HOW TO CREATE A LEAD MAGNET FUNNEL THAT CONVERTS

Much like other funnels, a lead funnel is a journey a lead takes from being a lead to becoming a paying customer. The difference for lead magnet funnels is that the journey down the funnel is started by a lead magnet.

Lead magnets are an offering you as an organization send to potential customers in exchange for their data. Instead of just asking for their contact information, they exchange their details – usually an email address – for gated content or a free resource you offer them. This is a fantastic way to generate leads and conversions while at the same time positioning yourself as an industry leader and authority on the subject matter.

By offering a lead magnet or other free offer in exchange for contact data, the process becomes an informal transaction between your business and the lead.

Your content starts a lead’s journey down a lead generation funnel specifically started by a lead magnet. Using engaging content, like effective lead magnets, for inbound lead generation efforts will attract all the right attention and will help to build relationships that turn website visitors into leads.

Content can include a whole host of options – but don’t feel you need to pick one type and be done with it. In fact, you’ll likely use more targeted lead magnets as the journey progresses, increasing the relevancy and value of your product or service and pulling them deeper down the sales funnel.

So what can you offer? Before we look at the lead magnet examples, you have to consider where a lead is in the journey. You also have to consider lead magnet's benefits and the format of the valuable resource you're offering. If you offer them a 25-page PDF with no visual elements, they won’t be very likely to open it, let alone read and absorb the information. You can use Lead scoring helps determine what is relevant to a lead based on things like non-disputable engagement data and pain point indicators. 

See our lead scoring guide and build a lead scoring model for better lead management and funnel outcomes.

There are several different types of lead magnet funnel you can use in your lead generation strategy to help encourage your leads to become paying customers. Let’s take a look at a few different types:

1. Content-based funnels. If you create great content, use that to leverage your leads! Content such as ebooks, whitepapers, guides, checklists and reports can help engage leads who are interested in a particular topic. This type of funnel is great for establishing authority and trust with your potential leads.
2. Interactive funnels. Interactive elements such as quizzes and surveys allow you to nurture leads while getting valuable insights. You can provide personalized info, get to know your target audience better, and make tailored recommendations for them. This interactive approach helps you build a deeper connection with your leads.
3. Educational funnels. Creating lead magnets that are educational, like webinars, workshops, or online courses are a great way of showcasing your expertise on a subject, and offer real value to your audience. Educational funnels work well for leads who are in the consideration stage, helping them to make informed decisions.
4. Experiential funnels. Free trials, demos, and samples allow potential customers to experience your product or service firsthand. This type of funnel is powerful for converting leads who are close to making a purchasing decision, as it removes the uncertainty by letting them try before they buy.
5. Exclusive access funnels. Membership sites, VIP groups, and gated content that offer exclusive or early access can create a sense of urgency and value. These funnels work well for building a community around your brand and for leads who appreciate exclusivity and added benefits.
6. Promotional funnels. Discount codes, special offers, and limited-time deals can help attract leads who are motivated by savings. Promotional funnels are effective for boosting conversions rates quickly, especially when used seasonally or by targeting leads who perhaps haven’t previously purchased, but have browsed your site. An initial promotion or discount could be just what they need to convert.

Step 1: The bait

The first step in a lead magnet funnel is to offer something easily digestible, relevant, and value-driven. This could be something as simple as a gated blog post,  podcast –content hosted on a lead magnet landing page or other dedicated landing page that highlights value and has a clear call to action designed to collect email addresses. The goal here is to obtain contact data, make people aware of your business, and start them on the customer journey.

Examples of first offerings:

• Newsletters

• Gated ebooks and reports

• Webinars

• Thought leadership content

Chief Marketer’s report about Sales and Marketing alignment was built in Turtl. The report gives content analytics that proves who is reading what.

Click to read Bridging the Gap

Step 2: Polite follow-up

It is widely accepted as best practice to follow up on a lead’s interest with a thank-you email. It does not have to be fancy, but a quick note to let them know that they are valued by you can make all the difference. This is also a chance to use automation tools to suggest relevant follow-ups and trigger the next stage of the entire process.

This follow-up can also lead directly to the next offering. Use previous content engagement clues to determine what to serve next. And if you are able to supply tailored and personalized content, you’re showing your lead that you are considering their needs over just throwing what you want to at them.

Step 3: Nurturing and education

The next step is to nurture your lead. Now is the time to offer the lead something of greater value. Offer higher-value resources like webinars, or exclusive events. Something that shows the value of your business whilst offering them content relevant to their industry and interests. These work well for small business owners, professionals, and decision-makers in different industries.

Some great examples of the next offerings are:

• Whitepapers

• Webinars

• Case studies

• Online courses

• Panel events and discussions

• Podcasts

 For an in-depth look at how to best nurture a lead, check out our guide on B2B lead nurturing.

Remember, this is not just a one-and-done activity. Nurturing takes time and you’ll want to offer many things to the leads to really provide value. Segmenting content also boosts your marketing efforts. Offer leads options for content types and topics. Use email marketing to keep touchpoints consistent and behavior-driven.
Some leads may fall through your funnel faster than others, but having a good library of content you can send various personas, from separate industries, and at different funnel stages is essential. We would recommend putting your choice in the hands of your audience too. Offer your leads topic options at least three times to build rapport and give them a good experience with your brand. This will also give you more data with which to understand the lead, which segues nicely into the power of data.

Here’s a visual guide on different content types that suit different stages of funnel intent.

Step 4: Securing the net

This final stage focuses on getting the lead who has clearly shown interest in your business to engage with your product/service. The lead at this point should be ready to buy, or at least is considering your business among their options. Use discount codes and sales consultations to convert leads showing clear interest. Convert leads by minimizing friction and maximizing perceived value.

The lead magnet here is going to be the final offer of the funnel. Examples are:

• Discount codes

• Time-limited offers

• Free trials

• Live demos

• Sales consultations

Step 5: Post-purchase marketing

Once a lead becomes a paying customer there will be more opportunities for them to get more out of your service – and they won’t be aware yet. This is a good moment to build loyalty and keep the marketing funnel alive. Leaving a customer to their own devices alienates them and can lead to canceled orders or non-renewals. Instead, consider what you can offer them to really get the most out of your product so that they consistently want to use it and find value.

Examples of this are:

• Customer Success demos

• Tips and tricks guides

• Free templates or helpful materials

• Examples of other uses of your product

• Community events

• Customer showcasing

• Success stories

Converting leads into customers means building trust, showcasing your value, and addressing their potential pain points. Here are a few areas you can focus on to maximize conversion rates:

• Ensure your follow-up process is timely and personalized.

• Segment your leads based on their behavior and engagement, so you can tailor your communication strategies.

• Make use of all different channels, including email marketing, social media, and retargeting ads to keep your brand top-of-mind.

• Use case studies, testimonials, and social proof to build credibility and demonstrate the benefits of your product or service. Be sure the landing page hosting these assets has strong UX to boost brand affinity at a crucial point. 

• Make sure your purchasing process is intuitive and optimized for user experience, minimizing friction and making it easy for leads to take the final step toward becoming customers.

Offer new leads a great lead magnet they can actively use, to help them fall naturally through your funnel. Building a strong lead magnet funnel smoothes handovers from Marketing to Sales and captures higher-intent leads.

When you use value to attract potential customers, nurture thoughtfully, and personalize the journey, you’re not just gaining leads — you’re cultivating future customers.

With the right content, smart automation, an easy production tool with drag and drop functionality, and engagement insights, your own lead funnel can deliver the ROI your marketing team needs and your business craves.