Lead magnets dominate the marketing industry and to boost your lead generation, you need some creative lead magnet ideas.
According to a Justuno report, 50% of marketers confirmed that they experienced higher conversation rates when they used lead magnets.
In this post, we’ll explore 35 lead magnet ideas and examples. We’ll also show you how to create a lead magnet that can convert website visitors into leads.
What Is a Lead Magnet?
A lead magnet is a valuable marketing asset that a company offers for free in exchange for something else of value. In most cases, the business wants the visitor’s email address.
Popular blogger, interior decorator, and television personality Layla Palmer uses a Hello Bar on her website with a lead magnet.
At the top of the screen, you see the bar that says, “Get my Free Space Planning E-book!” Next to it is a button that takes the visitor to an opt-in page.
Her space-planning ebook helps people figure out where to put furniture and decor in their homes.
It’s a solid lead magnet. You can create something similar, but designed for your industry and audience.
What Is a Lead Capture?
A lead capture occurs when someone fills out your opt-in form in exchange for your lead magnet.
Let’s go back to the example of Layla Palmer and her website The Letter Cottage. If you click on the CTA button in her Hello Bar, you arrive at an opt-in page. If you click the link to download her e-book, you see a form with a progress bar:
To get the e-book (or lead magnet), you type in your email address and click the CTA (“Get My Free Ebook”).
At that point, you become a lead capture.
The more leads you capture, the more chances you have to make the sale. An ideal lead generation strategy involves adding contacts to email autoresponders and other lists to communicate with them.
Why Does Every Business Need a Lead Magnet
Are lead magnets just an aesthetic addition to your website? Certainly not. There are many benefits to exploring different lead magnet ideas. They include:
- To Increase Conversion Rate: Addressing specific pain points and providing immediate value to potential customers is an indisputable way to boost conversion rates. You can build a relationship with multiple prospects using a well-crafted lead magnet.
- For Cost-effective Marketing: Lead magnets are more economical than other marketing strategies. They can create long-term value without needing regular expenses.
- To Gain Competitive Advantage: A compelling lead magnet can position you ahead of competitors in the ever-competitive business environment. It can attract and retain customers who might otherwise choose a competitor.
- To Understand Customer Preferences Better: Lead magnets provide quality data for business owners to determine what interests their audience. You can gain valuable insights into their preferences to develop better customer-centric strategies.
- To Establish Trust and Authority: Offering valuable services, products or resources for free is an effective way to convert leads and retain customers. Potential customers are more inclined to patronize businesses that are willing to help.
A robust lead magnet strategy can significantly improve your lead generation efforts.
What Makes a Good Lead Magnet
To create a great lead magnet idea, you need to understand your target audience and address their pain points. Here are the key elements you should focus on when creating a lead magnet:
- Provide High Value: It must provide substantial value to the audience. In addition to value, it must be professional and error-free to convert leads into prospects and build brand loyalty.
- Be Specific: It should address a specific problem or need, offering timely solutions to pique leads’ interests.
- Easy to Share: If your lead magnet is valuable or helpful, your audience will likely recommend it to others. It should be easy to share to attract leads.
- Prioritize Conversion: An effective lead magnet must lead the target audience to the next marketing steps, such as a product demo or webinar. It should promote your business and align with your sales funnel.
- Provide Instant Value: People are attracted to businesses that offer immediate benefits. That’s why a lead magnet must provide immediate value,as a quick-start guide or access to a file.
With these, you can create a perfect lead magnet that encourages your target audience to engage with your business.
What Are the 5 Different Types of Lead Magnets
You also need to know what type of lead magnet will work best for your audience. Below are five really effective lead magnets:
- Educational Lead Magnets: Teach your visitors something they don’t already know.
- Useful Lead magnets: Provide a tutorial, calculator, or other tool to solve a problem.
- Community-Building Lead Magnets: Create a valuable resource that connects your audience, encouraging them to build a community based on things they have in common.
- Entertaining Lead Magnets: Inspire or entertain your audience.
- Bottom-of-Funnel Lead Magnets: When visitors perceive your offerings highly, you easily convert them from leads to customers.
35 Effective Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples to Convert Visitors Into Leads
Now that we’ve covered this topic in broad strokes let’s explore more specific lead magnet examples to help you select the one that most appeals to your target audience.
Educational Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples
Perhaps the most lead magnet ideas fall under the educational category. They teach the visitor something new (and coveted) in exchange for their contact information.
For instance, one of Neil Patel’s lead magnet ideas involves teaching leads how to grow their websites to 100,000 monthly visitors or more. For a marketer or business owner, that’s a pretty powerful promise.
Let’s look at a few ideas in the education category.
