Ever feel like you’re constantly chasing clients, glued to your phone answering DMs, or just overwhelmed by all the things you should be doing to grow your business? Trust me, I’ve been there. In fact, most coaches and service-based business owners I work with feel like they’re stuck in a never-ending hustle, and the dream of having a business that runs without them feels like some mythical unicorn.
But here’s the secret: you don’t have to do it all yourself. That’s what a Simple Sales Funnel is for—automating your lead generation and sales so you can step away, take a breather, and let the funnel bring in clients while you catch up on your favourite Netflix series.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to build a simple sales funnel that works around the clock. No fluff. No overwhelm. Just a step-by-step guide to freeing yourself from client-chasing mode and setting up a system that works for you—even when you’re off the clock.
Step 1: Create a Lead Magnet Your Ideal Client Can’t Resist
First things first, you need a way to get people in the door—and that’s your lead magnet. It’s a freebie, but not just any freebie. This needs to be something your dream clients see and think, “Wow, I need this in my life right now.”
Think of one quick problem your clients struggle with on the daily—something small but urgent. Maybe it’s getting their homepage to convert or figuring out how to nail their first discovery call. Now, turn that into a bite-sized, actionable resource like a checklist, cheat sheet, or mini guide. For example, a “5-Minute Guide to Writing a Homepage That Sells” or “The Ultimate Discovery Call Checklist.”
My Tip: Make sure your lead magnet is connected to your paid offer. You want to give them a taste of what you can help with—but not the entire solution. It should leave them thinking, “Okay, I got results with this…what’s next?”
Step 2: Design a Landing Page That Converts (Without the Headache)
Now that you’ve got your lead magnet, you need to put it out there in the world—and that means a landing page. This is where they’ll go to sign up for your freebie, so it has to be clean, clear, and focused on getting them to take action.
Forget overcomplicated design and 10 different links—your landing page needs one goal: get them to sign up. Start with a headline that grabs their attention and speaks directly to their problem, then follow it up with a few bullet points highlighting what they’ll get out of the freebie.
And don’t forget the call-to-action (CTA)! Make sure it’s clear and actionable—something like “Download the Guide Now” or “Get Instant Access.”
My Tip: Use tools like Divi or ConvertKit to make this easy. They have templates that do most of the heavy lifting, and all you have to do is plug in your copy. (HINT: These are included in my Simple Sales Machine Program)
Step 3: Set Up a Welcome Email Sequence That Warms Them Up
You’ve got their email—woohoo! But this is just the beginning. Now it’s time to build that relationship and show them why working with you is the best decision they’ll ever make.
The goal of your welcome email sequence is to nurture them, build trust, and guide them to your offer. Here’s how I like to break it down:
- Email 1: Send them their lead magnet and introduce yourself in a friendly, relatable way. Something like, “Hey friend, here’s that guide I promised! Can’t wait for you to dig in.”
- Email 2: Share a quick tip or personal story that relates to the lead magnet. Give them value and make them feel like they’re getting a little sneak peek into how you work.
- Email 3: Showcase a client success story or testimonial. Nothing builds trust like seeing that your method has worked for others.
- Email 4: Drop the hint—introduce your paid offer. Let them know you’ve got more where that came from and explain how you can help them go deeper.
- Email 5: Create urgency with a time-sensitive bonus or special invitation. Encourage them to take action.
My Tip: Make these emails feel personal, like you’re chatting with a friend over coffee. The more real you are, the more they’ll feel connected to you and your offer.
Step 4: Build a Sales Page That Sells (Even While You’re Sleeping)
Okay, this is the fun part—your sales page. This is where you take that warm lead and show them exactly why your product or service is the answer to their prayers.
Here’s the key: speak directly to their struggles and show them how your offer solves them. Start with a killer headline that grabs their attention, then walk them through the benefits (not just the features) of your offer. And don’t forget to include social proof—testimonials, results, or case studies work wonders here.
Call-to-Action (CTA): Your CTA needs to be bold and clear. Something like “Get Started Today” or “Join the Program Now” will do the trick. Make it easy for them to say yes.
My Tip: If you’ve got a time-sensitive bonus or a limited offer, include that! It’s a great way to create urgency and get people off the fence.
Step 5: Automate It All and Let It Run
This is where the magic happens. Once your funnel is set up, you can step away and let the system do the work for you—automating your lead generation, nurturing, and sales while you’re out enjoying life (or getting some much-needed sleep).
Tools like ConvertKit or FluentCRM will help you set up automation, so your welcome sequence, lead magnet delivery, and sales emails go out without you lifting a finger.
My Tip: Check in on your funnel monthly to see how it’s performing. A few tweaks—like adjusting a CTA or email subject line—can make all the difference.
Ready to Build Your Simple Sales Funnel?
By now, you know exactly how to create a simple sales funnel that runs like a well-oiled machine, bringing in clients even when you’re not working. And let me tell you—it’s a game-changer.
Want to make the process even easier? Grab my Simple Sales Funnel Planner for a step-by-step guide to setting up your funnel without the tech headaches. It’s the exact tool I use to help my clients automate their businesses—and it’s ready for you, too.
There you have it—a no-fluff, step-by-step guide to creating a simple sales funnel that works for you, 24/7. So go ahead and start building your funnel today. You deserve to enjoy the freedom of a business that runs on autopilot!