The biggest mistake I see when people try to build an email list is creating loads of lead magnets.
It just doesn’t work.
In my experience, 80% of my leads come from just 20% of my lead magnets.
We’ve had one lead magnet alone bring in around 5,000 leads.
And while my books are now selling tens of thousands of copies, it’s always a small portion of lead magnets that deliver the majority of results.
Why? Because those lead magnets are *specific* to the audience and the offer is laser-focused.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need loads of lead magnets, just one really killer offer that grabs attention.
And here’s a pro tip—the quality and depth of the lead magnet doesn’t matter as much as you think.
Hardly anyone actually uses it.
It can be as simple as a Loom video or a basic checklist.
It doesn’t have to be a massive, all-encompassing course.
In fact, our lead magnets offering full-blown courses or training programs convert *worse* than something quick like a checklist that can be digested in five seconds.
You don’t need endless content or depth.
Don’t fall into the trap of “adding more value” because it will only drag your business down.
What you need is a really strong offer.
The best way to start building your list is through social media—and you don’t need to spend a penny.
Join groups full of your potential customers, engage with them, add them as friends, and occasionally post something like, “I’ve got a free checklist that shows how coffee mug businesses can sell more mugs in 45 days. Want a copy?”
Let people know what you’re offering and watch your list grow.
The real magic happens when you combine this with viral organic content.
I’m not against ads, but I prefer using ads to pay for customers rather than leads.
When you start creating content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs—like “I’ll show coffee mug manufacturers how to sell more mugs”—and then offer a lead magnet alongside it, your email list will grow organically and exponentially.
That’s how you build a powerful email list from scratch.