1. Gated Content
Gated content simply means the user must perform an action, such as filling out a form to access the content. Examples of gated content include:
- Educational video training
- Educational audio training
- Short course lead magnet
Here’s a gated content lead magnet example requiring the audience to enter their contact details for a free guide.
Image via Bloominari
The online course industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and people love to learn through video tutorials.
2. Tutorial
A written tutorial or free course can work just as well. It could be lengthy and in-depth, providing an overview.
3. Ebook
The love many have for reading is the primary reason an ebook is one of the best lead magnet ideas.
Depending on their preferences, people can read ebooks on their tablets, laptops, or e-readers. This is a great way to get awesome content into your visitors’ hands without printing and shipping physical copies of books.
An e-book can be any length, though most are at least 10,000 words long.
4. Audiobook
Some people prefer to listen to content than to read it. They listen on their phones, in their cars, and while on runs.
Record an audio version of your e-book. That will give you two opportunities to capture your leads, and you won’t have to alienate people who prefer one or the other.
5. PDF Version
Computers might have reduced paper clutter for some people, but they’ve created digital clutter in its place. Consumers have overflowing desktop files, bulging bookmarks bars, and copious apps installed on their gadgets.
Consequently, people often abandon a blog post or other piece of content if they don’t have time to read them. That’s why blog posts that the reader can download as PDF downloads are a valuable resource.
6. Video Transcript
Alternatively, create a transcript of your most popular video. Supply it in PDF form so people can read the text rather than watch the video if they prefer.
7. Mind Map
Mind maps offer insights and solutions to problems. Ideas might be a dime a dozen, but many people get stuck. Offering a detailed mind map as a lead magnet can help inspire your audience.
Image via Blogger Sidekick
8. Report and Infographic
White papers, reports, and infographics offer tons of useful information. They’re also time-consuming to create, so you’ll want to get something in return for them. Your prospects’ email addresses will do nicely.
Make sure to specify what the report or infographic will include. You don’t want your prospects to feel cheated when they download it.
Here’s an example of a report lead magnet.
Image via Ahrefs
9. Webinar
Webinars and online meetings are ideal lead magnet examples. For instance, this Webinar by Wistia encourages viewers to sign up to learn video marketing.
Image via GetResponse
You can offer both live and pre-recorded webinars. Schedule the live event for a specific time, then publish the recorded version on your website, but behind a gate.
That way, you can let people watch it as many times as they want as long as they provide their email addresses.
10. Prediction
Prediction is a largely unexplored lead magnet idea. Do you have a prediction for your industry? Offer to let others in on your secrets via a lead magnet. People love to be ahead of the game.
11. Slideshare
Great SlideShares can attract lots of interest. They’re a combination of PowerPoint presentations and infographics in that they disseminate lots of information with few words.
12. Guide
You could create a guide to your city or town, or write and illustrate a how-to guide to help your readers find what they need. A guide is one of the most popular lead magnet ideas.
13. Newsletter
Ask visitors to sign up for your email newsletter. Don’t forget to tell them why they should bother, though. Do you offer exclusive content? Coupon codes? Early access to your products or services? Make it as clear as possible.
Make sure the newsletter offers value!
Here’s a simple popup inviting visitors to subscribe to the newsletter for a discount.
Image via Digitalfirst.ai
14. Virtual Library Access
Virtual library access and gated content are two interwoven and excellent lead magnets.
If you’ve compiled a virtual library of valuable information, you could easily charge for access. Alternatively, keep it gated as a lead magnet. When you capture a lead, the person gets to peruse the library.
15. Roundup
One of the best lead magnets for students and researchers.
Create a roundup of statistics, quotes, or other valuable information in one document. It could be a web page, a PDF, or SlideShare. Give access to prospects who are willing to provide their contact information.
16. Recordings and Replays
You’ve probably seen the recent spate of “rewind” versions of television shows. They add extra insight and condense the original content. Create similar content for your specific audience and offer it as a lead magnet.
Useful Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples
Useful lead magnet ideas help the prospect accomplish a goal or solve a specific problem. They often consist of tools or resources.
Examine a list of useful lead magnet ideas below.
17. Cheat Sheet
No, you’re not helping people cheat. Instead, a cheat sheet is another valuable lead magnet to help people solve a problem or reach their goals faster. A cheat sheet is effective because many people prefer shorter content like cheat sheets to long-form content like ebooks.
In exchange for their details, you offer short and effective solutions. For instance, if you sell photography equipment, you could create a cheat sheet lead magnet that helps the user set up the perfect landscape shot.
18. Checklist
A checklist is similar to a cheat sheet, but it’s a list of things the user needs to do or acquire before participating in an event. The Ultimate Travel Checklist might benefit jet-setters who don’t want to forget anything when they leave on their adventures.
