theemailemail.com

Lead Magnets 101

Nate McCallister — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:30:35 +0000

A lead magnet is a free offer given to visitors to a website or social media channel in exchange for an email address.

You may have heard lead magnets called by other names like...

Bribes to subscribe
Content upgrades
Bait

Don't worry about semantics; these all refer (more or less) to the process of giving something in exchange for personal information that can be used to contact visitors in the future.

In this article I'm going to show you...

What makes a good lead magnet (it is much easier than you think!)
50 lead magnet ideas (with examples) that will open your mind to possibilities
The tools that make the process possible, testable, and scalable. There are many, but these are the ones I use and are the only ones I believe you actually need.
How to organize your email opt-ins to maximize the value of each new subscriber. This short section merits its own massive blog post, but I share the 2 most important things you need to do whenever you get a subscriber.

Before we go any further, let me remind you why you should spend time creating FREE content and going out of your way to give it away.

Why Do Lead Magnets Matter?

Why do people like me PAY to give away things to people we don't know?

Here is why...An email address is the lifeblood of a good online business.

Lead magnets are key to building an audience that you "own" and can contact whenever you want.

Whenever you have a new piece of content, a new product, or are part of a new promotion, you can send an email to your subscribers for free.

If you've ever paid for traffic on Google, Facebook, or other social media channels, the concept of free traffic should make your mouth water.

One email broadcast to subscribers can result in hundreds or thousands of clicks. If you were to pay for that sort of engagement elsewhere, it adds up . . . fast.

I'm not against paying for traffic by any means (I spend a lot on paid promotions myself), but I am the biggest advocate of email marketing and retargeting you will ever find.

Don't worry, paid traffic and email marketing aren't mutually exclusive. Email marketing just lets you get more out of each visitor that lands on your site.

Let's say that you pay $0.25/click to send traffic to a blog post. Each visitor reads a certain amount of the post, maybe they buy something, maybe they don't.

If they don't, they are likely gone forever. If you are collecting their email addresses by offering them an enticing reason to fork it over (a lead magnet) you can then retarget them until they unsubscribe.

Now, that $0.25 click you paid for can be worth exponentially more!

Giving away enticing freebies is one of the most lucrative moves you can make for your internet business.

You should average $1+/subscriber per month on my email list. Let that sink in. That number is extremely conservative.

If you get 1,000 email subscribers, you should be generating $1,000/month in revenue!

10,000 subscribers = $10,000/month!
50,000 subscribers = $50,000/month!!
100,000 subscribers = $100,000/month!!!

Here are some email marketing statistics you should consider...

A message is 5x more likely to be seen in email than via Facebook - Radicati
Email marketing has an ROI of 3800% - DMA
72% of consumers prefer email as their source of business communication - Marketing Sherpa
61% of consumers enjoy receiving promotional emails weekly - Marketing Sherpa

This is why I'm willing to spend big money to GIVE people great stuff.

In spite of all the hype around social media platforms, your email list is the only thing that can't be taken away from you.

" ...your email list is the only thing that can't be taken away from you...

You can spend years building a following on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube just to have it all taken away. There are countless horror stories of internet businesses that were decimated when they were booted from their only platform.

So, how do you get email subscribers? It starts with giving value. You can't get email subscribers without giving something of value in return.

Every time I see a blog that says something like, "Join our newsletter," I can't help but roll my eyes. It's sad to think how much money these sites are leaving on the table!

Convincing enough? I hope so.

Let's go on...

What Makes a Great Lead Magnet?

First, remember that email addresses aren't handed out freely like they once were. A clean inbox is a high priority for most people so your readers/viewers don't want emails that they don't care about.

This means that your lead magnet needs to be well thought out, extremely enticing, and of the highest quality.

A great lead magnet should meet the following 6 criteria.

#1 Provide Immediate Gratification

Your lead magnet needs to be something irresistible and immediately applicable. Someone is much more likely to download your lead magnet if they can use it in the near future. If it's not something they need right now, they likely won't hand over the email address.

Your lead magnet can't be vague. It should be extremely targeted to your readers and their current needs.

I have made the mistake many times of associating total value with total opt-ins. The truth is that readers care more about solving their immediate problems than they care about amassing even more information on topics that aren't yet on their mind.

So, if your niche is bodybuilding, instead of creating a lead magnet like "Ultimate Guide to Building Muscle," consider something much more simple like "My Simple Cure for Muscle Soreness."

The latter is less overwhelming and solves one specific problem (muscle soreness) that would relate to your topic of interest.

I can almost guarantee that all things being equal, the shorter, targeted lead magnet would outperform the massive "ultimate guide" magnet.

A good lead magnet should be something that subscribers can access quickly.

The best lead magnets are downloadable and can be opened by the subscriber quickly and easily. Offering lead magnets that require massive commitments of time (think of something like a "40 week training course") doesn't attract subscribers like magnets that provide the content immediately.

#2 Attract Your Dream Customer

Many marketers make the mistake of creating freebies that don't define their user base. I've seen people do things like, "enter to win a free iPad!" The problem with this is that everyone likes free iPads! If someone joins your list because they wanted an iPad, they aren't likely to be good customers in the future.

Your lead magnet should relate directly to what you are offering your subscriber in the future. Do you plan on promoting a product relating to weight loss? If so, your lead magnet should be related to weight loss!

Lead magnets help you skim the ideal customers from the masses and segment them in a way that allows you to sell to them more easily in the future without being "salesy" or annoying. If they have already expressed interest in something, you promoting something related to that interest in the future is perfectly natural and welcomed.

#3 Have Real Value

The lead magnet is a great chance for you to create rapport with your audience.

Think of it this way: if your lead magnet provides huge value, the subscriber will ask themselves, "if this is the FREE stuff, what do I get if I buy something?!?" Everything you promote in the future will sell better when you've already built trust and given value freely.

#4 Demonstrates Your Expertise in the Field

The free content shouldn't be something you just whip together without any effort. This is your chance to showcase your expertise and impress your new subscribers. Lots of lead magnets end up damaging the reputation of the person or company giving them away because they were put together with little thought or effort.

Now, some lead magnets won't check off each of these items. That is ok, but the further you deviate from these guidelines, the lower your conversion rates will become, and you will get subscribers of lesser value.

Creating Your Lead Magnet

So where do you start?

I have good news, if you already have created content, you likely don't have to start from scratch.

Some of the best lead magnets are just repurposed content from blog posts, videos, podcasts, webinars, etc.

Are you worried that people will feel cheated since the information is freely available online? They won't care...

No one cares where it came from; it's about value. Just make sure that your magnet provides tons of value.

If you feel bad getting emails for content that could be found elsewhere, you can always remove the original content after you have made your lead magnet.

A great piece of content can often lead to more revenue in the long run if you use it as a lead magnet as opposed to making it freely available anyway. Just be sure that you don't leave your site barren of the content that makes people visit it in the first place.

Never remove a piece of content that is driving a lot of organic traffic on its own. I'm sure that if you've created a lot of content there is something that is vastly underrated that would serve better as a lead magnet than a stale post or video.

When it comes to creating lead magnets, start with the end in mind.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Question #1 What is it you're hoping to sell these subscribers in the future?

Even if you don't have an exact product in mind, you should have a general idea of how you're going to monetize your list in the future. Remember, creating and distributing free content costs you time, energy, and money, so you should have an end in mind for how you'll justify these expenses and then some.

Question #2 What lead magnets could you make to target people who would buy this product in the future? Let's say that you are hoping to sell something to weight lifters, what sort of lead magnet would work to attract and segment people who would be interested in products in the weight lifting niche? How about a free report showing how to gain 1 inch on your biceps in 3 weeks? How about a recipe for the perfect post workout meal for muscle growth? Both of these ideas would help attract people who are most likely to spend money with you later on in the weight lifting niche.

Lead Magnet Best Practices

Here are some tips that will help you get more leads.

#1 Always Be Testing

"Never stop testing, and your advertising will never stop improving."

- David Ogilvy

At scale, small percentage increases in conversion rates can lead to massive increases in subscribers, which means more revenue.

Better optimized lead magnets also mean a better user experience on your website. If more people are opting in, it is likely annoying fewer people.

