“We Need a Lead Magnet” (Do You Though?)

Sep 17

Written By Kat

Ah yes, the default advice of internet business coaches everywhere:

“You just need a lead magnet!”

Like it’s a magic trick.
Slap together a checklist, throw it behind a form, and BAM—your email list will be bursting with qualified leads and passive income will rain from the heavens.

Except… it doesn’t.
Because here’s the truth no one tells you:

Most lead magnets are boring as hell, poorly aligned with your actual offer, and do nothing but clutter up inboxes.

So before you waste time creating another “5 Tips to Improve Your Biz” PDF that collects digital dust, let’s unpack whether you actually need a lead magnet—and how to create one that doesn’t suck.

Let’s Start With the Question No One Asks:

Why are you making one?

Is it because:

A coach told you to?
You heard “the money’s in the list”?
You saw someone else do it and think you should too?
You’re panicking before a launch and need something?

Cool. Now throw all that out.

You don’t need a lead magnet. You need a strategic way to attract the right people, build trust, and guide them toward buying from you.

Sometimes that’s a lead magnet.
Sometimes it’s a Reels series.
Sometimes it’s your email list, a webinar, a quiz, a funnel, or your content strategy as a whole.

The point is: don’t create a lead magnet just to check a box. Create one that does something.

What Makes a Lead Magnet Actually Work?

Let’s break it down. A good lead magnet is:

Specific (solves one problem for one type of person)
Actionable (gives them a win they can implement now)
Tied to your offer (creates demand for what’s next)
On-brand (tone, design, vibe—all aligned)
Easy to consume (no 97-page eBooks, please. No one’s reading that.)
Unique (not another “content calendar template,” we beg you)

If it doesn’t check those boxes? It’s probably just digital noise.

What Most People Get Wrong

Let’s call it out:

Too vague. (“Ultimate Guide to Success” … um, success in what?)
Too long. Ain’t nobody got time for a 3-part video series with a workbook and a meditation.
Too off-brand. A Canva template with Comic Sans is not the vibe.
Too disconnected. If your freebie is about one thing and your offer is about another, you’re confusing your audience and wasting your time.
Too generic. If your audience could Google it in five seconds, don’t bother.

Lead Magnets That Actually Work in 2025 (and Heading into 2026)

If you do need a lead magnet, here are some formats that are killing it right now:

A spicy quiz with sass + segmentation built in
A short “hot take” video training (less than 10 mins)
A swipe file, template, or checklist that delivers a quick win
A 3-day email series that builds desire and trust
A decision-making tool (“Which offer is right for you?”)
A real story or case study with juicy behind-the-scenes value

Don’t be afraid to have fun with it. Personality sells.

The Ivy House Way

When clients come to us and say, “We need a lead magnet,” we say:

“Cool. But what does your audience actually need—and how does it connect to your core offer?”

Then we:

Dig into their audience’s pain points and desires
Map the customer journey
Create a lead magnet with a job to do (build authority, qualify leads, create urgency, etc.)
Pair it with a short email nurture sequence that doesn’t feel like a sales trap
Design it to look like a real brand asset, not a rushed DIY download

Because your lead magnet isn’t just a freebie. It’s a first impression.

So… Do You Need One?

Maybe.
But only if: