The Only Online Sales Funnel I Use (That Works Every Time)

When I first started using an online sales funnel, I didn't realize how straightforward it could be. A sales funnel is just a way to guide a potential customer from one step to the next. For example, if you create content to help people solve problems, you can lead them to the next step, like visiting your website. The key to making this work is consistency; it doesn't matter if you use LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube.

I focus on YouTube, so I'll be diving into how I analyze my funnel through YouTube Studio. By looking at data like impressions, views, and watch time, I can see what's working and what's not. Understanding each metric helps me improve my content and drive more engagement. This method works because I offer a clear next step in each video, leading viewers to my website to opt in with their email or purchase my products.

Key Takeaways

• An online sales funnel guides potential customers through a series of steps.
• Consistency and clear calls to action are key to any platform's success.
• YouTube analytics help track and improve the performance of your sales funnel.

Definition of an Online Sales Funnel

An online sales funnel is a set of steps designed to guide potential customers through the buying journey. It starts with attracting people's attention to your content, often through platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

For example, if you’re a content creator, your first step could involve creating videos or posts to solve a problem or provide value. After this, you add a call to action (CTA) that encourages viewers to move to the next step, such as visiting your website or signing up with their email.

Here’s a basic structure of an online sales funnel:

1. Attraction: This involves creating engaging content to draw the audience.
2. Engagement: Here, you keep the audience hooked with valuable information.
3. Conversion: This step encourages the audience to take the desired action, such as sharing their email or making a purchase.

Different platforms offer various tools to measure and improve each part of the funnel. For instance, on YouTube, you can use metrics like impressions, views, click-through rate, and watch time to understand how well your content is performing and where potential customers are dropping off.

The key is to keep refining your process to make the funnel as effective as possible, ensuring the broad top (attraction) leads to a satisfactory bottom line (conversion).

The Stupidly Simple Sales Funnel Strategy

Consistency Across Platforms

When I post content, I make sure to be consistent on every platform I use, whether it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube. Consistency isn’t just about posting often; it’s about giving that platform what it wants and engaging with users. The key is to make sure that my message is clear and my call-to-action is simple.

Focus on YouTube Analytics

Here in my YouTube Studio, I closely monitor my analytics. I look at the last 28 days and check key metrics like impressions, views, and watch time. For example:

• Impressions: 151,000 in the last 28 days.
• Views from Impressions: 8,000.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): 5.7%.
• Watch Time from Impressions: 454 hours.
• Average View Duration: 3 minutes and 9 seconds.

By analyzing these figures, I find out what works and what doesn’t. This helps me improve my content and enhance my sales funnel over time.

Navigating YouTube Studio Analytics

Impressions and Their Importance

When I log into my YouTube Studio, the first metric I look at is impressions. Impressions tell me how many people have seen my video thumbnail. In the past 28 days, I had 151,000 impressions. This number might sound large, but it should be. The top of the funnel needs to be big because not everyone will click on the thumbnail.

Role of YouTube's Recommendations

YouTube's recommendations are crucial for getting more views. Around 75% of all YouTube traffic comes from recommended content. In my case, YouTube recommended my content 52% of the time. My goal is to get this percentage as high as I can by creating content that appeals to a wider audience.

Understanding Views from Impressions

From the 151,000 impressions, I got 8,000 views. This shows how many people clicked on my videos after seeing them. Views from impressions tell me if my thumbnails are effective at grabbing attention.

Click-Through Rate Significance

The click-through rate (CTR) is another important metric. It measures the percentage of people who saw my thumbnail and clicked on it. My current CTR is 5.7%. A high CTR means that my thumbnails are effective. YouTube favors videos with high CTRs because it shows that people find the content engaging.

Watch Time as YouTube's Currency

Watch time is YouTube's currency. The platform wants people to spend more time watching videos so it can show more ads. For my channel, I had 454 hours of watch time in the last 28 days. This is significant because longer watch times are better for my channel's growth.

Average View Duration Goals

The average view duration is another key metric. It measures how long people watch my videos on average. Currently, my average view duration is 3 minutes and 9 seconds. I'm always aiming to increase this metric because it indicates how engaged viewers are with my content. The longer they watch, the better it is for my channel.