You will never make the perfect lead magnet (even with testing), but you can always improve it.

Be sure to test one element at a time, so you understand what is causing changes in conversions.

When it comes to lead magnets, the more the merrier!

I try and create lead magnets that cover every possible sub niche that my blog attracts, and I try to create different media types to resonate with the most readers possible. I don't care if a subscriber prefers PDFs, audio files, or workbooks just as long as they are interested in the things I share and could be a valuable member of my email list.

More lead magnets also means better segmentation and targeting later. I can create segments and tags that make sure I don't send emails to people who wouldn't care about them. The more emails I send that aren't relevant to the recipient, the more unsubscribes I get and the less money I make in the long run.

#2 Segment, Segment, Segment!

We want to ensure that our display rules are optimized.

This means showing the right lead magnets to the right readers at the right time.

#3 Be Aggressive

70% of people who visit your site will never come back.

Let that sink in.

When you realize how slim your chances are of turning traffic into long-term followers you'll spend much more time and energy on your lead magnets and optimization.

If you're afraid of pop-ups and annoying your readers, don't be.

"But Nate, I HATE pop-ups. Why would I use them on my site if they annoy me so much?"

I struggled with this at first, too.

Remember this: you aren't your readers.

What annoys you might not annoy them. Many people love pop ups if it sends them to something that helps them in some way.

Want your pop ups to be less annoying? Create better lead magnets!

People forget all about intrusive pop-ups if they receive something awesome.

The Homeless Man and the Pit Bull Analogy

I use this analogy when explaining the art of giving in marketing and why it is the only way to actually ever find lasting success in the business.

Pretend you're walking down the street, and a homeless man pops out of nowhere and says,

"Hey! Can I have some money!?!?"

That would be super annoying right?

The odds of you giving him money are next to zero. If you do give him money, it's likely because you're afraid of him, and you're going to avoid walking down that street in the future . . .

Now, pretend that the same homeless man pops out when you're walking down the street and says,

"Hey! You don't want to keep walking this direction, there's a pit bull loose down the street."

You gaze over in the direction he's pointing and sure enough, there is a pit bull without a collar devouring an alley cat and barking wildly at cars passing by . . . (sorry for that imagery, I want to make a point here).

Wow . . . This guy might have just saved you from getting mauled to death like that cat!

Now, you see the homeless man and he has a cup with "homeless and hungry" scribbled on it with a crayon . . .

Are you now more interested in dropping a buck or two in there?

The answer (if you're a human being, which I think you are) is yes.

We don't mind being interrupted if it helps us, and we are much more likely to give to people who give to us first. It's basic reciprocity and it's wired deep into our DNA.

This is how lead magnets work.

This is how marketing works.

#4 Treat “Money Pages” Carefully

Some of your pages should focus on the content first and the opt-in second. If a post is driving serious conversions, you want to keep readers on the page for as long as possible.

Consider sticking to exit intent pop ups for pages with high buyer intent.

#5 Don't Show Opt-Ins to Existing Subscribers

Tools like Thrive Lead's smart links allow us to prevent email subscribers from seeing pop ups to things they've already opted into.

The last thing we want to do is annoy readers by showing them things they already received!

#6 Test Display on Mobile Devices

I made the huge mistake of not cross checking an early lead magnet pop up on mobile and tablet. I was annoying my visitors, AND they couldn't even opt-in because of a formatting error.

Getting Your Lead Magnet in Front of Your Audience

There are a number of ways to position lead magnets on your websites to get emails.

Note: If you don't have a blog (although I recommend everyone start one) you can still get leads from landing pages. If you have a YouTube channel or large following on other social media, creating a landing page (more in the next section) and linking to it in your posts/videos will be your main method of generating email sign ups. Not having a blog is no excuse for not collecting emails!

#1 Inline Form

This sort of opt-in is embedded into your websites content and allows readers to opt-in without leaving the page.

Users can simply enter their name and email, and they will be emailed the ebook.

These are my favorite types of lead magnets because they flow well with the content. If the opt-in is related to the topic of the webpage (blog post), you can get a lot of subscribers this way.

#2 Pop Up

This sort of opt-in pops out above the fold of the site and makes the user opt-in or exit the pop up. There are many types of pop-ups, and you can control things like when they are shown and who sees them. They can ask for an email directly on the page or redirect the visitor to a separate landing page.

#3 Slide In

These are the smoother, less aggressive brother of the pop up. Scroll boxes slide in from the sides of web pages and are easier to ignore. Like pop ups, these are set with display intent rules. They can be set to appear immediately, appear after a set number of seconds, or appear after a user has scrolled a certain percentage of the page.

#4 Welcome Mat

These are the big brother of the pop up. They are bold and take up the entire page.

Users have two options: Opt-in or exit.

They force a decision and temporarily remove all other distractions.

The conversion rates on these sorts of pages are very high, but they are also the most intrusive method.

#5 Content Lock

Hide content and require an email opt-in to view it.

I have huge conversion rates on these. Click here to read more about using these bad boys.

#6 and #7 Header and Footer Bar

These hover above or below the page and follow the readers as they navigate the site. These are very popular, but the conversion rates aren't as good as some of the other options.

#8 Side Bar Widget

These are embedded onto the side bar of posts and pages. They are minimally intrusive, but I've never found they convert nearly as well as other types.

#9 Click Trigger Pop Up

This sort of pop up is triggered when a link is clicked. It appears as a hyperlink and isn't intrusive in anyway. These won't usually convert as well as other methods, but they are great to have if you're timid of annoying your readers (again, I don't think you should be).

Landing pages for Lead Magnets

If you're giving away something more complex or that costs money ($1 trials, free + shipping etc) landing pages will be required.

If you don't have a blog, you will need to create landing pages to get opt-ins.

50 Lead Magnet Ideas (with Examples!)

Lead magnets can come in many forms.

There are many types of lead magnets that I want to share with you here, and I have included the best examples I could find across the internet.

Some of the examples are relevant to internet marketers like yourself, so feel free to go and download anything below!

Some of these lead magnets are time sensitive (events, coaching calls, etc), so I couldn't provide examples for every single type. You will have to use your imagination for some of these.

These aren't all created equal, and what may work for one business may not work for yours.

Some of these lead magnets wouldn't work for my business or I know wouldn't perform well.

I have included EVERY type of lead magnet I could think of, so don't think I am suggesting you should go write an ebook, create a full membership course, or anything extravagant.

Many of the highest converting lead magnets are drop dead simple. Don't associate complexity and length of the lead magnet with opt-in rates.

Remember the 6 point checklist for lead magnets I shared earlier.

You want your lead magnet to be easily consumable and provide immediate gratification. If you already have a large freebie to giveaway (like an ebook or course) go for it, but don't think you have to have something epic to get conversions.

In many cases, simple lead magnets like 1 page reports out perform epic giveaways like eBooks and 5 hour long web courses.

Note: These are in alphabetical order and not in order of most effective or most recommended.

There isn't a one size fits all solution for lead magnets, so approach this list with an open mind and find what works for your business.

1. Audio File (audiobooks or lessons)

A high quality, value dense audio recording of content relevant to your readers.

MP3 files are great because they let you connect with your audience on a more personal level, and you can give away a ton of value without tons of writing, editing, or formatting.

I created a guided meditation MP3 for entrepreneurs that performs well for me. I wrote the script myself and hired a voice actor for less than $100 on Fiverr to read it.

Example: Evening Reflections for Entrepreneurs

2. Calculator

A simple tool that allows your subscriber to enter data and get immediate insights of some kind.

I have had success with simple calculators I built with Microsoft Excel. You can also pay a developer to create a simple calculator widget for your website that requires an email to operate.

Example: Jungle Scout Sales Velocity Estimator
Example: Financial Freedom Calculator

3. Case Studies

Documented examples that show something of interest to your subscriber. Ideally, these case studies show someone who achieved the desired end result that your subscribers want for themselves.

For example, a case study showing how someone added 1 inch to their biceps over 4 weeks would be an enticing lead magnet if you're in the fitness niche.

Case studies are a great opportunity for you to connect back to a product you are promoting or selling and showcase the results that someone achieved by using the product, service, or method.

These make great blog posts on their own and repurposing them into PDFs can make great lead magnets.