Here’s an example of a checklist lead magnet to help prospects plan their marketing strategies effectively.
Image via The Story Engine
19. Examples
Some people find it easier to envision an idea when they can see concrete evidence of how it might work. Create a document that supplies examples related to your industry.
For instance, we’ll go back to our athletic-wear e-commerce analogy. If you run this type of store, you could create example lead magnet ideas that show how a certain type of shoe can improve posture, boost speed, or provide other benefits.
20. Template or Swipe File
A swipe file is a document that contains lots of inspiration, ideas, and tactics that a user might “swipe” for his or her own use. Meanwhile, a template is a document that the user can fill in based on their needs. For example, email templates, invoice templates, AI prompt templates, etc.
You can provide the audience access to free templates in exchange for their contact information.
Here’s an example of a free template lead magnet.
Image via EverywhereMarketer
21. Toolkit
The toolkit is another valuable lead magnet idea in the graphic design industry. Experienced designers will create toolkits consisting of WordPress themes and assets, icon sets, texture packs, Photoshop actions, and more.
The user can then apply the items in the toolkit to their design work. It takes away some of the effort required to produce the finished product.
People hardly say no to free resources!
Here’s an example of a toolkit lead magnet for a design project.
Image via Course Method
22. Free Script
A script is also one of the effective lead magnet examples. For instance, if you cater to people in the sales industry, you could provide customizable scripts for outside sales, inside sales, and even telemarketing services.
These scripts should have fill-in-the-blank entries so the user can substitute brand-specific information. They serve as a guide for training salespeople and improving the sales process.
Below are other useful lead magnet ideas;
- Resource list
- Calendar
- Plan or planner pages
- Worksheet
- Printable template
- Inspiration list
- Idea generator
- Spreadsheet template
- Recipes
- Calculators
23. Wallpaper and Themes
Businesses professionals in the design, tech, or creative sector would value the wallpaper and themes lead magnet idea. Offering aesthetic wallpapers that give immediate and tangible value in exchange for contact details is an opportunity anyone would seize immediately.
24. Free Consultation
Free consultations make for another fantastic lead magnet. Potential customers get personalized professional insights and expert guidance at no cost. Who would say no to that?
Community-Building Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples
Community-building is a good way to create lead magnets that inspire your web visitors to interact with your brand and each other. They help establish your company culture with input from the people who matter most: current and future customers.
This is a great way to inspire people to become brand advocates and ambassadors. Chris Pearson, founder of DIYThemes, created a forum for his WordPress theme, Thesis. Many brand ambassadors use the forum to help out other users, supply bits of code, and otherwise promote the product. Here a some community-building lead magnet ideas and examples.
25. Challenge
Challenge also maintains a spot as one of the untapped lead magnet ideas.
A direct challenge is an excellent way to engage your audience. Some challenges even go viral, such as the nonprofit-based Ice Bucket Challenge that stormed the Internet and engaged hundreds of celebrities.
You could challenge your audience to create something, accept a dare, or do anything else. If they hand over their contact information, they’ll be listed as a participant in or winner of the challenge.
26. Membership Site or Forum
Forums and membership sites are brilliant lead magnet ideas. Active users can share tips and pointers, ask and answer support questions, and even discuss their personal and professional lives.
Forums exist on nearly every topic.
Alternatively, you could create a membership site. Offer a free month of access to anyone who signs up for your email list as your lead magnet.
27. Facebook or Slack Groups
If you don’t want to go to the trouble of creating your own forum or membership site, you can take the conversation elsewhere. It’s free to set up a membership group on Facebook, Slack, and other applications.
Entertaining Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples
Not all lead magnets are not particularly useful. Sometimes they are just entertaining. You can give prospects a brief reprieve from everyday life to enjoy themselves.
You can incorporate interactive elements into your marketing campaign.
Let’s take a look at entertaining lead magnet ideas below.
29. Quiz
Facebook quizzes and other quizzes are lead magnet ideas that have been popular for years.
So have other sites that host quizzes, whether you’re finding out which Harry Potter character you resemble the most or you’re learning which interior design style best suits your tastes.
Create a quiz related to your industry, but consider coming at it from a pop-culture angle. For instance, if you sell athletic wear, you could create a quiz that tells users which “Friday Night Lights” character they’d most likely play.
Here’s an example of a quiz lead magnet.
Image via Ahrefs
Don’t be afraid to get creative when creating lead magnets. Enure that users get the answers instantly and that you include more than just the answer. Include images, descriptions, and other engaging materials on the page.
30. Survey
Surveys can be both fun and useful. Prospects get to supply their opinions, and brands collect the data.
The picture below is an excellent survey lead magnet.
Image via GetResponse
Your survey could be on any topic related to your industry or category. Just make sure the questions are fun and easy to answer so your participants don’t get bored halfway through.
