A lead magnet is like a special prize that businesses give for free in exchange for your contact information, usually your email address.

Imagine this: You’re at a fair and see a game booth. The game host tells you, “If you sign up with your email, I’ll give you a free chance to win this stuffed bear!” You want that bear, so you give them your email. In this example, the stuffed bear is the “lead magnet” – it attracts you (the ‘lead’ or potential customer) to give your contact info to the business (the game booth).

Online, lead magnets can take many forms. They could be an ebook, a cool printable poster, a free course, or a discount code for your next purchase. The goal for the business is to have a way to contact you in the future to tell you about new products or deals they have. It’s a common strategy in online marketing!