I Built a Lead Magnet Funnel with ChatGPT, ConvertKit, Make
- natlysovatech
- Sep 3
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 11
Getting more email subscribers without blowing time or cash is hard. I felt stuck writing lead magnets, building forms, and chasing follow-ups that never seemed to send on time.
What finally worked was a simple system. You offer a useful freebie in exchange for an email, then you send helpful messages that build trust and lead to a clear next step. That is a lead magnet funnel, and you can set it up fast with the right tools.
I use ChatGPT to create the content quickly, Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to handle signups and emails, and Make to automate the busywork. This combo is friendly for solo creators in 2025, thanks to Kit’s generous free plan for growing lists and easy integrations across your stack. Make ties everything together, so you can ship once and let the workflow run.
Before this setup, I spent hours tweaking PDFs and manual emails that never scaled. Now I draft the lead magnet with ChatGPT, plug it into a Kit form, and use Make to trigger delivery and follow-ups without babysitting the process.
In this post, you’ll see the exact steps I take: how I plan the lead magnet with prompts, how I set up Kit forms, tags, and sequences, and how I connect Make to deliver the freebie, add subscribers to the right paths, and log everything. You’ll get prompts, settings, and a clean checklist you can copy.
If you want a fast, low-cost funnel that actually grows your list, you’re in the right place. Let’s build it together and get your first subscribers flowing this week.
Step 1: Create Your Lead Magnet Content Fast with ChatGPT
Photo by Shantanu Kumar
You will move faster if you start with a clear problem and a tight promise. ChatGPT helps you go from idea to draft in one sitting. You will refine it for tone and polish, but first you need a strong concept that fits your niche and offers a quick win.
Brainstorming Lead Magnet Ideas That Attract Your Ideal Customers
Start by matching the format to your niche and the outcome your audience wants. Your goal is a focused, fast result, not a full course.
Bloggers: SEO checklist, headline swipe file, or content brief template
E-commerce owners: UGC outreach email templates, product page copy formula, or abandoned cart scripts
Coaches and consultants: clarity worksheet, 30-minute audit framework, or discovery call script
SaaS founders: onboarding email sequence, feature adoption checklist, or churn rescue prompts
Creators and freelancers: rate calculator, proposal template, or portfolio upgrade checklist
Use ChatGPT to generate 5 to 10 tight concepts in seconds. Feed it your niche, audience, and business goal. For example:
You are a marketing strategist. My niche: DTC skincare. Goal: grow email list and drive first purchase. Give me 10 lead magnet ideas that deliver a quick win in under 10 minutes of use. Return each with a title, promise, and ideal format.
My audience: freelance web designers. I sell a Notion project tracker. Suggest 8 lead magnet ideas that connect to my product and remove a common blocker.
Want more prompts and structures? Scan these practical prompt ideas for lead magnet creation in 10 ChatGPT Prompts To Create Lead Magnets and test two or three today.
When you see a concept that clearly matches your offer and audience, lock it in. A good test is this: can someone get value in 10 minutes or less, and does it lead naturally to your paid solution?
Crafting High-Quality Content Without Starting from Zero
With your idea set, have ChatGPT draft the full structure so you are not staring at a blank page. Ask for a clear outline, headings, bullet points, and short CTAs that point to your Kit form or next step.
Try a structured prompt:
Create an outline for a 5-page PDF lead magnet titled "30-Minute SEO Quick Wins for Bloggers." Include: intro, 3 actionable sections, a one-page checklist, and a closing CTA to join my weekly SEO tips in Kit. Keep sentences short and scannable.
Draft section headings, bullets, examples, and a checklist. Add a short CTA after each section that invites readers to save the PDF and join my list for a follow-up mini-course.
Then ask ChatGPT to draft the content:
Write the full content using the outline. Keep it practical with steps, examples, and templates. Use plain language.
Polish it so it sounds like you:
Trim fluff, swap generic phrases for your words, and add a quick personal note or mini case study.
Insert a simple graphic, table, or example where it helps someone act fast.
Adjust CTAs to match your signup flow in Kit, such as: “Want the walkthrough video and copy-paste templates? Join the list here.”
