Secrets to a Great Online Course Sales Funnel
In the event that you've sat on the sidelines of any discussion about internet marketing, there's a high likelihood that you've heard the word "funnel." There's been more than just a few conversations about funnels, and more and more brands are promising to assist you in creating the best funnel.
The use of funnels is increasing to sell things like high-ticket training or memberships. Therefore, it is obvious that funnels are an excellent idea to sell an online training course. And they can be!
In this post, we'll discuss everything funnels. What it is that can make a funnel effective? What are the most important things to avoid? Here are three options for creating your own funnel for your online courses.
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This article...
What is an online course sales funnel?
What is an online course funnel for sales is NOT
What makes the sales funnel for online courses function?
The truth about online course funnels
How to make an online course sales funnel
How to make your course's online funnel
How can you make an online course using
What is an online course's sales funnel?
An online course sales funnel is a technique for selling that starts by attracting the most number of possible buyers and guides each step of the way to the intended course sales. Most often, the journey of a customer through an online course starts by offering a low-cost or free deal, such as a webinar, a gift (opt-in) or community membership and qualified buyers proceed through the funnel to finally, they purchase the course!
The course funnel may include upsells at the other side, and often creators include things such as 1-on-1 coaching, a personal group, an additional course or a live event.
Throughout the process as the customer's potential client realizes (by investing a little money or time) that you're the best person to aid them and is then mentally prepared to purchase the training course. And that's awesome!
The success of a funnel depends on the high success rate of leads to sales - and a recognition that not everybody will purchase. That's okay. What's important to create a sustainable course business plan is to draw enough customers in your funnel to ensure that enough of them get to the final step but it's crucial to tweak your funnel in order to improve it. Let's get into all of that!
The value ladder as well as the universal truth about marketing
We at Mighty We really love the concept of a value ladder, to talk about funnels. Since when your ideal student invest a little either time or money (in exchange for a bit of value) and they begin to be able to trust the person you are. If they feel confident in you will be more willing to put in more effort or spend dollars to gain more value.
It's awesome math!
What is an online course funnel for sales is NOT
- Sales tactics that are high-pressure. Let's face it We've all been there. If you're not certain that you're getting the right product or the person can help with your questions, yet you're being urged to buy it - it's THE CRUCIALEST!
- It should have a "Buy it right now" button. The entire purpose of a funnel should be nurturing and providing value. A funnel needs to have at least a couple steps on its value journey.
- A single offering. By definition it is a funnel that has more than one offer. This doesn't mean that the offers are all paid. Your funnel could contain 3 free items with a final offering to purchase a course. There should be a variety of points offering worth.
- Universal. There's no one-size funnel that fits all. There are definitely the best practices and ClickFunnels has created a strong name around the repeatable elements of funnels. But a funnel that worked in the past for someone else may not suit your needs. It is important to test it.
- The bait-and-switch. You want to build a successful funnel? Make sure you're giving worth at every step. Anyone who requests their readers to download an unreliable pdf that is worthless and expects them to be a $215 course sales, must be rethinking their strategy.
What are the factors that make the sales funnel for online courses be effective?
Trust
The secret to the power of funnels is trust. Feel it. Be aware of the force of the funnel. (IS this an original Yoda quote? That ought to be!).
The entire purpose of the ladder's value is earning people's trust. It is essential that they trust:
- They know the problem.
- You're the right person to resolve it.
- Your worth is worth the dollars.
Many people work for money. And most of us don't enjoy throwing money around, particularly in these times of economic uncertainty.
How do you gain trust from people?
Simple to do. Value your words. Before you ever ask for the money. If you can give greater value to your Ideal Student than the money they'll need to get it, they'll be loyal.
After they've invested some time or money on your product, and realize that it was worth it, they'll be ready to move on to the next stage!
Ideal Student
For an online course funnel to function, you require the ideal student. This is the focused avatar of the person who would pay to attend your class. The person should face a challenge that you can help them solve... That's why they should take your course.
How can you identify your Ideal Student?
First of all, get precise. "People who are dog lovers" isn't a great description of an Ideal Student. Seriously do you know anyone who doesn't enjoy dogs?
So, we need to narrow it down. "People trying to crate train the puppy of their first year" might be a better candidate for the Ideal candidate.
As you design your course, and the course funnel, go and meet with people that could be Ideal Students! Discover their struggles and issues, particularly would they be willing to invest in an answer.
It is then possible to create what we call the Big Purpose Statement for your program. The format is as follows:
Offering Value
The topic of worth above. However, once you've found an idea of your Ideal Student then the next task is to provide them with accurate information - provide them value upfront. If you're planning a great dessert to prove that you're the perfect person to assist your student, consider what they'll need to know?
If you have a brand new puppy, maybe it's the PDF that has an example dog training schedule. Maybe it's a webinar with some training tips.
Value can only be provided once you know who you think the Ideal Student is. What's cool? As you give value, they'll trust you more. Amazing stuff.
Software
Last but certainly not least, the majority of funnels will require some kind of software. What software do you require? Well, that is dependent on the kind of funnel you create. In general, however the case of an online course funnel, it will require software to generate leads, software to nurture leads and give the class.
