Ten Lead Magnets for Photographers

Increase subscriptions to your photography email list.

Whether you call them lead magnets, incentive emails, email optins, or something different, the best way to get someone to join your photography email list is to offer them something of value. When it comes to lead magnets for photographers, the offer should be something related to your business that will be an incentive for someone to sign up for your email list.

The type of email optin incentive you offer will depend on your genre of photography. Wedding photographers will naturally have something different to offer as a lead magnet than someone who does children’s photos.

Good Lead Magnets for Photographers

Consider what makes a good lead magnet. It should be something:

• of value to your clients. This is about them, not you.
• eases a client’s pain or worry. You can provide value by solving a question they have or a concern about photos.
• showing off your skills. This will set you apart from others. What can you deliver that others can’t?
• available quickly. Most good email optins will be delivered as soon as someone signs up for your list.

Here Are the Ideas

While I reference some specific genres of photography below, most of these could be adapted to any genre. Think about how to make it work for you and showing off your unique expertise.

1. A guide to public photo locations in your area. If you do outdoor portraiture of any sort (families, children, couples, high school seniors), you can put together a short PDF or ebook with options for various locations you like to photograph. Break them down by mood, noting when is the best time to be at each. It’s a natural fit for someone who then wants to book you to make images.
2. Clothing guides for your genre(s) of photography. Think along the lines of “What men should wear for business headshots” or “Flattering maternity photo clothing options.”
3. A list of tips related to the type of of photography services or products that you’re trying to sell. 5 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Photos… 7 Things to Do with Family Photos Other Than Hang Them on the Wall or Put Them In Your Wallet… you get the idea.
4. A example guide showing the various ways to display family portraits in the home, both traditional and modern. Related material could include how to determine the appropriate size for wall art for a given space.
5. A checklist for the day of your photoshoot. What do you wish your clients knew about getting ready for their photos? Create a one-page checklist that covers things like getting plenty of sleep, how to dress, or what to expect on the day of their shoot.
6. A planner for what ages your clients should consider photographs of their child. Each year? More often? When should it just be the kids vs. the entire family?
7. An inspiration guide with various potential uses for photos of a family, children, seniors, or such.
8. A guided worksheet to help brides understand what creative ways she can display her wedding images based on her living space and lifestyle.
9. The PDF of one of your existing blog posts or online guides that’s popular. Repackage something you’ve already built and that you know resonates with your audience.
10. Discounts are always an option. Consider doing this in a way that you provide value for the client but also don’t cannibalize a significant revenue opportunity for yourself. And keep in mind, once you start offering discounts, you’ll become known as a discount photographer. Is that your market positioning?

Once you have a solid photography lead magnet and have folks on your list? Check out my list of 101 email subject lines for photographers for some inspiration about what to send, or grab my (free) Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing for Photographers. With a bit of effort, you’ll be able to use these email marketing lead magnets for photographers to grow your list and your reach.