Would you offer a bribe? Well, you should because lead magnets work.

A lead magnet is a valuable resource that you GIVE AWAY in exchange for your prospect’s email address. Lead magnets are typically downloadable content that people get, after signing up for your email list.

People are really protective when it comes to their personal information. If you just ask for their contact details without giving them something they WANT in return, they’ll skip it.

And it’s not just about getting an email. You need to get them hooked. Engagement. That overused word describing the critical first step for building long-term relationships.

There’s no magic formula for what works as a lead magnet. Every field is different, every audience is different, and your message is unique to your audience. You’ve got to offer something they find tempting. That means understanding your prospect’s needs.

How does it work

• Step 1: Identify your lead magnet. InTouch24-7 can help you define and refine your lead magnet wording and help with both technology and website functionality.
• Step 2: Prepare your download. InTouch24-7 has specialists who add that professional look to your worksheet, checklist or download. We will protect and secure your valuable PDF, and add audio to your presentation.
• Step 3: Add the lead magnet to your website with two-step opt-in form. It MUST be set up to ask if you can email them again. That’s the law.
• Step 4: Show your website visitors a lead magnet offer; it could be on your home page, on a specific services page, or maybe when they leave.
• Step 5: The visitor likes your offer, and gives contact information (or more),
• Step 6: Give them a way to download the lead magnet.
  • A link to a hidden page (e.g. a Confirmation Page).
  • Go low-tech, email it manually with a personal note.
  • Give a password to a file that is already on your website,
  • Give a password to a secret page.
  • Send an automated email, with a link to a file on your website.
  • Use the account workflow of your pro mailing list account
• Step 7: USE your lead magnet mailing list. Always first assess the quality of the lead, and choose the best way to engage and convert. Do NOT spam them, it’s illegal! (see Step 3)

InTouch24-7 can help you define and refine your lead magnet wording and help with both technology and website functionality.

Sounds so easy – what’s the catch?

So, having any lead magnet isn’t enough. You’ll need lead magnet ideas that resonate with your audiences. Otherwise, no matter how many free resources you distribute, the results will not meet expectations.

People are really protective when it comes to their personal information.  They already receive 120+ emails every day. They don’t want another newsletter they never read. To get something from the prospects, you have to offer something NOW.

With a lead magnet, you have a chance of getting that valuable address, and more info besides!

My secret: it’s got to be something instantly useful to them at a gut-instinct level

7 requirements of a good lead magnet

1. Does the lead magnet solve a problem this specific prospect has?
2. Is it too generic? (Specific is better)
3. Does it contain something they can’t easily find somewhere else?
4. Is it easily understandable?
5. Does it include some tested strategies that are easily deployable?
6. Is the lead magnet relevant to your brand promise?
7. Are you making it easy for people to get it?

Does your lead magnet idea tick these boxes?

My 7 best lead magnet examples to get people to subscribe

Checklists and Planners

Actionable lists that almost everybody needs, based on your knowledge and experience. Include tasks, order of tasks, precautions, and pitfalls.

• Checklists are the easiest to create using MS Word or Google Docs, then save it as a PDF.
• Planners are checklists presented as a calendar schedule. Word has some amazing templates.

If you are struggling, come to InTouch24-7. I work with specialists who can add style and professionalism with pointers, boxes, brand colors, structure and simplifying language. We will also protect the PDF with a password, and prevent people from copying it!

Cheat Sheets

A cheat sheet offers us shortcuts we can follow to save time.  With your expert cheat sheet, they don’t have to remember complex sequences of tasks. They are likely to use it again and again, seeing your brand regularly. That’s a win-win for both of you.

Workbooks

If your audience is into self-help, “fill-up yourself” workbooks make perfect lead magnets. Try reviews, journaling, and diving deeper into any topic. Workbooks show you – the creator – as an expert. Your audience will start seeing you as a trusted authority in the subject.

Mini-Courses and Tutorials

There are no specific rules or patterns for hosting an online mini-course. You can include articles, research, videos, presentation, quizzes, tempaltes, checklists and downloadable PDFs.

InTouch 24-7 can set up sophisticated learning quizzes

Webinars

You lead magnet could be free attendance, or it could be a discount code. Webinars need an “urgency” factor, and they need to be live. You need to promote them on social media and link to a website page that has more about WHY you should attend. A short webinar with 3-4 specific things that your audience can learn is a perfect lead magnet.

Are you a prolific blogger. Take any blog you have recently published on your website. Convert it into a PowerPoint presentation with images, charts, and visuals. You will need a presentation platform like LinkedIn, Google Meet or Zoom.

Quizzes

BuzzFeed has really nailed using quizzes to get leads, check out their site for ideas. Quizzes are amazing for pulling people in—keep them simple, fun and preferably insightful.

When the quiz wraps up, ask for their email to share the results. Since they’ve taken the time to answer the questions, they’ll be curious to see how they did.

InTouch 24-7 can set up sophisticated quizzes for both learning and fun

Worksheets and Templates

Templates are resources that the audience can download, customize and use on their own. Depending on your niche and audience, these templates can be something that will give a kick-start for specific challenges your audience has.

Some ideas:

• Cashflow analysis and business valuation worksheets
• Life goal planners with investment calculators
• Press release layout templates
• Presentation content templates for specific types of event.

Let’s recap

• Lead magnets increase opt-in conversion and signups
• They are also great way to establish your credibility and authority.
• Lead magnets must be specific to the audiences.
• Lead magnets require different levels of technology and effort.
• Quizzes, workbooks, and checklists can be easy to create and offer good value
• Webinars and books still work well, but need a lot more effort.
• You can set up multiple lead magnets on your site and boost them on social media.
• Make sure the lead magnet offers good value and explain that value on your opt-in / landing page
• USE THE LIST!