Generate leads easily with lead magnets: convert strangers into subscribers with LeadPages
Generate leads easily with lead magnets: convert strangers into subscribers with
What are lead magnets?
(Almost) Everything you need to know about lead magnets to create your email list
and turn strangers into subscribers
Growing companies that are hungry for more customers face the same challenge: transforming web traffic into potential customers. Sure, it's great to see that people are landing on your site, but unless you can actively promote those people, well, you're practically stuck in the margin. Lead magnets are the # 1 way to generate leads and grow your business online.
They come in all shapes and sizes and are used by world-renowned brands, as well as by small businesses that are just starting out with digital marketing.
In this article, we will explore how to use lead magnets to generate leads online, common types of lead magnet offer, how to choose the right one for your lead generation campaign, and we will give you 10 steps you can take to put lead magnets to use in your business immediately.
If that sounds like what you need, let's go to work!
Having web traffic on your site is excellent, but it is not the ultimate goal. To develop your business (and actively market your products/services), you need to transform traffic into potential customers by collecting email addresses.
But. when was the last time you gave your contact information for free? ... how are you, never?
Your audience will not give it away for free either. You'll have to offer an incentive, and that's what a lead magnet is about.
What is a lead magnet?
When we refer to potential customers, we refer to the names and email address of people who are likely to become paying customers in the future.
Looking for a definition of the lead magnet? Ask any marketing professional, and she will tell you that lead magnets have several different names: content updates, free offers, lead bait, private content, voluntary inclusion bribe, etc. But they all do the same critical work.
Getting someone's contact information is what makes anonymous web traffic into prospects or potential customers, because (1) you can be reasonably sure that you are interested in your offer and (2) you have an (active) way to stay in touch.
In general, lead magnets take the form of downloadable content (e-books, PDF guides, worksheets, etc.), instructional videos, free consultations, webinars, etc. But we'll see later.
For now, the important thing to remember is that the main magnet is a "free" offer that offers for the low-low price of an email address (and, sometimes, a name).
The leading magnets always live behind an "email subscription form" like this, which invites visitors to exchange their contact information to access free content.
How do lead magnets work?
The mechanics of how a lead magnet works is really very simple: you have to give something away to get something in return. In this case, high-quality free content in exchange for an email address.
Your main magnet could be offered in an advertisement, in a pop-up form or on a landing page, depending on where you want to host your offer and how much space you need to explain its value.
Most small businesses use landing pages to present their main magnet. In that case, people who visit your landing page enter your email address to access the main magnet. When they send their email address, they automatically receive an email containing the main magnet. Now you can contact them with future offers and information (appropriate, not overwhelming).
Why use lead magnets?
Your email list/database of potential customers is your number 1 resource to market your product or service. You need potential customers and high quality (relevant) subscribers that you can reach with content (not overwhelming) when you want. Lead magnets are the way you increase your email list and fill your marketing/sales funnel with people who want to receive what you have to offer.
What are the common types of lead magnets?
From free video courses to a checklist or downloadable e-book, there is an almost infinite amount of lead magnets that you can create for your lead generation campaign.
Here are some common types of lead magnets to consider:
E-books
Checklists / cheat sheets / resource guides / tip sheets / frequently asked questions sheets
Worksheets/workbooks
Email courses
Slide files / templates
Webinars/webinar reps
Calendars / action plans
Industry reports
White papers/case studies
Live demonstrations / tutorials
Courses/courses on video on demand
Contests
Tests
Product samples / free trials.
Which lead magnet is right for your audience?
Sure, the sky is the limit when it comes to what lead magnets it can create. But what kind of leader magnet is right for your audience and for your specific campaign to generate leads?
The most successful lead magnets are those that are carefully designed to attract a very specific audience and satisfy a very specific need at a particular point in that audience's experience with their business.
10 tips to start with your first lead magnet + examples of lead magnet
Are you new to lead magnets and not sure how to take off your lead generation? It is not to worry about. You have probably seen subscription offers all over the internet and now that you are tuned to this marketing technique, you will see even more!
Keep your eyes open to learn from other companies and inspire what is possible for your company. But in the meantime, that's how we recommend you start:
# 1 - Focus on a single problem
Do not try to "boil the ocean" or solve all problems with a single downloadable worksheet. He will go crazy! Keep it specific.
# 2 - Connect the dots
Ideally, your lead magnet is linked to your primary offer/service. Think of this as the first step in the pyramid of your product. You can (subtly) mention your products or services, but definitely, do not try to use your lead magnet as an advertisement.
At Leadpages, we build this strategy on everything we do. Here is an example:
# 3 - Say it in a straight line
In most cases, you will not have much room to be poetic about what your lead magnet is and why people should download it. You will have to go straight to the point and answer 3 key questions in as few words as possible:
Why should it matter to your audience?
What are you offering?
What steps should you take next?
# 4 - Do not get greedy: ask for the minimum.
The more information you request in exchange for your leader magnet, the less likely your target audience will take action. Keep your form fields to a minimum. If possible, stay with your name and email address.
# 5 - Make it small
If you are in the market to generate new potential customers from strangers, you should make it very easy to say "yes" to your offer. Cold traffic (those who are not familiar with your business) will not be willing to work so hard to get to know you. That means you must keep your offer short, sweet and simple.
# 6 - Tie it with a bow.
The packaging of the product is everything and the design of the lead magnet is important. Make an attractive demo of your product or create a striking header image that you will carry through your ads, landing pages, and email delivery.
# 7 - Remember: A newsletter is not magnetic.
Most companies think that their "regular newsletter" qualifies as a main magnet, but hey, it's not like that. Unless you have done everything possible to sell your email newsletter as a valuable information product by yourself, when you add subscription points like these to your site, your visitors are likely to see and see them: free sales releases . As if people usually pay for the privilege of receiving marketing emails. Instead, offer a bonus that excites people to subscribe, and then immediately deliver the information they will devour.
# 8 - Use innovative leadership to capture potential customers.
A lead magnet strategy can often help establish you as an authority in your industry (or even as a place to go in search of interesting things). Be benevolent and generous with your experience, do not stop! As soon as your audience trusts your credibility, they will be ready to pay for greater value and greater access.
# 9 - Keep your promise
Verify double, triple and quadruple that your lead generation tool is integrated with your email service provider (ESP) so you can instantly deliver your free content. Do not leave a single cable hanging!
# 10 - Back up with a little love: do not neglect your nutrition sequence
Think of your newly captured leadership as a new acquaintance. Do not start this new friendship by neglecting the follow-up for months. Take immediate steps to (1) deliver what you promised and (2) offer the following steps. You can suggest that they review a blog post related to the topic, send another free offer that takes the topic a step further or invite them to share their comments with you.
What is the best (and easiest) way to create a lead magnet?
There is no single easy lead magnet format that works best for everyone, but many entrepreneurs find success by offering a PDF lead magnet download of very useful content, such as an e-book or a single-page resource guide. You can also start with a lead magnet template and quickly connect your own copy and content.