Example: Company generates 20x Leads with Hubspot (Case Study)

4. Catalog

Digital catalogs or physical magazines showcasing all of your available products.

If you run a store (online or brick and mortar), creating a catalog can be a great way to get emails, physical addresses, and sell products.

Example: Sweetwater ProGear Catalog

5. Cheat Sheet

A reference tool that summarizes larger processes into easily digestible points and steps.

This is one of the most common lead magnets you will find.

Example: 52 Headline Hacks: A Cheat Sheet for Writing Blog Posts That Go Viral

6. Checklist

Quick, bulleted guides showing subscribers how to do something of interest to them.

Checklists are extremely gratifying and easy to digest and therefore make great lead magnets.

Example: 20-Step Website Improvement Checklist

7. Coupon

A discount for a product or service you offer.

This are another example of a lead magnet that can lead to sales while simultaneously growing your list. If someone doesn't use the coupon, you now have their email and can remind them to come back and complete a purchase.

Also, there is something powerful that happens when a subscriber has paid you any amount of money. If you use a coupon to get a sale, you've created an extremely valuable subscriber who will be much more likely to buy from you again in the future.

Ryan Deiss explains that there is something very powerful about getting that first sale, no matter how large or small it is...

" The conversion of a prospect to a customer, even for $1, is magical. - Ryan Deiss

Example: StackSocial.com (just wait for it!)

8. Desktop Wallpaper

A simple, attractive high resolution image that your subscribers will set as the backgrounds on their computers or mobile devices.

A high resolution image can be a great lead magnet.

Pro Tip: Include branding of some kind, so you stay top of mind. These are great for artists, bands, and creatives.

9. Early Bird Access

Access to a new product or service before the public.

If you're selling a product, early bird access is a viable option that will also make immediate sales. This is a great way to reward your most loyal customers.

10. Ebook

PDF, ePub, or MOBI versions of books you have written related to the topic relevant to your audience.

Ebooks convert very well as lead magnets, but don't feel like you need to publish novels to get emails. If you have a book, that's awesome. If not, I don't recommend that you make one just for a lead magnet until you try other, quicker methods first.

11. Email Course

An automated sequence of emails that trains a subscriber to achieve some desired end result.

This is a genius lead magnet idea for multiple reasons.

First, it nearly guarantees that your subscribers will confirm the opt-in (which is important for future deliverability).

Second, you will stay top of mind while they are on your sequence, and you'll be able to build deep rapport with them. You can even promote multiple products to them organically during the sequence if they are relevant to the topic.

Example: 25 Expert Social Media Growth Strategies

12. Event Tickets

Free admission to an event either in person or online.

If you're doing a free meet-up or live webinar, event tickets are a great way to get opt-ins.

Local businesses that make sales face to face can benefit from this sort of lead magnet.

Gathering information beyond just name and email is perfectly normal when giving away tickets to an event, so don't be afraid to ask deeper questions that better segment your subscribers.

13. Facebook Group Access

Access to a secret Facebook group where you share exclusive content.

Facebook groups are insanely underrated. Create a private Facebook group and give the access link only to people who opt-in via email. This kills two birds because it helps you grow a group AND your email list.

I call this, "audience hedging." The more mediums you can get your followers on, the better.

14. Free Book + Shipping

A printed book sent to subscribers on the condition that they cover shipping (which usually costs $4.95-$7.95). This sort of offer generally requires some paid traffic to work, and you will likely lose money on the front end after the cost to print the book and run ads to the offer.

I learned this method from Russell Brunson of Clickfunnels. If you have a book and can afford to spend some money on the front end, giving away a book can be steroids for your brand.

Since these require a credit card (you have to pay shipping), these work fantastically as part of sales funnels. If you created a sales funnel, you would sell another product that is related to the book as an up-sell immediately after someone purchases the book.

For the sake of basic lead generation, sales funnels aren't in the spirit of this article. I recommend you use a sales funnel like this AFTER you have indoctrinated your new subscribers to your brand.

Example: Free + Shipping Book Dot Com Secrets by Russell Brunson

15. Free Chapter

1-3 chapters of a popular ebook you've written or have rights to promote.

If you have a book that has confirmed value (sales on Amazon for instance) you can create a very enticing lead magnet by offering just 1-3 chapters.

You might also end up selling some books as a byproduct!

Example: Suspension Prevention eBook (30 page except)

16. Free Coaching/Consultation

Free 15 min - 1 hour consultation covering a topic relevant to your audience.

If you offer high end paid coaching, training, SAAS (software as a service), or other professional services you can practice "guerrilla marketing" and really get hands on with your potential clients.

This is an amazing lead magnet because it allows you to build rapport at the highest level.

High dollar sales require lots of engagement, and this method is only ideal if you have something big to sell. It just isn't scalable if you're doing 15 min to 1 hour calls just for an email address.

Neil Patel sees the value in getting on the phone with his audience, and he offers free consultations to people after they provide some basic information about their websites and business goals.

Note: If Neil Patel is doing something, you can bet that he has tested it, and it is working.

17. Free Quote

Free pricing estimate for a product or service that can be done via a software or through an actual 1 on 1 conversation.

This is a great option if the quote leads interested people to purchase from you. I can't think of a high end service offering that wouldn't benefit from offering free quotes to prospective buyers.

Example: How Much to Make an App?

Note: The example above doesn't actually require an email address to use the tool, but it does encourage users to take the next step and contact them to find a team of developers to have their app created.

They aren't looking to get tens of thousands of emails; they are trying to find their ideal, high value customers, and this tool accomplishes that.

18. Free Shipping

Free shipping on a product you offer (can have a minimum cart size or not).

If you sell physical products, offering free shipping in exchange for opt-ins works very well. Free shipping opt-ins allow you to retarget possible customers and give them the nudge they need to make a purchase.

Keep in mind, this is not the same as a "free + shipping" offer. A free shipping offer is traditionally a coupon that can be redeemed immediately or at a future date whereas a free + shipping offer requires the subscriber to cover shipping costs to get something else "free."

19. Free Trial

Free access to a paid product or service in exchange for personal information.

You can ask for credit card information and begin billing after the trial expires or offer the trial for free with no billing information required. The former will lead to more sales, but the latter will lead to more trials.

If your product is fantastic, getting more people to try it might result in more revenue. Keep in mind though, when people don't have an ultimatum to actually use the product (they will have to proactively cancel their trial or they will be billed), they aren't nearly as likely to try it.

Yes, many people will use the tool and bounce without ever paying, but they have expressed interest, and they are much more likely to buy from you in the future if you retarget them properly.

Note: I know a traditional lead magnet is supposed to be free, but I find something special with $1 trials. Why do I like $1 trials so much? Yes, you will experience fewer opt-ins, but you'll get people who are much more serious and more likely to actually continue using and paying for your software. There is a mental barrier that is broken once someone has trusted you with any amount of money, no matter how small. That $1 isn't going to make you rich, but it is going to make selling to your trial users much easier. Also, asking for just $1 will reduce the number of fraudulent trial abusers (people who just keep using the tool and opening new accounts with fake emails).

Example: Clickfunnels Free 14 Day Trial

20. Gated Content

Premium content only available to subscribers.

Many bloggers have grown their lists by creating posts that require an email to unlock.

This is a gutsy move since gated content isn't going to rank in Google, BUT it can be a clever way to generate leads from the traffic that is already on your site. Thrive Themes gives users the ability to lock down certain blog posts or parts of blog posts (even better IMO) with some simple HTML code.

21. Generator

A free resource that creates some sort of data valuable to the subscriber.

This is an expensive approach relative to the others, but I have seen businesses built around simple generators on their websites. Creating one of these could cost anywhere from $1,000 - $50,000+ so it is most likely a long shot for newer marketers.

Example: Free Keyword Tool by Wordstream

22. Giveaway

A promotional campaign in which you award a prize that is relevant to your subscriber.

People love giveaways and contests. If you have something that is RELEVANT to your audience this can be a huge source of email subscribers.

Keep in mind, your giveaway needs to help segment your audience further. You can't give iPads and expect to collect great leads. Yes, you'll get a lot of leads, but they won't be targeted, they won't open your emails often, and they aren't likely to buy from you.

