How to Build a Lead Generation Workflow with Free Tools

The Free Lead Generation Stack

Building a lead generation workflow does not require a big budget. With the right combination of free tools, you can find leads, organize them, and reach out — all without spending hundreds per month on software.

Step 1: Find Your Leads

Start with a tool that pulls real business data. Easy Email Finder lets you search Google Maps by keyword and location to get business names, websites, and email addresses. The pay-per-lead model means you only spend on the leads you actually need.

For additional research, use Google Search with operators like site:linkedin.com "marketing agency" "Chicago" to find specific companies and contacts.

Step 2: Organize in Google Sheets

Export your leads as CSV and open them in Google Sheets. Create columns for:

• Business name
• Contact email
• Phone number
• Website
• Status (New, Contacted, Replied, Booked)
• Notes
• Follow-up date

Color-code rows by status so you can see your pipeline at a glance.

Step 3: Write Your Outreach Emails

Use Gmail or any free email provider. Write two to three template variations and personalize the first line for each lead. Mention something specific about their business — their Google rating, a recent review, or their website.

Step 4: Track Opens and Replies

Install a free email tracking extension like Mailtrack or Streak (free tier). These tools tell you when someone opens your email, so you know who to follow up with.

Step 5: Automate Follow-Ups

Use Gmail's "Schedule Send" feature to queue follow-up emails. If you want more automation, Streak's free CRM tier lets you set reminders and track deal stages right inside Gmail.

Putting It All Together

Your workflow looks like this: find leads with Easy Email Finder, organize in Google Sheets, send outreach via Gmail, track with a free extension, and follow up on a schedule. Total cost: nearly zero. Total impact: a full sales pipeline.