Marketing Funnels: What They Are and Why They Matter

 —No, It’s Not a Fancy Ice Cream Cone

Ever feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall with your marketing? Like you’re hustling your face off—posting on Instagram, tweaking Facebook ads, refreshing your Shopify dashboard like a maniac—and still… crickets?

Yeah. Been there.

That, my friend, is what happens when you don’t have a marketing funnel. Or worse, when you think you do—but it’s actually a leaky, confusing mess that’s chasing people away faster than a sales rep at a family barbecue.

Let’s fix that.

PROBLEM: You’re Not Getting Sales, Just “Likes” and Vibes

I remember launching my first online product. It was a scrappy little eBook on productivity for creatives. I’d spent weeks perfecting the cover, the landing page, and—God help me—the “about the author” section.

I posted about it like mad. Friends shared it. I even ran a $50 ad campaign.

Wanna guess how many sales I got that week?

Two.
One from my mom. The other from a guy I ghosted in 2014. (Still not sure what that was about.)

Here’s the thing: I didn’t have a funnel. I had a pretty product, a hopeful heart, and zero strategy.

If you’re nodding along like, “Yup, that’s me,” don’t beat yourself up. Most creators, coaches, and small biz owners start here. We think if we build something amazing, people will just show up.

But the internet doesn’t work like a lemonade stand. You need to guide people step-by-step from “huh, what’s this?” to “take my money.”

That’s where funnels come in.

AGITATE: People Aren’t Mind Readers—They Need a Path

Imagine walking into a fancy store. The lights are perfect, the music’s vibey, the shelves are full of gorgeous products. But no one greets you. No signs. No staff. You don’t know what anything costs. You don’t even know if you’re allowed to touch stuff.

So what do you do?

You leave.

That’s exactly what your audience does when you don’t give them a clear journey.

See, the average person scrolling your site or feed is not thinking:

“Ah yes, this coach offers a $297 course that solves my precise pain point. I shall now navigate to her checkout page with great joy.”

Nope. They’re thinking:

“Ooh, cute font. What does she do? Wait, is this free? Do I have to sign up? Ugh, another pop-up.”

People are busy. Their brains are fried. Their thumbs are twitchy. And if you’re not guiding them like a friendly tour guide in a museum of your offers, they’re bouncing.

A funnel gives them a path.

It turns window shoppers into buyers.

SOLUTION: Okay, So What Is a Funnel Anyway?

Let’s strip away the jargon and break this down like we’re chatting at your kitchen table with some cold coffee and half a muffin.

A marketing funnel is just a step-by-step journey that moves someone from not knowing you at all → to trusting you → to buying from you.

It’s kinda like dating.
You don’t propose at hello. You warm them up. You show them who you are. You flirt a little. Maybe drop a freebie or two. Then, and only then, do you pop the question: “Wanna buy my thing?”

The 4 Classic Stages (And What to Do at Each One)

1. Awareness – “Who are you?”

This is when people first stumble across your content. Maybe it’s a TikTok, blog post, reel, or podcast. You’re just a blip on their radar.

Your job here? Be interesting. Be helpful. Be human.
Show up with value without immediately asking for something.

Example: A funny reel that solves a small pain point. A juicy blog post titled, “Why You Still Procrastinate Even After Reading 5 Productivity Books.”

2. Interest – “Hmm… you might be onto something.”

Now they’re intrigued. They’re poking around your world. Maybe they binge a few posts or sign up for your email list.

Your job here? Educate. Entertain. Build trust.
Give them a freebie, a lead magnet, a quiz—something tasty and helpful.

Example: “Grab my free cheat sheet: 10 Quick Wins to Boost Productivity in 15 Minutes.”

3. Decision – “Okay, I want help. Are you the one?”

Now we’re talking money. They’re comparing options. They’re lurking on your testimonials page. They’re wondering, “Is this worth it?”

Your job here? Prove it. Offer clear benefits. Show results.
Social proof. Scarcity. Bonuses. Make it easier to say yes.

Example: “Join 300+ creatives who’ve doubled their output with my system. Limited spots left!”

4. Action – “Let’s do this.”

This is where the sale happens. Or doesn’t.

Your job here? Make it smooth. Remove friction. Confirm their decision.

Example: “Buy now, get instant access. 14-day money-back guarantee. Let’s go!”

Funnels Can Be Simple, Swear

You don’t need a 14-part automation or a $1000/month software. You can build a super effective funnel using:

• An email list (MailerLite, ConvertKit, whatever works)
  
• A simple freebie (PDFs still slap)
  
• A handful of nurture emails
  
• A clear offer and checkout link
  

That’s it. Seriously. No need to overcomplicate.

I’ve seen coaches make 5 figures with a one-page website and a Google Doc.

It’s not about fancy. It’s about clarity + consistency.

Real Talk: Funnels Don’t Work If You Don’t Know Your People

The best funnel in the world won’t save you if you don’t know who you’re talking to.

Get specific.

Don’t market to “women.” Market to:
“Overwhelmed moms who can’t find time to work on their side hustle and feel guilty about it.”

Don’t sell to “business owners.” Sell to:
“Freelancers who are great at their craft but suck at marketing and want to stop living invoice to invoice.”

When you know your people, you can write like you’re in their head. And that is what moves them.

Funnel vs Sales Page vs Website?

Quick detour, because this gets mixed up a lot.

• A sales page is one part of your funnel. Usually near the “decision” stage. It’s where people land when they’re ready to buy.
  
• Your website might house parts of your funnel, but it’s often too passive on its own.
  
• Your funnel is the whole dang journey. From the moment they discover you, to the moment they buy (and beyond, if you’re smart).
  

But What If It Feels… Salesy?

I get it. You don’t wanna be that person. You want to help, not harass.

But here’s the truth:
People love to buy. They just hate feeling pressured or confused.

A well-built funnel is actually a kindness. It reduces overwhelm. It says, “Hey, I see you. Here’s the next step if you want it.”

That’s not pushy. That’s generous.

Bottom Line: Funnels Matter Because Clarity Sells

Let’s stop guessing and hoping.
Let’s stop “winging it” and calling it a strategy.

If you’re serious about selling anything online—a course, a service, your art, your weird little productivity eBook—you need a funnel.

Not because it’s trendy.

Because it works.

Because it respects your audience’s brain space.
Because it saves you from burnout and spaghetti marketing.

Real, Raw, Final Thought

I wish someone had told me this years ago. I thought strategy was something “big brands” did, and I was just a messy human trying to share what I loved.

But messy humans need funnels, too.

Not to be robots. Not to manipulate. But to connect better.

And if you can do that? The sales, the freedom, the good stuff—they come a whole lot easier.

Now go build your funnel. You’ve got this.