How to promote your lead magnet

22 simple but effective strategies to build your email list faster

If you’ve spent time creating a lead magnet, you deserve to get the most out of it. You didn’t research what your audience wanted, pour your expertise into an ebook, course or download, then learn how to exchange it for email addresses, just for it to collect dust.

 

Your lead magnet should be collecting qualified leads. Every. Single. Day.

 

But the reality is, after the initial hype campaign, most lead magnets lose their pull. They go out of date. Your audience has seen it all before. You have other things to focus on.

 

But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Why lead magnets matter

Okay, so why do we bother with lead magnets in the first place?

 

Lead magnets are essential for most businesses because they help attract and convert potential customers. They build your email list with people who are genuinely interested in your content, making it easier to nurture these leads into customers, typically through email marketing.

Why promoting your lead magnet matters

But they only work for you if they keep building that list. It would be great if you simply had to create a PDF download, add a popup to your site, and watch the leads roll in around the clock. You’re here because that’s probably not happening.

 

The truth is that a little bit of work can go a long way to directing more traffic to your lead magnet and actually getting people to sign up. In this piece we’re looking at 22 ways to do just that.

 

Let’s do it.

22 ways to promote your lead magnet

1. Emphasize the value of the lead magnet

Right, this is really fundamental, which is why it’s first. Whatever your lead magnet is, wherever it’s situated, you have to communicate its value to your audience.

 

Sell it like you’re selling your top-tier service or most expensive product. Compel someone to take action. Your audience won’t just download something because it’s free.

 

Is it worth their time? What else could they be doing? Is it better than the last freebie they got? Ensure you highlight the specific benefits and how it will solve their problems or enhance their lives. A compelling value proposition is crucial.

 

  • Top tip: Use testimonials or case studies to demonstrate real-world value and success stories associated with your lead magnet.

2. Website pop-ups and opt-in forms

These might be traditional, but they’re really effective (especially if you’ve nailed step 1). Capture visitors’ attention on high-traffic pages with eye-catching pop-ups or seamlessly integrated opt-in forms. Yes, pop-ups can be annoying, but when done right, they convert.

 

  • Tip: Test different designs and messages to find what works best. Consider using exit-intent pop-ups to capture visitors just before they leave your site.

3. Social media posts and bios

Share, share, and share some more! Regularly post about your lead magnet on all your social platforms, using intriguing hooks and compelling calls to action.

 

Update your bios with a link, pin posts to the top of your profiles, and use Instagram stories and highlights to keep your lead magnet in front of your audience constantly. TikTok is also a powerful social network for coaches with clients in their 20s and 30s.

A coach in her home office using marketing tactics to promote her lead magnet

4. Facebook and Instagram ads

Go a step further and supercharge your lead magnet promotion with targeted ads. If you know those leads eventually convert to customers, it might be worth investing in paid social.

 

Use engaging visuals and compelling copy to attract attention. Experiment with different audiences and ad formats to find what works best. Ads can be a game-changer in expanding your reach.

 

  • Tip: Utilise Facebook’s Custom Audiences to retarget website visitors and lookalike audiences to reach new potential leads similar to your current audience.

5. Email marketing

Okay, so you might be thinking “Hang on, I want my lead magnet to attract new subscribers, not send it to existing ones!”

 

Totally. But your subscribers will forward a really valuable lead magnet to contacts they think might benefit. Furthermore, it’s a great way to segment your existing audience; you’ll find out which subscribers actually take action.

 

Send dedicated emails promoting your lead magnet or add it to your email signature and follow-up sequences.

6. Content upgrade lead magnets

Enhance your blog posts with related content upgrades. Offer downloadable checklists, guides, or templates that add value to the post. This tactic converts readers who are already engaged with your content into leads.

 

This might require creating new lead magnet ideas, but they can be super simple and your existing article is the thing doing the hard work.

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7. SEO

If you have a specific landing page for your lead magnet, maximise the chance of your audience finding it on an internet search. People are searching for free resources in your niche all the time.

 

Optimise your landing page with relevant keywords ensuring they feature in your headings, page title, and meta description. Send internal links to that page to give it more power and begin driving organic traffic straight to your lead magnet.

 

  • Tip: Use Google Search Console to find keyword opportunities and track your page’s performance over time.

8. Thank you pages

Don’t waste your thank you pages. Include your lead magnet here, especially if you don’t get customers’ email addresses through the buying process. It’s an extra opportunity to capture leads while they’re already engaged with your brand.

9. Guest blogging and partnerships

Expand your reach by writing guest posts for other sites in your niche or those with a shared audience. They could be collaborators, industry organisations or media sites. Leverage their established audiences to promote your lead magnet and attract new leads.

