lead magnet ideas

Domain Name Advice: 3 Tips for Your Lead Magnet

May 17, 2017 by Brent Peterson

Domain name advice for small business websites is relatively common (see 10 Tips for Website Names), but custom domain names can also be a valuable marketing strategy for your email opt-in incentive (aka lead magnet*).

* A lead magnet is an extra incentive to inspire someone to join your email mailing list. Lead magnets are the starting point for online marketing and have become essential in the competitive online marketplace to grow email lists (click here for the Free Lead Magnet Guide).

The Value of a Custom Domain Name

A custom domain name is a powerful form of branding and it is arguably the least expensive marketing cost you’ll have this year for your online business (it’s typically a $20/year investment through a registrar like GoDaddy.com if you avoid a premium domain name – a domain that is being resold by a third party – and you include private registration** for about $8/year).

** The advantage of private registration is that it keeps your public registry information (your full name, mailing address, email address, and phone number) off the public Whois database. Without private registration, you will get hit with unsolicited sales offers from around the world within minutes of your domain registration. Registrants like GoDaddy offer private registration at checkout for domain purchases.

Whatever it is you are offering, a unique trade name – and corresponding custom domain name – will help you connect with your target audience.

Domain Name Advice: 3 Tips for Your Lead Magnet

If you invest a few extra dollars for a custom domain name for your lead magnet as well, you’ll make another smart marketing investment.

A custom domain name for your lead magnet (or for other purposes) has two main advantages:

The custom domain name is uniquely and legally owned by you. Nobody else can use it for another web property.
The custom domain name can be set by you to automatically forward to another web page (like a landing page or blog post).

To help you get started, here are three domain name advice tips for your lead magnet:

Domain Name Advice Tip #1

Select a custom domain name that helps describe your lead magnet.

For example, if your lead magnet is a guide, consider a custom domain name that includes the word “guide” (e.g. “HomeschoolBeginnersGuide.com“). If it is a quiz or survey, it is also easy to include the lead magnet type in the domain name (e.g. LeadMagnetSurvey.com).

If your lead magnet represents a specific market niche (e.g. LoveYourPetRabbit.com) or a special cause (e.g. NotchDolphinBook.com), a custom domain name is also helpful in your marketing efforts.

Domain Name Advice Tip #2

Use your lead magnet custom domain name both online and offline.

A unique URL for an opt-in incentive can be easily added to your social media profiles (e.g. Twitter, LinkedIn), email signature, and in your bio at the end of a guest blog post on another website.

Custom domain names for lead magnets also work great if you are a guest on a podcast or webinar because of the audio communication format.

Offline at a conference, party, or reception, a custom domain name for your lead magnet that is easy to say (and spell) will help grow your email list too.

Domain Name Advice Tip #3

Embed another custom domain name within your lead magnet to promote your current or future product offering.

In the Graceful Resources Lead Magnet Guide (click here for a copy), there is a cross-promotion of the Lead Magnet Project. Instead of a long URL, the custom domain name LeadMagnetProject.com is used as an automatic re-direct to a landing page about the project.

(FYI: Prior to this month, the URL re-direct was connected to a blog post about the project, but then the forwarding address was changed to a more formal landing page. You may have a similar transition for your next product offering as you go from concept to project.)

In another example, Associate Certified Coach Nancy Christenson is cross-promoting her upcoming course within her (soon-to-be-released) free lead magnet 7 Keys for Stability Through a Christian Divorce.

Since the web address about her course is subject to change, she invested a few dollars in the custom domain name HoldingontoHeaven.com to promote her course (by the same name) for Christian women living through divorce.

Final Domain Name Advice

The custom domain names you select for your website, lead magnet, and product offerings are only as valuable as you make them.

Investing about $20 per year in a custom domain name is a smart first project step.

After that, plan your work and then work your plan.

In 1886, Atlanta pharmacist John S. Pemberton and his bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, started with a unique name too:

Other Graceful Resources for Your Online Success

Recommended Website and Email Resources (along with the reasons why)
Lead Magnet Project (an interactive online project launching June 2017)
Lead Magnet Examples (email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
Lead Magnet Guide (5 essential characteristics of a lead magnet)
Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)

Cheering for your online success – one project step at a time!