Useful tip: include a final page with a single, clear next step and a deadline. For example, “Reply with ‘SEO’ in the next 48 hours to get my site review checklist.” If you want more prompt ideas for strong CTAs and follow-ups, this guide on writing prompts that drive leads and sequences can help you shape the copy.
Before exporting:
Proof with your brand voice filter: Rewrite this in a friendly, concise tone, 9th-grade reading level.
Check links and CTAs. Make sure they point to your Kit form or landing page.
Save as PDF or Notion page. Keep file size light and mobile friendly.
You now have a strong, focused lead magnet that aligns with your niche and tees up your funnel. Next, you will plug it into Kit and set up delivery and follow-ups that run on their own.
Step 2: Set Up Your Signup and Email Delivery in Kit
Photo by Walls.io
You will move fast in Kit by setting up a clean landing page, a simple form, and an automated sequence to deliver your lead magnet. Think of this step as laying track. Your form collects names and emails, your page does the selling, and your sequence builds trust while you sleep.
Designing a Landing Page That Converts Visitors to Subscribers
Start with a focused layout. Pick a template in Kit that fits a single goal, which is to get the opt-in. Keep the page tight, with one offer and one action. If you want design pointers, scan Kit’s guide on how to design a landing page that convertsand adapt the tips to your brand.
Choose a template with a clear hero section and room for proof. Then make these quick upgrades:
Headline: Lead with the outcome, not the format. Example: “Get 10 SEO wins in 30 minutes” beats “Free SEO PDF.”
Subhead: Clarify the promise in one line. State who it is for and what they will gain.
Hero image: Use a mockup of the PDF or a simple graphic that shows the end result. Avoid busy stock photos.
Proof: Add a short testimonial or a stat. Keep it short so it does not crowd the form.
CTA button: Use clear text like “Get the checklist” or “Send me the templates.” Avoid vague labels.
Write benefit-focused copy that answers “What do I get and how fast?” A simple structure works:
Problem: Name the pain in one sentence.
Promise: State the outcome and the time to value.
Contents: Bullet 3 to 5 things inside.
Next step: Tell them what happens after signup.
Integrate the form inside the page so there is no extra click. In Kit, add fields for first name and email. Keep fields short to reduce drop-off. Turn on double opt-in to keep deliverability healthy, and customize the incentive email so it looks like you. For a detailed walkthrough on delivery settings, check this tutorial on how to deliver a lead magnet using Kit.
Set the thank-you state to confirm what is next. Example: “Check your inbox for the download link. It can take 2 minutes.” If you host the file elsewhere, add a backup link on the thank-you page in case email filters slow things down.
Building an Automated Email Sequence to Nurture New Leads
Create a short sequence that delivers the freebie, then builds trust before a soft pitch. Map it first, then write the emails. For structure ideas and examples, see Kit’s guide on the 6 key email sequences.
Here is a simple 5-email plan that works:
Email 1, Welcome and delivery: Send instantly. Thank them by name, link the download, and give a 1-minute quick start tip. Add a P.S. that asks a simple reply question, like “What is the one blocker you want to fix this week?” Replies improve inbox placement and give you voice-of-customer insights.
Email 2, Value: Send 1 day later. Teach one small win tied to the lead magnet. Include a short checklist or a before-after example.
Email 3, Value: Send 2 days later. Share a case study or a mini story that shows results. Keep it practical and short.
Email 4, Value: Send 2 to 3 days later. Offer a template or swipe file that pairs with the lead magnet. Invite a reply with a keyword to segment interest.
Email 5, Soft pitch: Send 2 to 3 days later. Bridge from the freebie to your paid offer. Lead with outcomes, add one proof point, and offer a low-friction next step, such as a trial, a mini audit, or a workshop seat.
Use tags to personalize without getting fancy:
Tag source and interest, such as Tag: Lead Magnet SEO or Tag: Template Buyer. Then use simple conditionals to swap one paragraph or link.
Add a New Subscriber tag on signup, and remove it after Email 1, so you can trigger other automations later without overlap.
Timing tips:
Front-load value in the first 72 hours while attention is high.
Keep emails short, with one main idea per message.
Use clear subject lines that match the content. Example: “Your SEO checklist, plus a 5-minute setup.”
Personalization basics:
Use first name sparingly in the intro or P.S.
Reference the exact lead magnet title to ground the message.