 

  • Tip: Offer exclusive lead magnets or tailored content for each website or partner to provide unique value to their audience.

10. Influencer collaborations and social media takeovers

Partner with influencers or run social media takeovers. They can engage with your audience and promote your lead magnet to their followers. It’s a fun and effective way to reach a broader audience.

 

  • Tip: Provide influencers with pre-written posts or talking points to ensure your lead magnet is promoted effectively.

11. Networking and events

Promote your lead magnet during in-person events, conferences and meet-ups. It’s so easy to forget who people are, but if someone has a genuine reason to find your website, they’ll make the effort. Ensure the URL is easy to remember or the lead magnet is easy to find on your site. Your new acquaintances will be eager to grab it.

12. Print materials and QR codes

Go old school with a modern twist. Use business cards, flyers, or brochures with a QR code directing to your lead magnet landing page. Perfect for in-person events where physical marketing materials can make a lasting impression.

 

  • Tip: Design eye-catching print materials using tools like Canva to ensure they grab attention and convince someone to check it out.

13. Virtual summits, webinars, and workshops

Host or participate in virtual events and offer your lead magnet as a bonus resource. This not only provides value to attendees but also captures highly interested leads.

 

  • Tip: Create a dedicated landing page for your lead magnet to share during the event, and mention it multiple times to ensure maximum exposure.
A coach using digital marketing to promote a lead magnet

14. Placement in your books

Mention your lead magnet in your book (or your next one!). Include a link or QR code to your lead magnet in the book to attract readers who want more value.

 

  • Tip: Create an accompaniment to your book such as a work book or guided journal for readers who want to dig deeper into your frameworks.

15. Niche forums and communities

Dive into niche forums, online communities, and Reddit threads. Share your expertise and subtly promote your lead magnet when relevant. Answering Quora questions in a helpful way can also direct traffic to your lead magnet.

 

  • Tip: Be genuinely helpful and provide value first. Link to your lead magnet only when it naturally fits into the conversation.

16. Leverage affiliates

If you have an affiliate programme, your system should be set up so that affiliate referrals will track through to sales. This means you can get your affiliate network active in sharing your lead magnet.

17. Online courses and membership sites

Include your lead magnet with online courses or membership sites. Promote it as an extra valuable resource that complements your main offerings, enticing more sign-ups. This is another one that’s crucial if you don’t automatically have the email addresses of course students or members.

 

  • Tip: Offer exclusive lead magnets for members or course participants to make them feel valued and appreciated.

18. Direct message (DM) campaigns

Make it personal! Reach out directly to potential leads through social media DMs. A personalized message with a link to your lead magnet can create a strong connection and drive engagement.

  • Tip: Use personalization tools like HubSpot or Pipedrive to manage and automate your DM campaigns while keeping the personal touch.

19. Informational lead magnets on service pages

This is a super simple but overlooked opportunity. Place lead magnets like brochures or price lists that offer detailed information beyond what’s on the website. Obviously, if someone’s interested, they’ll want to know the price. These easy-to-make downloads will convert curious visitors into leads.

 

  • Tip: Ensure these lead magnets are visually appealing and easy to download, providing immediate value to visitors.

20. Interactive tools and quizzes

This might require tweaking existing lead magnets or adding to them. Interactive tools, quizzes or calculators are super engaging because your audience wants to find out something about themselves. It’s also a great way for your to profile subscribers.

 

Add a quiz to an existing download, which you could co-create with ChatGPT. Or use a tool that requires users to enter their email to get the results of a quiz (which could also include access to your main lead magnet). This adds immediate value and captures leads effectively.

21. Guest appearances on YouTube channels and podcasts

This is one of the best ways to grow your audience and best practice when it comes to podcast appearances. When you appear as a guest on popular YouTube channels and podcasts in your niche, mention your lead magnet in the show. It’s a perfect response to the “where can people find out more about you?” question!

 

  • Tip: Make sure your lead magnet is linked in the video description or show notes.

22. Update, refresh, or redesign lead magnets

Finally: keep it fresh! Periodically update or refresh your lead magnets to maintain interest. Repromote them as the “2024 update” or “new and extended edition”, so they catch the eye of those who might have overlooked them before.

 

This will take you or a designer a couple of hours and you’ll have a “brand new” lead magnet, representing you exactly as you like.

 

  • Tip: Schedule regular reviews of your lead magnets to ensure they stay relevant and valuable, and announce updates through all your channels.

In summary

You know that promoting your lead magnet is crucial for growing your audience and building your email list. By using these 22 strategies, you can effectively get your lead magnet in front of more people and start turning leads into loyal customers. Start implementing these tactics today and watch your audience grow!

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