31. Giveaway
Who doesn’t love to get something for free? Absolutely nobody. That’s why you need to consider giveaways in the perfect lead magnets. In exchange for their email addresses, prospects get entered into a giveaway for a free product or similar prize.
Ideally, the reward will be something in your catalog. You don’t want to give away a free iPad just because people love iPads. It won’t have the desired impact if it’s unrelated to your business
You could also use one of these entertaining or community-building lead magnet ideas;
- List of quotes
- Mobile app or game
- Manifesto
Bottom-of-Funnel Lead Magnet Ideas and Examples
When prospects get to the bottom of the funnel, they’re ready to become customers. They’ve already done their research and they want a reason to buy your product or service.
Educational and useful lead magnet ideas aren’t very attractive at some point. You need an offer that helps tip the scales in your favor.
Here’s a list of bottom-of-funnel lead magnet ideas that have yielded positive results.
32. Free Shipping
Consider handing over a promo code for free shipping on any order, it often results in lead conversion. Consumers who are opposed to paying for shipping might convert on the offer even if they were going to pass it up.
Here’s a free shipping example.
Image via Sisu Digital
33. Free Quote
Different lead magnet ideas are peculiar to different industries. You’d see the free quote in the auto industry a lot.
Hand over your name and email address to get a free, custom quote.
Other options for bottom-of-the-funnel ideas include:
- Free service session or a free consultation with you or your team.
- Free trial of your service, online course, or product.
- Instant access to a free add-on
- Coupon, discount code, or buy-one-get-one offer
- Catalog
- Case studies
- Moving up a waiting list
34. Free Access to Events
This marketing strategy is prevalent in various industries.
Here’s how it works.
Marketers, promoters, and sales experts announce a contest or giveaway, and make it compulsory for participants to register. That’s how you grow your mailing list.
Qualified candidates can get free access to concerts, webinars, product launches, and other exclusive events.
35. Referral Discounts
Discounts, promo sales, and giveaways are effective ways to incentivize prospects to refer friends and family. Aside from helping you gain new customers, it is a cost-effective way to expand your customer base.
What Are Some Tips for Great Lead Magnet Opt-in Design
The most important thing when is to communicate value. Tell your audience exactly what they’ll get.
Use contrasting colors to make your offer obvious. Then, select a different background and foreground color for the CTA button.
If possible, ask your visitor to answer a yes-or-no question. According to Neil Patel, that simple hack can increase lead capture by as much as 30 percent.
That’s exactly what Quicksprout did. And, when prospects clicked the “No” button, they were offered a different lead magnet based on optimizing for conversions. It’s a great way to keep people engaged with your content.
Finally, make sure you use a software program that makes it easy to design your lead magnet opt-in assets. Hello Bar allows you to fill in the blanks, select design features, and deploy your opt-in form immediately. No coding is required.
When Should You Use Lead Magnets
Any time you want to collect information from your audience, deploy lead magnet ideas. Change up the actual lead magnet idea to reflect the audience you’re targeting.
Add a Hello Bar to your website that describes your lead magnet and includes a call to action. When users click on the CTA button, they’ll arrive at the opt-in page. Here, provide a bit more detail about what they’ll receive as the lead magnet.
In other words, communicate value over everything else. If your prospects don’t view the lead magnet as valuable, they won’t bother signing up.
FAQs
Q1. What are the different types of lead magnets I can try?
Here are the emost successful lead magnets:
- Educational
- Useful
- Community-Building
- Entertaining
- Bottom-of-Funnel
Q2. Will a lead magnet get me closer to my business goal?
The primary purpose of creating lead magnet is to boost brand identity and generate email leads.
Q3. How to promote a lead magnet?
You can adopt multiple techniques to promote you lead magnet:
- Create promotional banner for website
- Use emails and social media campaigns to build awareness
- Experiment with popups
- Promote through your blog
- Cite as a source
Q4. What makes a good lead magnet?
Here are a few essential elements of a successful lead magnet:
- Align with your target audience’s expectation
- Focus on delivering value
- It should be simple and specific
- Provide immediate gratification
- It should be appealing and sharable
Q5. Can I use multiple lead magnets?
Yes, you can create specific lead magnets for different landing pages. You can also experiment with seasonal lading pages to capture leads throughout the year.
Conclusion
If you want to grow your email list and build a healthy backstop of leads, you need a way to attract prospects among your target audience.
This is what makes lead magnet an effective strategy in boosting website traffic and conversion rate.
Provide something of value. Offer instant gratification. Ask for something small in return.
It really is that simple.
Best of all, you can set up your opt-in form with Hello Bar. Let the software collect your leads in the background.
What’s your favorite type of lead magnet (and why)?