When running a giveaway, don't worry too much about the monetary value of the product your giving away. Interesting case studies have actually shown that giving away something simple like cupcakes might actually outperform something like iPads!

The logic is that people can see themselves winning something small like cupcakes, but they "never win,' big contests like iPads. The odds can be exactly the same, but people are more likely to enter contests they feel they could realistically win. The human mind is a strange, strange thing.

23. Guide

A simple document showing subscribers how to accomplish something.

I love making guide style blog posts, and many of them can easily be repurposed into PDF guides that capture emails in hoards.

Example: The Complete Guide to Email Marketing

24. Infographic

Information gathered in an appealing visual manner and shared as a PDF or web page. You can create infographics in the form of a poster by using a poster maker and share them online.

People love infographics, BUT there are a couple of reasons I don't like them as opt-ins.

Reason #1: They are amazing backlink bait. People love linking to infographics.

Reason #2: They make blog posts look fantastic, and I think they are worth showing to everyone, not just opt-ins.

If you choose to give them away, there is no harm in that; it just isn't my style.

Infographics are also great for backlinks, so spending a little bit of money to have a great infographic created might be a great investment. If you want a premium infographic created, I recommend you check out 99designs.

25. Membership Area

A private area with content and a community environment.

Access to a membership area is a great way to get leads and build community. This is a serious investment of time, energy, and money, so I don't recommend this as your first lead magnet.

Example: BodyBuilding.com Community Area

26. Mind Map

Diagrams breaking down a process and showing how different steps relate to one another.

Mind maps are easy to create and provide that "instant gratification" that your visitors crave.

There are plenty of free tools to help you create mind maps.

27. Newsletter

A simple opt-in promising periodic emails relating to a certain topic.

The most basic type of lead magnet, the newsletter opt-in, is my least favorite opt-in because it doesn't check off most of the boxes for what makes a great lead magnet.

These do still convert of course, but unless you have a huge fan base and have been creating world class content for years, these won't convert well.

Someone like Tim Ferriss can get away with this sort of opt-in because he has written best selling books and has one of the top podcasts on iTunes.

Even Tim has more lead magnets though than just this simple newsletter opt-in.

Example: Tim Ferriss 5-Bullet Friday Newsletter

28. Plan

A simple document showing how to do something efficiently.

People love plans. They are straightforward and gratifying.

If you have a simple plan to share, this could easily become your highest performing lead magnet.

Example: BodyBuilding.com

29. Predictions

A simple document showing an educated guess to future happenings.

If you're serving the financial sector, this sort of lead magnet can be fantastic.

Example: ProfitConfidential.com

30. Quiz

A short test with questions relevant to the niche the subscriber is interested in.

People love quizzes. The secret to generating leads with quizzes is to request the email address after the participant has completed the survey.

Is this an underhanded tactic? I don't think so. Ask yourself when you take a quiz, are you caught off guard that you need to provide an email to get the results? It's very standard.

There are a lot of tools you can use to create quizzes for lead magnets. Check out Interact first, but there are plenty of other options.

31. Recipe

A plan for cooking something (usually offering some sort of health benefit).

If you are in the food or fitness niche, recipes make fantastic lead magnets. They are quickly digested (pun intended) and highly actionable.

32. Replays

Recordings of webinars or trainings relating to the topic of interest.

Webinars are great lead magnets on their own, but you can get a ton of mileage out of just one value packed webinar.

I recommend using a tool like EverWebinar from Webinar Jam to host your replays, and visitors can view them as if they are live.

Kissmetrics has a massive database of past webinars you can watch by opting in to their mailing list.

33. Resources/Tools List

A document containing a collection of the tools and resources that help subscribers achieve better results in a topic of interest.

People love things that make their lives easier. Humans are tool using creators, so play to the primal desire to make things easier.

Example: The 4 Hour WorkWeek 11 Simple Must Use Apps and Tools

34. Roundup

A collection of comments or links from influential people or blogs in a niche.

A roundup lead magnet is a piece of content that you crowd source from others in your industry. These are great because they leverage the expertise of others and create credible, interesting pieces of content.

35. Script

Scripts work great in the B2B market. The best example of this would be a sales script for people in sales selling high ticket items or cold calling.

36. Slack Group

Access to a community relating to a topic of interest on Slack.com.

Slack is a communication platform that allows communities to engage with each other. This is a great way to build a sense of community and work toward growing your 1,000 true fans.

37. Slideshow

A powerpoint file showing showing a user something relating to a topic of interest.

Powerpoint slides are a great way to share information quickly with your readers.

38. State of the Industry

A report showing data from a certain field of interest.

Everyone is curious what is happening within their industry. If you can gather great data on the state of your industry, it can make a great lead magnet.

39. Summary

Short, simplified explanations of larger processes.

Quickly summarize large concepts. If you have an "epic post" you can create a summary of the post as a lead magnet.

40. Survey

Similar to the quiz except there aren't right or wrong answers. The purpose is to collect data that would be of interest to your subscriber.

Create a survey and then share the results in exchange for an email.

41. Swipe File

Swipe files are collections of proven marketing materials that are used for reference when creating new copy. If you're in the marketing niche, these are great lead magnets.

Neville Medhora has created a great resource called swipefile.io (although he isn't collecting emails, which I think is a missed opportunity) if you're curious what a swipe file is.

42. Template

Something that helps a subscriber complete a task in less time. Templates often leave some room for customization (names, dates, etc).

Do you have something that you have simplified into a fillable template?

People love this sort of "paint by numbers" content.

Case Study Template (A template to help you build case studies!)

43. Transcript

Typed text of the words spoken in audio or video files.

If you create a lot of audio or video content, transcripts can be great "content upgrade" lead magnets.

If you already have something that is transcript worthy, check out Rev.com to get that audio turned into a written transcript.

Pro Tip: Transcription services are good but not perfect. You will want to read over the final transcription to check for errors. Often times terminology is misheard or misworded by transcriptionists who aren't familiar to the industry jargon.

44. Tutorial

Clear, step by step explanation of a task that could benefit your subscriber.

Tutorials are great lead magnets for a number of reasons. My favorite use of tutorial lead magnets is to drive affiliate sales AND increase the odds that your buyers actually keep paying for the product or service if it's a recurring type.

Many marketers make the mistake of assuming that once a sale is made, their job is done. You need to continually improve the buyer's chances of getting value out of the tool they purchased. When they don't, they stop paying for it. It's a perfect win-win opportunity, and in internet business, this is where real money is made.

If you have your own product or service to sell, tutorials are just as valuable.

Example: The Ultimate Thrive Leads Playbook

PS: If you are this far into this blog post already, the playbook above should be your next read. Opt-in to that!

45. Vault/Library

Access to a locked area of premium content.

If you have a blog, locking some of your premium content can be a tremendous way to get leads.

This is a very extensive process and might be considered overkill for a simple lead magnet.

There are a number of ways to create a vault/library. I recommend that you create a simple membership site with Clickfunnels. You can also make a page with a Thrive Leads content lock. This allows you to show the contents of a page only after someone provides an email address.

46. Video File

Short, value packed video files giving quick wins to your readers.

47. Waiting List

Confirmation that someone will be able to purchase something once it is released.

If you have an upcoming product or service creating a waiting list is a great way to get leads and also build hype for your launch.

48. Web App

A simple web based tool that helps subscribers complete some sort of task relevant to your topic of interest.

Similar to the generator, a web app attracts subscribers like nobody's business.

Example: Coschedule Headline Analyzer

49. Webinar

Live video showing something of value in the topic of interest.

There are few lead generation methods more powerful than webinars.

I create my webinars with Clickfunnels and Webinar Jam, but there are many other options as well.

50. Worksheet/Workbook

Offline tools (calculators or fillable templates) that help users accomplish something related to their topic of interest.

This is quite possibly my favorite type of lead magnet. I am an Excel nerd, so making these worksheets comes easily for me.

Example: Financial Freedom Workbook

Have an idea that isn't on this list? Go for it!

Anything you can give to get legitimate, targeted emails is a good lead magnet.

How To Turn a File into a Downloadable Link

Many new marketers are unsure how to convert their files (lead magnets) into a format that can be downloaded by their subscribers.

The answer to this question depends on the service you are using to collect emails and the email marketing software that you use to contact your subscribers.

