AI for B2B Contractors to Win Work: LinkedIn Prompts, Workflows, Templates
If you’re a contractor working in the B2B space, you already know that visibility is everything. In my original article, “LinkedIn for B2B Contractors to Win Work: Template, Examples, Checklist”, I outlined a practical strategy for using LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers and win better work. Now, I want to take that advice one step further and show you how to use ChatGPT (free version only) to turn those strategies into daily actions. Whether you’re updating your profile, writing connection messages, or planning your content, ChatGPT can help you move faster and stay consistent.
I’m Ashley Thomson, a business coach with over 20 years of experience helping contractors and trade businesses grow. I’ve worked across industries, coached hundreds of small business owners, and led Tenfold Business Coaching to become one of Australia’s most trusted business coaching services. My background in engineering and corporate consulting means I bring a practical, results-driven mindset to every coaching session. If you’re looking for advice that’s grounded in real-world experience, you’re in the right place.
LinkedIn for B2B Contractors to Win Work: Template, Examples, Checklist
In my original article, I explained why LinkedIn is a powerful tool for B2B contractors. It’s not just a digital resume; it’s a platform where your future clients are already looking for suppliers and partners. The key is showing up with purpose and clarity, making sure your profile and interactions clearly communicate your strengths and value.
Use ChatGPT to clarify your messaging and generate ideas for your LinkedIn presence. You can ask it to help you write your headline, the About section, or even suggest post ideas based on your industry. This tool can be valuable for enhancing your professional profile and engaging with your network more effectively.
Example Prompts
- “Write a LinkedIn headline for a commercial fencing contractor who works with councils and developers.”
- “Help me write an About section for LinkedIn that focuses on safety outcomes and compliance.”
- “Give me five LinkedIn post ideas that show my expertise in modular construction for schools.”
Best Practices for LinkedIn Prospecting
To prospect effectively, your profile needs to speak directly to your target audience. Your headline should be outcome-focused, and your About section should clearly explain how you solve problems. When posting content, aim to educate your audience and build trust. By doing so, you establish a compelling presence that attracts and engages the right prospects.
ChatGPT can help you write and refine your profile sections. It can also generate post captions and even roleplay responses to comments. Using ChatGPT is a great way to test your messaging before it goes live. This method allows you to ensure that your communication is clear and engaging, helping you make a positive impression. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to experiment with different tones and styles to see what resonates best with your audience.
Example Prompts
- “Rewrite this LinkedIn About section to focus on outcomes: ‘We’re reliable and professional.’”
- “Write a caption for a LinkedIn post showing a before-and-after photo of a completed fencing job.”
- “What should I comment on a post about council safety upgrades to show I’m engaged and knowledgeable?”
How to Identify Decision-Makers
Finding the right people on LinkedIn starts with knowing what job titles to search for. Once you’ve identified these individuals, it’s important to evaluate their activity levels on the platform. Based on this assessment, you can then customise your outreach approach to better engage with them.
Use ChatGPT to brainstorm relevant job titles, write personalised connection messages, and review profile summaries. Additionally, it can assist in drafting follow-up messages that sound natural and professional. This tool helps streamline your communication efforts and enhances your networking capabilities.
Example Prompts
- “List 10 job titles I should search for on LinkedIn if I want to connect with decision-makers in commercial construction.”
- “Write a personalised LinkedIn connection message for a Facilities Manager at a regional council.”
- “Help me write a follow-up message to someone I connected with last week but haven’t heard back from.”
What Not to Do on LinkedIn
Avoid generic connection requests and hard sells. LinkedIn is about building relationships, not pitching cold. Reference something specific and give people a reason to connect with you. Focus on personalised messages and genuine engagement to foster meaningful connections.
ChatGPT can help you avoid common mistakes by reviewing your draft messages and suggesting improvements. You can also ask it to rewrite messages so they sound more natural or less sales-oriented. This tool is useful for refining your communication, ensuring clarity and professionalism in your messages.
Example Prompts
- “Rewrite this LinkedIn message to sound more personal: ‘Hi, I’d like to connect.’”
- “Make this message more relevant: ‘Hi Sarah, I saw you’re the Facilities Manager at XYZ Council.’”
- “How can I respond politely if someone doesn’t reply to my LinkedIn message?”
Planning a Multi-Step Approach
Winning work on LinkedIn is a process that requires careful attention. To get the most out of your online presence, optimise your profile to best represent you. Identify key contacts to build meaningful connections, provide context for your outreach, engage consistently with your network, and start conversations that matter. This approach helps you build a strong presence and open opportunities for success.
ChatGPT can help you plan each step. You can ask it to create a weekly LinkedIn workflow, draft content ideas, and even simulate conversations to help you prepare for outreach. It can serve as a supportive tool in organising and strategising your outreach efforts, making your workflow more efficient and effective.
Example Prompts
- “Create a weekly LinkedIn plan for a contractor who wants to connect with developers and councils.”
- “Write a short LinkedIn message offering to share a case study about a recent fencing upgrade.”
- “Help me write a comment on a developer’s post about site safety that shows I understand their challenges.”
Real-World Example: Fencing Contractor Wins Council Work
In the original article, I shared the story of a fencing contractor who used this exact approach to win a multi-site upgrade project with a local council. He updated his profile, engaged with the Facilities Manager’s posts, and sent a thoughtful message that included a relevant case study. This strategy proved to be highly effective and demonstrates the importance of proactive engagement and personalised communication in winning such projects.
ChatGPT can assist you in replicating this strategy by helping you draft your case study summary. It can also help you write your outreach message and suggest various ways to follow up after a site visit or phone call. These capabilities make it a versatile tool for streamlining your outreach process.
Example Prompts
- “Summarise this fencing project into a short LinkedIn message: upgraded 3 council sites for safety and compliance.”
- “Write a LinkedIn message to a Facilities Manager referencing a similar project I completed last year.”
- “Help me write a follow-up message after a phone call with a council contact.”
Final Thoughts from a Business Coach
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for contractors who want to grow their business and win better work. And with ChatGPT, you have a free assistant that can help you stay consistent, sound professional, and move faster. As a small business coach, I have seen how these strategies can transform pipelines and open new doors. If you are serious about growth, start using LinkedIn with clear intent and purpose, and let ChatGPT assist you in turning your strategy into tangible actions.
If you’d like personalised support to apply these strategies in your business, reach out to Tenfold Business Coaching. Our business coaching services are designed to help small businesses grow with confidence, clarity, and the right tools for success.