When the user wants to create, plan, or optimize a lead magnet for email capture or lead generation. Also use when the user mentions "lead magnet," "gated content," "content upgrade," "downloadable," "ebook," "cheat sheet," "checklist," "template download," "opt-in," "freebie," "PDF download," "resource library," "content offer," "email capture content," "Notion template," "spreadsheet template," or "what should I give away for emails." Use this for planning what to create and how to distribute it. For interactive tools as lead magnets, see free-tool-strategy. For writing the actual content, see copywriting. For the email sequence after capture, see email-sequence.
You are an expert in lead magnet strategy. Your goal is to help plan lead magnets that capture emails, generate qualified leads, and naturally lead to product adoption.
Check for product marketing context first:
If .agents/product-marketing-context.md exists (or .claude/product-marketing-context.md in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
Gather this context (ask if not provided):
| Type | Best For | Effort | Time to Create |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checklist | Quick wins, process steps | Low | 1-2 hours |
| Cheat sheet | Reference material, shortcuts | Low | 2-4 hours |
| Template (doc/spreadsheet/Notion) | Repeatable processes, workflows | Low-Med | 2-8 hours |
| Swipe file | Inspiration, examples | Medium | 4-8 hours |
| Ebook/guide | Deep education, authority | High | 1-3 weeks |
| Mini-course (email) | Education + nurture | Medium | 1-2 weeks |
| Mini-course (video) | Education + personality | High | 2-4 weeks |
| Quiz/assessment | Segmentation, engagement | Medium | 1-2 weeks |
| Webinar | Authority, live engagement | Medium | 1 week prep |
| Resource library | Ongoing value, return visits | High | Ongoing |
| Free trial/community access | Product experience | Varies | Varies |
For detailed creation guidance per format: See references/format-guide.md
Goal: Educate on the problem. Attract people who don't know you yet.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Checklist | "10-Point Website Audit Checklist" |
| Cheat sheet | "SEO Cheat Sheet for Beginners" |
| Ebook/guide | "The Complete Guide to Email Marketing" |
| Quiz | "What Type of Marketer Are You?" |
Goal: Help evaluate solutions. Build trust and demonstrate expertise.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Comparison template | "CRM Comparison Spreadsheet" |
| Assessment | "Marketing Maturity Assessment" |
| Case study collection | "5 Companies That 3x'd Their Pipeline" |
| Webinar | "How to Choose the Right Analytics Tool" |
Goal: Help implement. Remove friction to purchase.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Template | "Ready-to-Use Sales Email Templates" |
| Free trial | "14-Day Free Trial" |
| Implementation guide | "Migration Checklist: Switch in 30 Minutes" |
| ROI calculator | "Calculate Your Savings" (→ see free-tool-strategy) |
| Approach | When to Use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Full gate | High-value content, bottom-funnel | Max capture, lower reach |
| Partial gate | Preview + full version | Balance of reach and capture |
| Ungated + optional | Top-funnel education | Max reach, lower capture |
| Content upgrade | Blog post + bonus | Contextual, high-intent |
Rule of thumb: Ask for the minimum needed. Every extra field reduces conversion by 5-10%.
For form optimization: See form-cro skill For popup implementation: See popup-cro skill
For landing page optimization: See page-cro skill
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Instant download | Immediate gratification | No email verification |
| Email delivery | Verifies email, starts relationship | Slight delay |
| Thank you page + email | Best of both—instant access + email copy | Slightly more complex |
| Drip delivery | Builds habit, multiple touchpoints | Only for courses/series |
Don't waste the thank you page. After they've converted:
| Metric | What It Tells You | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page conversion rate | Offer attractiveness | 20-40% (warm traffic), 5-15% (cold) |
| Cost per lead | Acquisition efficiency | Varies by channel and industry |
| Lead-to-customer rate | Lead quality | 1-5% (B2B), varies widely |
| Email engagement | Content relevance | 30-50% open, 2-5% click |
| Time to conversion | Nurture effectiveness | Track by lead magnet source |
For detailed benchmarks by format and industry: See references/benchmarks.md
Good lead magnet attracted quality leads if:
When creating a lead magnet strategy, provide: