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ConvertKit 30 Day Trial (Plus 5 Other Discounts)

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Special deals on website resources vary throughout the year and extra savings on technology allow you to quickly expand your generosity and service to others online and off. 

So whether it is the winter holiday season or the middle of the summer, included for your use is a ConvertKit 30 Day Trial (updated for 2020/21 and available for use year-round) plus current discounts on five other website resources used and recommended by this website.

ConvertKit 30 Day Trial

ConvertKit is a feature-rich email marketing service that is used by this website and it is recommended for any online entrepreneur – even if you are not a blogger.

It’s definitely worth trying out for free.

You can take advantage of a ConvertKit 30 Day Trial for up to 1000 subscribers via this ConvertKit link:

ConvertKit 30 Day Trial

If you already have over 1000 subscribers (or you know ConvertKit is right for you), you can lock in two months of ConvertKit for free today by selecting the Pricing tab on the ConvertKit website and then click on the Annual Billing button:

Then click TRY IT FOR FREE in the ConvertKit column that fits your subscriber list size.

If you are not sure yet whether ConvertKit is right for you, no worries. Here’s a ConvertKit Review for your quick reference.

5 Other Discounts on Website Resources

Good website resources are not free, but thankfully the cost to get started is nominal.

Special offers from these companies make the resources even more attractive.

  1. WP Engine

    1. Resource Summary:  WP Engine is the largest fully managed WordPress (WP) platform provider in the world. Tech support is available 24×7 and all staff are subject matter experts in WordPress installations.
    2. Resource Review:  Why I Switched from Bluehost to GoDaddy to WP Engine
    3. Promotion: Save 20% off your first payment with WP Engine’s Cyber Weekend Special
    4. Promotional Link: WP Engine Discount
    5. Pro Tip: Sign up for an annual subscription with the WP Engine discount link to get extra savings when you pre-pay for the first year!

  2. StudioPress

    1. Resource Summary: The award-winning Genesis Framework for WordPress (WP) powers the professionally designed StudioPress WP child themes. Genesis is fully customizable with proven security and performance, and it is now available as a packed WordPress hosted solution.
    2. Resource Review:  10 Reasons StudioPress Offers the Best WordPress Themes
    3. Promotion:  TBD
    4. Sponsorship Link: StudioPress Themes
    5. Pro Tip: Sign up for a StudioPress Pro Plus Pack with the StudioPress link to lock in access to all current and future themes for life!

  3. OptinMonster

    1. Resource Summary: OptinMonster is a premium lead generation software that seamlessly integrates email opt-in forms into your website so that you can grow your email marketing list with site visitors.
    2. Resource Review:  10 Reasons OptinMonster is the Best Lead Generation Software
    3. Promotion:  New customers often get 10 – 20% off OptinMonster licenses
    4. Promotional Link: OptinMonster Discount (wait 5 seconds for promo to appear at top of pricing page)
    5. Pro Tip:  Sign up for the OptinMonster Pro Plan with the OptinMonster discount link to lock in bigger savings on the feature-rich pro license – includes exit-intent technology.

  4. WPForms

    1. Resource Summary: WPForms is a premium form creator plugin for WordPress and it is branded as the most beginner friendly WordPress contact form plugin in the market. But it can do a lot more than contact forms.
    2. Resource Review:  WP Forms Review (and a WPForms Discount)
    3. Promotion:  New customers often get 10 – 50% off WPForms subscriptions.
    4. Promotional Link: WPForms Discount (wait 5 seconds for promo to appear at top of pricing page)
    5. Pro Tip: Sign up for the WPForms Pro Plan with the WPForms discount link to lock in bigger savings on the feature-rich pro license – includes integration with PayPal and Stripe to accept online payments without your forms.

  5. Typeform

    1. Resource Summary: Typeform is a professional online form design tool that allows you to connect with page visitors via engaging and conversational online forms, surveys, quizzes, and landing pages.
    2. Resource Review:  8 Typeform Examples and a Typeform Discount
    3. Promotion:  New customers get 10% off Typeform subscriptions.
    4. Promotional Link: Typeform Discount
    5. Pro Tip: Sign up for the Typeform annual pro plan via the Typeform discount link to lock in 10% off plus two months for free.

