{"id":5700,"date":"2025-07-29T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/?p=5700"},"modified":"2025-07-29T13:13:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T13:13:17","slug":"what-is-a-lead-magnet-20-lead-magnet-ideas-and-examples-step-by-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nurseagence.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/29\/what-is-a-lead-magnet-20-lead-magnet-ideas-and-examples-step-by-step\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a lead magnet? 20 lead magnet ideas and examples [+ step-by-step]"},"content":{"rendered":"
Stacks of notes. A half-finished webinar script. Google Docs open in every tab. That\u2019s the beginning of a lead magnet story I hear from peers, founders, and marketers on tight budgets.<\/p>\n
Then, the plot twists:<\/p>\n It left me wondering whether lead magnets have to be complicated and if there are any patterns you and I can replicate. Guess what? I found them after talking to subject-matter experts. Here are 20 lead magnet examples you can replicate quickly by reusing content you already have.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Before I share lead magnet examples, let’s quickly review the conversion path that turns website visitors into leads \u2014 and the role email marketing plays in this process.<\/p>\n Every piece of content you\u2019ve created \u2014 blog posts, guides, videos, even internal docs \u2014 has the potential to bring in new leads. The goal is to turn what you already have into a lead-generating machine.<\/p>\n A good lead magnet is something your ideal customer really wants. I love to say it’s about hitting the right nerve.<\/p>\n A strong one needs to:<\/p>\n Relevance beats reach every time. Early in my career, I made the mistake of going broad, creating general templates and checklists just to collect emails. And sure, I got signups \u2026 but most of them never converted. They weren\u2019t really my people.<\/p>\n Now, I\u2019d choose topics my ideal customer actually cares about \u2013 even if it means fewer but high-quality leads.<\/p>\n A McKinsey report backs that up: Companies using relevance-driven personalization generate 40% more revenue than those that don\u2019t.<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s because when your offer speaks directly to the right problem, people pay attention \u2013 and they\u2019re way more likely to convert.<\/p>\n Once you know who you\u2019re talking to, your next move is creating something valuable. Personally, I always ask: Would I trade my email for this?<\/em> If the answer\u2019s no, it\u2019s back to the drawing board.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t regurgitate what’s already out there. Instead, offer something they can\u2019t Google in 5 minutes:<\/p>\n For example, HubSpot recently gated a report titled The 2025 State of Marketing<\/a> based on data from 1,460 marketers.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s packed with insights on AI adoption, channel performance, and consumer behavior shifts. Reports like these help HubSpot generate thousands of qualified leads and secure link placements on the most thought-after media outlets.<\/p>\n Why? Because they give people something they can\u2019t get anywhere else \u2013 real data, real takeaways, real value.<\/p>\n People don\u2019t just hand over their info anymore unless they trust you.<\/p>\n According to Demand Gen Report\u2019s Content Preferences Survey, 54% of buyers said they don\u2019t trust low-quality content.<\/a><\/p>\n The report made it clear: only personalized, data-backed lead magnets actually drive engagement, build trust, and move buyers closer to a decision.<\/p>\n Moreover, nothing kills credibility faster than a lead magnet full of typos. If it looks rushed or sloppy, people assume everything else is too. That\u2019s why I always double-check every guide before it goes out and get a second pair of eyes to give it a quick look too.<\/p>\n When something\u2019s polished and professional, it sends the message: we care, and we know our stuff.<\/em><\/p>\n Trust is earned with facts, clarity, and respect for your reader\u2019s time.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fine line \u2013 give people enough to get them excited, but not so much that they don\u2019t need you anymore. You\u2019re not trying to trick them, but you\u2019re also not here to solve everything for free.<\/p>\n A free tool or freemium version? Perfect example. It shows your value, gets them in the door, and if they want the full experience, they\u2019ll need to upgrade.<\/p>\n In fact, product-influenced revenue<\/a> is highest among SaaS companies with a self-serve freemium model, making up about 90% of total revenue.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n But here\u2019s the catch: that number drops to just 28% for companies in the bottom quartile, <\/strong>proving that simply offering a freemium plan isn\u2019t enough. You need to design this strategically \u2013 give users enough to get hooked and create a good onboarding experience.<\/p>\n Your lead magnet should be crafted to be easily shared because when your audience loves it and shares it, you’ve just sparked a mini viral moment.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why 94% of marketers repurpose content,<\/a> proving nearly everyone maximizes one asset across multiple formats.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n That means your lead magnet should be built to break into bite-sized, sharable pieces \u2014 snippets, visuals, social cards, or quick videos.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how<\/strong> to put it into action:<\/strong><\/p>\n This Semrush LinkedIn post<\/a> is a solid example:<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n It takes a useful piece of content \u2013 a content strategy template \u2013 and turns it into a quick, scroll-stopping post that starts with a relatable problem, delivers value right away, and invites engagement with a swipeable walkthrough.