The three best lead magnets that will launch your email list with a big bang

Lead magnets can be a key ingredient that your list-building strategy hasn't got. Here's why and how to get started with them today.

After a few minutes the listening experience of those marketers and small business leaders talk about the value of their email lists begins to look like that particular scene, as well as its soundtrack from The Lion King.

It's too good to be real. 380% ROI on average ? No way. 99% of professional believe that email is their primary channel to generate leads? That's a bit much.

There's a good reason behind it. Email marketing isn't just an exclusive affair for businesses and consumers. As with the Lion King, email is adored by everyone within the realm of commerce.

In actual fact, 73% of consumers consider email to be their preferred channel for receiving marketing messages and interactions.

It's not the problem you're struggling with.

No, your problem is a lot more practical in nature: you understand that you need an email address however, how can you build an entirely new one?

And moreover, how do you generate a list quickly while preserving high-quality?

Your answer is easy:

There is a need for a lead magnet.

Which is what we'll tackle in the coming days. We'll first explain the reasons we'll show you the steps, before topping it all with our ready-to-use lead magnet solution that can get your list building with just ten minutes.

Let's get started.

What exactly is an effective lead magnet?

The key differentiator that separates lead magnets from every other kind of content marketing -- further details on this later -- is that lead magnets come with a specific reward that is contingent on the users' taking the desired step (e.g. signing up to your email list).

In other words, this subscription box that is located on the homepage of Backlinko does not not a lead magnet. Although the tricks and tips may indeed be exclusive only to Brian Dean, they are not offered an exclusive resource, as a reward for sign-up.

In contrast, this example study that is located on the bottom of the same page can be considered a lead magnet as the content is hidden through an email address block. Users only have to take the desired action and convert to subscribers that they can access the case study.

Both of the buttons will take users to the exact same place that Brian's list of email addresses However, it's the second one that rewards potential subscribers with an event-based reward.

A general rule, the easiest way to remember what classifies as a lead magnet, and which ones aren't is to use the "if you want to, then" formula.

If the user completes the desired action The user will get xyz in exchange.

If a user fails to take the desired action If the user does not take the desired action, they will not be able to exchange xyz.

But that's enough dictionary-diving. Beyond that What is the process (and why) do lead magnets work?

The lead magnet process typically looks like this:

The process can be differentthe user may begin on the page that leads to lead magnets -- but the relationship between the action and reward is otherwise constant.

That brings us back to the 'why' behind the lead magnets.

They provide your customers with an incentive, right there and there, to give the information they have provided to you to convert them into leads right away. (The most excellent lead magnets, anyway. More on this in a second, too.)

Lead magnets solve the top problem in marketing faced by the majority of professionals around the world by creating the necessary traffic as well as leads all in one swoop.

Another way to think of it is like the difference between texting someone using a dating app and warming them up with witty jokes or inviting the same person to have dinner together when you're already at the dining establishment.

If you do it correctly, you'll get an email sign-up in a less time than it takes to execute the formal plan for content. Do it wrong and the users will immediately flinch, just as they will never come back.

It's not a stretch It's true, in fact.

A minimum of 70 percent of users who abandon your website immediately after their first visit will never make their way back again.

Making sure that the lead magnet is correct isn't only about getting more leads -- it's creating the best first impression possible when visitors actually convert into leads.

The short answer: by using the appropriate touch points at the appropriate time to the right people.

For the long answer for the long answer, continue reading.

The best lead magnets are targeted and target issues

Before diving into a depression trying to determine when the best time, place, and method you'll build an effective lead magnet that will entice customers, keep your eyes on the prize.

What well-performing lead magnets all have in common isn't just the amount of time required to develop them, nor their budgets or the expertise of the creator: it's in their targeting.

Simply put, the more aligned and pertinent the lead magnet is to the people you're trying connect with, the more effective your lead magnet's effectiveness for your business as well as the customers you serve.

Remember, your goal with every type of content- whether it's an ad, blog post, or a webinar -- must not be to appeal to the mass of people.

Instead, your golden principle should be appealing to your particular market.

After all, 71.7 percent of people who reported information as being irrelevant identified it as to general.

On the other hand, only 2.9 percent of that users believed that the content did not matter because it was too complex or in-depth.