I haven't run across a professional email opt-in tool or email marketing software that doesn't make it possible to convert files into urls that trigger downloads.

All of the tools (in the next section) will allow you to convert files into URLs that can be shared with subscribers.

Usually these services utilize 3rd party program like Amazon AWS to host the files for you.

Here is what this process looks like in ConvertKit (my email marketing software of choice).

Tools I Use for My Lead Magnets

There are a number of tools you can use to distribute your lead magnets.

(Kit) ConvertKit

This is my email marketing provider of choice, but I really dislike using ConvertKit for forms and opt-ins. They just don't look great, and I don't know enough CSS to make them look great.

Yes, you can edit them if you know CSS, but why would you when there are so many other (low cost) alternatives that integrate with ConvertKit seamlessly

Thrive Leads

Thrive Leads comes with the Thrive Themes suite (which is what I use for my blogs).

It is all I use for opt-ins now.

Alright, there you have it! Now go and create some lead magnets, build your list, and make some money!

Did I miss something? Comment below and let me know!

The post Lead Magnets 101 appeared first on theemailemail.com.

Best (Actually) Free Email Marketing Software in 2025

Nate McCallister — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:48:41 +0000

Platform	Free Plan Limits	Notable Free Features	Good For
Kit (ConvertKit)	Up to 10,000 subscribers; unlimited emails; 1 basic automation & 1 sequence.	Unlimited forms & landing pages; creator profile; digital products.	Creators needing lots of headroom on a free tier.
beehiiv	Launch (Free): 2,500 subscribers; unlimited sends; up to 3 publications.	Custom site/CMS, referrals, recommendation network, custom domains.	Newsletter-first growth & monetization.
MailerLite	500 subscribers; 12,000 emails/month.	Automations, websites, landing pages, templates.	Simple campaigns & landing pages for small lists.
Brevo (Sendinblue)	300 emails/day (contacts not capped by plan).	Email + transactional (SMTP/API), SMS/WhatsApp, basic automation.	Multichannel & transactional messaging.
EmailOctopus	2,500 subscribers; 10,000 emails/month.	Up to 3 automations; up to 3 landing pages/forms; EO branding on free.	Budget newsletters with basic automations.
Sender	2,500 subscribers; 15,000 emails/month.	Automation, landing pages, popups; Sender branding on free.	Maximizing monthly volume on a free tier.
Zoho Campaigns	2,000 contacts; 6,000 emails/month.	Templates, forms; some features restricted on free.	Teams already in the Zoho ecosystem.
Mailchimp	500 contacts; 1,000 sends/month; daily cap 500.	Basic templates & reports; Mailchimp branding on free.	Beginners needing lots of integrations.
AWeber	500 subscribers; 3,000 emails/month.	1 automation; 1 list; basic templates.	Starter lists testing AWeber’s workflow.
GetResponse	500 contacts; 2,500 newsletters/month.	Landing page (1), forms, website (1); trial of premium features 30 days.	Small lists wanting landing pages included.
Omnisend	500 emails/month to up to 250 contacts.	Email + SMS + ecommerce integrations; most features available on free.	Stores testing ecommerce automations.
HubSpot (Marketing Email)	2,000 marketing emails/month.	Templates, basic email; HubSpot branding on free.	CRM-first teams dabbling with newsletters.
Mailjet	6,000 emails/month; 200/day cap.	Drag-and-drop editor; transactional email; Mailjet branding on free.	Low-volume senders needing daily throttling.
Benchmark Email	500 contacts; 3,500 emails/month.	Automation Lite, segments, reports; Benchmark branding on free.	Trying automations without cost.
CleverReach	250 recipients; 1,000 emails/month.	Basic editor/templates; GDPR-focused provider (EU).	Very small lists, EU-hosted preference.

The post Best (Actually) Free Email Marketing Software in 2025 appeared first on theemailemail.com.

Why Is My Email Going to Spam? Is Your Newsletter Doomed? Here’s What to Know

Nate McCallister — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:02:35 +0000

You hit send on your latest newsletter, only to find out it ended up in the spam folder—or worse, wasn’t delivered at all. It’s maddening when you’ve crafted something valuable, and your audience misses it entirely.

But there’s good news: most deliverability issues are fixable.

Let’s walk through why emails go to spam and how to stop it—especially from the perspective of newsletter creators and marketers.

1. Authenticate Your Domain

Email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) need proof you're a legitimate sender. Without SPF, DKIM, and DMARC properly configured, your messages are tagged as suspicious.

Fix:

Send from a custom domain (e.g., you@yourdomain.com)
Add your ESP’s DNS records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
Use tools like MXToolbox to verify setup

2. Use Google Postmaster Tools

Email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) need proof you're a legitimate sender. Without SPF, DKIM, and DMARC properly configured, your messages are tagged as suspicious.

Fix:

Send from a custom domain (e.g., you@yourdomain.com)
Add your ESP’s DNS records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
Use tools like MXToolbox to verify setup

3. Use Google Postmaster Tools

If you send to Gmail addresses (and you almost certainly do), set up Google Postmaster Tools. It gives you a dashboard with:

Domain reputation
Spam complaint rates
Authentication issues
Delivery errors

Treat it like your email “credit score,” and check it weekly.

4. Pick an ESP That Prioritizes Deliverability

Your email platform plays a big role in inbox placement. A tool built for creators, like Kit, makes things smoother while safeguarding deliverability.

Why Kit stands out:

Delivers with an industry-leading 99.8% delivery rate and healthy sender reputation Kit
Provides authentication wizards, SPF alignment, and deliverability support EmailTooltester.comZapierWarmy.io
Provides amazing support.

I've been with them since 2017 and haven't looked back since. It's gotten better every year.

Here's a breakdown of Kit compared to other typical ESPs.

Feature / Benefit	Kit	Typical ESP (Generic)
Delivery Rate	~99.8% delivery, high sender reputation	Varies widely; may lack deliverability focus
Authentication Tools	Built-in SPF alignment and setup guidance	Often manual or supported poorly
Deliverability Support	Expert team performs deep-dive reviews	Limited insights, if any
List Segmentation & Automation	Flexible tags, visual automations, A/B testing	Many require complex flows or custom logic
Creator-Focused Features	Sell products, paid newsletters, tip jars, landing pages	Often missing monetization tools
Free Plan Generosity	Up to 10k subscribers & unlimited emails	Free plans are often more limited

5. Write Clean, Human-Centric Content

Spam filters — and readers — react poorly to:

All caps, excessive exclamation points, “BUY NOW!!!”
Image-only emails or too many links
Link shorteners like Bit.ly
Some shortened YouTube links seem to give it issues at times.

Fix:

Use clear, friendly subject lines
Balance text and images
Use branded links or anchor text, not shorteners
Test with tools like Mail-Tester before sending

6. Keep Your List Engaged

Spam filters detect low engagement. If too many subscribers delete your emails or mark them as spam, your sending reputation drops.

Fix:

Clean your list regularly (e.g., with NeverBounce or ZeroBounce)
Segment based on engagement (active vs. cold subscribers)
Ask readers to whitelist you

I regularly prune my email list to remove cold subscibers. About 2x per year I will send "re-engagement campaigns" and manually remove all cold subscribers who do not engage with the sequence.

7. Warm Up and Send Consistently

Sudden high-volume sends from a fresh domain look spammy. Consistency is key.

Fix:

Warm up new domains gradually (tools like Warmup Inbox or Mailwarm help)
Maintain a regular sending cadence
Always include a clear unsubscribe link

8. Nail the Technical Basics

Delivery issues can stem from small but important details:

No reply-to address
Sending from shared IPs with poor reputations
Not leveraging BIMI to show your logo in inboxes

Fix:

Use your ESP’s reputation-protected IPs when possible
Consider BIMI after setting SPF/DKIM/DMARC
Use deliverability checkers like MailGenius

9. Leverage a Double Opt-In

If people didn’t explicitly ask to hear from you, spam reports are almost guaranteed. Double opt-ins make sure there were no mistakes along the way and it also removes people who aren't interested enough to do the bare minimum of opening one email.