Using the Funnel for Making Content

Live Analytics for Improving Content

I dive into my real-time YouTube analytics for the last 28 days. YouTube provides all the necessary data to refine and enhance a sales funnel. I start by checking the impressions, which show how many times my content was displayed. In the last 28 days, I had 151,000 impressions. Next, I look at the percentage of YouTube recommendations, which was 52%. This metric is crucial because 75% of YouTube traffic is driven by these recommendations.

I then focus on the number of views from these impressions, which totaled 8,000. The click-through rate (CTR) for these impressions was 5.7%, indicating how many users clicked on my content. My main goal is to improve this CTR. Lastly, I look at the watch time from impressions, which was 454 hours, and the average view duration, which was 3 minutes and 9 seconds. Higher watch time and view duration are important for keeping the audience engaged.

Case Study: 'How to Use Loom' Video Performance

Looking at the analytics for my "How to Use Loom" video, I can see a clear funnel at play. Since its publication, the video has had 236,000 impressions, nearly 177,000 views, and 916 watch hours. This shows the effectiveness of creating valuable content with a clear next step for the audience.

By analyzing metrics such as reach, click-through rates, and watch time, I can fine-tune content to maximize engagement and lead conversions. This same funnel strategy can be applied across different platforms like Instagram, where checking impressions, clicks, and click-through rates is equally important. The key is to consistently offer valuable content and clear calls to action.

Steps Forward and Engaging Your Audience

1. Create Valuable Content: Start by putting out content that truly helps or solves problems. This could be in any format—videos, articles, or posts. The key is to offer value upfront.
   
   
2. Set Simple Calls to Action (CTAs): Each piece of content should lead viewers to take the next step, such as signing up with an email or visiting your website. This action is crucial as it moves them further into the funnel.
   
   
3. Track Key Metrics:
   
   
• Impressions: Monitor how many times your content appears on users' screens.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measure the percentage of users who click on your content after seeing it.
• Watch Time: Keep an eye on how long viewers stay engaged with your content.
4. Analyze and Optimize: Use tools, like YouTube Analytics, to see how your content is performing. Look at metrics such as impressions, views, and watch time to understand what works and what doesn't.
   
   
5. Engage Consistently on Your Chosen Platform: Whether you focus on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, or another platform, be consistent. Each platform has its own requirements and audience behavior.
   
   
6. Repurpose Content: Share your content across multiple platforms to drive traffic back to your main funnel. This can include snippets, highlights, or repackaged information to fit different formats.
   
   
7. Follow-Up with Emails: Once someone opts in, continue engaging them through a series of emails. Provide additional value, share relevant content, and gradually introduce your products or services.
   
   
8. Experiment and Adjust: Look at real-time data and see which content performs best. Continuously refine your strategy based on the feedback and results you observe.
   
   
9. Offer Clear Next Steps: Every piece of content should clearly guide the audience on what to do next. This could mean filling out a form, watching another video, or making a purchase.
   
   

By following these steps, you can build a strong, effective sales funnel that drives engagement and conversions. Stay focused, track your progress, and keep improving.

Email Sequencing Post Opt-In

Once people opt-in, I follow up with an email sequence to build a relationship and provide value. This sequence helps me guide them towards my products and services over time.

Email 1: Welcome and Introduction

The first email welcomes new subscribers and introduces them to what they can expect. It’s friendly and sets the tone for future communication.

Email 2: Free Resource

In the second email, I offer something valuable for free. This could be a guide, a checklist, or an e-book. It aims to provide immediate value.

Email 3: Sharing More Content

Next, I send more content related to their interests. This might be blog posts, videos, or tutorials that address their needs and problems.

Email 4: Social Proof

Following that, I share social proof. This includes testimonials, case studies, or success stories, showing how my product or service has helped others.

Email 5: Product Introduction

In this email, I start to introduce my product or service. I explain what it is, how it works, and why it’s beneficial.

Email 6: Special Offer

The sixth email often includes a special offer or discount to encourage them to try or buy my product/service.

