Simply having a box that says "Sign up for my email list!" is hardly an enticing enough reason for someone to hand over their email address. When building an email list for your business, you need to give an incentive to sign up by offering something of value for free.

I know what you're thinking. Give away something for free? Obviously it's something small, but still something valuable, and something that converts. This free piece of magic is called a lead magnet and will get you way better results than any basic sign-up form will. Here are 4 email opt-in ideas to assist in your business's lead generation.

 

Depending on your type of business, a free trial or free sample could be the best type of lead magnet. If your business sells software-as-a-service (SaaS), then offering a 30-day free trial as a lead magnet is the perfect incentive to get people on your email list and trying out your service. If you own a product-based business, then offering a free sample is a great way to show off the quality of your products.

Example: Gain Total Control of Your Agency

2. Ebook or Report

This type of offer is purely informational, offering tips/best practices, specific methods for doing something, or ways that your product or service can solve your customer's problem. Whatever you decide to create as an informational incentive for potential customers, ensure that it is concise and specific. This is the best way to position yourself as an expert in your industry.

Example: Ultimate Guide to Buying Your First Home

3. Checklist

This can be considered a content extra when condensing a blog post down to a simple checklist or can be a checklist of all of the steps that someone needs to take when implementing a service/product that your business offers. This works because it's very clear about what steps need to be taken to accomplish something and can lead to sales when the person realizes this isn't something they can do alone.

Example: 11 Point Perfect Sales Funnel Checklist

4. Video Training

Video is an excellent method to use for lead generation. If your business is a SaaS, then you can do a product demo in your video training showing potential customers an intro to your platform. If you have a service-based/informational business, then you can record a webinar that you've hosted and use that as your video training. There are many platforms and tools that you can use to help you create your video, and people love being able to watch something being done and learn that way.

Example: Ultimate Guide to Buying Your First Home

The key to good lead generation is creating an implementing the perfect lead magnet for your target audience. What does your business offer and what do your customers want from you? You can't simply expect that your business is important enough for someone to hand over their email address - you have to prove it with something of value. Download our ebook on How to Create Buyer Personas to determine exactly who your target audience is and what they want from you.