As a solopreneur, you want more leads and customers. You might like the idea of setting up automations that generate them while you tackle everything else in your life – but when you start looking into CRMs, software and ads, the costs quickly add up.
As a solopreneur myself and spending three months of 2024 on maternity leave, I had to choose the right tools that would be effective for bringing in leads but also affordable.
After testing multiple platforms and refining what works best for my own business, I’ve put together four of my go-to programs that can help you consistently attract leads without draining your time or budget.
MailerLite
MailerLite is an email marketing platform with one of the most appealing free plans out there. It gives you access to automation, segmentation and a simple CRM-style setup for up to 1,000 subscribers.
I use it to tag and segment leads, create nurture sequences, and deliver a smooth experience for people who download a freebie or register for a masterclass. Once it’s set up, it runs in the background, warming up your audience while you focus on the parts of your business you love most.
Cost: Free for under 1,000 subscribers
Zapier
Zapier connects tools that don’t naturally integrate, so your systems can work without manual input.
I use Zapier to:
- Link Manychat with MailerLite, so leads from Instagram are added to my email list and nurture sequence.
- Connect Meta Ads to a Google Sheet, which then pushes new leads into MailerLite via Zapier.
It’s a simple (and free) way to automate your lead flow and reduce admin.
Cost: Free for basic automations
Meta Ads Manager
Meta’s Ads Manager lets you run Facebook and Instagram lead generation ads directly from the back end of your Meta Business Suite.
You don’t need a huge budget to get results.
Whilst on maternity leave, I ran successful $5/day campaigns that consistently brought in 1–2 leads a day off the back of a lead magnet. With the right creative and targeting, you can keep your pipeline full, even when you’re busy elsewhere.
Cost: From $5/day
Manychat
Manychat is an automation tool that works really well on Instagram. When someone comments a specific word on a post (or DMs you a keyword), it triggers an automated response, often a DM that delivers a lead magnet or invites them to join your email list.
It’s a great way to boost engagement, collect leads, and keep the process seamless for your audience.
And when you combine it with Zapier? You’ve got yourself a little lead-gen machine.
Cost: Free (with limitations on triggers)
Generating daily leads doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
With the right tools and systems in place, you can start building a steady flow of potential clients, without burning out or breaking the bank.
As a marketing consultant and a solopreneur, I’ve walked this path too. I know what it’s like to juggle strategy, client work and visibility, often with limited time and resources. These tools helped me simplify and scale, and I hope they help you do the same.
