How to Get Your First Funnel Done This Week!

So you can start making more sales, see how your business can be more systemized, and...get your first funnel DONE!

Plus, honestly, it’s a lot simpler than it might seem.

So let's start first with clarifying...

What is a funnel?

Basically, your funnel is a first impression.?

In fact, I like to compare it to a first date. Let's say you’re sitting across from your cute crush at the restaurant. If things are going well, your goal is to simply get a second date.

It’s the same thing with your funnel. The second date equivalent being to move the relationship forward in some way:

(1) Either where they make a purchase from you if that’s what they’re looking for.

(2) Or if they’re not ready for that, to think, “Wow, I like this person’s vibe and I want to pay attention to what they have to say!”

It’s not any more complicated than that.

But there are a lot of ways you can go about this, so since we’re all about making it as simple as possible here in LZ Land, let's talk about…

What’s the simplest way to get started?

I recommend you make ONE piece of free content that people get in exchange for giving you their email.

That’s it!?

But there IS something you gotta watch out for, and it’s similar to what happens on a BAD first date…?

You know, where that person misses ALL the social cues and drones on and on and on about themselves, until you regret swiping right in the first place.

The point is:

You don’t want to do the same faux pas with your free content. So make your freebie something your “date” can consume in five minutes or less.

However, to be clear:

I’m not saying to not put value into it – actually, exactly the opposite!

But the reality is, if someone you don’t know hands you a document with 10,000 words on it, you’re NOT going to read it. I know I wouldn’t. There’s just too much to do in one day - no matter how valuable it feels!

But if you give someone a 5-minute lead magnet with just one simple takeaway, that’s going to stick.

(Quick side note: A “lead magnet” is the same thing as a freebie or a piece of content. I’m using these terms interchangeably because they're all super common.)

So you want your lead magnet to be something your ideal client cares about, and QUICK.

Because getting those two points right is how you make sure it’s high-value.

So get out a pen and paper, because we’re going to come up with YOUR freebie idea right now.?

Ask yourself:

What is the first thing that my ideal clients might be struggling with?

For example, if your business is in health coaching, that could be, “What’s one simple thing I can actually do, RIGHT NOW, to start feeling better?” Maybe it’s adding one simple ingredient to their diet. Or one recipe. Or one simple workout.

The key is to think about what things your ideal client might be wanting to know right now. Maybe they're even searching that question right now.

Some examples I’ve used in the past for my current business are:?

How to get your first client?

How to find your niche

And an overview for mapping out a 6-figure business plan

Not to be annoying about it – especially if this step has been stressing you out – but this really should be FUN. You get to create something helpful about the business you love!

So if you have a feeling of overwhelm about the whole thing, flip it - it’s just an opportunity to show off what you know, and serve while doing it. :)

*high five to that* ??

Alright - so now you’ve got your lead magnet, and people are signing up to get your awesome freebie.

What’s next?

What do you do with the emails you collect?

Well, there’s a common unwisdom that you need to “nurture” your new potential client with emails. Basically, sloooowly introduce them to your brand. Then, when they’re all warmed up, you hit them with a sales pitch.?

But that’s the absolute WRONG thing to do with the emails you collect. And I’m not just speculating here.

I’m going to share with you what I’ve learned from running hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads to different funnels to test what works best.

The truth is, when people are ready to buy….

Is when they are ready to buy.

When you really think about it, how presumptuous of us to assume that people wait until we’re ready to sell to them, right?

So when your ideal client finds you and signs up for your freebie, THAT’S when they’re most excited to buy. Because they’re looking for a solution to their problem.

So the best thing you can do is actually to sell right away!?

But the last thing you want is to come off as a pushy or scammy salesperson.

So here’s my H.O.N.E.S.T. formula to help you create the most authentic experience in your ideal client’s inbox...

The H.O.N.E.S.T. Formula to help you make more sales:

(Help.) First, tell them how you can help. For example, if you’re a career coach, how is your methodology different and more effective than other career coaches?

(Offer.) Next, get super clear on your offer. As simply as possible, share what your program or product is and how it’s going to help them.

(Next steps.) Then, you want to show them next steps. Essentially, if you want to learn more about this - here’s a link, sales page, or webinar. If you’re newer in your business, this is where I recommend linking to a sales call. That’s the fastest way to start building a connection and making sales.

But a lot of people also struggle with how frequently to send out emails.

And I’m going to say something a little controversial here…

(Every day.) I recommend you send an email out every day.

If this sounds like a lot, I want you to think about how many times you check Instagram or TikTok per day!

The point is, daily emails done well are not too much.

(Sequence.) So to make this as simple as possible, set up a sequence of follow-up emails that invites people to buy… every day. It could be anywhere from five a day to two months of emails! The length is up to you.

The key is, and I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true -

To stay as honest as possible.

What feels good to you?

And what will have your client feel good about buying from you?

(Testimonials.) That’s why the last part of the formula is testimonials. You want to offer proof that you've helped other people get the results they want!?

However, if you’re a tech grandma like me - literally that’s what my husband calls me - this last step might be the one that’s holding you back from actually starting:

What tools do you need to set this up?

First, I’ve got good news for you: we’re gonna keep it real simple. Because the simplest way is almost always the best way.?

With that said, let’s talk about some ways you can get your funnel set up ASAP.

First, most email marketing softwares offer an option as part of their software to set up a simple landing page and form where you can collect emails. It will then automatically send your freebie out to your new email subscriber as well as enroll them in your follow-up sequence.

I personally recommend Active Campaign when you’re? starting out, but I’ve also heard good things about ConvertKit.

But if you’re like me and care a bit more about how your page looks - then you might want an option that gives you more customization ability. In that case, you can use an option like Divi for your website slash landing page - to invite people to sign up for your freebie whenever they visit your website.?

These are the tools that I personally used and enjoyed when I was first starting out, which is why I’m recommending them.

But you also don’t need to follow my example to the letter.

Honestly, all that matters is that you choose the simplest way for you. So you can get your funnel done by the end of this week!?

It doesn’t need to be perfect; you just need to start.

Luisa Zhou is the creator of the Employee to Entrepreneur system, which teaches people how to turn their skills and experience into their own profitable coaching business so they can replace their salary and leave the 9-5. She's been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Success magazine, and more. Get her free blueprint for building a profitable online business that frees you from the 9-to-5.

Thanks for reading!

I'll see you next week with a new article.

Luisa Zhou