Okay, so, “old funnel,” huh? Let me tell you how I tackled this thing. Basically, I stumbled on this really old marketing funnel concept, like straight out of the early 2000s. It was clunky, outdated, but I was curious if I could breathe some new life into it, maybe learn something along the way.
First, I dug up the original documentation I could find. We’re talking PDFs from ancient websites and scanned copies of marketing books. I spent a good chunk of time just trying to understand the basic principles. It was all about awareness, interest, decision, action – AIDA. Pretty standard stuff, but the execution was where it got interesting (or, well, not interesting).
Then, I mapped out the old funnel process as it was originally intended. Think banner ads, email blasts, and really generic landing pages. Ugh. I could already see why it wasn’t working anymore. People are way more savvy now. They ignore that kind of noise.
Next, the fun part. I started brainstorming ways to modernize each stage of the funnel. How could I make people aware of whatever it was I was “selling” (in this case, it was just an online course I created as a side project) without being annoying? I thought about creating some engaging content on social media, like short, informative videos that provided real value. Something that actually helped people instead of just trying to sell them something.
For the interest stage, I decided to create a series of free resources, like downloadable guides and templates, related to the course topic. The idea was to give people a taste of what the course offered and build trust. I required an email to download the resources, which allowed me to get them into the funnel.
The decision stage was tricky. People need a good reason to invest their time and money. I figured out to make the course landing page super compelling, highlighting the benefits and addressing potential objections. I also added testimonials from people who had already taken the course and found it helpful.
Finally, the action stage. This is where you actually get people to sign up. I added a clear call to action on the landing page and made the registration process as easy as possible. No complicated forms or hidden fees. Just a straightforward way to enroll.
After I had updated all the stages, I put it all together and began testing it. I drove traffic to the resources I had created on social media with some paid advertising. Then, I set up email automation to follow up with people who downloaded the resources. I also kept a close eye on the analytics, tracking everything from website traffic to conversion rates.
Here’s the kicker: It worked! Not amazingly, mind you, but definitely better than I expected. The conversion rate was higher than the average for the type of product that I was selling. The key, I think, was focusing on providing value at every stage of the funnel and building trust with potential customers.
- Awareness: Engaging social media content
- Interest: Free resources and email opt-ins
- Decision: Compelling landing page and testimonials
- Action: Clear call to action and easy registration
What I learned: The old funnel concept is still relevant, but the tactics need to be updated for today’s digital landscape. Focus on providing value, building trust, and making it easy for people to take action, and you might just be surprised at the results.
