Creating The Perfect Sales Funnel: Part One

As a business owner, you must leverage what you offer the world in multiple ways and generate multiple income streams. Sales funnels can help with this, but only if they are done correctly. In the digital age, it has become easy to create money from nothing, but it still requires the right process! This article will discuss the first steps in creating the perfect sales funnel for ANY business. First, I want you to draw a funnel similar to the one below. Split the funnel vertically into six sections, and label the top section “Customer (or Client) Magnet.” This is where the magic begins.

Step 1: Create a Client/Customer Magnet

Now, we must create or repurpose content that our potential customers love. Here’s the rule: It must be something we give away for free with standalone value. Notice the bold words – these points are very important. It must also be something the person obtaining it can consume in less than five minutes. Great examples include a quick How-to video (or a series of them), an ebook, an in-depth article, an expert interview, an FAQ sheet, etc. This Builds trust and makes the prospect familiar with you, your work, and your style. It’s sort of an introduction that can groom your prospect list. As such, it does need to be well thought out and put together. Those who resonate with you are likely to move on to step two. Homework: Brainstorm 3-5 possible magnet ideas. These can be from your popular content already or something brand new. Try to create something focusing on common questions, frustrations, or pain points you notice among your current clients/customers. Choose the one that resonates most with you, but keep the others! You will want to test a few different magnets against each other eventually. If you are stuck, ask via email and social media for customers or prospects to send you their top questions – these will generate some ideas!

Step 2: Create a Tripwire Product

Now, you’ve got something that will attract prospects, so we need to move on to step two in the funnel: a tripwire product. The rule here is that it needs to be priced at $1 – $100, larger and more in-depth than the magnet, but still fairly easy to consume. For example, maybe the lead magnet was a short ebook, and the tripwire product is a 1-hour how-to video. What this does: Initiates a buying experience with the prospect. Builds the next level of trust and acquaints them with purchasing from you. Here are a few ideas for tripwire products:

• Ten Tips Video Series
• 30 – 50 page eBook
• Training Product/Program
• Packet of Forms, Contracts, and Worksheets
• Short Strategy Session (30 minutes)

Homework: Brainstorm 2-3 possible tripwire products. Don’t get too hung up on pricing; remember, these are small, low-cost products to familiarize prospects with buying from you. Hint: it helps to relate this product to the original lead magnet from step 1. Your funnel now looks something like the one below, and you have some homework to do. Next week, we’ll complete the funnel with part two!