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Full Transparency about Recommended Website and Email Resources

Promotional links on this page are sponsorship (affiliate) links. There is no extra cost to you.  If you start using any of these website resources, you are encouraged to become affiliates for them as well. You’ll want to spread the word too. These website resources are that good, and I would use and recommend them even if there were no affiliate programs.

Thanks!

Brent

ConvertKit Review: What’s New for 2020

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ConvertKit brands itself as email marketing for professional bloggers.

This popular email marketing software application was built by bloggers for bloggers.

That being said, ConvertKit is a sound investment for any organization that uses email marketing (ten praiseworthy features are outlined below in this ConvertKit Review).

If you have (or plan to have) an email list for your business (and every business should have an email list), ConvertKit is worth at least trying out for free via this ConvertKit 30 Day Trial – for up to 1000 subscribers.

But if you already have over 1000 subscribers (or you know ConvertKit is right for you), you can lock in two months of ConvertKit for free today by selecting the Pricing tab on the ConvertKit website and then click on the Yearly Billing button:

Then click TRY IT FOR FREE in the column that fits your subscriber list size.

The features of this popular software application in this quick ConvertKit Review are praiseworthy, but what merits special attention is what’s new for 2018 and 2019.

ConvertKit Review – 10 Praiseworthy Features

ConvertKit’s user interface is almost too simple to be a powerful resource to segment and tag your email mailing list subscribers for strategic growth. But when you immerse yourself in complexity for so long, you expect things to be difficult to be good.

But ConvertKit is different.

Here are ten features included in this ConvertKit Review that you will discover too when you start using ConvertKit:

  1. Visual Automation Tool (Introduced in 2018)

    ConvertKit’s email automation tool lets you easily create visual funnels for your subscribers. An email funnel is a fancy marketing term for the process flow a subscriber will go through when they take certain actions as a subscriber to your email list.

    For example, if one of your subscribers clicks on a specific link in an email you send from ConvertKit, you can instruct ConvertKit to then send targeted content to just that subscriber.  This is a great way to develop a business relationship with a lead for your business. You are only sending extra information to leads who request it.

    ConvertKit also offers this capability through built-in “if this, then that” workflow rules, but now ConvertKit makes the setup of the funnel (also called a customer journey) even simpler because the process flows are visually designed by you in your ConvertKit account.  Here is a visual example:

  2. Only One List 

    Unlike email marketing services likes AWeber and MailChimp that charge you per email per list (even if it is the same email address), ConvertKit only charges you once per email because there is only one list. All subscribers to your mailing list have their unique profile where you can tag and segment them with ease. You will discover how much easier it makes email marketing to a specific segment of your list.

  3. Multiple Send From Email Addresses

    Do you have more than one custom domain or business? No worries. ConvertKit lets you send messages from different email addresses at no extra cost. You only need one ConvertKit email account to drive communication for all your websites!

  4. Nice Looking Opt-in Forms  

    One of the biggest frustrations with other email services is that their opt-in forms are well unattractive out of the box and difficult to configure.  Yes, you can customize them if you know what you’re doing (or use an opt-in designer tool like OptinMonster), but ConvertKit lets you set up simple and attractive opt-in forms when you are starting out.

  5. Built-in Landing Page Templates

    This is a very nice and unexpected benefit of ConvertKit.  Landing page templates allow you to create an entire page dedicated to your opt-in. This is a feature you can pay separately for with a more robust landing page software designer like LeadPages.  But ConvertKit lets you set up a simple landing page at no extra cost through the ConvertKit plugin for WordPress (so the landing page is on your domain).  NEW for 2020: ConvertKit offers more robust landing page designs within the tool.

  6. Easy-to-Follow Autoresponder Sequences

    Autoresponders are a term for automated sequences of emails you can send out to your subscribers. ConvertKit makes the process intuitive by displaying all of your email messages in one view in your account dashboard. You can even drag and drop your messages to change the sequence.

