one specific referral 13. A QR code on your last slide at talks and events
Offline 14. QR codes on invoices, trucks or packaging 15. A sign-up sheet or tablet at your counter or events
Which should you start with?
The one closest to existing attention. If you already get YouTube views, ideas 1 to 3 are the fastest win for most business owners. For list growth from every source, see how to grow an email list.
Ideas by business type: coaches, consultants, course creators and local service businesses.
Example
Worked example: three ideas, one offer
A dog trainer picks one offer, a free "first-week puppy schedule," and tests three ideas from the list for a month:
| Idea | What she did | Sign-ups in 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| #2 QR code on screen | Added a QR code when she mentions the schedule in four existing videos | Tracked with a separate form |
| #12 Referral request | Asked five happy clients to forward the schedule to one friend | Tracked by a separate link |
| #14 QR code offline | Put the QR code on her business cards and van | Tracked by a separate form |
She gives each idea its own form or tracking tag, so she knows which one works rather than guessing. After a month, she doubles down on the winner and drops the weakest. (Your numbers will differ; the point is to measure.)
How to choose ideas for your business
Ask three questions about each idea:
- Is my customer already there? Ideas tied to places your customers already pay attention beat ideas that require building an audience from scratch.
- Can I do it this week? Pick ideas you can start in under two hours.
- Will it keep working? A YouTube video keeps bringing leads for years. A one-off event brings one burst.
Matching ideas to business types
- Local services: offline QR codes (14), counter sign-ups (15), local how-to videos (1).
- Coaches and consultants: free workshops (8), podcast guesting (10), short email courses (9).
- Course creators and teachers: lesson-style videos (1), Shorts (6), a five-day email course (9).
- Professional services: a checklist or scorecard (7), partner swaps (11) with complementary firms.
Watch out
Common mistakes
- Running many ideas at once with one form. You'll never know what worked.
- A different offer for every idea. One strong offer, delivered many ways, is easier to improve.
- No follow-up. Leads that don't hear from you within a day forget why they signed up. Have a welcome email ready before you start.
- Giving up after a week. Most ideas need a month to judge fairly.
Dave’s take
A principle I keep coming back to
"It's not a stack. It's one thing that's quick and easy to say." (Dave)
AI shortcut
How can AI speed this up?
AI tools and plans checked October 18, 2026. They change often, so confirm on each tool's own page. No affiliate links.
- Pick ideas. Ask ChatGPT which three of these fit your business and why.
- Find partners. Ask Grok which accounts your buyers follow on X.
- QR codes. Canva's free Static QR Codes.
Tools mentioned:
- ChatGPT: free plan, Go ($8 a month in the US) and Plus ($20 a month).
- Grok: free to start with limited use, works alongside X; paid plans start at Plus ($8 a month), with Premium at $30 a month.
- Canva's QR code apps: Static QR Codes are free with no Canva logo.
AI is great for first drafts. Always edit the result so it sounds like you and is accurate for your business.
Key takeaways
- Every idea works better with one irresistible free offer behind it.
- Start with places your customers already pay attention.
- Video-based ideas keep generating leads for years.
- Test one or two at a time and measure sign-ups.
