lead-magnets skill

---
name: lead-magnets
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a lead magnet", "build a freebie", "PDF download", "checklist", "swipe file", "resource guide", or mentions lead magnets, opt-in incentives, or downloadable assets. Creates high-value lead magnets that convert and build trust.
---

# Lead Magnets & Downloadable Assets

Create high-value lead magnets and downloadable assets that instantly build trust, showcase authority, and convert cold visitors into eager subscribers. Deliver value that makes prospects think "I would have paid for this."

## Core Objectives

- Deliver asset solving painful problem or accelerating desired win
- Create immediate perceived value and reciprocity
- Position brand as logical authority to purchase from next
- Design asset to naturally bridge into primary offer

## Asset Formats

| Format | Best For | Key Elements |
|--------|----------|--------------|
| **Quick-Start Guide** | Frameworks, step-by-step processes | 5-7 core steps, success metrics, visuals |
| **Playbook / Toolkit** | Swipe files, scripts, templates | Categorized resources, usage instructions |
| **Blueprint / Roadmap** | Strategic planning | Milestones, timelines, KPI checkpoints |
| **Cheat Sheet / Checklist** | Process compliance, onboarding | Yes/no format, validation tips |
| **Mini Course / Email Series** | Nurture sequences | Lesson breakdown, completion CTA |
| **Calculator / Spreadsheet** | Financial modeling | Input definitions, auto-calculations |

## Deliverable Components

### 1. Asset Strategy Summary

- Working title + hook statement
- Target persona and pain point being solved
- Direct tie-in to primary offer

### 2. Detailed Outline

- Section-by-section breakdown with learning outcomes
- Content hierarchy for quick scanning
- Headlines, subheads, callouts

### 3. Full Content Draft

- Structured Markdown (convertible to PDF)
- Data references, examples, frameworks
- Specific action steps

### 4. Design & Packaging Notes

- Visual direction (cover concepts, typography)
- Suggested page count and layout ratio
- Brand touchpoints

### 5. Follow-Up CTA Block

- Pitch for next step (webinar, call, product)
- Email subject/headline
- CTA button copy

### 6. Implementation Extras

- Landing page copy
- Thank-you page copy
- Delivery email
- Reminder sequence

## Content Guidelines

**Lead with Transformation:**
- Illustrate before vs. after clearly
- Use persuasive data and social proof
- Apply proprietary frameworks

**Structure for Scanning:**
- Concise, modular sentences
- Bullets and callouts
- Every section ends with action item or "mini win"

**Quality Standards:**
- Delivers tangible outcome within 10 minutes
- Would someone pay $47-$97 for this?
- Showcases deep expertise
- Significantly better than free content elsewhere

## Lead Magnet Types

### Quick Win Assets

- Checklists
- Templates
- Swipe files
- Cheat sheets
- Calculators

### Deep Dive Assets

- Guides and playbooks
- Mini courses
- Resource libraries
- Frameworks and systems

### Interactive Assets

- Quizzes
- Assessments
- Worksheets
- Planning tools

## Examples

### Checklist Example

**Title:** "The 7-Figure Launch Checklist: 47 Things to Do Before You Hit 'Send'"

**Cover Page:**
```
THE 7-FIGURE
LAUNCH CHECKLIST

47 Things to Do Before
You Hit "Send"

The exact pre-launch checklist used to generate
$2.3M in product launches over the past 3 years.

By [Your Name]
```

**Sample Checklist Section:**
```
## PRE-LAUNCH (14-7 Days Before)

□ Email list cleaned and segmented by engagement level
□ Sales page copy finalized and proofread 3x
□ Checkout page tested on mobile, tablet, and desktop
□ Payment processor connected and test purchase completed
□ Affiliate swipes written and sent to partners
□ Social media teaser content scheduled
□ Webinar/VSL slides reviewed for typos
□ Support team briefed on FAQs and common issues
□ Urgency/scarcity elements configured (countdown timer, inventory)
□ Post-purchase email sequence activated
```

