Secrets to the Great Online Course Sales Funnel by 2023
When you've sat on the sidelines of any discussion about web-based marketing, there's high likelihood that you've heard the word "funnel." There's more than just a few conversations about funnels, and more as well as more companies promising to help you build the best funnel.
People are using funnels to sell things like high-ticket coaching or memberships. It stands to reason that funnels are a great idea for selling an online training course. And they can be!
In this post, we'll talk about all things funnels. What is it that makes a funnel work? What should you avoid? We'll provide you with three ways to create your own online course funnel.
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This piece...
What exactly is an online course's sales funnel?
What does an online course funnel for sales is NOT
What makes an online course sales funnel function?
Truths about online course funnels
How to build an online sales funnel
How do you fill in your course's online funnel
How to create an online class using
What exactly is an online sales funnel for courses?
A sales funnel for online courses is a way of selling that starts with a high volume of potential clients and then moves them step by step toward the intended course sale. The typical customer experience for an online course starts by offering a low-cost or free deal, such as a webinar, a gift (opt-in) or a community membership and qualified buyers move through the funnel and - eventually - buy the course!
Course funnels may include upsells at the other final stage, but often, course creators will include items like one-on-one coaching, a private group, an additional course or an event that is live.
Throughout the process, the potential customer realizes (by paying a small amount of time or money) that you're the right person to assist them, and then they are mentally ready to buy the course. This is awesome!
The success of a funnel depends on the success ratio of sales to leads - as well as recognizing that not everybody will purchase. That's okay. The trick to a viable course business plan is to get enough students to your channel so that they reach the end of the process - although it's important to tweak your funnel in order to improve it. Then we'll go over everything!
Value ladder as well as the universal marketing truth
At Mighty, we really like the concept of a value ladder, for a funnel. As long as the students you want to attract are willing to spend some time or cash (in exchange for a bit worth), they come to believe in the person you are. As they trust you will be more willing to invest more time or money for greater worth.
It's awesome math!
What an online course funnel for sales is NOT
- Sales tactics that are high-pressure. Let's face it, we've all been there. In the event that you're not confident whether the product you've chosen is correct or the person can help you, but you're PRESSURED to buy - it's just the worst!
- A "Buy it now" button. The whole point of a funnel is nurturing and providing the value. Every funnel must contain at least two steps on its value journey.
- One offer. According to definition it is a funnel that has more than one offer. This doesn't mean that it's all paid. Your funnel could contain 3 free items as well as an offering to purchase a course. There should be a variety of places that provide worth.
- Universal. There's no one-size funnel that works for all. There are certainly the best practices and ClickFunnels has developed a solid name around the repeatable elements of funnels. A funnel that has worked for one person might not be suitable for your particular audience. You need to experiment.
- The bait-and-switch. Do you want to create a successful funnel? Be sure to provide value at each step. If you ask your audience to download an unreliable pdf that is worthless and is expecting them to turn be a $215 course sales, must think again.
What are the factors that make an online sales funnel function?
Trust
The strength of the funnel is the trust. Feel it. Be aware of the force of the funnel. (IS this an original Yoda quote? That should be!).
The entire purpose of the ladder's value is earning people's trust. They need to trust that:
- It's not a problem.
- You're the person to help you solve this problem.
- You are worth their price.
People work hard for cash. And most of us don't want to throw it away - particularly in the current economic climate.
What is the best way to earn people's trust?
Simple to do. Value your words. Before you ever ask for cash. If you are able to provide an additional benefit to your Ideal Student than the money it costs for them to obtain it, they'll stay.
Once they've put in little cash or time with your items, and can see the value and they'll want to go on the next level!
The Ideal Student
In order for an online course to function, you require an Ideal Student. This is the specific image of the individual that will be paying to attend your class. There should be a need which you could help them resolve... Hence your course.
How can you identify your Ideal Student?
The first step is to be precise. "People who love dogs" is not a good description of an Ideal student. Seriously Who doesn't love dogs?
So, we need to limit it down. "People trying to train the puppy of their first year" may be the best Ideal candidate.
As you design your course and your course's funnel, make sure you talk to people you think might make good Ideal Students! Learn about their issues and issues, particularly whether they're willing to spend money for a solution.
It is then possible to make what is known as an "Big" Purpose Statement for the course you are taking. It looks like this:
Offering Value
We've talked about value above. However, once you've found your Ideal Student then the next task is to present them with the right info - give an upfront value. If you're planning a great high-end treat that will show you're the perfect person to support you, think about what do they require to know?
For people with a new puppy, maybe it's an e-book with a sample dog-training schedule. Perhaps it's a webcast with some training tips.
You can ONLY offer value only when you understand who is the Ideal Student will be. What's cool? As you give value and trust, people will be more likely to believe in you. Amazing stuff.
Software
Last but certainly not the least, all funnels will require some kind of software. What are you looking for? The answer depends on the type of funnel you create. However, generally speaking, an online course funnel requires software to get leads, software for nurturing leads, and software to give the class.