Brent

What is Exit Intent? And 3 Benefits of Exit Intent Opt-In Pop-Ups

February 18, 2017 by Brent Peterson

Exit Intent is one of those new online marketing terms like Autoresponders (which was defined in this earlier post). It refers to a popular online lead generation strategy that you would recognize in use (but perhaps not by name) as you surf the web.

As a professional project manager specializing in web design and online lead generation strategies for clients, I try to stay up to date on all the latest marketing lingo so that I can explain concepts in easy to understand terms.

Admittedly, I test out my understanding and explanation on my family first. If the eyes roll, I keep working on it!

Once the concept is ready for introduction to a client, we determine if it makes sense strategically to implement it as part of the project schedule.

What is Exit Intent?

Technically speaking, Exit Intent is the name for the “exiting” mouse movement of a website visitor that triggers a pop-up message on the screen.

Stated another way, as your cursor moves to leave the active browser tab, a message pops ups to grab your attention before you leave.

You can manually trigger an exit intent pop up on this site via this link and you should see the following message:

Is Exit Intent kind of annoying for site visitors? Well, yes.

Is Exit Intent kind of effective? Well, yes.

3 Benefits of Exit Intent Opt-In Pop-Ups

1. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are Less Intrusive than Time-Based Pop-Ups

You are probably very familiar with time-based pop-ups on the center of website screens.

Some appear the moment you arrive on a website before you have a chance to read anything. Others appear after a set number of seconds or as you scroll down the page a set percentage.

I don’t know about you, but I find time-based pop-ups very disruptive and I am quick to exit them out (and not opt-in to the form).

2. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are an Online Elevator Pitch

When you use an exit-intent pop-up, you are automating your elevator pitch so that site visitors know what you are about before they leave.

Is there a chance someone is not interested in your content or business? Absolutely.

But if you are able to solve a problem someone is experiencing, you’ll want to catch the site visitor before they leave. Often, your value proposition is a lot clearer in an exit intent message than on a random web page.

3. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are Somewhat Effective

You won’t realize great opt-in rates on an exit intent pop-up because well… people are trying to leave.

Will get some leads on your email list that you would have otherwise missed? Absolutely.

And that lead could become a customer for years to come.

Exit Intent pop-ups are often worth the brief interruption.

My Software Tool for Exit Intent

I use OptinMonster for exit intent (and all my pop-up variations – including the footer bar) on this website. I highly recommend this cloud-based software and you can discover my lessons learned with OptinMonster in this online review.

Once someone opts-in to your campaign via OptinMonster, the software is smart enough to not generate a pop-up again for that user!

I plan to incorporate OptinMonster setup, design, and integration in at least one of my upcoming guided do-it-yourself projects using Teamwork software from Ireland.

You can catch announcements about these interactive project offerings via my email mailing list (click here to not miss out).

Exit Intent is worth adding to your toolkit and testing as a lead generation tool.

Hope this blog post helps.

I’m here to help you succeed, one project step at a time.

Brent

Special Bonus: All subscribers to my mailing list can add their own lead magnet web addresses at any time to my upcoming lead magnet examples listing here on the Graceful Resources website. So free publicity for their respective websites!

Lead Magnet Example: Before and After

February 4, 2017 by Brent Peterson

Entrepreneurship at its core is about transformation.

Successful entrepreneurs are in the business of creating (and selling) some form of transformation for customers.

Elva Edwards is no exception and you’ll discover her inspiring story in a moment. Her signature image below is heart warming:

Whether you are a soon-to-be or active online entrepreneur, you have an amazing gift to share with the world that can transform other people’s lives. You should also profit from your passion so you can serve more people.

To reach your online goals, you need to plan the work and then work the plan. The marketing strategies are constantly evolving, but with a solid foundation in place with the right web technology tools and processes, you can start the transformation you are offering others.

Transformation Starts with a Lead Magnet

For you, as an online entrepreneur, the transformation you offer starts with a lead magnet – an extra but related incentive for people to join your respective email mailing list. Once an email list is established, you have a direct communication channel to stay connected to your audience.

Dr. Elva Edwards is transforming people’s lives. She just launched a new platform called ChildhoodLoss.com to help adults heal from the loss of a parent when they were children.

Elva was born in West Texas and lived on a farm with her parents, grandmother, and sister until her parents were killed when she was only 19 months of age. She and her sister fell into the loving arms of their grandparents who moved to the farm to live with them.