  7. Broadcasting While Excluding

    Broadcast emails are one-time messages that can be written and distributed at any time to your subscriber list.  Since you only have one list, ConvertKit makes it easy to send a broadcast while excluding certain segments of your list. For example, you want to send out a notice about a sale on one of your products, but you don’t want to send it to customers who have already purchased the product.

  8. Tagging Based on Your Subscribers’ Activity

    ConvertKit lets you tag (and then segment) potential leads in your subscriber list based on their activity on your website or through your email message. As mentioned as an example, you may include a link in one of your ConvertKit emails to assess interest in a new product. If one of your subscribers clicks on the link, ConvertKit can automatically tag that person as being interested.

  9. Easy to Understand Analytics

    When you log in to your ConvertKit account, you will see an easy-to-understand subscriber graph that shows you by the day which forms are growing your subscriber list.

  10. Integration with Other Software Applications

    ConvertKit integrates directly with other software apps like LeadPages, OptinMonster, and Shopify (plus it integrates with countless other apps like Typeform and Acuity Scheduling through Zapier). ConvertKit is also one of only a handful of email marketing services that have been selected to integrate directly with the Rainmaker Platform.

ConvertKit Review – What’s New for 2020

In addition to more landing page design templates, ConvertKit also introduced a new ConvertKit Free Account to its offerings.

But what exactly is a ConvertKit Free Account and how does it compare to a ConvertKit Free Trial?

ConvertKit Free Account

In short, the ConvertKit Free Account gives you unlimited (no expiration) access to most – but not all – product features for up to 100 subscribers. To unlock all features (most prominently the ability to create automatic email sequences – often call autoresponders), you will need to get on a paid plan.

The ConvertKit Free Account does let you create landing pages and forms.

Important Note: The public ConvertKit Free Account via the ConvertKit website does not permit any broadcast or message capabilities until you refer another active user. This ConvertKit Free Account referral link will let you get started with broadcasts for up to 100 subscribers – without any referral requirement.)

ConvertKit Free Trial

The ConvertKit Free Trial, in comparison, gives you limited (e.g. 30-Day ConvertKit Free Trial) access to all product features for up to 1000 subscribers.

If you already have over 1000 email subscribers, this direct link to ConvertKit will also get you started.

(Important Note: The public ConvertKit Free Trial via the ConvertKit website is for 14 days. This One Month ConvertKit Free Trial lets you test-drive all ConvertKit features for an additional 16 days.)

ConvertKit Free Trial vs ConvertKit Free Account

So which ConvertKit offer is better?

If you are not comfortable referring other people or businesses to use a particular type software like ConvertKit, the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

If you already have over 1000 email subscribers (or likely to have over 1000 email subscribers), the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

If you like to test out all software features before buying, the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

But if you are concerned about going to a paid plan ($29/month for up to 1000 subscribers) after one month and then canceling, the ConvertKit Free Account is probably the way to go.

ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More

If you are now ready to try out this powerful yet affordable software after reading this ConvertKit Review, here again are three ways to save money with a ConvertKit discount:

  1. If you use this ConvertKit promotional link, you can fully test out ConvertKit free of charge for up to one month.
  2. Then set up an annual plan to get two more months free of charge over the next year via the additional ConvertKit discount available to customers – just ask for the annual plan discount after your free trial period ends.
  3. Sign up for a ConvertKit annual plan today and start saving by selecting the Pricing tab on the ConvertKit website and then click on the Yearly Billing button for two months free.

ConvertKit Review: Full Transparency

Graceful Resources has an affiliate relationship with ConvertKit so if you decide to invest in ConvertKit via this ConvertKit free month promo link or the direct ConvertKit setup link, this website is eligible for a nominal commission from the good folks in Idaho at ConvertKit if you decide to pay for the service. There is no extra cost to you.

If you start using ConvertKit, you are encouraged to set up an affiliate relationship with them as well.  You’ll want to spread the word too.  The software is that good, and I would use and recommend ConvertKit even if there was no affiliate program.

 

I hope this article has helped in your decision making.

WPForms Review (and a WPForms Discount)

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WPForms is branded as the most beginner friendly WordPress contact form plugin in the market.

While that may be the case, WPForms (affiliate link) can do a lot more for your online lead generation strategy than a simple form for your website contact page.

