You’ve probably heard the phrase “lead magnet” floating around the online biz world, and if your eyes glaze over every time someone mentions “funnels,” “nurture sequences,” or “email automations,” I’ve got you. This blog is your no-fluff guide to what the heck a lead magnet is and what’s meant to happen after someone hands over their email address in exchange for your fabulous freebie.
Think of this as your sat nav for list-building. We’re not taking detours. Straight road. Clear directions.
What is a Lead Magnet?
A lead magnet is just a fancy way of saying “freebie with a purpose.”
It could be:
- A checklist
- A mini course
- A free guide
- A template
- A challenge
- A juicy discount code
Basically, it’s something useful, valuable, and a little bit irresistible that you give away in exchange for someone’s email address.
Why? Because building your email list is gold dust for your business. Social media is noisy and ever-changing and can be deleted an any moment. Remember what happened to TikTok??
Your email list however? That’s yours. And your lead magnet is how you invite people in.
So… Someone Signs Up. Now What?
Here’s where a lot of business owners freeze. “Cool, they signed up. Do I just email them? Wait a few days?”. It’s a bit like dating. How long after the date do you call next?
Let me show you what’s meant to happen
The Simple Flow: What Happens After Someone Grabs Your Freebie
- They land on your landing page
This is where they see your offer (your freebie) and pop in their name and email. - They enter their details and hit “submit”
Boom. They’re officially on your list. - They see a thank you page
Use this space to say thanks, give them the next step i.e follow you on social, or even offer a low-cost product or book a call. - They get the freebie via email
This is usually automated through your email platform (Mailerlite, Funnel Sketchers, Kartra, etc.). First email = delivery email. - The nurture sequence kicks in
This is a short series of emails (usually 3–5) that helps your new subscriber get to know you, understand what you do, and feel like they’re in the right place.
Think:- Who you are
- What you help with
- Why your stuff works
- A story or two
- How they can take the next step
- You stay in touch
After the nurture sequence, they get added to your regular newsletter or weekly email updates. The relationship continues!
But Wait — How Do I Set That Up?
This is where most people hit the wall. You’ve got the idea. You’ve maybe even created the freebie. But how the heck do you connect all the dots?
- What page builder do I use?
- How do I send the emails automatically?
- What do I write in the nurture sequence?
- Do I need a welcome email AND a delivery one?
- What happens if they don’t open the first email?
If your brain feels like a spinning wheel of doom, take a breath. You’re not the only one. Most online courses teach you what a lead magnet is but not how to actually build and connect all the bits. That’s where I come in.
Let Me Hand You the Sat Nav: The Ultimate List- Building Starter Pack
My course, The Ultimate List-Building Starter Pack is designed for business owners who want to actually do the thing. Not just learn about it.
You’ll get:
- Easy-to-follow video tutorials
- Templates that don’t suck
- A clear walkthrough of the whole flow (from landing page to nurture)
- Tech setup guidance (without tears or tantrums)
No waffle. No fluff. Just step-by-step help from someone who loves simplifying this stuff (hi, that’s me 👋).
Ready to Build a List that Actually Works?
It all starts with one simple freebie. But let’s make sure what happens after the sign-up isn’t a dead end. If you’re ready to build your list the smart way — grab The Ultimate List-Building Starter Pack – click here
Let’s turn your list-building from “I’ll do it one day” to “Oh wow, I did it — and it’s working!”
Shelly Shulman - Online Business and Tech Expert