<\/p>\n Obviously, it worked: the post was reposted 79 times.<\/p>\n When you design your lead magnet for shareability and repurposing, you\u2019re priming your audience to become your best promoters.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n The goal of a lead magnet is to offer something your audience wants in exchange for their contact information.<\/p>\n To do this, you have to know what user persona<\/a> you’re targeting and what offer would entice them.<\/p>\n You may have one to three personas with different needs and pain points. That means one lead magnet likely won’t appeal to all three personas.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say I run an influencer marketing agency. I might be targeting two types of influencers:<\/p>\n For the first group, I\u2019d create knowledge-based lead magnets, such as ebooks, guides, or how-to guides. For the second, I\u2019d offer time-saving tools like templates or automation checklists.<\/p>\n To shape these offers, I\u2019d check what competitors are sharing and review my own content. If my audience is more engaged with videos or asking about certain topics, that tells me exactly what kind of content they want.<\/p>\n Now that you know what your offer will be, it’s production time. You have to create and design your lead magnet.<\/p>\n If you don’t have an in-house designer, you can outsource the work or use a platform like Canva<\/a>. Their platform offers hundreds of templates that you can customize to build your lead magnet, everything from books and presentation slides to worksheets and reports.<\/p>\n AI tools are also a huge help. I often use Reve to generate on-brand images fast, and play around with Sora for more creative or video-based content. Both are fantastic.<\/p>\n For example, here\u2019s the exact prompt I gave Sora when I needed a cover for my ebook:<\/p>\n And here\u2019s what I got \u2014 it matched exactly what I had in mind:<\/p>\n Always give your lead magnet a title that\u2019s both catchy and clear enough. Don\u2019t overcomplicate it. If people don\u2019t get what it\u2019s about at first glance, they probably won\u2019t click.<\/p>\n Some solid examples:<\/p>\n The next step is building your conversion path, which must include your landing page, thank-you page, form, and email sequence.<\/p>\n Starting with your landing page, there are a few best practices to improve conversions:<\/p>\n For your form, the two pieces of information you’ll want to include are name and email. Everything else is optional. However, keep in mind that the more fields you include, the higher the chance a user may abandon the form.<\/p>\n Next up, your email sequence: Once you’ve acquired your lead, you can add them to a nurturing sequence that will lead them further down the funnel. This can include additional resources, such as webinars and newsletters.<\/p>\n Once your lead magnet is live, track how users move through each stage so you can identify drop\u2011off points, optimize messaging, and boost conversions.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you should pay attention to.<\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> Use HubSpot\u2019s \u201cAnalyze form submissions data\u201d<\/a> guide to see page views, submission counts, and conversion rates for each form.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Once your lead magnet is ready, it\u2019s time to get it in front of the right people.<\/p>\n I always start by thinking about the real problems my ideal customers are trying to solve \u2014 not what I want<\/em> to say, but what they\u2019re<\/em> already searching for.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say I run a fitness business and you\u2019re speaking to three very different personas:<\/p>\n Now, if I write something like \u201c10 Quick and Easy Workouts for Busy Moms,\u201d that\u2019s perfect for Sarah \u2014 but Mark and Barbara will scroll right past it.<\/p>\n The same thing goes for \u201c5 Protein-Packed Meals for Muscle Gain.\u201d That\u2019s great for Mark, but not relevant for the other two. And, \u201cGentle Yoga Poses for Seniors?\u201d A total miss for Sarah and Mark, but just right for Barbara.<\/p>\n The takeaway? When you are crafting a lead magnet, you have to design it for a single persona. That means one topic that\u2019s specific and relevant.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s my quick checklist on how to pick topics to promote a lead magnet:<\/p>\n To help you never run out of engaging content ideas, HubSpot has created the Free Blog Ideas Generator<\/a>. Use it to generate content ideas relevant to your lead magnets. Simply mention what the lead magnet is about and enjoy content ideas that your potential customers are interested in.<\/p>\n Depending on the type of lead magnet, experts advised me to set a reminder to update it every 6 to 12 months.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you put out a report on 2023 data science salaries. Now that it\u2019s 2025, it\u2019s way overdue for a refresh. Ideally, you\u2019d pull in updated numbers from last year \u2014 or even better, grab some early data from the first half of this year if it\u2019s available.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t, the whole thing starts to feel stale. No one wants to download outdated content.<\/p>\n I also make it a point to read through any feedback. If I\u2019ve sent out a survey or gotten comments from leads, I go through them.<\/p>\n One small comment or question can easily spark a new idea. Sometimes, I just update what I have. Other times, I create a completely new lead magnet that matches what people are looking for.