(There is a lite version of the WP Forms plugin that allows you to set up a standard contact form on your site for free.)

WPForms Review

The full-featured WP Forms plugin is classified as a premium WordPress plugin and as such, it is not free.

To unlock the advanced lead generation features though, WP Forms plugin will likely cost you between $39 and $299 per year.

You can compare the features by pricing model via the WPForms website, and you may also determine the Pro level at $199/year is the smart strategic investment based on your online goals.

When visiting the WPForms website for the first time (or after clearing your browser cache), you are likely to see a WPForms discount for 50% off using coupon code (e.g. SAVE50) at the top of the page.

The Pro level is what is used and recommend by Graceful Resources. Six notable benefits of WPForms are noted below for your quick reference in this WPForms review.

wp-forms-logo

WPForms Review: 5 Praiseworthy Benefits

1. Form Templates (Pro Level)

WPForms includes a lot of standard forms out of the box, so to speak.

In addition to a simple contact form, there are templates for:

  • Donation Form
  • Billing/Order Form
  • Suggestion Form
  • Request a Quote Form
  • Newsletter Form
  • Blank Form

The new WPForms Templates Pack Addon also unlocks 100 new pre-built form templates, such as:

  • Girl Scout Cookie Order Form
  • Meeting Room Registration Form
  • Party Invitation RSVP Form
  • Conference Registration Form
  • Support Ticket Form

2. Conditional Logic (All Levels)

Conditional logic lets you hide or show fields in your form based on other user entries.

WPForms lacks the graceful conditional logic flow of Typeform (see 8 Typeform Examples and a Discount), but conditional logic comes in handy especially on longer surveys or forms.

3. Drag & Drop Form Builder (All Levels)

Like Typeform, WPForms lets you easily drag and drop entries into and out of your form.

All forms are then mobile responsive meaning the forms adjust automatically to the size of the user’s screen.

If this is the first time you are designing forms for your own WordPress site, the drag & drop feature is a welcome start to the entire form setup process.

4. Stripe Integration (Pro Level)

WPForm’s direct integration with Stripe lets you process individual credit card transactions (or recurring payments) directly through your website form.

A SSL Certificate is required on your site to process credit card, but as a best practice today, your entire site should be SSL encrypted.

Stripe integration is not difficult to set up and once in place, WPForms offers an efficient way to process customer credit card orders on your website.

5. Multiple Addons (Varies by Level)

WPForms is a WordPress plugin that has available plugin addons to enhance the capabilities of the software.

If you are on the Pro plan, all the addons are available at no additional cost.

Here are some available addons:

  • Direct MailChimp, AWeber, and GetResponse Addons (unfortunately there is not a ConvertKit addon at this time – see ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More (Plus 8 Benefits) if you would like to try out ConvertKit – the email service used and recommended by Graceful Resources).
  • Zapier Addon (Zapier does allow you to create a WPForms and ConvertKit connection).
  • Blog Post Submissions Addon (creates a pending draft of blog post without the need to set up a guest author on your WordPress site).
  • Form Abandonment Addon (captures partial entries from your forms).
  • Signature Addon (lets users sign forms with their mouse or a touchscreen).
  • Survey Plugin (easily creates surveys and polls within WPForms)

6. Great Customer Service

WPForms is run by the same company that runs OptinMonster (see OptinMonster Review: 10 Reasons to Give OptinMonster a Try).

The company provides great video tutorials and when you get stuck, you can submit a support ticket.

Response time – in my experience – is same day (including weekends) and always helpful.

WPForms Review – In Summary

WPForms isn’t the only WordPress form creator on the market.

But it is arguably the most user-friendly and flexible.

If your business goal is to process online leads and transactions through your website, WPForms is worth a close look (you can try it out risk-free for 14 days).

An investment of $199/year (and potentially less with a new customer WPForms discount) will hopefully lead to a clear return on investment for you.

You will quickly discover you can do a lot more with WordPress forms than a simple contact form.