Fix:

Use clear opt-in forms—preferably sending a double opt-in email before they are officially added to your sender. lists.
Be transparent about what they’re signing up for
Prioritize quality over quantity
Be sure there is a clear one click unsubcribe button on every email.

FAQs: Why Your Email Goes to Spam

Q: Do images trigger spam filters?
A: Not necessarily—but image-only emails usually do. Always include text.

Q: How many links are “too many”?
A: No magic number, but if your newsletter is short, keep it under 4–5 links.

Q: Will Gmail treat promotional emails as spam automatically?
A: No—but they go into the Promotions tab, which reaches fewer eyes and can impact reputation.

Q: How often should I clean my list?
A: 3-4 months to keep engagement high and bounce rates low. Some list owners never purge their lists and their open rates plateau lower and lower every month.

Q: What if I’ve done everything right but still hit spam?
A: Deliverability is an ongoing journey. Use Postmaster Tools, test, refine, and be patient—reputation builds over time.

Final Thoughts

If your emails are landing in spam, don’t give up. Deliverability is a combination of solid technical setup, engaging content, and a trustworthy ESP. Fix your authentication, monitor Postmaster Tools, and test regularly. And if you want an email tool that actively supports deliverability while empowering creators, Kit is an excellent choice.

The post Why Is My Email Going to Spam? Is Your Newsletter Doomed? Here’s What to Know appeared first on theemailemail.com.

BeeHiiv vs. Substack – Which Is the Right Choice for Your Newsletter

Nate McCallister — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 01:33:33 +0000

The newsletter landscape has exploded in recent years, with creators seeking platforms that not only help them publish content but also grow and monetize their audiences effectively. Two platforms have emerged as frontrunners in this space: Beehiiv and Substack. While both serve newsletter creators, they take fundamentally different approaches to content creation, audience building, and monetization.

Platform Overview

Substack has been enjoying significant momentum, boasting over 35 million active subscriptions with 3 million paid subscriptions. Built with writers in mind, it combines blogging and newsletters with a community-driven approach that feels reminiscent of digital journaling.

Beehiiv, the newer player founded in 2021 by former Morning Brew employees, positions itself as a newsletter platform specifically built for growth. It provides creators with comprehensive tools to grow and monetize their email lists in today's competitive digital landscape.

Key Differences at a Glance

Audience Approach

Beehiiv: Focuses solely on creators, providing tools to build and grow audiences independently
Substack: Serves both writers and readers, offering a marketplace where readers can discover new content

Monetization Strategy

Beehiiv: Requires separate marketing and payment handling, but offers no revenue sharing on premium plans
Substack: Built-in monetization with paid subscriptions, but takes a 10% cut plus transaction fees

Content Discovery

Beehiiv: No built-in discovery feature; creators must drive their own traffic
Substack: Marketplace environment where readers can find and subscribe to new content

Ease of Use

Substack wins on simplicity. Its pared-back, straightforward email editor feels like writing in a personal journal with minimal distractions. The dashboard quickly shows subscribers, followers, views, and open rates without overwhelming users with complex features.

Beehiiv offers more sophisticated features for monetization and growth, including deep audience segmentation, granular analytics, and automation capabilities. While still user-friendly, these advanced features can present a steeper learning curve for beginners.

Monetization Options

Substack's Approach

Free to use until you monetize
10% fee on paid subscriptions plus transaction costs
Manual ad integration required
Simple paid subscription model

Beehiiv's Innovation

No revenue sharing on premium plans (Scale and above required for paid subscriptions)
Built-in ad network for easy sponsor connections
Advanced monetization features:
- Lifetime subscriptions
- "Pay What You Want" subscriptions
- Subscriber referral programs
Only Stripe's standard 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee applies

Community and Engagement

Substack excels in community building with features like:

Reader comments and likes
Discussion threads
Notes feature and direct messaging
Large creator network for cross-promotion
Follow features creating a social media-like experience

Beehiiv focuses more on list growth than community engagement:

Basic likes and comments (not enabled by default)
Referral programs for subscriber growth
Cross-promotion capabilities
"Boost" feature for paid recommendations

Design and Customization

Both platforms prioritize simplicity over elaborate design options.

Substack offers minimal customization - all newsletters tend to look similar with basic logo and background color options.

Beehiiv provides slightly more flexibility with:

Design Lab for customizing fonts, headers, and colors
Block-based editor with images, buttons, tables, and social embeds
Free website included with account
Custom templates (on premium plans)

List Management and Analytics

Substack's Limitations

Basic subscriber data with limited segmentation
Simple analytics: engagement rate, open rate, click-through rate
No automated sequences
All subscribers receive all free content

Beehiiv's Advanced Capabilities

Powerful segmentation based on attributes, engagement, and sign-up sources
Comprehensive analytics including subscriber acquisition sources and geographic data
Automated email sequences with visual workflow builder
Detailed reporting for data-driven decisions

Pricing Comparison

Substack

Free to publish
10% fee on paid subscriptions
Additional transaction and billing fees
No subscriber limits

Beehiiv

Free Launch plan: Up to 2,500 subscribers
Scale plan: $49/month for 10,000 subscribers (pricing scales with audience size)
Max plan: $99/month for 25,000 subscribers
Enterprise: Custom pricing for larger operations

The Verdict

Beehiiv emerges as the winner for creators serious about newsletter growth and monetization. Its advanced features, better analytics, superior segmentation capabilities, and innovative monetization options make it the more powerful platform for ambitious newsletter creators.

Choose Beehiiv if you:

Want full control over your subscriber data
Need advanced segmentation and automation
Prefer keeping 100% of subscription revenue (minus payment processing)
Plan to scale and optimize your newsletter business
Want comprehensive analytics for data-driven decisions

Choose Substack if you:

Prioritize simplicity and ease of use
Want to tap into an existing reader marketplace
Prefer built-in community features
Don't mind sharing revenue for platform benefits
Focus more on writing than technical optimization

Final Thoughts

While Substack remains popular for its simplicity and community features, Beehiiv's focus on growth, monetization, and creator control makes it the superior choice for serious newsletter entrepreneurs. The platform's innovative features and creator-first approach position it well for the future of newsletter publishing.

The choice ultimately depends on your goals: if you want a simple writing platform with built-in discovery, Substack works well. But if you're building a newsletter business and want the tools to grow and monetize effectively, Beehiiv is the clear winner.

Ready to start your newsletter journey? Both platforms offer free trials, so you can test which approach feels right for your content creation goals.

The post BeeHiiv vs. Substack – Which Is the Right Choice for Your Newsletter appeared first on theemailemail.com.

How to Choose a Profitable Newsletter Topic

Nate McCallister — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:23:15 +0000

TLDR

Choosing the right topic for your newsletter can make or break how much you can earn and how quickly. Pick a topic that

Resources Mentioned

- Paved

- Sparkloop

Starting a newsletter can be one of the best or worst decisions of your life. It all comes down to the topic you choose to cover.

Choose the wrong one, and it doesn't matter how much time and energy you spend on it. Choose the right one, and all of your time and effort will correlate to profits.

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

Peter F. Drucker.

Let's discuss how to find a profitable newsletter topic so you actually see maximum returns on your investments.

I'm also going to show you my favorite way to research existing newsletters to see which are doing well and see what they're sending.

First, we must understand newsletter monetization methods.

Understanding Newsletter Monetization Methods

How you monetize your newsletter will dictate what topics are the best fits.

Here are the core ways you can monetize your newsletter. Note that you can and should monetize your newsletter in multiple ways.

Method #1: Charge for Your Newsletter

Charging a monthly subscription for your newsletter is a winning strategy for the correct type of newsletter. Services like Beehiiv and Kit make the tech implementation easy, but creating the right offer and marketing it are not so easy.

Best suited for:

Newsletters that have highly valuable insights, usually timely details, or insider-style information.
Niches that help people earn or save money do well as paid newsletters.
Newsletters hosted by people of authority. Influencers, authors, etc.

Drawbacks:

Harder to grow a large list. The quality and engagement of each subscriber is much higher, but building a 100-person paid newsletter is more difficult than a 5,000-person free one.
Pressure to consistently deliver quality content. You should be doing this anyway, but it's different when people are actually paying you.

Method #2 Affiliate Offers

This is my go-to method; every niche has at least a handful of quality affiliate offers you can promote to your newsletter.