### Swipe File Example

**Title:** "The $100K Email Subject Line Swipe File: 137 Proven Subject Lines That Get Opened"

**Sample Content:**
```
## CURIOSITY-DRIVEN SUBJECT LINES

These subject lines create an open loop that MUST be closed:

1. "I made a mistake..."
   → Open rate: 47.2% | Best for: story-based emails

2. "The [topic] nobody talks about"
   → Open rate: 38.9% | Best for: contrarian content

3. "This changed everything for me"
   → Open rate: 41.3% | Best for: breakthrough moments

4. "{first_name}, can I ask you something?"
   → Open rate: 52.1% | Best for: engagement emails

## URGENCY SUBJECT LINES

Use sparingly—they work best during launches:

1. "Last chance: [offer] ends tonight"
   → Open rate: 44.7% | Best for: final cart close

2. "I'm pulling this down at midnight"
   → Open rate: 39.2% | Best for: deadline urgency

3. "Only 7 spots left"
   → Open rate: 36.8% | Best for: scarcity-based offers
```

### Quick-Start Guide Example

**Title:** "The 5-Day Content System: How to Create 30 Days of Content in One Afternoon"

**Outline:**
```
## TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: Why Most Content Strategies Fail (Page 3)

Day 1: The Content Pillar Method (Page 5)
- How to identify your 4 core content pillars
- The 10-3-1 framework for topic generation
- ACTION: Create your content pillar map

Day 2: Batch Creation Blueprint (Page 12)
- Setting up your "content sprint" environment
- The 90-minute recording block method
- ACTION: Schedule your first content batch

Day 3: The Repurposing Matrix (Page 19)
- Turn 1 piece into 10 (the multiplication method)
- Platform-specific adaptation guide
- ACTION: Repurpose one piece across 5 platforms

Day 4: Scheduling & Automation (Page 26)
- Tools that save 5+ hours per week
- The "set it and forget it" publishing calendar
- ACTION: Schedule 2 weeks of content

Day 5: Engagement & Iteration (Page 33)
- Reading analytics that actually matter
- The weekly 15-minute review ritual
- ACTION: Set up your analytics dashboard

BONUS: 52 Weeks of Content Ideas (Page 40)
```

## Guidelines

**Avoid Lead Magnet Pitfalls:**
- Never: Generic titles like "Free Guide" or "Download Now"
- Never: Vague promises ("Learn how to succeed")
- Avoid: Multi-topic guides that try to cover everything
- Skip: Long-form content that could be a checklist

**Title Formula:**
- Include a specific outcome or number
- Hint at the mechanism or method
- Create curiosity about what's inside
- Examples:
  - Bad: "Marketing Tips"
  - Good: "The 7-Figure Facebook Ad Template: Copy, Paste, and Launch in 15 Minutes"

**Value Perception:**
- Include "value" callouts: "Value: $297"
- Make it look professional (good design = higher perceived value)
- Add testimonials or results on the cover
- Include a "what you'll learn" section

**Bridge to Offer:**
- Every lead magnet should naturally lead to paid offer
- Include soft CTAs throughout (not just at the end)
- The CTA page should be valuable, not salesy
- Use: "If you want more help with this, here's the next step..."

**Consumption Optimization:**
- Design for 10-minute consumption max
- Use visual breaks every 2-3 paragraphs
- Include checkboxes, fill-in-the-blanks, or worksheets
- Bold the most important takeaways

**Format Selection:**
- Checklist: When there's a clear sequence or process
- Swipe file: When examples/templates are the value
- Guide: When teaching a framework or system
- Calculator: When numbers drive decisions

## Quality Checklist

- Does this deliver tangible, high-value outcome in 10 minutes?
- Is every section actionable and valuable?
- Would someone pay $47-$97 for this?
- Does this showcase deep expertise?
- Is this better than free content elsewhere?
- Does this bridge naturally to primary offer?
- Is every word polished and purposeful?

## Additional Resources

### Reference Files
- **`references/lead-magnet-templates.md`** - Proven lead magnet structures