Imagine having a warm, informed list of potential client candidates on speed dial.
Anytime you have a new offer, or a space opens up on your roster, all you have to do is tap into your little black book and let them know exactly how you can support them…
That’s the power of an engaged email list.
And as a social media manager, building an email list filled with ideal client leads is the ultimate goal!
When you prioritize building your email list, you can stay in touch with your leads, nurture those important relationships, and ultimately sign more clients & earn more revenue.
But how exactly do you start an email list?
And how do you get potential clients to join it?
That's where lead magnets come in.
A lead magnet is a free resource or incentive offered in exchange for an email address.
By offering something super valuable to your ideal client (for the low cost of zero dollars) you can attract qualified leads to your email list & eventually, convert them into paying clients.
The trick is to ensure your lead magnet directly relates to your expertise & the specific services you offer.
After a business owner opts in for your super valuable free thing, you’ll need to continue to deliver relevant & valuable information relating to that lead magnet AND your services through weekly or monthly newsletters. You’ll need to stay in touch to stay top of mind.
First things first, you have to start the list! And we’re here to help…
Here are 10 lead magnet ideas for social media managers who want to grow an email list filled with ideal clients…
1 | Ebook
Write an ebook on a topic that your ideal clients would find valuable, such as how to create a social media strategy, the importance of social media for their industry or niche, or how to use social media for something specific like lead generation or booking appointments.
2 | Checklist
Depending on your services & expertise, this might be a checklist of social media best practices for a specific industry or platform, a guide to using your favorite social media features, or a step-by-step checklist for repurposing video content to multiple channels
3 | Template or Tool
This could be a social media content calendar template, a social media post planner, or a tool that helps business owners measure the effectiveness of their social media marketing efforts. Think about how you can help your ideal clients save time, get a specific kind of result, or learn your proprietary approach to social media marketing.
4 | Training or Webinar
Host a webinar on a topic that your ideal clients would be interested in, such as social media trends, the importance of building a community, or how to measure the success of a social media campaign. At the end of the webinar, let them know how they can work with you, or learn more about your offers and services.
5 | Free Consultation or Audit
Offer a free social media consultation or platform audit to help potential clients identify areas of improvement in their current social media efforts. While this type of lead magnet isn’t as “automated” as many of the other ideas, this level of personalization & direct communication is a super effective way to land those leads in real time!
6 | Discount or Special Rate
Offer a discount or special rate to people who sign up for your email list, such as a limited time discount on a new service, or an “email list only” rate for new qualified leads. You can limit the number of discounts or space provided in order to create scarcity & urgency – encouraging business owners to take advantage sooner rather than later.
7 | Quiz or Survey
Create a quiz or survey that helps people assess their social media marketing & identify areas where they need improvement. You can use platforms like Airtable to create surveys or Interact to create a quiz lead magnet.
DOWNLOAD THE EMAIL MARKETING STARTER KIT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
8 | Challenge
Host a social media challenge, such as a 5-day Instagram Reels challenge or a 30-day social media growth challenge, to help people improve their social media presence and grow their following. Helping a potential client take action & get a small win before you pitch your services & other solutions is a great way to build credibility and trust.
9 | Case Study
By sharing the results you've been able to provide to previous clients through detailed case studies, you can establish credibility and showcase social proof, while letting clients know what’s also possible for them. Many business owners prefer to see real life examples of how similar brands have used social media to achieve their goals. Ask interested leads to exchange their emails to access your recent case studies, this sets them up perfectly for a follow up!
10 | Scripts or Swipe Files
Business owners are strapped for time, so if you can help them save it, they’ll likely be happy to give you their email address in return. You can compile a collection of captions or scripts, or create a list of scroll-stopping video hooks – then share it as an invitation to your inbox.
