How To Set Up A Simple Sales Funnel. Step By Step.

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I've seen some people recently asking very basic questions about sales funnel construction. So I thought I would post this simple funnel. Please add to this simple model if you like. Funnels can be much more complex than this simple example.

This assumes you have a website, Autoresponder, and freebie hosted so you can link to it.

What you will need:

#1 A squeeze page
#2 A OTO (one time offer) page
#3 A freebie thank/download page
#4 A "register your purchase" page for one time offer buyers
#5 A paid product thank/download page

Set up two lists in your AR. A subscribers list and a OTO buyers list. You will need to learn your ARs automation process to automatically unsub people who register their purchase and join your buyers list.

Here we go:
For settings for your subscribers (squeeze page) form select "custom thank you page" enter the URL of your OTO. I always use single opt so subscribers are instantly sent to my OTO. I also put on my squeeze page "...will be sent instantly to your inbox." This way when people land on my OTO they won't wonder where their freebie is.

If people decline your OTO they leave, and access their freebie via the link to your freebie thank/download page that you sent to their email via your first followup message. More complex funnels have more to offer.

If they buy your OTO they are redirected by your payment processor to your "register" page. Enter it's URL when you setup your buy button.

When people register they are automatically moved to your buyers list and redirected to your thank/download page. Enter it's URL for your buyers form custom thank you page.

You have now delivered on your squeeze page promise and have a happy subscriber.

Thanks for reading.

Brent
#main internet marketing discussion forum #funnel #sales #set #simple #step
  • Thanks Brent.

    I appreciate your wonderful explanation. I wish I had you as my mentor when I started building squeeze pages with OTO upsells and downsells. This thread is priceless!
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
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    • Very nicely explained. Thanks.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • I don't think I'd make a good mentor, I don't do things like other people, for the most part.
  • nice share, simple yet highly invaluable
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  • I always kinda disliked an OTO immediately after the opt-in, digging the actual "No, thanks" link at the bottom of the OTO page. It feels cheep and cheeky to me.
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    • I never do the "no thanks" link. I just send them their download link. If they decline the OTO they just close the page or hit the back button.
    • An OTO, if done properly, should be a thing of beauty!

      And let's face it, you're only going to try to sell them your higher priced product as some stage anyway... why not make it straight away and strike while the iron is hot?

      Multiple OTOs kill me though. It makes me feel that the original product that I purchased (even if it's just a freebie) was worthless if I need to go through all of the upsells to get it.
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  • With all the sales funnel questions on the board you would think this premium advice would be loaded down with thanks. I guess they are saving them for the next "I want to cry a little and have you beg me not to quit" thread.
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    • That's a pretty keen observation.

      The serious people will get some good out of it, hopefully.
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    • LOL. That is awesome. I did a WSO on this exact topic and most people had no idea what I was talking about, or that it was the truth about how to make money. I guess it didn't have a big enough STAPLES easy button attached to it. Some people just want the big button, and see work as a set back :rolleyes:
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  • Solid advice Brent. Good info - especially for newbies.
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  • Great post. Thanks for sharing. Only, I do not fully understand as yet. I am really a NEWBIE!
  • Solid advice for those want to Choose the RIGHT path in IM World...
  • Thanks Brent for the step by step guide - appreciated
  • I like this, however I'm not about auto response. I like to personally make my customers feel happy. (No Homo)
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    • Thanks putting it to work!
  • This way, you may miss some emails as some of the buyers may miss or avoid registering. If your payment is processed via services like JVZoo, you can set up a list name into the payment processor so the paypal email address is automatically added in your selected list. I found it easy.

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    • Then they won't get their product. I've never had anyone not register.

      Why would you buy something and then not collect your purchase?:confused:
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Great post Brent. This seems to be the simple truth that people miss out on. Far too many people working for free. Not even a lead let alone a lead, sale, and up sell.
  • Excellent post. Cheers!
  • Great advice Brent!

    This can clear any confusion people may have about setting up sales funnels.

    Not many people may know the true capabilities of the Auto-Repsonder.

    Automation allows you to set up and segment your prospects from your buyers and can be easily done with just a couple of clicks.

    This allows you to semi-automate your sales funnels and get on with producing targeted traffic and all that inportant stuff.

    Once you know that your sales funnel can produce good results from the OTO; you can then look at using paid traffic sources.

    You then have the advantage of knowing you can at least break even when you invest in paid traffic because you can use your OTO as a way of making back some of that initial investment.

    You are now effectively building your list for free but building it much quicker than just using FREE traffic as a way of building your list.

    Excellent post and all the best to you my friend!!!
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
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    • I have some lists that pay me (after advertising costs) $0.06 to $0.08 for every subscriber I add, just from OTO sales.

