How to Create a Lead Magnet and Why You Should

Did you know it takes 6 to 8 touches to generate a viable sales lead?

If you don’t know how to create a lead magnet to grow your email list, it’s unlikely that many of your site visitors will return. The web is a busy place, and unless you’re emailing and following up, they may move on to research your competition.

Continue reading to learn what a lead magnet is, why you need one, and the lead magnet creation process.

What Is a Lead Magnet?

A lead magnet is anything you use to get a potential client to enter their contact information. You may offer a free tool, free information, or other free gifts to get them to opt-in. People are used to opting in, and entering an email address for a free gift is socially acceptable, but you have to make it worth their while, and that is where the lead magnet comes in.

Why Do You Need a Lead Magnet?

You might already have an opt-in on your site that you’re having some success with, but when you add a lead magnet to the mix, you’ll notice a significant boost in the conversion rate of your opt-in forms.

A lead magnet makes it easier for you to market and get people on your email list. Keep in mind you’ll have to continue to uplevel your offers as your competition changes their lead magnets and what they are doing to attract the same target audience you’re trying to attract.

If you’re operating without a lead magnet, it’s like trying to get someone wet with a sprinkler instead of using a fire hose. Lead magnets are necessary, and even if you’re afraid to create your first one, the below information will help you get started.

The Lead Magnet Creation Process

Once you get this process down, you’ll be able to create as many lead magnets as you need over the years. Many times, you’ll be able to continue to use the same lead magnet with some tweaks and upgrades, but even if you need to create a whole new lead magnet, it won’t take as much time using this process.

Identify Your Target Audience

Before you create your lead magnet, you need to know who you want to attract.

Who is your target audience?

Your company may have multiple buyer personas, but each lead magnet should be so targeted and compelling that it speaks directly to the needs of a single buyer persona.

If you try to create something that is going to appeal to everyone, you’re not going to hit the mark for the people you truly could help.

Be specific.

Be straight to the point about who it is going to help.

You’ll eventually want to have lead magnets for all your buyer personas but start with any buyer persona your company has to get the experience you need and continue with the rest as you have the bandwidth.

Determine How You’ll Provide Value

Now that you know which buyer persona you’re going to create a lead magnet for, you need to look at their pain points.

Where does this person need help? What can you provide that will move the needle?

You want your lead magnet to allow them to create a noticeable difference as quickly as possible. When your potential clients see you know what you’re doing and that you’re providing them true value, they’ll be more likely to do business with you when they’re ready to buy instead of doing business with your competition.

Name Your Lead Magnet

Now you’ve got an idea of what value you’re going to provide to your potential clients through this lead magnet, and it’s time to give it a name.

The name you create for your lead magnet should be short, but you need to make it easy for people to understand what’s inside. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself by thinking about it like a book title, but instead think of it like a headline for your blog post.

You’ve created many blog post headlines, so go back and look at which ones resonated with your clients most. Find the ones that performed the best and create a name for your lead magnet that is similar to the style and wording of those headlines.

Numbers are a good way to get attention in titles, so if it makes sense, you should use one in your lead magnet’s name.

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Choose Your Lead Magnet Type

You may have already started out with an idea of the type of lead magnet you want to create.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to keep it simple. While presentation is important, it’s also important that you get it out to the world.

If you excel in writing, you might create an eBook or a checklist. If you’re good at speaking, you might create a special audio file to give away.

Whatever format you choose, make sure it is easy for people to consume and get the promised result. When people download your free offer, they don’t plan on taking weeks to start seeing progress.

Create Your Lead Magnet or Outsource Lead Magnet Creation

Now it is time to bring your creation to life. If you don’t have time to, or you don’t know how to do something necessary for the creation of your lead magnet, you can outsource its creation.

There are many talented people that can help you with ghostwriting, design, audio work, and anything else you might need to create your lead magnet. Make sure you communicate clearly with anyone who is working on the project to ensure it comes out as you envisioned.

Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Lead Magnet

Now you’ve got your new lead magnet ready, it is time to put it to work on your site. You already have your autoresponder in place, but there’s more you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your new lead magnet.

You need lead generation software.

OptinMonster is the most powerful lead generation software available anywhere. When you use OptinMonster, you’ll be able to grow your email list instantly, and see your conversion rate spike to new levels.

Use this highly customizable software to create visually stunning offers your subscribers can’t ignore. The drag and drop builder is easy to use, and you can integrate it with your autoresponder with a couple of clicks, so all of your new subscribers go straight to the exact email list that you select.

OptinMonster allows you to target and personalize your offers through behavior automation, and as your campaign plays out, you’ll be able to easily test and adjust as needed – in real-time.

With your new lead magnet and OptinMonster on your side, you’ll be blown away at the results you see.

How to Create a Lead Magnet – Now You Know

Now that you know what a lead magnet is, why you need one, how to create a lead magnet, and how to maximize its effectiveness, you can get started growing your email list even faster. Use the tips above to get traction and continue adding people to your list, so you can begin nurturing those relationships and walking them through the buying cycle.