Best suited for:

Everyone. Even if it isn't a perfect fit, every newsletter should try to promote at least one relevant affiliate offer.
Audiences with a "no-brainer" affiliate offer that everyone in the space would want. If you are in the finance space, a simple financial planning app would benefit every reader. If you're in the fitness space, your go-to whey protein powder would be suitable for almost every reader. Some niches have easier offers to sell than others.

Drawbacks:

Not easy. It takes lots of clicks to drive conversions, even on a great offer.
Tracking discrepancies. I trust most affiliate programs as far as I can throw them. It's a given that many of your sales (maybe most) will not be credited to you due to cookie issues, coupon codes, or even flat-out scammy affiliate managers trimming sales down to bloat the bottom line.

Method #3 Paid Sponsorships

Newsletter owners can sell placements or solo broadcasts to brands. You can market these yourself or use a company like Paved to find sponsors for you.

Best suited for:

Large, broad newsletters or very niche newsletters that target a specific, high buyer intent audience.
B2B newsletters.

Drawbacks:

Pressure to deliver results. Not all offers convert, and it feels bad to take money and not deliver.
Some effort is required to consistently find sponsors. Especially early on. Platforms like Paved help, but many newsletters proactively contact brands to offer sponsorship placements.

Newsletter Spying with Paved

Every newsletter creator should have a Paved account. Not just to sell your own sponsorships but also to spy on other newsletters.

Navigate over to their marketplace and filter newsletters by top-rated.

From there, start clicking on different newsletters and see what packages and pricing they are offering.

You can also see valuable insights like how they are getting their subscribers.

This can give you a good idea of what sort of similar strategies you can adopt to replicate their results.

Go and check the latest reviews for each newsletter while you're there.

Do they have any sales in the past couple of days?

What are they charging?

What are the reviews saying? How many clicks are people getting? Are they happy with the results?

You can also see their latest broadcasts.

What are they sending? How are the placements positioned?

You get the idea.

You can go even further and filter by category.

If you're considering a finance newsletter, research what others are charging and whether they're generating sales.

Who has sponsored them in the past?

While you're there, create an account so you can promote your newsletter there when it's ready.

Click Here to Join PavedIt's Free to Join

Method #4 Your Own Product or Service

The most profitable method if you have a great offer. Ideally, your product should be something you don't have to spend any time or effort on. Something that can be delivered digitally or shipped with no extra work on your end beyond customer support.

Best for:

Creators with an offer that solves a costly problem or saves a significant amount of time.
Audiences who already ask you for “the system.”

Drawbacks:

Requires an actual product, fulfillment, and support.
You’ll split your focus between content and delivery.

Tips: Start with a low-lift, high-margin digital product (such as a template, playbook, or database) and build toward higher-ticket offers.

Method #5 Sparkloop Referrals

Sparkloop is a free service that lets newsletter owners get paid by sending referrals to other newsletters. This is one of the best-kept secrets in the email marketing game.

Best suited for:

Newsletters that run paid ads. You can liquidate or discount your own ad spend by earning a little bit on each new lead you get by referring them immediately to other newsletters.
Newsletters that have a very low cost to acquire a lead. Sparkloop earnings typically average out to about $0.50 to $1.20 per confirmed lead. If you can stay below this, you can grow your list and get paid to do it.
Broad consumer niches and niche B2B (if there are relevant partners). Broad newsletters like "

Drawbacks:

Sharing leads with other newsletters. You will be fighting for attention in their inbox. This isn't a huge deal, though. Most people receive 100+ emails per day.
Some tech set-up. Once you're set up, you're good, but it's a little bit of a chore to get it started.

Other Considerations

It's not all about the numbers. Here are a few more considerations.

Do you enjoy the topic? Not mandatory, but it makes it much easier.
Is the topic future-proof? Some things aren't going to be around for much longer. Is your topic trending up or fading out?
Is your topic something people want to hear about regularly? Some topics aren't things people care to hear about regularly.

Profit Signals: How to Judge a Topic Fast

Here's a quick set of considerations.

Buyer Power: Are there companies with budgets to reach this audience? (SaaS, fintech, tools, agencies).
Offer Density: Are there 5+ high-quality products you could promote today?
Sponsor Density: Can you find 20+ relevant brands that already sponsor similar newsletters/podcasts? (Great proxy for cash-in-the-space.)
High CPC Keywords (Proxy): If ads are expensive around your topic, brands likely value these readers.
Moat & Access: Do you have proprietary data, workflows, or interviews that others can’t easily replicate? Not mandatory, but if you have some unfair edge, leverage it.
Low CAC Path: Can you acquire 1,000 subs for <$1 each via content, swaps, social, or paid recommendations? (If so, paid recommendations can help subsidize growth.)

There you have it.

If your newsletter flops, you can't say you didn't at least give yourself the best chance possible!

The post How to Choose a Profitable Newsletter Topic appeared first on theemailemail.com.

How to Get an Email Address with Your Website Domain [Free and Paid]

Nate McCallister — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:52:09 +0000

Having a professional email address that matches your website domain is crucial for building credibility and trust with your audience. Instead of using a generic Gmail or Yahoo address, imagine the impact of communicating from yourname@yourbusiness.com.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through various options to set up a custom domain email, from completely free solutions to premium services.

Why You Need a Custom Domain Email

Before diving into the options, let's understand why this matters. A custom domain email:

• Builds professional credibility - Shows you're serious about your business
• Enhances brand recognition - Every email reinforces your brand
• Improves trust - Recipients are more likely to engage with professional addresses
• Provides better deliverability - Custom domains often have better email reputation

As noted in professional communications, business accounts ending in @gmail.com can come across as unprofessional and may be considered a red flag. It's essentially like naming your business after your landlord.

My Top Recommendation: Google Workspace

Google Workspace is my preferred solution for managing domains because it includes Gmail integration and provides a seamless experience. Here's why I recommend it:

• Familiar Gmail interface - Use the Gmail you already know and love
• Professional features - Calendar, Drive, Docs, and more included
• Excellent deliverability - Google's reputation ensures your emails reach inboxes
• Scalable - Easy to add team members as you grow
• Mobile integration - Works perfectly with all devices

Pricing: Starting around $6-12 per user per month
Best for: Businesses that want premium features and reliability

Click Here to Join Google Workspace

Free Options: Zoho Mail

If you're looking for a completely free solution, Zoho Mail offers an excellent forever-free plan:

• Up to 5 users per domain - Perfect for small teams
• 5GB storage per user - Adequate for most needs
• 25MB attachment limit - Handles most file sharing needs
• Web and mobile apps - Access your email anywhere

Important limitation: The free plan restricts you to Zoho's web app and mobile apps only - no IMAP/SMTP access for third-party email clients.

Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs and small teams on a tight budget

Hosting Provider Email Services

Most web hosting providers include email hosting as part of their packages. Popular options include:

Bluehost

• Free email accounts included with hosting plans
• Webmail access and basic features
• IMAP/POP3 support for email clients
• Spam protection included

WPX Hosting

• Professional email hosting included
• Fast, reliable service with excellent support
• Multiple email accounts depending on plan
• Advanced spam filtering

Pricing: Usually included with hosting plans ($3-15/month)
Best for: Those who want email and web hosting from one provider

Alternative Paid Solutions

Porkbun Email Hosting

• $24 per year per inbox (50% off first year available)
• IMAP/SMTP compatible - works with any email client
• Domain and email management in one place
• 15-day free trial included with domain registration

Purely Mail

• Ultra-budget option at $10 per year per inbox
• No-frills approach - basic but functional
• IMAP compatible for email client access
• Perfect for minimal needs

Zoho Mail Paid Plans

• Light plan: $12 per year per user
• Standard plan: $15 per year per user with 10GB storage
• IMAP/SMTP access included in paid plans
• Advanced features and integrations

Privacy-Focused Option: Proton Mail

For those prioritizing privacy and security:

• End-to-end encryption for maximum security
• Custom domain support available
• Privacy-focused - no tracking or data mining
• Professional features in paid plans

Best for: Users who prioritize privacy and security above all else

How to Set Up Your Custom Domain Email

Step 1: Choose Your Provider

Select from the options above based on your needs and budget.

