Leads First: Everything Flows Downstream After Lead Generation

by James Dooley

If you’re ready to grow your business, it’s time to adopt a Leads First mindset.

Success in today’s market starts with mastering lead generation. Without a steady flow of quality leads, scaling your business becomes an uphill battle. But finding reliable strategies and the right team to implement them, can be a daunting challenge, full of false promises and costly mistakes.

In Leads First, James Dooley shares the proven lead generation strategies that transformed his businesses and helped countless others achieve consistent growth. With decades of experience, James breaks down his approach into actionable steps that any business owner can follow.

You’ll discover how

-Create a lead generation system that drives daily results.
-Avoid common pitfalls when hiring agencies or experts.
-Innovate in today’s AI-driven business world to stay ahead.
-Convert cold leads into loyal customers.
-Develop a mindset that puts lead generation at the core of your business.
-Turn failures into stepping stones for long-term success.
Whether you're a startup founder, small business owner, or seasoned entrepreneur, Leads First will empower you to build a scalable, sustainable growth strategy.

In Leads First, James Dooley—a UK entrepreneur who has generated over 2 million leads online—shares the trials, setbacks, and lessons that shaped his journey to success. Combining actionable advice with compelling real-life stories, this motivational book reveals the secrets to mastering lead generation and building a sustainable business.

The lifeblood of every thriving business is a steady flow of high-quality leads.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or aspiring professional, Leads First provides the mindset and tools you need to scale your business. As James "Everything flows downstream after lead generation."

Start your journey to success today.

184 pages, Paperback

Published December 19, 2024

About the author

James Dooley is an entrepreneur, author, and SEO expert, renowned for transforming digital real estate and lead generation.

As the creator of the UK’s largest digital real estate portfolio, James Dooley shares entrepreneurial strategies for business growth through best-selling books, public speaking, and consulting.

James Dooley is an internationally SEO speaker, author and investorpreneur. James Dooley has mastered SEO through self-taught reverse-engineering of search algorithms, establishing himself as a leader in digital marketing and search optimisation.

James Dooley is a UK Entrepreneur.
James Dooley is an Internet Entrepreneur.
James Dooley is an AI Innovative Entrepreneur.

Reviews

[Scott Keever · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Leads First: Everything Flows Downstream After Lead Generation, James Dooley delivers a masterclass in business growth that cuts through the noise of marketing fluff and gets to the heart of what truly drives scalable success—lead generation. Drawing from his impressive track record of generating over two million leads online, Dooley shares field-tested strategies that are as practical as they are inspiring.

This isn’t just another theory-heavy business book. Dooley offers a clear, step-by-step playbook for building a high-performing lead generation engine. From avoiding agency pitfalls to converting cold leads and integrating AI innovations, Leads First equips entrepreneurs with the tools to grow intelligently and sustainably. What sets this book apart is its balance between tactical insight and mindset development—Dooley doesn’t just tell you what to do, he teaches you how to think like a lead-first entrepreneur.

Packed with real-world stories, actionable frameworks, and hard-won lessons, Leads First is essential reading for founders, marketers, and business leaders who want to stop chasing growth and start engineering it.

[Mr Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an established lead gen operator I still got lots of value for James's book. It methodically takes you through every step and uncovers gems in every chapter. Highly recommended

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, first things first I worked as a Business Development Manager at a publishing house. I had confidence to get through the interview process as I had worked at a print media as circulations manager. I convinced my new boss that lead generation would be a cake walk for me. I knew the process of lead generation theoretically But I couldnt be proved more wrong when it came to actually reap results. We had academic books to sell to libraries and for that we had to convince Academicians, research scholars and professors to recommend our books further. They said yes to our calls and a few visits but once they got the sample they never returned our calls. The delivering of physical sample books were extra cost on us. It was a disaster needless to say. But we did work up a plan where we introduced new age lead generation tactics rather than sticking to traditional ways like cold calling. We did generate leads and we did convert a few as our customers but we knew we had to learn and implement a lot. So, this is where this book came as a saviour for us.

Talking about the book, “Leads First by James Dooley” is an insightful guide to mastering lead generation. It is a must read for entrepreneurs, business owners and even an employee who is actually working on lead generation. The author shares proven strategies (specially harnessing the digital marketing part) and real life examples which is interesting to read. The book covers key topics like building a strong lead generation system, avoiding common hiring mistakes, and using AI to stay ahead in today’s market. If you want a clear, effective roadmap to attract more customers and scale your business then “Leads First” is highly recommended.

[Maja J.]

