Why do you need a lead magnet? That’s a great question! Before I answer it, let’s define what it is. A lead magnet is a piece of content or an offer that is designed to attract potential customers and entice them to provide their contact information, usually in exchange for something of value. Basically, you’re offering a “freebie” in exchange for their email and permission to join your list. They do have the right to opt out at any time, but if you’re providing quality content, they’ll surely want to stay on your list.
Lead magnets can be a valuable tool for any business because they help to build a targeted email list of potential customers who have expressed an interest in your products or services. You’ve probably heard “the money’s in the list!” and this is correct, but only when the list is used correctly. People are signed up to so many email lists these days, many people don’t even open or look at a fraction of them. And some people won’t even sign up for any new ones unless you give them a really good reason to.
Quite frankly, no one wants more junk in their inbox.
One of the main benefits of using lead magnets is that they allow you to build a relationship with potential customers over time. By providing valuable content or offers to your email subscribers, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry and build trust with your audience. This can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty in the long term.
Lead magnets can also help you to generate more qualified leads for your business. By targeting specific groups of people with relevant lead magnets, you can attract potential customers who are more likely to be interested in your products or services. For example, if you are a fitness trainer, you might create a lead magnet that offers a free workout plan to people who are interested in losing weight. This will attract people who are actively looking for solutions to their fitness goals, which means that they are more likely to become paying customers in the future.
Why Do You Need a Lead Magnet? Types of Lead Magnets and What they Do
There are several different types of lead magnets that you can use to attract potential customers. Some common examples include:
- Ebooks: Ebooks are a popular lead magnet because they provide a lot of value in a single, easy-to-digest package. You can use an ebook to provide in-depth information about your products or services, or to share industry insights and tips.
- Courses: Online courses are another effective lead magnet because they allow you to share a lot of information with your audience in an organized and structured way. Courses can be delivered via email or through a learning management system, and they can cover a wide range of topics depending on your business.
- Checklists: Checklists are a simple but effective lead magnet because they provide a clear and actionable list of steps that your audience can follow to achieve a specific goal. For example, you might create a checklist that helps people plan a successful event, or that teaches them how to create a website from scratch.
- Templates: Templates can be a valuable lead magnet because they save people time and effort by providing a ready-made structure that they can use as a starting point. You can create templates for things like business plans, social media posts, or invoices, depending on your business.
- Webinars: Webinars are a great way to provide value to your audience and build trust. By hosting a webinar, you can share your expertise and insights with a large group of people in real-time, and you can also use the webinar to promote your products or services.
Do You Really Need One?
Do you know why you need a lead magnet? Are you looking to build your list? Start a new list? As a heart-centered business, this will be one of the main methods of contact between you and your audience.
Do you want to build your own community of people who “get” you? Of people who love your stuff? People who are hanging on your every word and waiting for that next blog post or email to drop?
It’s a great big internet world out there and first, you’ve gotta get their attention somehow.
Your lead magnet is how you make that happen.
Whether it’s a brand new email list or an existing list you’re wanting to grow, you need an AWESOME offer to get them in the door. If you want to generate leads, then you MUST have something to bring them in. All businesses need this. If you’re a blog, you need this. If you sell services, you need it, too.
Every business or brand needs a lead magnet. In fact, you may already have one but not realize it, or you may not be using it effectively.
What is a lead magnet?
What’s a lead magnet? This is a free offer you make in exchange for an email address (and sometimes additional info). It’s essentially a “bribe” that you’re giving in exchange for their details. For it to work successfully, you need to give them something of value. This is more true today than ever before due to the pure saturation of content on the internet.
People aren’t just giving up their deets all willy-nilly now.
People are sick of being spammed. They’re tired of the thousands of emails they get every day and in the never-ending quest for Inbox Zero, they are NOT going to give their info over to one more blog/brand/whatever to get spammed some more.
If you want their email, you need to entice them with something of value. Then, you open the door to a relationship that you can hopefully continue to cultivate until they become a loyal customer. But, one thing at a time…
But let’s get back to that lead magnet. What is it?
They are sometimes also called:
– signup incentives
– signup offers
– freemiums
– content upgrades
– opt-ins
It could be an ebook, a video, a guide, a checklist, a printable, or even a free trial. Studies have shown that online users consume information better when it’s in bite-sized and easily digestible pieces, so don’t get too long-winded. You can add value without being super long. But what does it mean to add value?
