8 Lead Magnets to use on your website

Lead magnets are incentives (read bribes) that offer up a specific piece of knowledge in exchange for a user’s contact info. Lead magnets are a great way to bring in leads off your website and kick start the sales funnel.

Here are eight ideas on lead magnets you can use on your own site:

1. eBook download

Offering an eBook in exchange for an email address is one of the most common lead magnets. Because you are providing a free information resource, you will attract a range of people from the do-it-yourselfers looking for tips, to potential clients trying to learn their options or get a better idea of who you are.

While eBook downloads are a tried and true lead magnet, keep in mind that it can be time consuming to put together a solid information resource, which is what an eBook should be. Though it doesn’t need to be 50 pages, it does need to bring value. eBooks that are essentially sales brochures are a no-no, as are fluff pieces that don’t offer any real insights.

Remember an eBook is meant to set you apart as a knowledgeable expert, so if you don’t have the time to create something solid go for a different lead magnet.

2. Cheat sheets

Using cheat sheets follows the same formula an eBook, but provides a much simpler resource. This is a format where you skip education on the concepts and all the reasons why to do something. Instead you focus on the how.

Cheat sheets can be:

• Step-by-step guides on completing a certain task
• Checklists
• Collection of tips
• Templates

3. Gated video

Videos allow you to offer insider secrets in a much more consumable way than an eBook. Hubspot tells us that customers are four times more likely to watch a video than read about a product, and 52% of marketers around the world name video as the content with the best ROI.

Like eBooks, gated videos require a user to enter an email address before the content is revealed. The videos themselves may cover content ranging from product demos to your top secret strategy.

4. Webinar

Webinars are a great source of leads as you are able to combine deep knowledge sharing with user interactions. The big source of leads comes when you are promoting a live webinar, but you also have to opportunity to make archived webinars available on demand.

Make sure you follow up with both people who attended the webinar as well as those that signed up but didn’t join.

5. Quiz

How many times have you clicked on a quiz to figure out which Harry Potter character you’d be, or how well you know the 80’s?

Quizzes can be a really fun way engage your audience and collect leads.

6. Trial Period

Many people don’t want to make a purchase until they are sure a service is right for them. Offering a user a trial period takes the risk out of the purchase for them. This is also a great chance to get a user hooked on your special features and make your service one they can’t live without.

7. Discount

Who doesn’t like a discount? Everyone wants a deal, so offering a discount can be a great way to push someone ever the edge into purchasing.

8. Request for quote

Allowing a prospect to request a quote is a straight forward and simple way to start the sales process. Keep in mind that a prospect will have to be fairly interested to fill out a quote form, but if they are close to making a purchase you can arm yourself with information about their needs before having a sales call.

Remember these tools are called lead magnets because they bring it leads. Leads do not automatically equal sales, so you must create a full campaign that includes following up with the prospect to help them turn into a customer. Automated email is a great solution for this.