How to Turn Free Content Into New Readers: The Author's Guide to Lead Magnets

How to Turn Free Content Into New Readers: The Author's Guide to Lead Magnets

September 1, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 31

About this episode

This episode discusses how authors can use lead magnets to grow their email lists and attract new readers.

Your email list is your most valuable asset as an author, but how do you actually grow it beyond people who already know you? The answer is a lead magnet: free content you offer in exchange for an email address. In this episode, Ricci Wolman and Ferol Vernon break down the full system: what to give away, where to host it, how to deliver it, and how to drive traffic. What you’ll learn: The difference between a lead magnet and a reader magnet, and why you need both (one reaches strangers, one converts existing readers) What to give away: chapter, novella, or full book, and why novellas hit the sweet spot for most authors The KDP Select caveat: why giving away a full book can violate exclusivity terms and what to do instead The 4 components of a working lead magnet system: content, landing page, delivery, and traffic The best tool for author-specific lead magnet delivery, and why BookFunnel handles customer service so you don't have to How to use Meta ads (Facebook and Instagram) to drive lead magnet sign-ups starting at $5/day Free traffic options: newsletter swaps and group promos, plus their real limitations The biggest mistake authors make after running a successful lead magnet…

More episodes of The Written Word Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Written Word Podcast podcast page.