If you can take anything other than this information this moment, it should be this:

Whatever product you choose to sell including lead magnets that seeks to please everyone will delight few and be lost to many.

So, now that the soapbox is gone, how do you ensure that your lead magnet is relevant to the people you target? Beyond nailing your customer research down, it's helpful to examine your customers' problems.

The term "pain points," if you've not heard this term before, refer specifically to problems your users are facing which are pertinent to your company. They're not the solution to those issues.

The comic created by Ceralytics clearly illustrates the differences between pain points and solutions .

Potential issues could include:

I need to compress my files without loss of quality.

I'm in need of an appealing logo for my client.

I need to cut down my interval between pitching and deliverable.

But they wouldn't they would not constitute:

I want to save my files with .PNG format.

I'm looking for a color scheme for my client.

I need an automated workflow.

Why? Since the first part is issues that aren't solved yet. solutions. The later half will provide (possible) possible solutions.

However, while pain points are a helpful way to narrow the focus of your lead-generating content, not all pain points make an ideal content.

There are a multitude of pain points that customers can experience throughout the day. And if it's not something users are passionate about working on -- i.e. looking for solutions to -- then even if they're important, your lead magnet won't achieve the results you're looking to achieve.

A good lead magnet must be both passion-fueled and profitable.

If it's a problem point that people are passionate to address --- i.e., you can find Reddit threads seeking assistance and an industry for similar high-end products, it can be positioned within the upper left quadrant and can result in an engaging and highly targeted lead-generating attraction.

If however, it's a pain point that users aren't already keen to resolve or are willing to be willing to pay for it to go away, then it will fall on the left side of the matrix. It probably isn't your ideal lead magnet.

In this case, it is how I'd deal with my users' pain points with regard to the content strategy

And, this is how is at stake:

Lead magnets that work will be relevant to their target audience and address specific issues.

(Coincidence? Most likely it's not.)

So if you prefer to make things easier and quickly, then I suggest opening the download generator from a different tab, and then following the. But regardless of how you build your lead magnet use these guidelines and tricks to help you make your lead magnet stand out from the pack.

Three simple lead magnets you can develop and the best way to make them pop

This post will focus on three formats today -the three formats we consider our top choices for lead magnets, and the ones which have proven to be the most effective for us. But If you're looking to explore other formats, Blogging Wizard has an exhaustive guide on lead magnets that I'd highly recommend.

Otherwise, these are the formats we'll be dealing with for the remainder of the article:

Sound good? So, without further delay Let's get started.

#1. Include visual elements in your checklists to leave a lasting impression

They're, hopefully, simple to comprehend and comprise items that can be used by completing the checklist either on a computer or using the pen. They're typically less visual in comparison to other formats.

Note, however, that I am referring to less visually-intensive, but not totally visual-free. In general, those employed in the field of content marketing favor material which incorporates visual appeal  This is the case with checklists.

Why? There are a few reasons that checklists should incorporate visuals, but the most notable is the effect the image has on awareness of brands. After three days of exposure, people are able to keep about 65percent of the information they have seen if it was paired with an image.

If you want to put it in the more concrete terms of adding visuals to your checklists makes them distinguishable and memorable that ensures that your business is always in the forefront when users are putting your checklist in action.

However, you don't need to be a master of visual design to be able to create an impact with a checklist. Just a few visual hints could make a big difference.

As an example, take the time to look over this (abbreviated) blog writing checklist created by CoSchedule.

Evaluated objectively, it's not an exceptionally sophisticated image however, it does incorporate colors, iconography, and visual hierarchy that create the information itself - -- the 21-item checklist is distinct with other options and boost the perception of the value of the offering.

Similar approach is evident in this content checklist for editors by Vertical Measures.

What is the real purpose of this checklist viable and useful to readers? Absolutely. However, would anyone remember it came from Vertical Measures and turn to them as an authoritative source on blog post content if it did not feature branded colors and an image?

Possibly, but not likely or easily.

It's simple, regardless of what type of marketing you're involved in, always your goal.

The bottom line is:

Checklists must incorporate color and the logo of your company to make them memorable and enhance their overall impact. The heart of your text could be in the text, however an excellent steak can benefit from a well-placed accessory.