      My goal is to get each list self sufficient.
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  • Great share, thank you for this short tutorial.
  • This is fantastic info, thanks a bunch for sharing.
  • Thanks for giving everyone a solid example to follow, Brent. Simple, easy and effective, which is exactly how it should be!

    With that said, I have one question - are you using the confirmed opt-in or no?

    The only reason I ask is that I am setting up a similar funnel using Aweber's automation features and was planning on using a confirmed opt-in. However, (in my mind) I can see there being an issue with removing a person off of the "freebie" list and onto the "buyers" list if they haven't confirmed their email before they purchase the OTO.

    Of course, I could skip the confirmed opt-in and then I'd be squared away, but would love to hear how you (or anyone else) would handle that.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Thanks for sharing Brent.

    These being the basic mechanics, I've noticed that most people don't get stuck here, it's actually the concrete, specific details of constructing each of the pages.

    Could you share some insight on some of the basic elements that each page needs for those who are lost, and have absolutely no clue about what those pages, and learning about them for the first time?
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    • As so many things will depend on your niche and traffic source, I can't give specific advice.

      In general your squeeze page includes an offer for a free gift you are exchanging for peoples email address. This generally includes a headline, a short description or bullet list, maybe an image of the freebie or a short video description of it. An opt-in form and instructions and that's a basic page.

      Your OTO page is simply a sales page for a small ticket product related to your freebie. I always put "Stop, before you check your email take a minute to check this out" or something like that, at the top of the page. I usually offer $7 OTO as this has worked best for me.

      Your thank/download page is simply a page with links that your subscriber can access their product from. It's a good idea to put some related ads or offers on the page. This is the same for subscribers page and buyers page. On the subscribers page you might have related ads. On the buyers page you might include a pitch for a higher priced product.

      Register page is simply an opt-in form and simple instructions. "Enter your details to access your product" or something like that.

      Single opt, always.
      • [ 3 ] Thanks
  • Wow...appreciate the concise nature of the post. It's nice to see people laying it out so plainly. No fuss, no frills...just info. Thanks, man!
  • Great post. Very detailed and easy to implement. Thanks for sharing.
  • Great read Brent!

    This is excellent advice for anyone having a problem creating a sales funnel.
  • Banned
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  • Yeah this is a good post and good example of how to handle a lead that goes thru your autoresponder. I would caution not to put too many freakin OTO's though, as they can quickly get annoying.
  • Good stuff man!

    I wish posts like yours come around more often.
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    • Cheers, great post... but am a little confused by the 2 separate lists...

      I'm in the process of doing this... have my squeeze set up, oto set up... all working... just waiting on fb.

      My oto is $7... I think that's a good price for an impulse buy... I've a $30 cb offer tucked away in my freebie... sure ye never know.

      I'm also going to add some video to my squeeze page... have my voice guy on it now
      • [1] reply
  • Thanks for the information, this will definitely help alot of us, build a sales funnel
  • Many thanks
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    • Hey Brent, one thing, do you think visitors who go for the OTO, mind having to enter their email address again?

      I do like this system though... I'm looking into how to do this with aweber, unsub the buyer and pop em on the new list.

      Do you mind me asking, are you in the health niche?

      What sort of rate of return are you seeing? Double your investment...

      I'm still waiting for my ad to be approved... I wonder if they have an issue with all caps, like google...
      • [1] reply
  • Great post. I'm glad to know I'm on the right on key with what was explained.
  • Finally relaunching my monthly web based tv show next month. Free to join, and with a freebie for doing so.

    As my initial site is a membership, does anyone think that offering a low priced($5) oto membership site( related topic), would be a good idea....

    Gotta love this forum

    James
  • Almost forgot.... Thanks OP for instigating this thread. Some really good actionable advice.
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  • Thank you for clarifying this. I was totally confused about some parts of this process and this really helped me understand the setup process better. Can you explain what a register page is, exactly? That's the only part I wasn't sure I understood totally...what should be on the register page? Sorry if I'm being dense.
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    • The register page is just an optin form and simple instructions like "enter your info. to access your purchase." When buyers sign in they are automatically moved to your buyers list and un-subbed from your subscribers list. You have to set this up in your AR.


      The only stupid question is one you don't ask.
  • Great and useful info, especially for newbies. Thanks !
  • Great thread, I have wondered for a while what the best way to deliver both the freebie and the oto was.
  • Great post Brent. The sells funnel was something I didn't understand at all when I first started. This is simple and to the point. If you don't make it hard this will work just fine.
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    • Well that sure does sound simple, no doubt! But to me an Internet Business is not simple or easy. If you want an easy business be a waiter, or making sandwiches is easy.

