How Trades Businesses Can Stop Losing Leads and Start Converting Automatically

Ask a Pro is our live webinar series where we sit down with experienced trades professionals and industry innovators to talk about what it really takes to run and grow a modern service business. From hiring the right people to adopting technology that scales with your operations, these candid conversations highlight the systems and strategies that help contractors succeed.

In this session, we connected with Ryan and Justin, the powerhouse team behind CHIIRP , a marketing automation and lead conversion platform designed specifically for home service businesses. What started as a DIY solution to a common problem—slow lead follow-up—has turned into an industry-leading tool used by some of the biggest names in the trades.

With a reputation for helping companies maximize conversion rates, CHIIRP has become known not just for its tech but for its commitment to helping real contractors implement automation the right way. With the recent launch of the FieldPulse + CHIIRP integration, this conversation couldn’t have come at a better time.

From practical advice on following up to behind-the-scenes insights on AI, automation, and scaling authenticity, here’s everything we learned from the session.

Watch the full webinar here

Quick Takeaways

Here are five standout insights from the conversation with CHIIRP:

• Speed to lead is mission-critical. If you’re not contacting your leads within the first 60 seconds, you’re already behind.

• Text messages outperform other channels. With 98% open rates and 45% response rates, text messaging should be your primary outreach tool.

• Automation can (and should) feel personal. Video messages, friendly tones, and human language help scale your personal touch.

• Your customer database is a sleeping giant. Reaching out to old leads and unclosed estimates can unlock tens of thousands in revenue.

• CHIIRP and FieldPulse now work together. Automated follow-up, review requests, and reminders now run seamlessly based on your activity in FieldPulse.

About CHIIRP

CHIIRP is a lead conversion software platform built specifically for home service businesses. Founded by Ryan, who originally created the tool to improve follow-up for his own business, CHIIRP has grown into a powerful automation engine trusted by companies doing millions in revenue.

CHIIRP integrates with major lead sources (Facebook, Google, Angie, Thumbtack, etc.), enabling immediate, automated outreach. Now with deep FieldPulse integration, CHIIRP helps businesses automate every customer touchpoint—from the first lead inquiry to post-job reviews—without sacrificing authenticity.

Justin, CHIIRP’s Head of Partnerships, leads the company’s efforts to support contractors as they implement and refine their automation strategies, ensuring each customer gets the support they need to thrive.

Full Recap

Speed to Lead: Why It Matters More Than You Think

The single biggest missed opportunity contractors face? Waiting too long to contact new leads.

In the age of TikTok and short attention spans, customers expect rapid responses. If they don’t hear from you quickly—ideally within the first minute—they’ll move on. CHIIRP automates that first response through text, helping businesses engage leads while they’re still paying attention.

“You don’t need more leads—you need to convert more of the leads you already have.”

CHIIRP ensures that every form fill, Facebook inquiry, or Google lead is instantly followed up with a customized message. The goal is to strike while the iron’s hot and start the conversation while the customer is still motivated.

Making Automation Feel Human

Contractors worry that automation will make them feel robotic or impersonal. But as Ryan pointed out, good automation scales authenticity, not replaces it.

Simple tricks like selfie-style video messages, casual wording, and keeping messages short make a huge difference. Instead of sounding like a bot, your messages feel like they’re coming from a real person.

“We're not trying to eliminate the human—we're enhancing the human’s capabilities.”

Example: Send a video after a job is booked. “Hey, I’m Ryan. This is my wife, Sarah. Thanks for booking with us—we’re a family-owned shop and we really appreciate your trust.” That one-time video can be reused in hundreds of personalized campaigns, giving your automation a human face.

Follow-Up that Closes More Deals

The CHIIRP team emphasized how essential it is to not give up on leads too early. Most sales don’t happen after the first touch—they happen after the fifth or sixth.

“The fortune is in the follow-up. You’ve already paid for the lead. Don’t let it go to waste.”

Their follow-up sequences often include:

• Text messages on days 1, 3, and 7

• Ringless voicemails

• Follow-up emails

• Personalized AI conversations that qualify and redirect leads

Best of all? These campaigns pause or stop automatically once the customer converts. You’re not sending a discount offer to someone who already booked.

Stop Wasting Your Database

CHIIRP can revive old leads and open estimates, turning forgotten opportunities into thousands in revenue.

“We’ve had contractors close $50,000 from old estimates within two weeks of using CHIIRP.”

Contractors often focus so much on getting new leads that they forget they’re sitting on a list of past customers and unclosed deals. CHIIRP makes it easy to:

• Upload and segment your existing contact

• Run drip campaigns based on timing or service type

• Customize follow-up by estimate value or customer type (residential vs. commercial)

The system even helps during slow seasons—blasting tune-up offers or reminders to keep technicians busy without blowing through your marketing budget.

Why the CHIIRP + FieldPulse Integration Changes Everything

FieldPulse is your system of record. CHIIRP is your conversion engine. Together, they create a fully automated customer journey.

When you create an estimate in FieldPulse, CHIIRP starts the follow-up. When the job gets booked, it stops that campaign and begins the next stage—like pre-visit reminders or review requests.

“You don’t have to change your process. Just keep using FieldPulse—CHIIRP handles the rest.”

The integration is completely customizable. Want different campaigns for high-value estimates? Prefer different messages for commercial vs. residential? CHIIRP handles all of it.

Plus, their AI-powered CSR assistant can:

• Answer FAQs

• Qualify leads

• Book jobs after hours

• Personalize messages based on your website and services

It's like giving your existing team superpowers—allowing a single CSR to manage dozens more conversations effectively.

Final Thoughts

From CHIIRP’s journey, one thing is crystal clear: today’s trades businesses need more than just leads—they need systems that convert those leads consistently.

Whether you’re an owner-operator or running a multi-location operation, using automation to scale your humanity—not eliminate it—is the path forward. With FieldPulse and CHIIRP working together, you can finally fill the gaps in your customer journey, stop missing out on revenue, and grow smarter.

Where to Find CHIIRP

Connect with CHIIRP across platforms:

Website: www.chiirp.com

Facebook: CHIIRP

Instagram: @getchiirp

Watch the Full Webinar

Want the full story? Watch the complete conversation with CHIIRP below:

• Watch the full webinar

• Register for the next Ask a Pro