#2. Provide your numbered lists with large margins and lines

Sequential lists, whether they're indented or numbered with bullets, are subject to similar needs to checklists but there's one thing they require above all others:

Blank empty space.

Sometimes called negative or white space, allowing ample margins and spacing between your list items enhances reading , comprehension, and helps to clarify the connections between different objects.

The distinction between a list that has spacing and one with no could seem minor yet the effect it has on user engagement -- and the overall user experience is anything but subtle.

Here's an example of what I'm referring to:

In the case of a list that is four items long, as in the above example, the narrow margins and tight composition might be acceptable, but imagine similar spacing on a list that's 20-items long.

You could even take a look at it to see it yourself.

The only difference between these two lists is one 0.20 increment in lines, however the capability to scan and sift through the content will make all the difference.

And if your numbered list will guide people through an action that isn't a big difference, you can afford to skip.

Actually, I mean "afford" as a real sense I am referring to "afford" in the literal sense, as well.

A greater amount of white space will boost conversion rates during the checkout process by as much as 33%  like it did for Xerox, while fostering a stronger user experience and the overall level of engagement.

This improvement in conversion and comprehension is repeatedly demonstrated by different research groups, and it's not a single element in your digital presence (or products)which doesn't be benefited from using well-applied spaces , including the use of numbered lists.

Here's the essence of it:

Lists with numbers require a visual balance between their elements to retain their usefulness to users. If the reader must look at the screen with a glare to read your lead magnet, you're unlikely to deliver an engaging user experience, nor show the worth of your brand.

Which makes for an effective lead-generator that attracted traffic, but also is then lost in a single breath. Ouch.

#3. Limit lead magnet ebooks to 2,000 words or less

If the header above seems strangely unique to you, there's a reason. This tip is applicable when creating ebooks to serve as an lead magnet.

For an ebook formatted as an lead magnet whether it's a case study, a short story, or a chapter snippet of a bookthe goal is to keep the length to about 7 minutes of reading time (or 2,000 characters).

The number is derived from a study carried out by the platform for blogging Medium regarding the optimal length of a post that is long in form.

The vertical axis (the bar that runs from top to bottom) represents the total duration of the post; the horizontal axis (the bar that runs from right to left) indicates how long the post would take to read at a normal pace.

It is evident that viewership peaks around the 7-minute mark before it begins to fall with the length of the article. With the caveat that the information is relevant to blog posts but not specifically lead magnets, the connection is easy to establish, and further it is obvious:

Users don't want to spend long hours with a tool, even a great one.

For a business the same isn't good for you if they are able to spend all day on it regardless of whether your guide of 50,000 words is the top book about how to crochet adorable sea animals, it isn't easily digestible and your customers will not be able to read the book in one go and then peruse your other products anytime soon.

In the end it is true that reading pleasure is at an all-time low within the US .

It is probably due to the reality that Americans most of all other population around the globe, spend their weekends working.

All of which leads us to the most important issue: we don't have a lot of time.

If the purpose of the lead magnet was to entice people to join your mailing list to ensure they can be nurtured for buying, a book which takes them one week to work through (assuming they can get there) doesn't do either your business or your leads the world any favours.

Keep it brief and to the point. This is a win-win situation for all.

How can the lead magnets get bigger and sturdy

Basically, think of leads as multivitamins. They won't cure your email list woes overnight However, they'll help you and those who sign up for your list -- the growth spurt you need to reach where you'd like to go more quickly.

In that same spirit of brevity, here's the quick recap of what we've covered in the past:

Lead magnets are promotions typically in the form of downloadable materials, which give customers the incentive to join your mailing subscriber list.

The top lead magnets will be targeted at the intended audience. The more general the lead magnet you choose to use and the wider the response will be.

Lead magnets may be in different formats, but the easiest to get started with are checklists, numbered checklists, or ebooks.

While you're making your lists, be sure you include small visual elements. Without them, your brand -- even if you've got a great list- is forgettable.

The lists that are numbered benefit from images also, however, they must have space between elements to make them usable. Crowding your list doesn't increase its value -- just less comprehensible.

Lead magnets that are packaged in the form of ebooks should follow the same rule for long-form content -- keep it short and concise. About 2,000 words or a 7-minute read time is ideal.

But you know, maybe you're interested in line spacing as well as character count. I won't judge.