      People have been teaching this for years. But behind the scenes is where the real money is made. This funnel is about selling a product. What you are really selling is your expertise. And that is done on the back-end
  • Such an interesting read. I've bookmarked this page because I will have to come back to it at a later date.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
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    • Wow, This is so easily explained. Sometimes I opt in just curious to check what the OTO is all about... Though I am still never tempted to buy any "making money online secrets products" yet.
      I feel that the informations on how to make money are all out there for free if you only know how to search for it.

      It is only the soft wares or themes or memberships or services etc that I flash out my CC for..:p

      Nevertheless, I have recently encountered an OTO that was offering so much for very less amount and I saw that it have a good Alexa rankings which means it is very popular. Now, I am thinking of copying that.. Offer something that they cannot refused.

      I have never thought much about making a "list" or a "sales funnel" but your thread have really make it looks so easy.
      Thank You.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Great post. Simple and to the point. This was something I didn't understand at all when I started. I just thought create a product or advertise. Didn't even think that giving away a free product can create a funnel to make me more money in the end(same thing everyone was doing to me). This is something anyone can follow as long as they don't over think it and make it to hard.
  • I agree. I only ever bought two "make money" type products. One taught SEO and Adsense, the other was a Clickbank/Adwords tutorial.
  • congrate and nice sharing...

    very impress me
  • So simple, it's brilliant. Thanks for the step by step guide, newbies and oldies can learn something from this. The freebie page is a great idea too
  • Great guide there.
  • Excellent advise for newbies..

    Now make a break down of each step

    Cheers,

    Gary
  • Thanks for sharing.
  • Anyone know how to do this with GVO?
  • Good solid advice! Thanks for sharing it!
  • Great share thanks.
  • One thing to keep in mind is that just because you build a sales funnel doesn't mean it will work very well. Conversion rate is what counts, sometimes even more than traffic volume. It is very important to set up tracking from the beginning on your sales funnel so you can collect clear and insightful data about your visitors interactions with you pages. In the event the funnel is not working you'll be able to to clearly see why. Ultimately you'll want to conduct some simple A/B testing on your messaging at a minimum since small changes can often have amazing results. After conducting thousands of A/B tests I can tell you that sometimes very simple things are a source of visitor friction which reduces your conversion rate and limits your profitability. I can elaborate and answer questions on A/B testing and conversion optimization if you just ask.
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    • Hi thank you I found information insightful however you mentioned "It is very important to set up tracking from the beginning on your sales funnel so you can collect clear and insightful data about your visitors interactions with you pages." I am new at this an I do not know anything about tracking can you elaborate please !?

      Vlad
  • This is something that a lot of people don't really understand. I always suggest putting 80% of your ad budget into your best converting pages and 20% testing slight variations. As you say, sometimes simple things like one word or a different color or image can make a huge difference.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
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    • Hi,

      Pardon my ignorance I am new at this and I do not know anything about this/budget can you elaborate please, perhaps simple example !?

      Vlad
    • Hi Mark,

      Pardon my ignorance I am new at this and I do not know anything about this/budget can you elaborate please, perhaps simple example !?

      Vlad

  • Thank you Brent I found it very useful, what auto-responder would you recommend ?

    Vlad
  • Thank you so much for these valuable information , I appreciate , I just have one question , I'm going to launch a squeeze page and I'm working on the weight loss niche , what can I put as a OTO ? I don't have my own product where can I get a OTO ? I hope you'll answer me please by the way I'm new to internet marketing and this is my first investement and my first project on the internet .
  • I do things differently: I like to blend the promised freebie with the OTO in one seamlessly page.

    So, instead of pitching the OTO and underneath displaying the "No Thanks" link to download the promised freebie, I prefer to actually blend the freebie with the offer: you start giving the promised free content, gainining their attention and trust, and then you move on to saying something like "Well, I hope you liked that free piece of content. But that was just the beginning, really. If you want to know the full scope of things, you'd really benefit from XXXX", and there's where I introduce the OTO.
    • [ 4 ] Thanks
  • Thank you so much Brent.
    We appreciate your time and effort on making your explanations very specific.
    Now...it is time to execute some actionable suggestions.
  • You may be able to find a PLR product that will fit your needs.
    • [1] reply
  • Thank you great share,I will do it!!
  • >>> #2 A OTO (one time offer) page


    I noticed on WSO's most people don't like any kind of OTO and always want to make sure that don't get pitched something like it's a bad thing.
  • People want to be sure they are not required to buy something else for the main WSO to work.
  • very good advice to all infopreneur , but i will like to add that the simpler your marketing system, the better
  • Thanks for sharing Brent.

    Its a good one for a starter like me.

    Else it was very confusing me which one to come first and what would be the next page. You cleared my doubts.

    Thanks
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    I've seen some people recently asking very basic questions about sales funnel construction. So I thought I would post this simple funnel. Please add to this simple model if you like. Funnels can be much more complex than this simple example. This assumes you have a website, Autoresponder, and freebie hosted so you can link to it.