Why Your Lead Magnet Isn’t Working (And What to Do Instead)
Marketing For Fitness Coaches Podcast with Kandace Dickson | CoachRx Podcast Network
If you’ve got a folder of half-finished PDFs, a blinking cursor in Canva, or a “great idea” that never quite becomes real, this one’s for you.
Your lead magnet isn’t “just a freebie.” In a trust-based coaching business, it’s the first moment of impact: a tiny, real win that lets someone experience your method.
Done right, it becomes the bridge from your content → to your coaching philosophy → to a consult.
I made a simple, fillable worksheet to help you build yours in under 30 minutes.
Why This Matters (And Why Most Coaches Miss)
Most lead magnets fail because they’re:
Too broad (“Better health in 30 days!”)
Solving the wrong problem (not what your client is actively searching for)
Disconnected from your actual coaching (great design, zero alignment)
Your lead magnet should be helpful and relevant to what you truly do—so it earns permission for the next step.
Think: first dose of your coaching, not a random freebie.
Anchor It to Your Coaching Content Signature
If you’ve listened to Ep 24 and Ep 27, you know your Coaching Content Signature (beliefs, POV, style, transformational topics) is your north star. Use it here.
Ask:
Belief Shift: What mindset reframe must happen before someone succeeds with me?
Micro-Problem: What specific, repeatable problem do I solve early in the journey?
Unique Lens: How is my approach different, clearer, or more doable?
If it doesn’t express your signature, it won’t feel uniquely “you.” And if it isn’t uniquely you, it’s forgettable.
Choose the Right Topic (The 10PM Test)
Would my ideal client Google this at 10pm in a moment of stress or urgency? If yes, you’re close.
Aim for specific + urgent + relevant to your paid offer.
Name formulas:
How to [tiny transformation] for [specific person]
Free Guide: [Desirable outcome] Without [common frustration]
Examples:
New-Parent Evening Routine: 7-Min Checklist for Deeper Sleep & Next-Day Energy
Protein Without Tracking: 10 Plug-and-Play Meals for Busy Women Who Hate MyFitnessPal
One problem. One outcome. One reader.
Build It Fast and Focused (1 Page + 1 Short Video)
You do not need an ebook. You need a tool people use.
Suggested structure (1 page):
What this is / who it’s for / how to use it (3 lines)
3–5 steps or swaps (clear, testable)
Next step CTA (book consult, reply to email, or watch your deeper lesson)
Optionally add a 2–5 minute loom/video showing how to apply it. Think tiny demo, not a course.
Pro tip: Don’t call it an “ebook.” Call it a Blueprint, Swipe File, Checklist, Toolkit—and make sure it behaves like one.
Promote It Like a Coaching Asset (Not a Secret)
If no one sees it, it can’t work.
Baseline promo:
Link in bio/Linktree
Weekly Story or Reel mention (clip your “why this matters”)
Show notes + companion blogs
Auto-reply trigger: “DM me [keyword]”
Level up:
Short welcome video on the thank-you page outlining the next step
3-email nurture (deliver → deepen → invite)
Invite replies and send a quick Loom back
Common Mistakes (And the Fix)
Too broad → Narrow to one outcome.
Wrong problem → Use client language from DMs, consults, check-ins.
Overdelivering → Solve one thing; don’t dump your whole system.
No next step → Add a clear CTA that matches your offer.
No follow-up → Send 2–3 simple emails; ask for a reply.
Mini-Workshop: Build Yours Now (5 Prompts)
Open a doc and answer:
Who is it for (1 line)?
One problem it solves (1 sentence)?
Three steps/swaps someone can do today (bullets)?
How they’ll know it worked (1 metric/marker)?
What to do next (one clear CTA)?
Format to one page. Record a 2–5 minute walkthrough. Ship.
You can also use the worksheet I made you. Grab it here.
Launch Checklist
One-page tool finished (editable + PDF)
2–5 min video recorded
Landing page + thank-you video
Nurture 1–3 scheduled
Bio/link + weekly Stories/Clips queued
“DM KEYWORD” automation set
Where This Lives in Your System
Weekly anchor introduces the problem and invites to the tool.
Daily clips hit the pain, show a quick win, and point to the tool.
Lead magnet delivers a first result → email deepens trust → consult closes like coaching.
For the deeper “why,” revisit Ep 4 (Lead Magnets That Convert) and Ep 6 (Lead Flow That Converts).
Next Steps
👉 Download your free one page marketing plan!
👉 Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode!
Follow on Spotify
And don’t forget, Marketing for Fitness Coaches is part of the CoachRx Podcast Network, a collection of shows designed to elevate the coaching conversation. Discover more shows in the CoachRx Podcast Network here.
👉 Have questions? If you have a question or want feedback on your lead magnet idea, DM me on Instagram @marketingforfitnesscoaches or @coachrx.app
👉 Stay ahead of the curve and provide the best for your clients with CoachRx.