That can get a bit intimidating, and it's a great online training tool as does all of the above to help users.
However, here's what you might need software for:
Attracting Potential Customers |
Delivering Value |
The Course is Selling |
|---|---|---|
|
Paid Ads |
Webinar Platform |
Point of sale |
|
|
PDF Downloader |
LMS, streaming platform or even a live stream |
|
Social Media |
Community platform |
Chat and messaging |
|
A site (SEO) |
Software for email |
Community |
|
A podcast |
Event platform |
Analytics |
The type of funnel you're building will dictate the application, however we'll discuss that later.
Facts about online courses funnels
- Only a percentage of people will purchase - your "conversion" rate. Anyone who creates a funnel never believes that 100% of customers are going to buy the thing. You can expect anywhere between 1 and 10% max.
- Funnels need the time to test. It's possible your first funnel will get you there however it's most likely. It's likely that you'll have to work out how. Yet, as the founder of ClickFunnels Russel Brunson has said - You're only one click away!
- A good funnel could earn thousands of dollars. Have reasonable expectations, however, be aware that many creators of courses run people through a funnel over and over until they find one that works.
- Funnels must generate more revenue than they cost. In marketing, the cost of acquisition is an important number. If you realize that each dollar you pay for Facebook ads you get 30 dollars back from course sales, you might simply keep feeding the funnel!
How do I create an online course sales funnel
There's no single method to design a funnel for sales for an online course. Really, you've got to determine what is best for your personality and your target audience. So let's show you a few, including the one we've been secretly thinking is the best. But you can mix and match these.
Email Sequences
This online course sales funnel is as old as the internet. You've experienced it before. You landed on someone's website and they offered you the option of a "Cool PDF" or "Free Training." You gave out your email address to begin receiving email from them.
When it works, an email sequence builds more and more trust. It is easy to imagine your Ideal students waiting eagerly for your next emailand hanging on every word you speak. To ensure that when the invite to purchase the online course comes around, they say "Gee Golly, gosh yes !"
That's the best-case scenario.
But hey, you know what happens when you use email. There's a good chance that people have signed up for 39 other emails and that your fantastic missives end up in their junk-mail folder in the course of time.
SO, you've got to decide if an it's a good fit for you and your audience. It can certainly be element of a larger funnel. If you have a small mailing list (e.g. 100 persons) and you can only get 2% to buy won't help much. If you're dealing with 100,000 people individuals, then 2% of them buying will be a significant amount of revenue!
Webinar
It's a common one. You sign up to receive a "Free Training" - usually by way of advertisements in Facebook, Youtube, or LinkedIn. It's a way to watch a video, whether recorded live or pre-recorded. (Or it's recorded however they make it appear live. Those sneaky sneakers. )
It is a movie that you watch, and they provide some value Then, afterward they offer you an offer that is limited to purchase coupons, or a special offer to keep your attention.
The reason webinars are more efficient than emails is that it is possible to create trust much faster. Video has a certain quality that can make it extremely efficient. So you get to gaze the other person in the eye, get a few inquiries asked (maybe) then figure out if they're the right one to meet your needs.
If you're so inclined, you'll buy!
Community Funnel
Best selling funnel to sell online classes
So the final value ladder we'll talk about is a community. We at Mighty we are incredibly passionate about great communities.
In reality, a community could do everything that a traditional sales funnel does and more. Your customers can be informed about the community. Members can sign up (either on a free basis or at a set fee). It's easy to join and let users join in on the conversation already going on with you and the fellow members.
You fill your community with amazing content, interactive Q&As webcasts, webinars, live streams, live events, or any other thing you want. You provide a great deal of value in a small amount.
And, then, when the moment is to promote your online course You'll have an established group of people who know that they trust, love, and like your business. They trust you as the person who can help them, and they'll pull out their wallets to pay for the course!
It's true that if you can get what you call the Ideal Students and Big Goals right, it's simple to provide value and create trust within a community. It's not even a task at all yourself, other participants can contribute value thanks to the network effect. It's the most effective online course funnel.
How to fill up the online course funnel
There are lots of different ways to get customers to your funnel. Here are some suggestions!
- Paid advertisements
- Social posts on media
- Posts on social media groups
- Sharing with other friends
- Posting on your website (SEO)
- Working off of an existing email database
- Forming partnerships with similar creators (get to be in front of their target audience)
- Podcasts appearances
- Guest Posting
How to create an online course using
If you're ready to build your online course funnel, read this a quick overview of how courses work within Mighty.
Are you ready to begin?
Have you read this information and are you ready to build your personal funnel? Honestly, there's nothing like a great funnel to make an online course sell. If you have something to share now is the time to start creating that funnel!
And if you want the community funnel (or webinar - let's be honest - you can do both) Come and try Mighty! It's a platform for cultural content that let's you bring together communities, courses content, commerce, and more. Flexible Spaces let you mix features like live streaming via an LMS, discussion forums as well as chat and messaging. Member profiles, Q&As and much more!
In addition, it's easy to sell your course to 135 distinct currencies and even make money by token-gating. Your students will be able to use the course via an excellent app that works on every device.