How to Create a Lead Magnet for Passive Leads

From the archive. This article was published before Small Business Bonfire changed ownership in September 2024.

Lead Magnets the 8th Wonder of the World

Today, I want to show you how to generate passive leads.

Yes, while you’re sleeping. Yes, while you’re at the beach. Yes, well..you get the point.

I’m talking about lead magnets.

They’re exactly like they sound.

They pull in leads to your website while you do little to nothing.

The problem is that most people don’t utilize this powerful lead-generation tactic!

But don’t worry, after creating thousands of lead magents, I will show you how to quickly and easily create badass lead magnets.

These potent tools will serve as a catalyst, unleashing a torrent of fresh leads for your small business!

It’s time to nerd out and dive in!

Key Takeaways

What are Lead Magnets?

Lead magnets are valuable resources offered to potential customers in exchange for their contact information, primarily their email addresses.

Here are some of my favorite lead magnets.

  • Gated Webinar
  • eBook or Whitepapers
  • Templates
  • SOPs
  • Checklists
  • Free Trials
  • Training Videos
  • Automated Evaluations
  • Free Consultations
Pro Tip #1: Lead magnets are like passive income. If you do them right, they generate leads while you sleep! - AJ Silber

Why Are Lead Magnets Important?

With lead magnets, you’re not just collecting email addresses – you’re building trust, establishing authority, and turning cold prospects into warm leads ready for conversion!

Lead magnets help you:

  • Create a trusted brand image
  • Create a segmented customer list
  • Personalize your marketing messages (post-lead acquisition)
  • Meager cost (sweat equity to create)

ALL THAT AND…you get cool lead ready to warm up!

How to Create a Lead Magnet in the 30 Minutes or Less.

Here’s a foolproof way to get your first (or 50th) lead magnet on your website.

Step 1: Choose the Right Type of Lead Magnet

The first step in creating a lead magnet is to choose the right type.

The type should be something that your target audience will find valuable and useful.

Here’s a quick graphic for reference.

We will pick a lead magnet from the upper left quadrant for this example.

Step 2: Use Canva

Once you’ve decided on the type of lead magnet, it’s time to create it.

Canva is a fantastic tool to help you create visually appealing and professional-looking lead magnets.

Whether you’re creating an infographic, eBook, or a checklist, Canva’s easy-to-use interface and vast library of templates make it easy to create something that will draw in leads.

 

Plus! You don’t have to be a designer to use it.

Step 3: Create a Landing Page

After your lead magnet is created, you’ll need a place to house it – this is where your landing page comes in.

Your landing page should be designed to promote your lead magnet, encourage visitors to download it and collect their email addresses.

Make sure your landing page is clear, concise, and easy to navigate.

Plus, you know you’re going to get some SEO advice here.

Ensure you have enough content, an optimized title, H1, and URL.

See this example for our ​E-E-A-T checklist​.

 

 

Step 4: Write Content

The next step is to write complimentary blog content around your newly created lead magnet.

E.G., if you’re lead magnet is a step-by-step guide for personal branding, you should create blog posts for: – What is personal branding? – Personal branding benefits – Personal branding examples – etc.

From there, you’ll link to your lead magnet!

You could put a small banner in the middle of the post.

This will accomplish two things.

  1. You’ll build up relevance for your lead magnet (helping it rank)
  2. You’ll get more leads from your blog posts as they rank.

Step 1: Go to Ahrefs (or your SEO tool of choice.

Step 2: Type in your keyword

Step 3: Start writing topics.

 

 

Don’t have an SEO tool? Use Google! Just type in your keyword and see what your competition is doing.

Step 5: Share Your Lead Magnet

If you’ve done the above correctly, it’s time to share it with the world!

This can be done through various channels, including your website, social media platforms, email marketing campaigns, and more.

Remember, the more exposure your lead magnet gets, the more leads you’ll generate.

But don’t stop there.

Use platforms like Linkedin to casually share your lead magnets in comments, conversations, etc.

Share it wherever it makes sense!

Pro Tip #2: Don't overthink lead magnets. Just make them simple and easy to use, and you're good to go. - AJ Silber

Final Thoughts on Lead Magnets

In conclusion, lead magnets are an essential tool in your marketing toolkit that can supercharge your lead-generation efforts.

You can build trust, establish authority, and turn cold prospects into warm leads by offering valuable resources in exchange for contact information.

So get out there, start creating your lead magnets, and watch your business grow as a result!

Picture of Chaz Michaels

Chaz Michaels

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