Segment by reply. If someone replies “SEO,” move them to a focused track. You can expand on this later with Make, but keep it simple for now.
Keep the sequence clean, review links, and set it live. Your page attracts the right people, your form captures their details, and your sequence turns first clicks into warm leads.
Step 3: Automate the Whole Funnel with Make for Hands-Off Efficiency
Photo by cottonbro studio
You have the content and the signup flow. Now you connect the dots so everything runs on its own. Make sits in the middle, catching events from Kit and calling ChatGPT at the right moments. Set it up once, then let the system deliver files, personalize messages, and update records without you. If you want a quick reference on available modules, scan Make’s official page for the Kit integration in Kit Integration | Workflow Automation.
Connecting Kit and ChatGPT for Personalized Touches
Personalized messages boost replies and clicks. Use Make to grab subscriber details from Kit, send them to ChatGPT for a custom note, and push the output back into your sequence.
Here is a simple flow to copy:
Trigger from Kit
Use the Kit trigger in Make for “New subscriber” or “Form submitted.” Pick the exact form for your lead magnet so the scenario stays tidy.
Capture fields like first name, email, source tag, and lead magnet title. Add your consent status so you only message confirmed contacts.
Pull subscriber data
Use a “Get subscriber” step if you need extra fields, like quiz answers or interest tags.
Normalize data. If first name is missing, set a fallback like “there.”
Send to ChatGPT
Add an OpenAI step in Make. Pass dynamic fields, such as first_name, lead_magnet_title, and one key “blocker” input if you collect it on the form.
Keep a clear prompt. Example structure:
Goal: “Write a 120-word welcome note.”
Inputs: “Name, lead magnet, quick win tip.”
Style: “Friendly, concise, plain English.”
Output: “Return plain text and a one-line CTA.”
For step-by-step guidance on this setup, this tutorial on how to automate with ChatGPT in Make is a helpful reference.
Save and send
Save the AI output back to Kit as a custom field, or send it as an immediate transactional email through your email step.
Optional: add a short P.S. with a reply keyword to trigger segmentation later.
Add guardrails
Set a filter for double opt-in. Only run the personalization path if the subscriber is confirmed.
Add a retry for API hiccups, and route failed runs to a “manual review” spreadsheet or Slack ping.
Small tweaks make a big difference. Use the first name once, mention the exact freebie, and add a 1-minute tip that links back to your guide or checklist.
Common Automations That Save Time and Reduce Errors
Focus on a few high-impact automations first. These shave hours off your week and keep your data clean.
File delivery with link fallback: Send the download link right after confirmation, then post a backup link on the thank-you page. If the email bounces or goes unopened for 24 hours, trigger a resend with a different subject.
CRM or sheet sync: Push new subscribers to your CRM or a Google Sheet with key fields, tags, and UTM source. This gives you a clean timeline of opt-ins and makes reporting easy.
Alert notifications: Send a Slack or email alert when a high-intent tag appears, like “Replied: SEO” or “Clicked: Pricing.” Keep alerts short so you can act fast.
Smart tagging and pruning: Add a “New Subscriber” tag on join, remove it after the welcome email sends, and apply interest tags based on clicks or replies. Trigger a cleanup flow for cold contacts after 30 days with no opens.
Compliance matters, so bake it into the build:
Turn on double opt-in in Kit, and only deliver the file after confirmation.
Honor unsubscribes and suppression statuses across all automations.
Avoid sending lead magnet links to unconfirmed contacts to protect deliverability.
Once these are in place, your funnel runs like a reliable production line. New subscribers get what they asked for, messages feel personal, and your systems stay in sync without extra clicks.
Testing, Launching, and Scaling Your Lead Magnet Funnel
You have the pieces built. Now you need proof it works under real traffic. Think of this phase like tuning a car before a road trip. You run checks, swap parts that slow you down, then open the throttle when the numbers look good.
Photo by Mikael Blomkvist
Preflight Checks Before You Send Traffic
Run through these quick tests to catch common leaks.
Form and delivery: Submit your Kit form with three test emails. Confirm double opt-in fires and the file link works on mobile and desktop.
Thank-you and backup: Verify the thank-you state loads fast and includes a backup link if needed.
Sequence links: Click every link in the first two emails. Fix any UTM or redirect errors.