Leads First nails one of the most fundamental truths in digital marketing, if you don’t get lead generation right, nothing else matters. This book is a sharp, focused guide that cuts through the noise and gets straight to what actually drives growth.

It breaks down how to build systems that attract the right leads, not just more of them. The strategies are clear, practical, and rooted in real-world experience, not fluff or theory. I especially appreciated how it connects lead generation to every other part of the business pipeline, sales, retention, conversion, all of it really does flow downstream.

The boom will absolutely make you rethink how you approach leads. Five stars, without a doubt.

[Karl Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

James writes in a clear and straightforward manner, breaking down complex ideas into simple, digestible concepts. His approach ensures that readers not only understand the strategies he presents but also feel equipped to apply them in real-world situations. Each chapter builds on the last, providing actionable steps that encourage personal and professional growth. His ability to combine practical advice with relatable examples makes the book both engaging and inspiring. As you read, you’ll feel motivated to implement his insights and push yourself toward becoming a more effective business owner. Great read!

[Sean Bianco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leads First is a game-changer for anyone serious about scaling their business. James Dooley doesn't just share theories; he provides actionable strategies backed by real-world experience. The book offers a step-by-step guide to building a reliable lead generation system, avoiding common pitfalls, and leveraging AI to stay ahead in today's competitive market. Dooley's insights into converting cold leads into loyal customers are particularly valuable. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this book is a must-read to develop a mindset that places lead generation at the core of your business strategy.

[Jason P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to read marketing books by people who are actually in the trenches, hustling and making money. James Dooley is one of those guys. He's using the techniques in this book to make other people wealthy and abides by his own mantra: A rising tide lifts all ships.

The book is well formatted and easy to read and gives straightforward advice that anyone can follow.
This truly is a guide for any level of experience. It offers golden advice for experts and action steps for busy business owners that will quickly take your lead gen to the next level. If you are looking for a"been there, done it" kind of book, this is it.

[Niels Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read playbook for entrepreneurs serious about growth.

Leads First delivers exactly what the title promises: a no-nonsense, highly actionable roadmap to mastering lead generation. James Dooley brings decades of real-world experience and distills it into a book that’s both motivational and practical.

What makes this book stand out is the blend of strategy and story. You’re not just getting tactics—you’re getting battle-tested lessons from someone who’s generated over 2 million leads online. Dooley doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. He shares the mistakes, the false starts, and the costly agency flops, so you don’t have to repeat them.

[Kahuna Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leads First is a refreshingly practical guide for anyone serious about growing a business in today’s digital world. James Dooley doesn’t just talk theory—he shares real, hard-won strategies backed by years of experience and over 2 million leads generated. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just diving into lead generation, this book gives you the mindset, tools, and systems to build a scalable customer pipeline. It's actionable, inspiring, and written in a clear, no-BS tone. If you're tired of vague advice and ready for results, this one’s worth your time.

[Trifon Boyukliyski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leads First is a simple, focused book about why getting leads is the first step to growing a business. James Dooley explains how to set up systems that bring in steady leads and how this makes everything else, sales, marketing, and growth, much easier. The book shares real lessons from Dooley’s success and gives clear steps to follow. It’s a quick, helpful read for business owners and marketers who want more results with less guesswork.

[Harry Anapliotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Leads First" provides business owners with strategies for growth. James Dooley delivers proven lead generation methods, emphasizing building systems and leveraging AI. The book provides actionable advice and real-world insights to scale businesses effectively. A real gem book for online business owners.

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think you have hit a limit with building out your lead Gen sites, think again. James opens up all the stops to reveal strategies and the mindset necessary to push through any road block. The book is a great insight into what is working now in the development of a successful lead generation business. Highly recommend.

[Kristjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touches on an area of online marketing that I haven't actively worked in but have ideas for. As such, the book is perfect for getting grounded in the processes involved and will most definitely save me time on my journey - both through practical tips and learning from the mistakes of others that went before me.

[Christopher Panteli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning! James talks about lead generation as if it were something he was born to do. This book is pure gold from start to finish and a real joy to read. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about leads and how impactful a solid lead gen strategy can be upon your business.

[Yerai Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a practical and concise guide that cuts straight to the point. James Dooley delivers actionable strategies in clear, easy-to-understand writing, offering tremendous value for anyone looking to scale their business effectively while avoiding common pitfalls

[James Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed writing this book on lead generation.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book a must read for all business owners

[Liam Lafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leads First is the best book out there for learning how to get more clients and fast .

[Sherry Eunice · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Leads First, it teaches us effective ways to turn potential leads into loyal customers by using AI and digital marketing. Truly, helpful for anyone wanting to do well in today's competitive business world. Definitely worth reading!