Turn Your Podcast into a Community with These Lead Magnets | 011

Ever feel like your podcast has solid content but growth is still slow? You’re not alone. Strong episodes matter, but real momentum comes from how you keep the conversation going once the mic is off. That’s where lead magnets make a difference.
This episode is packed with eight simple and proven ideas to help you build stronger connections with your audience. Whether it's bonus content, curated playlists, private communities, or discount codes, these strategies work. We’ve seen them help podcasters grow loyal listeners, build engaged email lists, and create real community without adding to their workload.
Highlights:
- Why a strong lead magnet can do more for engagement than content alone.
- How to create subscriber-only bonus content without extra production stress.
- Ways to build a deeper relationship with your audience through live Q&As or community access.
- The hidden power of curated episode playlists for new listener onboarding.
- How to use affiliate offers and email courses to grow income and trust on autopilot.
Ready to Launch Your Own Podcast or Need to Realign your Current One. Take Action Now! Download Your Free Copy of the Podcast Playbook: https://amplifyou.com/podcast-playbook-download/
Connect with Braden and AmplifYou:
Website: https://amplifyou.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradenricketts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyoupodcasting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplifyou.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMPLIFYOU.ca
Hey all, it's Troy from Amplify youy here as your guest host for the podcast Playbook.
Speaker ASo today I wanted to talk about what makes, you know, your podcast grow faster than just great content.
Speaker AThe main thing is connection.
Speaker AAnd one of the best ways to build that connection, especially with your casual listeners, is to have a solid lead magnet.
Speaker ANow, not just any lead magnet, you know, using an old PDF you've written three years ago that's buried somewhere on your site.
Speaker AI'm talking about fresh, valuable, U shaped offers that turn listeners into loyal subscribers.
Speaker ASo today I'm giving you eight creative, listener approved lead magnet ideas that actually work.
Speaker AThese are tools we've seen help podcasters build community, grow their email lists, and create super fans who stick around.
Speaker ASo let's get into it.
Speaker AWhy do you want to use lead magnets?
Speaker AHere's the thing.
Speaker AA lead magnet is basically a value packed freebie you offer in exchange for an email address or some kind of contact info.
Speaker ABut honestly, it's more than that.
Speaker AIt's how you keep the conversation going after the episode ends.
Speaker AIt's a trust builder, a connection builder, a community builder.
Speaker AWhen done right, your lead magnet becomes the moment your listener raises their hand and says, yep, I'm in.
Speaker AI want more.
Speaker AAnd if you're not using lead magnets right now or the ones you got are more than magnetic, this is your sign to change that.
Speaker ASo I'm going to take you through eight ideas that are working right now for other podcasters.
Speaker AWe've seen clients use these to grow their lists, deepen engagement, and boost retention, all without burning out.
Speaker AAll right, number one, bonus content episodes.
Speaker AThis one's gold.
Speaker ABut don't let the title make it feel overwhelming, but oh God, I gotta do more episodes.
Speaker ANo, here's what you can do.
Speaker ARecord a few extra minutes with your guests.
Speaker AMaybe a tangent, a juicy behind the scenes, a question that you never got to ask during the interview, or maybe a hilarious story that you had to cut because of the time.
Speaker AWrap it into a bonus episode and make it available only to subscribers.
Speaker AIt's simple, it's valuable, and your audience will love it.
Speaker ANow, if you don't want to do the subscribers, make it as a bonus episode and place it on your website so that you can draw people in.
Speaker AHey, I had this little behind the scenes talk with your guest and you can go find that on our website at blah blah, blah.
Speaker AAnd that way you get them to your website and then they're also checking out your website a little bit more.
Speaker AAll right, number Two detailed show notes or transcripts.
Speaker ANow often when we're doing interviews, people will drop names or they will drop book titles.
Speaker AOther podcasts, that type of stuff, you want to be able to have the people find that right away.
Speaker AYou don't want them to have to come back and say hey, what was that book you mentioned?
Speaker AOr you know, going searching for it.
Speaker ASo in your show notes we highly recommend using like resources mentioned.
Speaker ASo they dropped a book name, have the book name in there, who wrote it, and a link to go find it, whether it be on Amazon or wherever.
Speaker ANow hint.
Speaker AThe great way to make a little extra bucks is, you know, have an affiliate link.
Speaker ASell the book through your affiliate link on your store.