Other Resources for Your Lead Generation

  1. Lead Magnet Guide (5 essential characteristics of a lead magnet)
  2. Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion about email sign up incentives and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)
  3. Lead Magnet Examples (Graceful Resources email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
  4. Recommended Website and Email Software Resources (you’ll also discover why these resources are recommended)

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

Brent

5 Reasons You’re in Control of the Lead Magnet Project

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The Lead Magnet Project is an online interactive project to guide you step-by-step through the successful project execution of your own online lead generation strategy – leading to the attraction of relevant email subscribers to your business email list.

If you think you are the only person who struggles to build an email list, you are not alone.  As a Lead Magnet Project participant, you will discover how to:

  • Determine Your Best Email List Building Strategy
  • Create a Winning Professional Lead Magnet
  • Write Effective Copy for Your Opt-in Form, Web Page, or Advertisement
  • Integrate, Test, and Deliver the Lead Magnet with Your Email Marketing Service
  • Strategically Connect Your Lead Magnet to Your (Current or Planned) Product / Service Through Your Own Professionally-Crafted Email Marketing
  • Grow Your Email List and Business with a Relevant Target Audience

Free Lead Magnet Guide

The Lead Magnet Project is now available for your participation (click here for more information) and you are in control for five reasons noted below.

LeadMagnetProjectQuestionnaire

Five Reasons You’re in Control of the Lead Magnet Project

Reason #1 You are in control: You are welcome to say no.

The Lead Magnet Project isn’t for everyone. You may already have the strategic and technical processes in place to build a relevant email list for your current or planned business.

Advanced lead generation processes using tools like ConvertKit, Leadpages, OptinMonster, and Typeform will be taught to participants, but again you have permission to say No.

Reason #2 You are in control: You can request a refund within seven days.

The Lead Magnet Project is new and you will be one of the first project participants. A big advantage for you is that you will receive more personalized attention and feedback than at any point of the project.

A risk for you as an early adopter (or, for that matter, as a participant at any stage) is that you may discover the Lead Magnet Project is not for you.  If so, no worries. You have one week to simply request a refund.

Once you start the Lead Magnet Project, you will have an immediate opportunity to complete a strategic lead generation questionnaire.  You will receive a copy of your responses for your own strategic planning – even if you request a refund.

Reason #3 You are in control: You can invest in the Lead Magnet Project for just one month or stay connected. It’s up to you.

There is no annual contract to sign or big online course fee to pay upfront with the Lead Magnet Project. Your access is available monthly so you control your duration and budget.

You may receive all the strategic and technical guidance you need after one month – in which case your total business investment may be under $100. If you are receiving additional professional value (and you will), you can stay connected to the project for as many months as you would like.

Reason #4 You are in control: You can engage with the project team and other participants, or stay quiet behind the scenes.

The Lead Magnet Project is organized through Teamworks Project software so that all written or video instructions for each strategic and technical project task are outlined in a logical sequence. You can post your questions or feedback directly within any task and reference other organized discussion threads available to all project participants.

As you do so, you will build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs sharing the same lead generation journey with you. But you are in control so your level of engagement is entirely voluntary.

Reason #5 You are in control: You can lock in a discounted rate for as long as you are in the project.

The project consultative fee for custom client lead generation projects starts at $500/month (and there’s a wait list). You are obviously not going to be charged that amount. The cost for the Lead Magnet Project is instead 75% less per month or $125/month.

Professionals on the free Graceful Resources weekly email list (click here to sign up – and to receive the free Lead Magnet Guide) will also have a brief opportunity to lock in an additional monthly project discount of 25% leading to a very reasonable cost to participate of $93.75/month.

You’re in Control of the Lead Magnet Project

The Lead Magnet Project is an affordable and interactive professional-managed online project – that will guide you step-by-step through the strategic and technical steps you need to execute for your new lead generation strategy.

As a project participant, you will attract relevant email subscribers to your business email list. You will also gain freedom back in your life.

The Lead Magnet Project is available now and you are in control.

Click Here to Register

How You’ll Start the Lead Magnet Project

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The new Lead Magnet Project is about you.

It is about your professional dreams to serve people around the world through the web.

The Lead Magnet Project ends with the successful execution of your lead generation strategy.  How the project starts for you will be a unique and transformative experience (more on that in a moment).