UTM tracking: Use standard utm_source, utm_medium, and utm_campaign so your reports match.
Make automations: Force-run your Make scenario on a test contact. Check filters for confirmed status and failure routes.
Pro tip: open your welcome email on iOS Mail, Gmail web, and Outlook. Formatting quirks hide here.
A/B Test the Highest-Impact Pieces
Small changes in the right spots move the needle. Focus on what prospects see first.
Test ideas that pay off:
Landing page headline and subhead
Hero image or mockup
CTA copy on the form button
First email subject line and preview text
Delivery method, direct download versus hosted page
If you need a simple plan, this guide on funnel testing basics shows how to structure clean A/B tests without noise. Keep one variable per test and wait for 200 to 500 visits before calling a winner. For more ideas on improving your offer, scan these lead magnet tips and borrow one or two that match your niche.
Launch Plan: Your First 7 Days
Do not wait for perfect. Ship a tight version and watch the data.
Day 1 to 2:
Launch to a warm audience. Post on your top channel and email your list.
Add a sticky link in your social bios and top site nav.
Day 3 to 5:
Turn on a small paid test. Start with retargeting and branded terms.
Add one A/B test on the landing page headline.
Collect ten real replies from your welcome email. Use these as proof and copy fuel.
Day 6 to 7:
Swap in the winning headline.
Update the first email subject if open rate is weak.
Write down what worked, what broke, and one change for next week.
If you want more funnel structure ideas that work with Kit, this overview on online sales funnels gives helpful examples you can adapt.
Metrics That Matter and Benchmarks to Aim For
Track a short list so you move fast. Here is a simple view to guide your calls.
Quick checks:
If landing page conversion is low, simplify the promise and button text. Make the value obvious above the fold.
If confirmation rate dips, rewrite the incentive email subject to name the freebie and the sender.
If open rates sag, send the first email within two minutes of confirmation and test a shorter subject.
Scale Without Breaking Your System
Once the core numbers hold, add fuel with intent and control.
Expand traffic one channel at a time. Keep budget small until you see stable conversion.
Add more entry points. Create a content upgrade version of the lead magnet for your top three blog posts.
Personalize by interest. Use a click-trigger in Email 2 to branch readers to a mini track that matches their goal.
Layer soft offers. Add a low-risk next step, like a 7-day trial or a live Q&A.
Protect deliverability. Clean hard bounces weekly and sunset cold subscribers after 30 to 45 days with no opens.
Want a hands-on example that pairs a quiz lead magnet with Kit? This walk-through on building a ConvertKit funnel with ScoreApp shows how to collect richer data and segment early.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
You will hit bumps. Here is how to fix the most common ones fast.
Low landing page conversion: Tighten the promise and remove distractions. Replace the hero with a simple mockup and a clear benefit line. Shorten form fields.
Poor confirmation rate: Rename the incentive email to “Confirm to get [Lead Magnet Title].” Add a reminder on the thank-you page to check updates or promotions.
Deliverability dips: Trim image weight, remove spammy words in subjects, and warm up your domain with a small daily send before scaling paid traffic.
Weak click rate on the delivery link: Put the download button above the fold in Email 1. Add a one-line quick start and a second link at the end.
Few replies: Ask a single, easy question tied to the outcome. Example, “What result do you want in the next 30 days?”
Keep a Simple Optimization Rhythm
Set a weekly loop you can stick with.
Monday: Review metrics and support tickets. Pick one test.
Tuesday to Wednesday: Ship the test and promote.
Thursday: Read replies. Grab phrases for copy and offers.
Friday: Log results and set the next test.
You are not guessing. You are running small tests, reading the data, then turning the dial one click at a time. That is how your lead magnet funnel grows from a nice idea into a steady list builder.
Conclusion
You now have a simple, low-cost funnel that runs on its own, using ChatGPT for fast content, Kit for clean signup and delivery, and Make to sync everything without babysitting. In 2025, this stack is reliable, quick to set up, and built for steady list growth while you focus on value.
Start small this week, pick one step and ship it, like publishing your Kit landing page or turning on the welcome sequence. If you need a refresher, scan Kit’s tutorials to tighten your page and emails: https://kit.com/resources/blog/.
Show up with consistent value, keep your promises, and your list will grow. I am rooting for your first 100 subscribers.
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