Speaker AUm, so yeah, but the biggest bonus of this is that it helps with SEO and accessibility.
Speaker AIt's a win win situation for you and your listeners.
Speaker ANumber three Cheat sheets and checklists.
Speaker AThis one's all about action.
Speaker ATurn your episode into a tangible takeaway.
Speaker ATalking about productivity.
Speaker ACreate a top 10 tools for focus checklist.
Speaker ATeach you marketing tips.
Speaker ABuild a five step Instagram funnel cheat sheet.
Speaker APeople love printable, digestible tools that they can actually use.
Speaker ANumber four Secret Subscriber only playlists.
Speaker AThink of this like your podcast's Greatest Hits.
Speaker AGroup 5 to 10 episodes into a themed playlist.
Speaker AStart here.
Speaker AFor new listeners, the My Money Mindset series the best of 2025.
Speaker AHowever you want to break it down.
Speaker AThis is especially helpful if you have a large episode catalog and it helps guide listeners to the content they'll love most.
Speaker ADon't want to sell it?
Speaker AThat's fine.
Speaker AWith hosts such as Captivate, you can just create playlists and embed the players on your websites and send people to your website again to go look for those playlists and they can listen to the episodes directly there.
Speaker ANumber five Free email courses.
Speaker AOkay, I get it.
Speaker AThis sounds like a lot.
Speaker ABut if your show teaches anything, this is a way to go deeper.
Speaker ASo for us, for example, we may want to put out something like podcasting in 30 days or how to Build a Personal Brand Online.
Speaker AYou write it once and let your email platform do the heavy lifting.
Speaker APlus, it builds trust while you sleep.
Speaker AYou don't have the extra steps.
Speaker AYou've done all the work.
Speaker ALet it work for you.
Speaker ANumber six Private community Access.
Speaker ALet your audience join the inner circle.
Speaker AWhether you have a private Facebook group, a Slack channel that they can get into, or a community on the circle such as we have for Amplify youy, this is where relationships flourish.
Speaker AYour audience gets to ask questions, share wins and Connect with each other, not just you.
Speaker AAnd spoiler alert, community breeds retention.
Speaker ASo the more that you can get them engaged on your private channels, the longer they're going to stick around and listen and follow you.
Speaker ANumber seven, live Q&As or mini workshops.
Speaker AGo live once a month.
Speaker AAnswer questions.
Speaker AShare behind the scene insights.
Speaker ADo a short training that real time energy.
Speaker AYou can't beat it.
Speaker AWe have a number of individuals that we work with that do webinars once a month and they turn that into a podcast.
Speaker ASo don't think of this as just extra work.
Speaker AThis is something you can use for your podcast episode itself.
Speaker AIt's a wonderful way.
Speaker AIt builds loyalty fast and it makes your podcast feel personal, not just polished.
Speaker ANumber eight discount codes are affiliate offers.
Speaker AIf you've got brand partners or affiliate deals, don't let those lie.
Speaker AUse them.
Speaker APackage these discounts into lead magnets such as Join my insider list for 50% off my upcoming course.
Speaker AYou're helping your audience and and adding another income stream for yourself.
Speaker ANow, we've gone over those eight.
Speaker AWe're not saying you need to use all eight.
Speaker AThat would be a lot.
Speaker ABut pick one that feels aligned with how you show up and what your audience actually wants.
Speaker AIf your audience loves quick wins, go with the checklist.
Speaker AIf they binge your content, curate a playlist.
Speaker AIf they want to learn from you directly, that's where that live Q and A or an email course would be beneficial.
Speaker AAnd if you're not sure what they'd love, ask them.
Speaker ASpotify has polls.
Speaker ADrop a question in your show notes, mention it in your episode.
Speaker ADo it on your social media.
Speaker AFind out what they want.
Speaker AThey'll tell you.
Speaker ASo what's your next move?
Speaker ATake a look at these lead magnet ideas and pick one today.
Speaker ASketch it out.
Speaker ADon't do it next month or next year.
Speaker ADo it now.
Speaker AThis week.
Speaker APut 30 minutes into your calendar, brainstorm your freebie and make a plan to launch it in the next 30 days.
Speaker AAnd so, one last thing we would love to hear from you.
Speaker ADo you use any of these lead magnet strategies?
Speaker ADo you have others?
Speaker APut them in the comments below because we would love to hear from you.
Speaker AWe would love to see how you have found success.
Speaker AUntil next time, happy podcasting.