How To Create A Lead Magnet That Sells An Offer
Carving out time and effort to create compelling content isn't just a checkbox on your to-do list—it's an investment. You're not just looking for eyeballs; you're seeking engagement, conversions, and a loyal community. With 93% of our online journeys starting on search engines and 75% of us never moving past the first Google page, you simply can't afford to create "fly-by-night" content. Let's talk about making your free content pull its weight in gold.
Tell Your Customers Where to Go
When you walk into a store like Sephora, you're not just left to wander aimlessly. Helpful staff guide you towards products tailored to your needs without being pushy. Your online content should act in the same fashion. It's the customer service rep of the digital world, guiding your audience toward a specific direction—ideally, the solution they've been looking for.
When you create quality content, don't forget to include strategic signposts that nudge your audience toward the next step in their journey. This customer journey process is known as a funnel. The content marketing funnel, also known as the sales or conversion funnel, is a framework that guides potential customers through the stages of their buying journey.
It consists of three main stages: the top of the funnel (TOFU), the middle of the funnel (MOFU), and the bottom of the funnel (BOFU). Check out this blog How to Build a Profitable Content Marketing Funnel for more information on funnel building.
In this blog, we’ll focus entirely on actionable content strategies to come up with high converting lead magnet ideas and developing an evergreen promotional strategy with an lead magnet email sequence example.
What Is A Lead Magnet In Marketing?
In marketing, a lead magnet is a free valuable offer that businesses provide to prospects in exchange for their contact information, usually an email address.
Sometimes called a “freebie,” the concept is rooted in the notion of providing something so compelling that it "magnetically" attracts leads.
The ultimate goal of a lead magnet is to convert website visitors or social media followers into qualified leads that can be nurtured and eventually converted into paying customers.
Common Lead Magnets:
eBooks
Checklists
Templates
Challenges
Webinars
Quizzes
Reports/Whitepapers
Cheat Sheets
Make them with ease using templates in Canva.
Do You Need A Lead Magnet?
First and foremost, they are an invaluable tool for building your email list, which remains a critical asset in reaching customers and making sales effectively. Moreover, a well-crafted lead magnet helps position you as a thought leader in your field by offering valuable, actionable information, thereby building trust and credibility among your audience.
Additionally, the specific focus of your lead magnet can pre-qualify leads, ensuring that you're drawing in an audience that's genuinely interested in your products or services. Finally, by providing this upfront value, you initiate customer relationships on a positive note, laying the groundwork for more receptive interactions in the future, such as sales pitches.
Ultimately, a lead magnet is the catalyst that kicks off the evergreen content marketing email funnel we’ll be discussing in this blog.
3 Steps To Create A Lead Magnet
Lead Magnet Ideas
When brainstorming lead magnet ideas, aim for a "quick win" that will immediately benefit your target audience; something so straightforward and effective they can implement it almost instantly.
Consider what your prospective customers are actively searching for online and integrate SEO-friendly keywords and phrases into your lead magnet's title and content. This will ensure your offering aligns with their queries and shows up in search results.
Finally, make sure your lead magnet serves as a natural precursor or introductory step to your paid products or services.
By doing so, you not only offer immediate value but also smoothly usher your audience into your sales funnel, priming them for future engagement and purchases.
2. Lead Magnet Email Sequence
A lead magnet email sequence is a crucial component of modern digital marketing, designed to keep the momentum going after a prospect opts in for your lead magnet. It's essentially a series of automated emails that aim to nurture the new relationship, usually delivered over a span of days or weeks.
A typical sequence could consist of 4-7 emails, each serving a unique purpose. The first email usually delivers the lead magnet, followed by emails that might provide additional tips related to the lead magnet, share customer testimonials, offer exclusive content, and finally, introduce the CTA to convert the lead.
Grab My High-Converting Lead Magnet Email Sequence Template
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3. Goals & Success Tracking
Making money isn't just about offering great products or services; it's about precise targeting and meticulous tracking. If you have a monthly revenue goal, reverse-engineer it to understand how many products or services you need to sell.
For instance, if your goal is to make $10,000 a month and your product costs $100, you'll need to make 100 sales.
While you execute this strategy, don't overlook the power of data. Keep track of key performance indicators like email open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
This data won't just show you how you're doing; it will tell you where to fine-tune, optimize, and perhaps even pivot your strategy for better results.
By offering genuine value, guiding your audience through an automated yet personable email sequence, and keeping a sharp eye on the data, you're setting the stage for consistent, scalable profitability. Let's make money, but let's do it smartly.
How To Promote A Lead Magnet
Trust me, even the most compelling lead magnet won’t do you any good if it's gathering digital dust in some obscure corner of the internet. So, let's make it visible, shall we?
Your first port of call should be your anchor content—those robust, SEO-friendly pieces like blog posts, YouTube videos, or podcasts that dive deep into topics related to your lead magnet. Craft this content carefully because this is where you'll provide substantial value and drop those irresistible breadcrumbs that lead to your lead magnet.
Now, where do you share this fantastic content? The answer is pretty straightforward: wherever your ideal clients are hanging out. Whether they're scrolling through LinkedIn, diving into YouTube tutorials, or listening to niche podcasts, that’s where your anchor content needs to be.
But remember, it's not just about plastering links everywhere. You've got to nurture an authentic connection. Engage with your audience, answer their questions, and invite them to discussions related to your content. This turns a passive viewer into an active participant, warming them up to click on that well-placed lead magnet link.
A few more places to promo your lead magnet without creating content: collab posts, guest blogging, and making appearances on podcasts. These methods are golden opportunities to place your lead magnet in front of a fresh yet highly relevant audience.
TLDR: Creating A Profitable Lead Magnet
Well, there you have it, folks! We've navigated the nitty-gritty of crafting irresistible lead magnets, delved into the 'why' and 'how' of email sequences, and even explored some inventive ways to get your lead magnet in front of eyeballs that matter. Remember, a lead magnet isn't just a one-off piece of content. It's the start of a relationship—a valuable exchange that holds the promise of more to come. So, make it count!
From sharing your anchor content on platforms where your ideal client hangs out to stretching your wings through collaborations, guest blogs, and podcast features, every step is an opportunity to refine, learn, and most importantly, connect. Don't underestimate the power of genuine interactions and value-driven content; they're the bread and butter of any successful lead magnet strategy.
And hey, if you're feeling a tad overwhelmed, don't sweat it! All good things take time, and Rome wasn't built in a day, right? Start small, test, tweak, and let your strategy evolve. You've got this!
Ready to get started? Download my free Content Strategy Starter Guide to take your first step toward a compelling and cohesive content plan that resonates with your audience and bolsters your brand. Your path to becoming a content strategy superstar starts here!
Download the Free Content Strategy Starter Guide Now
Happy Creating!
I'm Cyndi, the owner of content marketing agency Ascent StoryCraft and the founder of content calendar subscription, Content Crafters, I’m here to help service based entrepreneurs distill their big ideas into easy to consume content.
Not sure where to start with your content marketing? Connect with me on free consultation call or send me an email at cyndi@cyndizaweski.com.