Regular Follow-Ups

Even after these initial emails, I continue to follow up with my audience regularly. I send updates, new valuable content, and occasionally promotional offers.

Structure and Frequency

The sequence typically spans over a couple of weeks. It’s essential not to overwhelm your subscribers with too many emails too quickly. I space them out to keep engagement high.

Table for Email Sequence

Using this sequence, I ensure consistent communication with my audience while offering them valuable content. This approach effectively transitions prospects into customers.

Growing the Funnel for Wider Reach

Long-Term Impact

When I check my YouTube Analytics, I review the lifetime data to see the larger picture. My channel, although still small, has amassed 1.6 million impressions. This shows the importance of having a wide funnel. Even with a smaller subscriber base, a broad funnel feeds more views and increases watch time. Click-through rate remains around 5.6%, and I aim to improve it. Average view duration is another key metric I monitor to keep viewers engaged as long as possible.

Promoting Products and Services

How I turn viewers into customers is by leading them through my funnel. Once they've watched my content, I offer a clear next step, usually directing them to my website where they can opt in with their email. It’s crucial to understand that only a small percentage will take this step, so a wide funnel is necessary. After they opt in, I follow up with an email sequence, providing more value and eventually introducing my products and services.

Applying Strategies Across Platforms

To make my online sales funnel effective on various platforms, I follow a consistent approach. Whether it's LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube, the key is to deliver what the platform wants. By doing this, I can maximize my funnel's effectiveness and reach more people.

LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, it's all about B2B connections and professional engagement. Here’s how I adapt:

• Post valuable content: Share articles, infographics, and updates relevant to my niche.
• Engage with my audience: Respond to comments and messages to build relationships.
• Clear calls to action: Encourage connections to visit my website, download resources, or sign up for webinars.

Instagram

Instagram is visual and fast-paced. Here are my strategies:

• Use eye-catching visuals: High-quality images and videos grab attention.
• Stories and Reels: These formats help showcase behind-the-scenes content and quick tips.
• Strategic links: Use the bio link and swipe-up feature to guide followers to my funnel.

YouTube

YouTube focuses on content that educates or entertains. My approach includes:

• Optimize thumbnails: Make them attractive to improve click-through rates.
• Consistent posting: Upload videos regularly to stay in front of my audience.
• Engage with viewers: Reply to comments and encourage sharing.

General Metrics

Regardless of the platform, I pay close attention to these metrics:

By applying these strategies tailored to different platforms and focusing on the right metrics, I create a cohesive and effective online sales funnel.

Examining YouTube Traffic Sources

Navigating to my YouTube Studio, I head straight to the analytics. Over the last 28 days, my channel received 151,000 impressions. This means YouTube showed my thumbnails or channel images 151,000 times. From these impressions, I got 8,000 views.

Table: Key Metrics Over the Last 28 Days

Impressions alone don’t guarantee views. That's where the click-through rate (CTR) comes in. My CTR of 5.7% shows the percentage of people who saw my thumbnail and then clicked on it. A higher CTR usually means engaging thumbnails.

Watch time is critical for success on YouTube. The more people watch, the more YouTube promotes your content. My watch time from these impressions was 454 hours, showing good engagement.

When looking at my Lifetime metrics, I see 1.6 million impressions. Despite having just over 1,000 subscribers, this wide funnel brings in significant traffic. Lifetime click-through rate and average view duration remain areas for improvement.

Traffic Sources

Table: Traffic Sources Breakdown

YouTube Search and Suggested Videos are major sources of traffic. Suggested Videos are particularly valuable since 75% of YouTube traffic comes from recommended content. To capitalize on this, I focus on creating content that YouTube is likely to recommend.

By analyzing real-time data and specific video's performance, such as one of my best-performing videos, "How to use Loom," I can see how 236,000 impressions translated into nearly 177,000 views and 916 watch hours. This video demonstrates the consistency and effectiveness of my funnel strategy.

Engagement with viewers is key. A clear call to action in every video helps draw viewers to my website, where they might provide their email or purchase a service. Understanding and optimizing these sources can significantly enhance your channel’s growth and engagement.