How 66% of My Audience Paid to Join My Email List
Episode 934: Show Notes
Everyone says you need a lead magnet to grow your email list, but how many of those freebie seekers actually buy from you? In this episode, I’m breaking down why traditional freebies fall short, how to create low-ticket entry offers that actually convert, and why keeping your offers open year-round can lead to repeat buyers who move quickly up your value ladder.
If you’re tired of chasing passive subscribers who never take action, it’s time to rethink your strategy. I’ll show you how to structure lead magnets that build trust, price low-ticket offers that filter for the right customers, and implement a system that moves people from a $29 purchase to a $2,000 program, sometimes in just hours. Ready to learn how to attract buyers, not just browsers?
Next Level Funnels
Sixty-six percent of my audience paid to join my list, which means that when I send an email, I can be sure I'm not just talking to a bunch of lurkers; I'm talking to a group of paid subscribers who see the value in what I offer. To be clear, I’m not anti-freebie. I have opt-ins (which absolutely helps my sales process), but I believe that having a strategic mix of strategies is essential for success.
Inside Next Level Funnels, I teach you the exact system I use that helps you convert people faster. Sometimes, it’s direct to sale, but other times, it’s through a very strategic freebie that gets someone to buy right away. If you’d like to learn more, check out Next Level Funnels!
The Problem with Traditional Freebies – And What To Do Instead
Traditional freebies tend to give away too much how-to information for free. Here is why that’s a problem: You don't want to attract people that want information from you; you want to attract people that want to work with you.
The role of a lead magnet is super specific. The goal is to get buy-in for your formula, your framework, how you do business, and the way you teach. You’re not necessarily giving all of the information away for free. You're simply offering the ‘what’ without sharing the ‘how.’ The ‘how’ is your paid offer!
A fantastic way to showcase what customers can expect is through case studies. With a case study, you can offer someone proof of what's possible when they work with you. It also gives people an idea of ‘What does this actually take? What does the process look like?’
Why Keeping Your Offers Open All Year Can Boost Sales
Unlike some business models that rely on open-and-close launch cycles, my offers are available all the time. Why? Because people lead busy lives, and when they’re ready to solve a problem, they don’t want to wait six months for enrollment to reopen. Instead of forcing urgency through artificial scarcity, I focus on providing value in a way that naturally guides potential buyers through the decision-making process.
The Power of Paid Leads – For You AND Your Customer
Your goal as a seller isn’t simply to get paid; the real goal is to solve problems. When someone pays upfront, they get invaluable benefits. They have an opportunity to interact with your best work, giving them the chance to get quick wins and see real results.
This is how you create lifers: customers who trust you, engage with your content, and continue to invest in your offers. Paid leads are not only more engaged, but they’re also seven times more likely to buy from you again compared to someone who just grabbed a freebie.
If you want to build long-term relationships with customers who actually take action, prioritizing paid leads is a game-changer!
How to Price and Structure a Low-Ticket Offer That Converts
Low-ticket entry-point offers work best when they solve one specific problem. I typically price these offers between $9 and $47, though I also have some at the $97 mark. The key is to avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. You’re not solving all their business challenges in an afternoon; you’re removing a small but meaningful obstacle, giving them a quick win, and showing them they can take action.
The format of your offer can vary widely. There’s no single “right” way to package it, but the goal is always the same: deliver the solution as quickly and efficiently as possible, ideally doing as much of the work for them in advance. And while this shouldn’t require one-on-one time with you, it should be scalable, something you can sell repeatedly without increasing your workload.
Personally, I love mini-courses as an entry-point offer, but they’re not the only option. If you’re just getting started or testing a new approach, simpler formats like templates, scripts, or swipe files can be a great way to introduce your audience to your work.
Your Low-Ticket Offer Isn’t Meant to Be Your Biggest Moneymaker
One of the biggest misconceptions about low-ticket offers is that they should be wildly profitable on their own. That’s not the goal. Instead, these paid entry offers act as a powerful filter, helping you identify the people who are ready and willing to take the next step with you.
Beyond that, these offers also play a key role in shifting your audience’s mindset. Many potential buyers hesitate because they believe a strategy might work for others but not for them. Your job isn’t to convince them otherwise. It’s to let them experience a small, tangible win for themselves. Think of it like a sample at Costco: they try it, they love it, and suddenly, they’re buying the full-size version. The difference here? Your entry offer delivers a real result, solving one specific problem in a meaningful way.
So, how do you apply this to your own business? The first step isn’t to create a freebie; it’s to pre-sell your offer. This ensures that it converts before you build a full-funnel around it. Start by selling a strategic, results-driven offer that gets people on your list and generates revenue. Then, once you have proof of concept, you can refine your funnel to take someone from a lead magnet to a sale as quickly as possible.
If you need help building the right entry offer to set your business up for long-term success, I’d love to guide you through the process. This is truly one of my favorite things to do! For more information, check out Digital Product Jumpstart.
Quote This
The paid offer is simply a filter. It's allowing us to really assess how ready and willing someone is for the next step.
Highlights
Next Level Funnels [0:00:19]
The Problem with Traditional Freebies – And What To Do Instead [0:01:55]
Why Keeping Your Offers Open All Year Can Boost Sales [0:04:55]
The Power of Paid Leads – For You AND Your Customer [0:06:00]
How to Price and Structure a Low-Ticket Offer That Converts [0:07:33]
Your Low-Ticket Offer Isn’t Meant to Be Your Biggest Moneymaker [0:10:05]
Key Topics:
Lead Conversion, Paid Offers, Leads, Next Level Funnels