Over the weekend, on a morning walk with matcha lattes in hand, my friend asked me, “How did you grow your email list so quickly?” I had just finished explaining that we had grown the Podcast(h)er email list last year by over 650 people, AND we only started half way through the year! So in today’s episode I’ll be discussing how taking the time to develop some truly powerful lead magnets that your ideal listener needs and wants in their life, is one of the secrets to expanding your reach, your overall credibility and growing your audience. So grab your favorite drink, get comfy and let’s dive into the goodness of lead magnets and how to make it work wonders for you! 

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Real talk girlfriends: if you didn’t already know, a lead magnet is like a digital hug that you offer your audience. It's an invitation to join your community in exchange for something valuable. It’s a great way to show them that you hear them and you're here to help, all combined together like a good cocktail! 

Go With A Graceful Mindset

Let's start with a mindset that you want to capture your audience's information in a way that does not feel forceful or “spammy”. It’s all about grace! With a lead magnet, we're extending an open invitation to your audience, offering them a sneak peek into the magic you've already been ready, willing and able to share with them. In return, they very willingly share their contact information, typically their precious email addresses. Or if you're building your text list, they share their cell phone number- liquid gold in the digital world! It's not just data collection, it’s the start of a genuine connection between you and them! Picture it like starting a conversation with someone who's as excited to talk to you as you are to talk to them. By providing a taste of the value you bring to the table, you encourage your audience to opt in willingly, which makes them an active part of your community. 

Just a Spark

And that journey of connection does not end with a lead magnet. That's just the initial spark! After you put one out and get their information, it's time to nurture authentic relationships with them. Think of it like tending a beautiful garden. You don't just plant the seeds and forget about them. (Okay, maybe you do sometimes!) But when you intentionally attend to the garden, you water those plants, offer them sunlight and watch them grow! This is just the beginning! It is the opening chapter of a beautiful story. 

Building Trust Through Your Emails 

Send your audience some emails that are not just about business, but about creating a bond. You should share meaningful content, the occasional update, and now and then, surprise them with something delightful. These connections are the foundation of trust and trust is the currency of the digital world. Building this trust is essential for your audience growth. When your audience trusts you. They're more likely to engage with your content, respond to your calls to action, and ultimately they're more likely to become loyal followers and customers. It’s all about making them feel seen, heard and not simply sold to you like you’re a constant commercial in their face. 

Homework for You

I also have a little bit of fun homework for you that will make your lead magnets stronger! Go into your personal inbox and observe what emails you tend to open vs the ones you consider cringe. See what you can gather here. I'm going to guess that you typically open the emails from brands or people that you feel are authentic, that trust you and that you like hearing from. For the ones you consider cringe, I know it’s because you are likely not connecting with them on any level, and there's a solid chance you're going to end up unsubscribing, or scratching your head wondering how you even got on their list in the first place! Don’t be on the cringe list! Strive for authenticity! When you create a lead magnet that's truly incredible and gets people to want to open those emails. It doesn't stay a secret for long people talk. It's our nature, they share things. your lead magnet becomes a beacon of awesomeness that attracts more like minded souls.

Multiple Lead Magnets

Let me dispel a little myth here and a mistake that I made when I first got into the digital online space; you do not need multiple lead magnets. Some people think that they need to throw in every lead magnet out there that they possibly can. When in reality, you can do one or two solid great ones that you can repurpose over and over again to move people through your overall funnel. So relax, take a deep breath and think quality over quantity. This organic growth is the essence of authentic audience expansion. It is driven by the value you offer and the connections you build. 

Don’t Rely On Just Word Of Mouth

Share your lead magnet on your social media platforms. Make it an integral part of your podcast episodes, blogs and your YouTube. Collaborate with some fellow amazing humans who align with your values and mission, and get them to advertise it too! Maybe even sprinkle a little magic into your advertising budget and put some money behind Facebook or Instagram ads, so that you can reach a whole new group of people who may not have discovered you otherwise. 

I’ll leave you with my final thoughts, which is to create a compelling lead magnet! Lead magnets are this magical tool that doesn't just collect emails, it is the catalyst for creating some deep connections and expanding your community. It's like inviting kindred spirits into your cozy corner of the internet and saying, “Hey, I see you and I've got something special for you!” When you do this with authenticity and the intention of creating some meaningful connections, your audience is destined to flourish. So don't get brain freeze over creating that lead magnet. It's so much simpler than you think and is necessary to building your podcast empire. So get started! Do it messy. Make it unperfect and you can perfect it along the way! 

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