A great lead magnet needs to:
– solve a REAL problem
– promise one quick win
– be SUPER specific
– offer a high VALUE
– be QUICK to digest
– be instantly accessible (no WAITING)
So, what might this be? You could touch or one or more of the pain points your target audience faces. Give them some free tips on how to solve that pain point. This is how you can solve a real problem that they currently face. This shows your expertise while also building trust in the relationship.
Promise One Quick Win
You can also promise one quick win. What is ONE thing you can do for them right now, right here? Perhaps a video, a downloadable PDF, or a checklist can answer this question. Reel them in with the quick win, and show them there is more where that came from if they want to stay on your list and in your circle.
Be Specific
Be SUPER specific. This is one thing I see clients get wrong in their lead magnets all the time. They want to get lots of people to sign up, so they remain too general. “How to Save Money” or “How to Start a Blog” are too general, especially these days. The internet is saturated with that stuff already. You’re going to need to dig deeper. Furthermore, get specific. Then when you think you’ve got it, dig even deeper.
Show the Value
Where is the value? Everybody and their grandma is offering something for free these days. It’s like when they try to push those free samples on you at the supermarket. You’re just trying to get some groceries and here they are with the cracker samples and then the sausage samples, and maybe even some new cookie flavors. At first, you might be on board.
Hey, free food, right? Who says no to that?
But if there’s an offer on every aisle… and every time you go to the supermarket, it loses its appeal. It can even start to feel pushy. You may find yourself dodging that aproned lady with the tiny toothpicks of cheese because dammit, you just want to pick up some Pop-Tarts and be on your way!
What do you offer that’s special or unique?
With so many free offers tempting people to give up their email addresses, what makes yours special? When they give up their info, they’re taking a risk. They’re inviting you into their virtual home. They are giving you permission to come inside and maybe even to kick off your shoes and stay awhile.
Are you going to be a good guest? Or are you going to put your dirty feet on the coffee table and pee on the rug?
Give VALUE and RESPECT the relationship.
Skip the bait-and-switch.
Avoid the tricks.
No games.
And no spam.
How do you add value?
Give a sampling of what you offer in a course, or a free trial to your paid program. This is a good way to help, while also showing the added value they get if they become a paying customer.
You MUST demonstrate credibility. Why are you an expert on this? How can you prove it? Why should they trust you? Why should they listen to you instead of all the other voices vying for their attention online?
Also remember to be quick. People are busy. No one has time to pore through a thesis-sized manuscript while you prove to them you’re an expert on XYZ. Give them value, make it instant (no one wants to wait on your freebie either) and make it easy to digest.
Now, THAT’S how you create a winning lead magnet. This is the first step to a sales funnel that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases profits. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of a “lead magnet”. Think of it as an offer – or a sampling of who you are and what you do.
What do you have of value to offer, and why should people care? If you’re not sure, I can help you figure it out.
Why Do You Need a Lead Magnet? Tips to Help
To create an effective lead magnet, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- Value: Your lead magnet should offer a significant amount of value to your audience. It should be something that they will find useful or interesting, and that will solve a problem or meet a need that they have.
- Relevance: Your lead magnet should be relevant to your audience. It should be targeted to a specific group of people who are interested in your products or services, and it should be something that they would be willing to exchange their contact information for.
- Quality: Your lead magnet should be of high quality. It should be well-written, well-designed, and free of errors. If it’s an ebook or a course, it should also be well-organized and easy to follow.
- Landing page: To capture leads, you’ll need to create a landing page for your lead magnet.
Need Help?
Are you looking to build your list? Get more customers into your funnel? Build a new sales funnel in 2023? I’m currently having a sale on my popular lead magnet copywriting service. I can take you from brainstorming an idea all the way to completion and implementation of your lead magnet.
Let me help you with your lead magnet!
This is all great info! You have included everything that’s important that I would want to give as a blogger, and receive as a reader!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! Really happy you stopped by, and for the feedback. 🙂
YES, so good! Now I just need to work on my actual emails 🙂
Yes, girl. You know I can help you with that, too. 😉
Great points. You have to draw your reader in with a great title. Thanks for the tips.
You’re welcome, Julie. Thank YOU so much for stopping by. 🙂