Lead magnets are considered essential tools for building an email list because they offer something valuable to people in exchange for their email address. This helps to attract potential customers and grow your email list. Imagine you have a new video game company. You could offer a free downloadable guide on 'Top 10 Tips to Improve Your Gaming Skills' in exchange for someone's email address. People interested in gaming would be more likely to sign up for your email list to get this helpful guide. Lead magnets make people more willing to give you their email because they are getting something useful or interesting in return. This can help you build a relationship with them over time and eventually turn them into paying customers.