LeadMagnetGeniusSometimes the best tool is the one you already use. Google Docs (for text documents) and Google Slides (for more visual layouts) are free, widely available tools that can double as lead magnet creators. They might not have fancy templates like Canva or Beacon, but they offer something very important: simplicity and collaboration.
Using Google Docs: If your lead magnet is primarily text-based – say a how-to guide, a list of resources, or a short e-book – you can write it in Google Docs just as you would any document. Take advantage of Docs’ formatting styles for headings, lists, and emphasis to ensure readability. Once you’re happy with the content, you can convert it straight to PDF (File -> Download -> PDF). The result is a clean, no-frills lead magnet. While the design won’t be flashy, the focus here is on content quality. You can always add a bit of color and formatting (like a header image or some bold section dividers) to spruce it up.
Using Google Slides: For a more designed feel, Google Slides allows you to create an 8.5”x11” document with more flexibility in placing text and images (similar to Canva’s approach). Google Slides comes with a few basic templates and you can insert images, shapes, and charts. Many marketers use Slides to create checklist layouts or mini-infographics by manually arranging elements. When done, export as PDF. This approach is a bit more manual than using Canva, but it works in a pinch, and you might already be comfortable with Slides from making presentations.
Why it’s great for lead magnets: Google’s tools are 100% free with no upsells and live in the cloud, so you can’t lose your work. They also shine in collaboration – if you have a team helping, multiple people can edit the document at once. Another bonus: if your lead magnet content is something like a planner or spreadsheet template, Google Sheets could be used to create a sharable template that subscribers can copy, and Google Docs can serve as the instruction sheet. In fact, some entrepreneurs share Notion or Google Sheets templates as lead magnets, which shows that plain tools can still deliver high perceived value.