Lead magnets are an important part of any marketing strategy. They’re a great way to grow your email list even if your company isn't ready to build out a full email marketing strategy. Collecting emails from the start will give you a warm, engaged audience to start selling to as soon as you launch that course, product, service offering, etc. 

So what is a lead magnet? Lead magnets are a free resource that you offer to users in exchange for them subscribing to your email list. Lead magnets, also commonly referred to as “freebies”, are usually free, downloadable content like a checklist, template, ebook, white paper, workbook, etc. Lead magnet content should be fast to get and easy to consume. It should solve a very specific problem for your audience, create value and show them how you and your business can help solve their problems. Don't worry, they don’t always have to be a digital offering! If you are selling a physical product, you can offer a discount or free shipping in exchange for contact information.

Make sure that your lead magnet truly provides VALUE and a QUICK WIN for your target audience. You have the opportunity to show them what they could expect by working with you. When a user discovers your lead magnet, they have probably already seen some value from your website or social media channels. Now you need to educate them and show them why your product or service is the solution to their problem(s) while you simultaneously create even MORE value in the form of a lead magnet.

Lead magnets should be included in your content marketing strategy as a way to help drive potential customers down your sales funnel. First, a potential customer discovers you and follows your brand. Next they consume your free content, and then they subscribe in order to get your lead magnet. All of these activities indicate that a user is engaged with your brand and that they are finding value in your company and your content. The next step will be to drive them to make a purchase and convert from a lead to a sale.

A few ideas for lead magnets include:

• Downloadable checklists and templates

• Infographics

• Ebooks

• Webinar

• Email course

• A quiz

• Consultation call

• Free trial

• Coupon

Need help keeping your content marketing strategy organized? Check out my digital strategy intensive where I help you feel empowered to market your business online, as well as give you all the tools you will need to successfully grow your business.