So you want to create a lead magnet for the first time? Perhaps even use Pinterest to promote it?

Pinterest is a great place to connect with people in all parts of their customer journey.

People go to Pinterest to get inspiration but also to make buying decisions & shop.

So while I usually teach that you need to create content for the awareness phase of that customer journey today we are going to talk about promoting a direct landing page for an opt-in.

I have used Pinterest for myself and for clients to grow email lists for years but I really want to set aside the marketing aspect of this topic and just talk about creating your first lead magnet. What do you need to succeed?

Let’s talk about what you need to do to prep your first opt-in and how you can actually create something that converts.

Signs of an opt-in that will convert well:

1. Your freebie gives actual value. No one is going to signup for your email list to “stay up to date”…
2. Shows your audience how to do something beyond what you’re teaching in your free content. This is usually highly related to the free content it’s attached to.
3. Help people to SAVE… saving time or saving money is a quick way to get someones email address.

For example, you’re watching a video from me about organic Pinterest marketing tips and I tell you to download my Pinterest strategy guide which goes deep into all the aspects of a successful strategy. I also give workflows, resources & next steps in my freebie. I could honestly charge for it and people would pay because it’s so valuable.

What lead magnets tend to perform the best?

I’m speaking to this question from my point of view. In my experience in my 3 businesses over 6 years this is what has done the best for me….

1. In depth guides
2. Spreadsheets
3. Templates (ClickUp, Trello, Canva graphics, etc.)
4. Printables (planner pages, checklists, etc.)

Other people have had great success with quizzes & I’m actually about to start trial testing a quiz through TryInteract myself. But let’s not get too far in the weeds.

You should focus on creating a lead magnet that serves your audience & your business. To do that you may need to ask yourself some questions…

1. What does my ideal customer really need, want to become a buyer?
2. Will this lead magnet help people take the next step from my free content?
3. Will this lead magnet line up with the paid offer I will be promoting to those who signup?
4. Do I have the systems in place to manage leads that will begin to flow in from this offer?

What most people won’t tell you & I will is your first free lead magnet will likely flop. Because you should create something that your audience is telling you they need. If you haven’t built an audience then perhaps you should go back to creating content that builds that audience first then come back to this step later.