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n What I like: <\/strong>The copy hits the reader\u2019s biggest challenge \u2013 staying competitive in a noisy sales environment. It leads with a credibility hook (1,400+ sales pros), then delivers concrete reasons to care: AI adoption, data trust, team enablement, and rep retention.<\/p>\n A free PDF is a data-rich, research-backed guide showing what top-performing sales teams are doing differently. Topics include the impact of AI on revenue, the #1 growth tactic in 2025, and what\u2019s causing trust issues in sales data.<\/p>\n This lead magnet is built for sales leaders, RevOps pros, and B2B strategists who need fresh benchmarks and smart insights to steer their next big move.<\/p>\n What I like: <\/strong>This landing page nails relatability. It starts by calling out the reader\u2019s exact thought process \u2013 the guilt after an impulse buy or wondering where your money went. It\u2019s casual, sharp, and emotionally spot-on.<\/p>\n The tone is Tori Dunlap\u2019s brand in a nutshell: honest, no-shame money education.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Tori Dunlap is the founder of Her First $100K<\/em>, a money and career platform for women. She\u2019s known for empowering young women to take control of their finances with clear, unfiltered advice.<\/p>\n This free 1-hour workshop includes tips on resisting impulse buys, saving smarter, and feeling good about where their money goes.<\/p>\n This is made for millennial and Gen Z women<\/strong> who are tired of feeling out of control with their money. The messaging avoids financial jargon and instead leans into empathy, confidence, and community. Plus, the urgency of a live countdown adds a smart layer of FOMO that encourages quick sign-ups.<\/p>\n What I like: <\/strong>The grader helps you identify potential issues with your website and <\/strong>offers a solution to resolve them.<\/p>\n Another interactive lead magnet you can consider is a grader or calculator.<\/p>\n HubSpot offers a website grader, which takes seconds to scan your website and provides a score based on performance, mobile experience, SEO, and security.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n After providing your email and website, you get a detailed report about your website’s performance along with a corresponding course based on your results.<\/p>\n What I like: <\/strong>Henry Schein\u2019s quiz hits the mark by turning a common problem into an easy, interactive experience. Instead of offering a static PDF, it pulls users into a set of questions that feel more like a consultation than a download.<\/p>\n You only get your personalized results after filling out the form, which makes the value exchange feel totally fair.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n This assessment quiz covers things like patient acquisition, digital presence, online reviews, and engagement.<\/p>\n It\u2019s built for dental practice owners and office managers who want a quick check on how their marketing\u2019s doing without digging through a long report. The quiz lets Henry Schein qualify leads based on answers while also showing off their expertise with instant, personalized tips.<\/p>\n What I like: <\/strong>The language is personal, casual, and packed with curiosity triggers (\u201cstep-by-step,\u201d \u201cbrand-new offer,\u201d \u201cas it all unfolds\u201d<\/em>). It\u2019s designed to feel like insider access, which makes it irresistible.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n You get access to a free audio series called The Course Chronicles<\/em>, where James shares his full process for creating and launching an online offer. The page also offers three more free resources tailored to different business stages.<\/p>\n With multiple entry points, James keeps it personal, relevant, and sharp. A smart mix of storytelling, strategy, and segmentation.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n An ebook is perfect when you have a series of blog posts about a related subject. For example, if I were running an online pet store, I might pick out the following five posts from my blog to combine into an ebook:<\/a><\/p>\n I could logically compile these posts into an ebook titled: \u201cThe Puppy Planner: Everything You Need To Know To Prepare for Your First Puppy.\u201d<\/p>\n This type of ebook is effective because I’m making the lives of my website visitors easier, which should be the goal of any lead magnet.<\/p>\n The most successful lead magnets offer an irresistible and instant reward to your visitors, and the ebook checks off that box.<\/p>\n Download Now<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n If you’re in a well-established industry, creating original content that hasn\u2019t already been covered can be tough. When that happens, I like to build an ultimate guide.<\/p>\n An ultimate guide is a curated collection of the best articles on a topic. Unlike an ebook, I don\u2019t repurpose my own blog posts \u2014 I link to other sites.<\/p>\n I never copy content, though, but I link back to the original source (that\u2019s the rule, not some personal preference, btw).<\/em><\/p>\n A great example here is Brian Dean\u2019s \u201cLink Building: The Definitive Guide.\u201d<\/a> He didn\u2019t just list links; he grouped them, added context, and made it easy to follow.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Design also plays a role. His guide looks great, which makes it feel like a resource worth bookmarking.<\/p>\n And if you look on the left side of the site, you\u2019ll see this content has been shared over 6,600 times. That just goes back to what I mentioned earlier \u2014 the importance of creating a lead magnet that\u2019s super shareable.