It can be a bit intimidating, and truthfully, it's an excellent online course tool like does all of the above for users.
But here's the stuff you'll need software to handle:
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 website (SEO) |
Email software |
Community |
|
A podcast |
Event platform |
Analytics |
The funnel type you're building will dictate the application, however we'll discuss that later.
Truths about online course funnels
- Only a percentage of people are likely to buy your product - this is called the "conversion" percentage. Nobody creating a funnel ever believes that 100% of customers are going to buy the thing. Expect anywhere from 1-10% max.
- Funnels require tests. It's possible your first funnel could lead to your goal however it's very unlikely. It's likely that you'll have to figure it out. Yet, as the founder of ClickFunnels Russel Brunson says - there's only one funnel to go!
- A good funnel could earn millionaires. Have reasonable expectations, however, be aware that course designers often have people go through the funnel again and again once they find one that works.
- Funnels should make more than what they cost. When it comes to marketing, the acquisition cost is a crucial number. If you know that each when you invest $10 on Facebook ads , you receive $30 back in course revenue, you may just keep feeding that funnel!
How to make an online course sales funnel
There's no single method to design a funnel for sales for an online class. Really, you've got to determine what is best for your personality and the audience you're trying to reach. We'll show you couple, including one we think is the most effective. However, you are able to combine and match them.
Sequences of Email
This sales funnel of an online course is as old as internet. You've seen it in the past. You landed on someone's website and were offered an "Cool PDF" as well as "Free Training." You gave out your email address to begin receiving email from the company.
When it works the sequence of emails builds the trust of users. We can imagine your Ideal Students eagerly waiting for your next emailand waiting for every word you write. So that when that invitation to sign up for the online course comes around, they'll be saying "Gee Oh, my God, yes !"
It's the most ideal-case scenario.
But hey, you know the way email functions. You can be sure that people have joined 39 other list of email services and your wonderful emails end up being buried in their junk-mail box after a while.
You're now required to figure out if the email you send out is appropriate for your target audience. And psst, it can definitely be a element of a larger funnel. If you've got a tiny list of email addresses (e.g. 100 people), getting 2% to buy won't help much. If you're dealing with 100,000 people, 2% of people buying will be a significant amount of revenue!
Webinar
This one is familiar to you. It's where you sign up to receive an "Free Training" - usually by way of advertisements in Facebook, Youtube, or LinkedIn. It's a way to view a video whether recorded live or pre-recorded. (Or the video is prerecorded, and they'll pretend to be live. Those sneaky sneakers. )
You watch it, and then they offer some benefit Then, in the final minutes, they give you a limited-time offer to buy, a coupon code, or a special offer to keep the urgency up.
The reason webinars are more efficient than emails is the fact that they can build trust more quickly. There's something about video that is extremely effective. It allows you to take a look at the person's eye, have a couple of inquiries asked (maybe), and figure out if they're the right one for you.
If you're willing to buy it, then you'll purchase!
Community Funnel
the best marketing funnels for on-line classes
The final value ladder that we'll be discussing is a community. We at Mighty We really enjoy great communities.
And in fact, a community can do everything a traditional sales funnel does and much more. The public can find out about the community. They can join (either for free or for a set fee). It's easy to join and let them get in on the conversation already going on with you and the other members.
Your audience is filled with amazing content, interactive Q&As and webinars. You also stream live, live events, or any other thing you'd like to. You provide a great deal of value at scale.
When the time comes to sell your online course, you've got an existing crowd of customers who know that they trust, love, and like your business. They trust you as the person to assist them and they'll pull out their purses and pay for it!
The thing is, if you have the Ideal Students and the Big Goals right, it's simple to give value and build trust in a group. You won't even do it all yourself, other participants can contribute value because of the effect of network. It's the best online course funnel.
How do you fill in your online course funnel
There are many different ways to get people into your funnel. Here are some ideas!
- Paid advertisements
- Social media content
- Posts on social media groups
- sharing with friends
- Publishing on your website (SEO)
- Working off of an existing email list
- Creating partnerships with like-minded creators (get to be in front of their target audience)
- Podcasts appearances
- Guest posting
How to create an online course using
If you're looking to create your own online course funnel, read this an overview of how courses work in Mighty.
Ready to get started?
Did this guide get you motivated to design your own funnel? In reality, nothing beats an excellent funnel to help make an online course sell. So if you've got something you want to impart, it's time to start creating that funnel!
For those who want to create the community funnel (or webinar - let's get honest - you can do both) Come and try Mighty! It's a platform for cultural content which lets you connect courses, community content, commerce, and more. Our flexible Spaces lets you combine features like Live streaming, an LMS discussions forums Chat and messaging, Q&As, member profiles, and many more!
In addition, it's simple to market your courses in one of 135 currencies or even monetized using token-gating. Students can also use the course via the best app available for each device.