Adding priming bulb to a generator?

I acquired a 5000w generator earlier this year and got it running after a tune up. The main purpose is to have it for emergency power and I should be pulling it out each month to run it, but with a 4 yr. old and a 2 mo. old, I'm not the best at sticking to a schedule. I went out over the weekend and could not get it started, and didn't have time to tinker on it. It seemed like a lack of fuel getting to the carb.

The fuel is a gravity feed through a filter and when I ran it last, I closed off the fuel shut-off so I don't have old gas gumming up the carb. I think my problem is getting the fuel flowing through the filter. Yes, I made sure there was gas in the tank.

I could give it a shot of starting fluid, but I didn't want to mess with removing the air filter and cover. Would a priming bulb, like what is used on an outboard boat motor, be helpful to expedite the process (example)? I'm trying to work smarter, not harder.

Thanks!

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Adding priming bulb to a generator?