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Before we dive into discovering what the f&*k funnels are and if you need them in your coaching business, I wanted to let you know that this blog post contains affiliate links (they are identified by a *). This means I may earn a small commission to fund my coffee habit if you use these links to make a purchase. However, I only recommend products I have personally tried, and you will not be charged extra – it simply keeps me supplied with caffeine, so it’s a win for everyone, really.

 

 

If you’re a coach struggling to consistently attract and convert your ideal clients, you’re not alone. It can feel like you spend your entire day (and night) online responding to comments and DMs, hoping the next one will pay off and become a client. It’s f&*king exhausting!

And that’s where funnels come in. You’ve probably heard the name thrown around in the online business world, but many coaches think they’re just for big businesses. Well, that’s not true.

Funnels are powerful tools that can help you attract and convert more ideal clients, but the real power lies in automation. They keep working hard for you while you work with your current clients, spend time with the kids, or catch up on the latest Netflix box set.

In this blog, I’m going to introduce you to how funnels work and what types of funnels may be helpful for you. By the end, you’ll know exactly what a funnel is and how you can use one to scale your coaching business. Let’s get started!

 

How do funnels work?

Picture a funnel: it’s wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. And that’s the way funnels work.

On top of that funnel, you’ve got a wide-open pool of people who might be interested in your services – but they’re not yet ready to buy.

All the potential clients you’re targeting through various channels will pass through the funnel. As they move down the funnel, those who aren’t interested or not a good fit for your services will be removed.

The aim of the funnel is to lead potential clients through the buying process until they purchase at the bottom.

There are three main stages of the funnel:

  • Top of the funnel (TOF): This is the first step of the funnel, where you bring prospects to your business, and they become aware of your services. You can do this through social media, content marketing or paid advertising.
  • Middle of the funnel (MOF): This is where you nurture your prospects toward a sale by providing them with valuable content, like blog posts, ebooks and webinars. At this stage, your potential client starts considering their options and whether you might be the person to help them solve their problem.
  • Bottom of the funnel (BOF): This is the smallest part of your funnel and where the fewest people will get to, but they are most likely to be perfect for your services and are where you convert them into paying clients.

Image of a sales funnel with each stage labelled - Top of funnel, middle of funnel and bottom of funnel

This process can be almost entirely automated, meaning you generate leads and convert the most appropriate ones into paying clients without having to hustle online 247.

Next, we’ll look at some of the most common funnels coaches use.

 

Different Types of Funnels for Coaches

Whilst there are many different funnel types, depending on the type and stage of a business, these are the most common funnels used by coaching businesses.

 

Lead Generation Funnels

  • Purpose: To attract and capture potential clients’ contact information.
  • Common Use Cases: Building an email list, promoting a freebie (e.g., ebook, webinar, checklist), and generating leads for future sales.
  • How it works: Typically involves a landing page offering a valuable resource in exchange for an email address and other relevant information.
  • Pros: Simple to set up, cost-effective, and can generate a large number of leads.
  • Cons: Requires consistent strategies to add traffic to the top of the funnel and nurturing to convert leads into clients.

 

Webinar Funnels

  • Purpose: To showcase expertise, generate leads, and promote a product or service.
  • Common Use Cases: Selling online courses, coaching packages, or group programmes.
  • How it works: Involves promoting a webinar, capturing registrations, and following up with attendees to offer additional resources or services.
  • Pros: Can establish authority, build relationships, and generate qualified leads.
  • Cons: Requires significant time and effort to plan and execute, and the coach must be confident in delivering informaton and selling on camera.

 

Challenge Funnels

  • Purpose: To engage potential clients, build community, and demonstrate value.
  • Common Use Cases: Promoting a coaching program, online course, or membership.
  • How it works: Involves offering a free challenge with a series of daily or weekly tasks designed to solve a specific problem.
  • Pros: Can build trust, generate buzz, and increase conversions.
  • Cons: Requires a huge amount of energy to keep momentum and engagment throughout. The average completion rate of challenges is around 10%.

 

Application Funnels

  • Purpose: To qualify potential clients and ensure they are a good fit for your services.
  • Common Use Cases: Selling high-ticket coaching programs or consulting services.
  • How it works: Involves an application process that includes screening questions and a call to ensure suitability.
  • Pros: Can attract highly qualified clients, gives the feeling of exclusivity and ensures a good fit for both the client and coach.
  • Cons: Can be time-consuming and may deter some potential clients.

As a coach, you’re likely to have more than one funnel in your business at any time. And while all coaches should have at least a lead generation funnel running constantly, other funnels may be turned on and off depending on the sales priorities at the time.

 

The Benefits of Using Funnels for Coaches

  • Say goodbye to manual tasks: Funnels automate repetitive tasks like sending emails and scheduling follow-ups, freeing up your time to focus on coaching.
  • Grow your business without sacrificing quality: Funnels allow you to reach more potential clients and convert them into paying customers without increasing your workload.
  • Streamline your sales process: Funnels guide potential clients through the buying journey, increasing your chances of closing deals and reducing wasted time.
  • Track your progress and optimise your funnel: Funnels provide valuable data on your marketing efforts, allowing you to make informed decisions and improve your results.
  • Provide a consistent experience: Funnels ensure that all potential clients receive the same high-quality experience, building trust and credibility.
  • Maximise your ROI: Funnels can help you generate more leads and conversions with a minimal investment of time and resources.
  • Nurture relationships and build loyalty: Funnels allow you to provide personalised and timely communication, enhancing the client experience and increasing customer satisfaction.

 

Wrapping Up

Funnels are a powerful tool that can help you attract and convert more clients. By automating the sales process, funnels can free up your time so you can focus on what you do best: coaching.

So, if you’re not already using funnels in your business, start today by creating your lead gen funnel. You don’t need fancy software to get started; in fact, you can do it for free with tools such as Mailerlite* or Mailchimp. Trust me, having the right funnels will be a game-changer for your coaching business.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

 


 

Who am I?Emma Morris. Funnel Strategist and Copywriter. Helping coaches find more coaching clients

Well, I’m Emma, an expert funnel strategist, launch partner and copywriter. I help passionate coaches and online service providers with everything from generating new client leads on demand to planning and executing their launch strategy that ideal clients can’t resist. I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of a well-oiled funnel, and I’m here to be your wing-woman throughout the process.

Wondering how to generate more leads in your business? Spend just 2 minutes taking my FREE Ultimate Lead Gen Audit and discover where you can level up your process.