Step 2: Verify Domain Ownership

Most providers will require you to add DNS records to verify you own the domain.

Step 3: Configure DNS Records

Add the required MX, TXT, and other DNS records provided by your email host.

Step 4: Create Your Email Accounts

Set up the specific email addresses you need (info@, support@, yourname@, etc.).

Step 5: Test Everything

Send test emails to ensure everything is working correctly.

Making Your Choice

Here's my recommendation based on different scenarios:

• For businesses wanting premium features: Google Workspace
• For budget-conscious solopreneurs: Zoho Mail (free)
• For existing hosting customers: Use your host's email service
• For privacy advocates: Proton Mail
• For ultra-budget needs: Purely Mail

Final Thoughts

Having a professional email address with your domain name is one of the simplest yet most impactful steps you can take for your business credibility. Whether you choose a free solution like Zoho Mail or invest in Google Workspace, the key is to get started and maintain consistency in your professional communications.

Remember, your email address is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Make it count with a custom domain email that reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.

The post How to Get an Email Address with Your Website Domain [Free and Paid] appeared first on theemailemail.com.

Hoppy Copy Review – The AI Email Marketing Software You Don’t Want (You Need)

Nate McCallister — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 12:55:36 +0000

30 Second Summary of Hoppy Copy

Hoppy Copy is an AI tool that is laser focused on email marketing. It provides things like custom newsletter brand management, non-stop done for you broadcast ideas, deep automations, competitor research and much more. It can even send your emails for you if you choose to use them as your ESP (I still use Kit though).

Do you want/need Hoppy Copy?

If you have an email list that earns you money and you are serious about optimizing it and running it effectively, 100% you should sign up for Hoppy Copy.

If you are not making money with your newsletter or don't plan to anytime soon, hold off, because Hoppy Copy is not free. With our group coupon code EMAILEMAIL30, you'd pay about $600/year, which is a lot of you aren't making money with your newsletter.

Click Here to Start a Free Trial of Hoppy Copy

Most AI tools are worthless. I know that is harsh, but after testing all of the big ones over the past several years, I assure you, it's fair. They are little more than the Open AI API plugged into a shell that nerfs down the features of ChatGPT, calls it "specialized" and charges a premium price to give you less.

So when I heard about Hoppy Copy, I assumed it was going to be another one of the same.

I was very, very wrong.

Hoppy Copy is one of the few AI marketing tools that actually goes so far beyond the functionality of the basic AI tools you probably already pay for (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc) that it's crazy.

Honestly, you should just go sign up for it now and run a free trial to see for yourself. But, if you want some convincing first, here's a breakdown of what you're getting and why it's a no brainer for anyone who does email marketing of any kind.

Start a Free Trial of Hoppy Copy

Use code EMAILEMAIL30 for 30% off an annual plan.

Start a Free Trial

Hoppy Copy Video Demo

If you prefer to watch and not read

What Is Hoppy Copy?

Hoppy Copy is an AI powered program that helps email marketers create better emails in less time.

They do this in several ways. Most of which are things that you just can't do with a basic AI tool like ChatGPT.

Hoppy Copy solves several problems.

It helps prevent writer's block by giving you non-stop email ideas.
It helps you keep a consistent tone and brand style.
It helps you spy on competitors .
It helps you automate your content by pulling from custom AI memory you create.

Hoppy Copy also allows you to fully replace your existing ESP (email service provider) but I use it with my usual Kit.

Here's a list of all of the AI tools and functions Hoppy Copy currently offers.

Newsletter Creator: Transform the way you create newsletters. Create an engaging picture-packed newsletter at light speed.

Sequence Creator: Create a custom email series that captivates your contacts with every message.

Multipurpose Email: Write any kind of email!

Social Media Post: Write an engaging post for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter.

Content Improver: Rewrite any content to make it more interesting and engaging.

Social Post Ideas: Brainstorm sizzling new content ideas for social media.

Newsletter Topic Ideas: Unlock fresh topic ideas for your newsletter.

Product Launch Email: Unveil your new product with an impactful launch email.

Mini Article: Share knowledge with a short newsletter article or section.

Hooks: Write attention-grabbing openings for any content.

Product Update Email: Inform subscribers about new features or updates.

Educational Email: Educate customers about your product or industry.

Subject Line: Increase open rates with a compelling subject line.

Sales Letter: Drive revenue with a persuasive sales letter.

Follow-Up Reminder Email: Turn existing emails into reminders for customers.

Email Campaign Ideas: Generate fresh ideas for your next email campaign.

Deal or Giveaway Promotion Email: Drive sales quickly with a promotional email.

Event Promotion Email: Boost attendance for your next event.

AIDA Framework: Captivate subscribers with the Attention, Interest, Desire, Action model.

Call-to-Action (CTA): Create bold CTAs that increase clicks.

Email Intro: Write engaging introductions for emails.

Features → Benefits: Reword features into unique benefits.

Headline: Write killer headlines for content.

PAS Framework: Persuade readers by addressing specific pain points.

Paragraph Creator: Turn outlines into engaging paragraphs.

Persuasive Bullet Points: Convert paragraphs into persuasive bullet points.

Story: Create engaging stories for marketing content.

Value Proposition: Craft compelling value propositions for products/services.

Abandoned Cart Email: Recover lost sales with cart abandonment emails.

Competitor Comparison: Highlight advantages over competitors.

Lead Nurture Email: Show how readers can solve problems using your product.

Reactivation Email: Engage unresponsive customers with compelling emails.

Social Proof Email: Enhance sales by using social proof.

Welcome Email (new subscribers): Welcome new subscribers and encourage action.

Welcome Email (onboarding): Excite new users about your product.

Behind the Scenes: Share insights about what's happening behind the scenes.

Curated Resources: Share a list of useful resources or tools.

Expert Secrets: Share specialized knowledge with readers.

Fresh Take: Provide unique perspectives on various topics.

Little Known Benefits: Highlight lesser-known benefits of a product or topic.

Question Exploration: Explore questions that might interest readers.

Reasons Why: Share why doing something is a good idea.

Report a Story: Share engaging stories in a journalistic manner.

Weekly Spotlight: Feature key products, people, or concepts regularly.

Cold Outreach Email: Initiate conversations with cold outreach messages.

Ice Breakers: Write unique intros for outreach campaigns.

LinkedIn Outreach: Reach out with compelling messages on LinkedIn.

#Hashtags: Generate hashtags for social media posts.

YouTube Video Title: Create clickable titles for YouTube videos.

Seasonal & Holiday Email: Design themed emails for seasons or holidays.

Ad Copy Variants: Write ad copy for various platforms.

Video Script: Create compelling scripts for videos.

Freestyle: Request any type of content creation.

Lead Magnet: Write compelling opt-in messages to grow subscribers.

Product Description: Craft appealing descriptions for products.

SEO Meta Descriptions: Create SEO-friendly meta descriptions that entice clicks.

Webpage Creator: Design a webpage for specific purposes.

Content Converter: Repurpose content across different formats.

Hoppy Copy Newsletter Systems

This is the real gem of the software. Hoppy Copy lets users create their own "newsletter systems" that generate branded emails for them and can pull from the knowledge base that they provide.

For examples, you can share your blog URL, your social media profiles, etc. and it will integrate them into broadcast ideas for you.

If you're like me and do "round up" type emails where you share interesting things on a certain topic each week, this is a gamechanger.

Hoppy Copy Newsletter Monitoring

This is something I used to pay WAY MORE for than I pay just for Hoppy Copy. I can see the emails that any newsletter or business is running and I can learn from them.

Hoppy Copy Pricing

Hoppy Copy isn't cheap but it also is still underpriced in my opinion. They currently offer 3 pricing tiers.

Starter $39/month
Pro $79/month
Scale $199/month

With our coupon code, paid annually, this knocks the prices down to...

If you're using Hoppy Copy as your email sender (I do not do this) the price can increase based on how many sends you need. These costs are still quite low compared to other paid providers.

Start a Free Trial of Hoppy Copy

Use code EMAILEMAIL30 for 30% off an annual plan.

Start a Free Trial

The post Hoppy Copy Review – The AI Email Marketing Software You Don’t Want (You Need) appeared first on theemailemail.com.