A Friendly Guide to Lead Gen Sales Funnels
Let’s face it—sales funnels can sound like one of those buzzwords people throw around without really explaining. But don’t worry—this guide will break it down step-by-step, in plain English, with zero tech-head talk.
So, what exactly is a sales funnel?
Think of it as the journey someone takes from having no idea who you are… to becoming a loyal fan, ready to buy from you—and even shout about your brand to their mates. It covers every moment in between: from their first click to the final conversion (and beyond).
When you build a funnel intentionally, it becomes your secret weapon for building trust, starting genuine conversations, and generating more leads and sales—without being pushy.
Whether you’re a coach, freelancer, service provider or small business owner, this quick guide will help you map out a funnel that actually works.
Step 1: Know What You’re Doing (Before You Touch the Tech)
Before you start fiddling with landing pages or email tools, you’ve got to get your thinking straight. Ask yourself:
What’s the end goal? (Email sign-ups? Discovery calls? Product sales?)
Who are you speaking to? (Are the male/female/non-binary? High/low income? Parents/singles/couples?)
What stage of awareness are they in?
Are they problem-aware, solution-aware, or completely in the dark?
What pain or problem do they have? (Overwhelm, confusion, time, budget?)
What’s your solution to that problem?
Be clear and specific—it’s the foundation of your offer.
What do you want them to do next? (Download something? Book a call? Click a button?)
Getting clarity here will make everything else easier. It’s like laying out a map before a road trip.
Step 2: Choose Your Traffic Source (AKA: How Will People Find You?)
Your funnel is useless without people entering it—so where will your leads come from?
Pick 1–2 traffic sources to focus on based on where your ideal audience spends their time:
Organic traffic – social media posts, SEO blog content, YouTube, podcast interviews
Paid traffic – Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, Google Ads, TikTok Ads
Referral traffic – influencers, brand partnerships, email swaps
Think of your traffic source as the top of your funnel—bringing new people in so you can start building a relationship.
Step 3: Create a Cracking Lead Magnet
Now it’s time to offer something juicy in exchange for their email address.
Your lead magnet should:
Be quick to consume (5–10 minutes tops)
Solve a specific pain point
Show your expertise
Naturally lead into your paid offer
Examples:
“Done-for-you” checklists or templates
Free mini-course or video training
A short quiz with results + insights
Quickstart guides or ‘How to’ PDFs
The goal? Give them a little win that makes them think, “If this is free, imagine what the paid stuff is like.”
Step 4: Build the Funnel Flow (This Is Where It All Comes Together)
Here’s the basic funnel structure for lead generation:
Landing Page
A focused page with no distractions—just one clear offer and a simple form to grab the lead magnet.
Thank You Page
A friendly confirmation page that tells them what happens next. You can also upsell, book a call, or offer a low-ticket product here.
Email Sequence
A follow-up sequence (3–5 emails) that:
Delivers the freebie
Builds trust and authority
Shares more value or stories
Introduces your paid offer or next step
Think of this as the “getting to know you” phase. Be helpful, human, and conversational.
Set Up the Tech (Don’t Panic—It’s Easier Than You Think)
Here’s what you’ll need to get your funnel running:
Email Marketing System (EMS):
Try MailerLite, ConvertKit, Mailchimp or Klaviyo. They let you collect emails and send automations.
Landing Page Builder:
Many EMS platforms have this built-in. Or try tools like Leadpages, Carrd, or ClickFunnels.
Email List Segmentation:
Tag your leads by what they signed up for so you can send more relevant content.
Traffic Tools:
Facebook Ads Manager, TikTok Ads, or even a solid Instagram Reel—whatever suits your audience.
Want an all-in-one option? Platforms like ClickFunnels or Systeme.io give you the whole toolkit under one roof.
Your Funnel in a Nutshell
Let’s recap the steps to create a lead gen sales funnel that works:
Get clear on your audience, their pain, and your solution
Drive traffic with content or ads
Offer a useful lead magnet
Build a no-fuss landing page + thank you page
Set up a friendly email sequence
Introduce your offer or next step
Test, tweak, improve
Final Thought: Keep It Human
Funnels aren’t about tricking people—they’re about guiding them. The best ones feel more like a helpful chat than a sales pitch.
Lead gen funnels are just structured conversations. Done well, they help you connect with the right people, solve real problems, and turn clicks into conversations (and customers).
So start small, stay curious, and remember—you don’t need to be fancy to be effective.