<\/p>\n Offering extra content that\u2019s not in the original blog post is a great way to reward readers who opt in.<\/p>\n Let’s go back to the post I mentioned earlier, The 5 Pieces of Equipment Every Puppy Needs. Here, I could offer a bonus PDF with some newer products that hit the market since the article was published.<\/p>\n A solid example is Justin Welsh\u2019s article, My complete $10M journey (all 23 steps)<\/a>.<\/em> At the beginning and end, he offers a downloadable bonus packed with tools, templates, and extra insights not found in the main article.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n A smart move that turns casual readers into engaged subscribers, making the content way more valuable and sticky.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve already put together a solid blog post, think about offering a resource library or guide as a lead magnet.<\/p>\n A resource library is a curated set of tools, tutorials, or templates that help people get real results faster.<\/p>\n The first thing that comes to my mind is Ahrefs\u2019 Academy Hub.<\/a> It\u2019s loaded with SEO tools, tutorials, and data sets that turn casual visitors into power users.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Instructional blog posts are just waiting to be turned into checklists \u2014 and they couldn’t be easier to create.<\/p>\n What I do is take my blog post and simplify it into a series of bullet points. Then I removed any points that don\u2019t offer actionable advice. After that, I split the list into numbered steps to make the whole thing feel more doable.<\/p>\n Bonus points if you offer the checklist in a printable format so people can physically tick off each item on the list as they complete it. This sense of achievement is a great feeling that people will attribute back to your business.<\/p>\n The \u201cUltimate Webinar Checklist\u201d<\/a> from HubSpot<\/a> is a valuable lead magnet because of how practical it is.<\/p>\n Source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Hosting a webinar involves balancing a lot of different tasks coming together at the same time. This checklist informs you about everything you need to watch out for, from pre- to post-webinar.<\/p>\n A workbook is a simple, download-and-complete tool that helps people apply your blog post\u2019s ideas to their own business. I like workbooks because they make people learn by doing, and that\u2019s where you position yourself as the expert.<\/p>\n When creating one, carefully choose exercises that pull out info bit by bit, so by the end, the user has a complete, useful result.<\/p>\n Workbooks are also a great way to lead people toward your premium offers, so don\u2019t forget to include a clear CTA at the end.<\/p>\n HubSpot creates practical gated workbooks<\/a> to capture new leads, like this Free Sales Plan Template<\/a>:<\/p>\n Case studies rely on specific content, but the wins they show can really push visitors to take action.<\/p>\n I recommend that you always get the client\u2019s permission first. That\u2019s non-negotiable. Once approved, gate the case study behind a form so visitors have to leave their name and email to read it.<\/p>\n This is a strong lead magnet because it shares real success stories and builds trust.<\/p>\n For instance, <\/a><\/p>\n
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What is a good lead magnet?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
1. Be relevant to your audience.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Provide value to your audience.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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3. Be trustworthy.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
4. Make your audience want more.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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5. Be shareable content.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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1. Figure out who you’re targeting and what they want.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. Create, design, and name your lead magnet.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Build your conversion path.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Set up conversion tracking.<\/h3>\n
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4. Tailor your lead magnet to buyer personas.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5. Set a schedule to update regularly.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5 Lead Magnet Examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. <\/strong>State of Sales Report by HubSpot<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. <\/strong>Her First $100K<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. <\/strong>HubSpot Website Grader<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Henry Schein One<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5. James Wedmore’s Free Business-Building Training Series<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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15 Additional Lead Magnet Ideas to Try<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Ebooks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Featured Resource: <\/strong>18 Free Ebook Templates<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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2. Guides<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Bonus Packs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Resource Libraries<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5. Checklists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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6. Workbooks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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7. Case Studies<\/strong><\/h3>\n