As a Lead Magnet Project participant, you will:

  1. Determine you best email list building strategy
  2. Create a winning professional lead magnet
  3. Write effective copy for your opt-in form, web page, or advertisement
  4. Integrate and test your lead magnet with your email marketing service
  5. Strategically connect your lead magnet to your (current or planned) product or service through your own professionally-crafted email marketing
  6. Grow your email list and business with a relevant target audience

Free Lead Magnet Guide

LeadMagnetProject

Note about the Lead Magnet Project

The Lead Magnet Project is not another expensive and isolated online course full of modules and lessons – that may teach you what to do, but not how to do it.

Instead, the Lead Magnet Project is an inexpensive and interactive professional-managed online project – that will guide you through what to do and how to do it.

Specifically, you will be guided step-by-step through the strategic and technical steps for your new lead generation strategy.

And you control the project duration – leave after one month or stay connected. It’s up to you!

Project registration opened on Thursday 6/29 – click here to stay connected. You will also receive a 25% off discount opportunity that stays active for as long as you decide to stay connected to the Lead Magnet Project.

LeadMagnetExamples

How You’ll Start the Lead Magnet Project

Once you join the Lead Magnet Project, you will immediately have an opportunity to complete a personalized and strategic Typeform questionnaire.

(If you have never used Typeform, you are in for a real treat – click here for some Typeform examples.)

The questionnaire will help you get clear on your business goals and offerings.

Once you complete the questionnaire, you will automatically receive a copy of your responses for your own strategic planning.

While you are focused on your strategy, your Teamwork Projects account will be set up to welcome you into the Lead Magnet Project with a round of applause!

The Lead Magnet Project Starts Thursday, June 29th

Email subscribers will receive a project announcement and a special 25% off discount opportunity.

You don’t want to miss out!

Start with Your FREE Lead Magnet Guide

What to Ask For in Your Email Opt-in Form

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An email opt-in form on your website, landing page, or advertisement is the front gate for people to join your business email list and then receive the corresponding email welcome message you sent out automatically to new subscribers.

At a minimum, your email opt-in form has to ask for an email address.

Everything else you ask for on your email opt-in form is up for a (heated) debate – as this Leadpages interview on what to include on an opt-in form demonstrates.

It is often said that the more information you ask for on an email opt-in form, the more reasons you give people to not join your email mailing list.

Even in this era of social media transparency, people are still protective of their personal contact information starting with their email address. A professionally designed lead magnet helps overcome the resistance to share an email address, but even a great lead magnet can’t overcome opt-in forms that ask for way too much.

Email Opt-in Form FAIL

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently sponsored an advertisement on Facebook that had all the marks of a great lead magnet. The ad (pictured below) promoted a “surprising study” on direct mail vs digital mail:

Email-Optin-Form

But when you clicked on the USPS advertisement to simply access the study, you were redirected to this extensive opt-in form:

Email-Optin-Form-USPS

That’s right…

There are fifteen (15!) fields on this opt-in form to simply read the study.

As you probably guessed, what this Facebook sponsored ad from the USPS did receive was ridicule and laughter in the advertisement comments.

What to Ask For in Your Email Opt-In Form

Your email opt-in form is an entry point for a relationship with a future customer.

That being said, your opt-in form should not be designed to record a relationship that doesn’t exist yet.

Keep it simple.

Here is what to ask for your opt-in form:

  1. Email Address
  2. First Name (but make this field optional)

The benefit of a person’s first name is that it allows you to personalize your email message for the subscriber, but do not make first name a required field to opt-in to your email list.

Remember the rule of thumb: Every additional opt-in form field creates extra resistance.

Here is an example of an opt-in form from this site that asks for both first name and email address, but labels the first name field as optional:

What-to-ask-for-Email-Optin-Form-GracefulResources

If you would like to access this actual opt-in form, simply click here to trigger the opt-in form pop-up.

If interested, this opt-in form was created with OptinMonster – one of the tools taught to participants in the Lead Magnet Project.

Other Resources for Your Online Success

  1. Lead Magnet Examples (Graceful Resources email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
  2. Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion about opt-in incentives and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)
  3. Recommended Website and Email Software Resources (you’ll also discover why these resources are recommended)

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

Brent