She authored a book about her experience of healing from the loss of her parents as a child. It is called “A Texas Tragedy: Orphaned by Bootleggers.” Based on her book, Dr. Edwards is now planning to launch an online program to help other adults heal from a loss of a parent when they were children.

Lead Magnet Example: A Before and After Transformation

As a first step to build her email mailing list, Elva created her first lead magnet called “The Top Three Acts of Kindness to Heal the Loss of a Parent When You Were a Child”.

As you compare the two examples below, you can see that her lead magnet went through a transformation as well:

(If interested in Elva’s platform, you or someone you care about can opt-in to her mailing list at ChildhoodLoss.com.)

Your Lead Magnet Example

Your first or next lead magnet is right around the corner too.

If you are not sure what lead magnet works best, this free 3-minute lead magnet survey may give you some insights.

If you are seeking project guidance to design and connect a professional lead magnet to your business email mailing list, don’t miss the interactive Lead Magnet Project. It is an online community-based project environment for entrepreneurs. No tech or design experience required!

And if you are seeking direct design help with a PDF lead magnet guide or checklist you’ve already outlined, layout designer Anas Abouzaradi at GoodLeadMagnets.com transformed Elva’s lead magnet and is highly recommended. Please feel free to let Anas know you were referred to him by Brent Peterson.

Anas also created the design for the lead magnet on this site: 5 Essential Characteristics of a Lead Magnet.

Anas will also be helping participants involved in the Lead Magnet Project and you can share your lead magnet concept and draft with project members for their valuable feedback.

Hope this helps,
Brent

p.s. You can discover other lead magnet examples on the Lead Magnet Examples Page – and you add your own lead magnet information free of charge if you are a Graceful Resources email subscriber.

What is a Lead Magnet (and 7 Names for Lead Magnets)

November 18, 2016 by Brent Peterson

I think I first heard the term Lead Magnet through software provider Leadpages, a company that specializes in landing pages. Lead Magnet is one of those marketing tech terms that seems to catch on within certain online communities but creates a degree of confusion for everyone else.

I had visions of physics experiments with… you guessed it, magnets.

If it’s a new term for you, no worries. You’re not alone.

The good news is that lead magnets are all over the web – so there are a lot of examples out there and you’ll recognize them (just by a different name).

What is a Lead Magnet?

In the online commerce world for your own business, a Lead Magnet is simply an extra incentive or bribe to inspire someone to join your email mailing list. In essence, it is a form of exchange. You gain someone’s contact information (e.g. email address) and the other person receives your lead magnet.

In short, a lead magnet is designed to attract leads to your mailing list and business.

If you produce helpful content through a blog or online journal, the person can also receive notification about your content through your email mailing list. As shared in this earlier post, blogging is an authentic and organic way to grow your mailing list because you are marketing your authority through content rather than through advertisements.

The lead magnet is what tips the scale for some people on the fence about trusting you with their email addresses.

What are Some Lead Magnet Types?

Here are 10 of the most common free lead magnet types in the digital world:

Discounts (Coupons)
eBooks
Resource Guides (e.g. Checklists, Cheatsheets, Reports)
Audio Files
Online Assessments / Quizzes (I recommend and use Typeform)
Video Training Files
Software Trials
Swipe Files (Communication Templates Used by the Business)
Free (but Short) Consultations
Email Autoresponder Series

7 Other Names for Lead Magnets

Lead magnets have been around since the dawn of coupons, but in the digital world, here are 7 other popular names for lead magnets:

Sign Up or Opt-In Incentives
Ethical Bribes
Killer Bribes
Irresistible Bribes
Freemiums
Content Upgrades
Free Gifts

Which Lead Magnet is the Best to Grow an Email Mailing List?

I find myself asking this question all the time.

My first response is… I’m honestly not sure.

My second response is… It probably depends on the type of the business.

For example, if a business is known for selling physical products, the logical or traditional lead magnet would be a product discount (e.g. sign up today to receive 20% off your next purchase).

But if you are operating an online business to sell digital products like courses or downloads and you’re just starting out or starting over (like me), what lead magnet works the best to grow your email mailing list?

Again, I’m not sure. But I’m eager to find out to help you.

I’m convinced some types of lead magnets perform better than others. I’ve now set up a lead magnet survey to find out.

Hope you participate! And keep attracting leads to your mailing list through your ethical bribe (ahem, lead magnet).

Hope this helps,
Brent

Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback via my contact form or in direct response to the free Graceful Resources email mailing list.