How to Craft a Lead Magnet to Get 1,000+ Email Subscribers In a Weekend
A comprehensive guide on the best way to build an email list from scratch
Dear subscribers,
Today, I’ll share why lead magnets are the best way to build an email list from scratch.
A great lead magnet solves a narrow problem for your target niche and makes them hungry for your core offer.
I recently used a lead magnet to get 1,000+ email sign-ups in 2 days. Let’s cover how to:
Craft a compelling lead magnet
Set up a landing page that converts leads
Follow great lead magnet examples
Build an email course lead magnet from scratch
This post is part of my creator track which also includes tactical guides on how to find your customer niche, craft a unique value prop, and make an irresistible offer.
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How to craft a compelling lead magnet
1. Solve a narrow problem
Your lead magnet should solve a narrow problem for your target niche that sets the stage for your core offer to solve a broader problem.
For example:
My lead magnet is a 7 Days of AI email course.
My core offer is a paid subscription to this newsletter with an advanced AI track.
If you don’t have a core offer yet, a lead magnet is a great way to test demand. If no one wants your freebie, they're unlikely to want your paid product.
2. Choose the right lead magnet format
Lead magnet formats vary across the value and effort spectrum. It’s important to align the format with your core offer’s desired price point:
If your core offer’s price is high (e.g., live course), then consider a high-value and effort lead magnet (e.g., live webinar, 1:1 call).
If your core offer’s price is low (e.g., on-demand course, monthly sub), then consider a medium value and effort lead magnet (e.g., video, email course).
If your core offer is free (e.g., free newsletter), then a low-value and effort lead magnet could work (e.g., PDF, cheat sheets).
I’ll share real examples later in this post.
How to set up a landing page to convert leads
Even the best lead magnet won’t work without a great landing page. My “7 Days of AI” landing page has a 40% signup rate because it has 5 components:
Outcome-based value prop: “Advance from AI beginner to proficient in just 7 days” promises a specific outcome.
Simple product image: A box art gives people something tangible to look at.
Specific CTA: “Send Me the Guide + Lesson 1” promises immediate value compared to just “Subscribe” or “Sign Up.”
Social proof: “Trusted by 70K+ readers from top companies” is an additional proof point. In the future, I’ll add customer testimonials as well.
Supporting value: The detailed course outline and metrics support the outcome.
Include all 5 components in your landing page while keeping it simple. If you need help with messaging, check out my guides on how to find your unique value prop and craft an irresistible offer.
You can use Carrd to create a landing page like this for just $19 a year.
Examples of great lead magnets
Let’s cover some lead magnet examples from creators like Shaan Puri, Dickie Bush, Shreyas Doshi, and Ali Abdaal. I’ll then walk through how I created my email course lead magnet.
