Content Marketing Funnel Template – super simple and it’s FREE!
If you are an online content creator, you have heard it all before – to make your content marketing as effective as you can, think of the content you create as a stream that leads your audience from the initial discovery phase to actually buying. Sometimes it can get so complex. Let’s get back to basics with this super simple content marketing funnel template.
Every piece of content needs to point somewhere, so we need to build a cohesive flow of material.
Take stock of the content you already have and organize it. Then you can choose which pieces will go where in your sales funnel by using the FREE content marketing funnel template. You can download it at the bottom of this post.
Take a moment to look at the picture on this blog post. In my opinion, it is an excellent reflection of what online content creators do to earn passive income. We create lots and lots of content which slowly squeezes out money for us.
How to Start Your Sales Funnel
At the opening of your sales funnel, you should offer free, shareable content. The idea is to cast your net as wide as possible.
If your audience finds it helpful, they’ll follow the link to find out more. Nothing should be promotional here; just focus on solving problems.
After you download the Content Marketing Funnel Template freebie, write ideas or blog posts that you currently have in the top of the triangle under Highly Optimized Free Content. Think of this phase as the “getting to know you” stage of the relationship between you and your target customer.
This is where you should put your “cornerstone” content. This is work that shows you at your best and helps to establish you as an expert in your field. Choose material that makes a great first impression.
Optimize your Content
Since the goal here is to increase awareness of the value you offer, use open, public marketing channels. Put your pieces online where your target audience hangs out. Make sure everything is fully optimized for search engines.
Need help optimizing your content? I have been using the Google Search Console to help improve my SEO and have a significant increase in organic traffic now. Ubersuggest is helpful to see what other websites are ranking for with different keywords. You can combine both tools to increase your optimization.
This material might include blog posts, videos, webinars, and free information products. Some of the content should lead to ‘gated’ content, where interested visitors get the chance to sign up for more exclusive content by giving their email addresses. This is the start of your very important email subscriber list.
Write down ideas that you have for gated content or email opt-ins on the content marketing funnel template.
Plan Additional Content with a Soft Sell
Next, plan content that will build a relationship and qualify the leads that have entered your subscription list. This is high-value content that addresses key problems your audience faces. The topics here are more specific and it can include some promotional content.
This content should also engage people. Try to mix in some material that’s interactive like surveys, games, or blog posts that pose a question. Social media is also important here because it’s all about relationships. Create a personal experience and get people involved.
For this stage, you can use blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, exclusive content, webinars, and more involved courses.
Jot down ideas on the content marketing funnel to plan for additional content with a soft sell. I usually use autoresponders with more free content and a mention of a product or two.
Encourage Your Leads to Buy
Now it is time to turn it up. Your customers know you, like
The best material to use here is testimonials, video demonstrations, and reviews with clear calls to action. You need to show people the results they’ll get if they buy from you.
Write down the product you plan to promote on the Content Marketing Funnel Template.
Tip: It can be helpful to start plan out your sales funnel by working backwards. Write the product in first and then work backwards using already created content or new content to help your readers learn to know, like and trust you.
Follow up
Finally, you should have content to follow up with your audience after they buy and keep the relationship going. This would include further informational emails, exclusive free content to say “thank you,” and material to up-sell or cross-sell.
One of the keys to content management success is to plan strategically and put each piece where it will count the most. The most important step is taking action!
Are you tired of producing and publishing content and getting nowhere? Check out my course, Conquer Your Content. It teaches you how to get organized and leverage your existing content for best results.
Download your FREE Content Marketing Funnel Template
Sign up to receive the weekly email and announcements from blauthors. You will be redirected to the download link to get the content marketing funnel template.
Don’t forget to print out the template and hand write your ideas. I am a huge supporter of writing out ideas and goals by hand. It puts an imprint on the brain to help you remember to put your ideas into action!
