If you’ve ever asked, “Where do I even start with marketing?”—you’re not alone.
In fact, it’s the most common thing we hear from business owners. Building an effective marketing strategy can feel like putting together IKEA furniture without the instructions (and maybe without the right screws). [Sidenote: ChatGPT came up with this analogy, and it evokes ALLL the right feelings, right?]
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to do everything, you just need to do the right things in the right order.
That’s why we’re big fans of the sales funnel. It’s a simple, strategic way to turn strangers into customers without wasting time or money on random acts of marketing.
Why a Sales Funnel Works
A well-built funnel gives your audience a clear direction, guiding them along a path. This allows you to:
Attract the right people
Nurture the relationship
Guide them toward a confident buying decision
This “path” mirrors how people move through the decision-making process. If you build your marketing like this, your audience will feel more comfortable because they know what to expect.
Let’s break it down.
The 3 Stages of a Successful Funnel
01 – Attract:
Grab the attention of your target audience and make them aware of your brand and offerings with tools like:
- Blogs & SEO
- PPC Ads
- Networking
- PR
- Events & Webinars
- Lead Gen Ads (our go-to for growth)
02 – Nurture
Build relationships with potential customers and provide valuable content, positioning yourself as the expert in your industry, ready to guide customers to success. Keep showing up with helpful, relevant content:
- Social Media
- Podcasts
- Website content
- Email marketing (seriously—it works)
03 – Sell
When the time is right, your team should make the sales pitch. With qualified leads entering your funnel, your job gets a lot easier! Make the sale feel like the obvious next step.
But Wait—Funnels Aren’t the Whole Story
Funnels are great for guiding someone through the journey once and in a linear direction.
What happens when people don’t decide to buy right away? Or if they do buy, then what? How do we keep them coming back for more?
That’s where the marketing flywheel comes in.
While a funnel ends at the sale, a flywheel is powered by happy customers, consistent content, and strategic marketing. When you delight your clients, they share your name, return for more, and keep your business in motion.
At Stratos, we rarely believe in “either/or’s.” While other marketers might claim the funnel is better than the flywheel or vice versa. We know it’s not funnel OR flywheel. It’s both.
Think of it like this:
- The funnel gets them in the door.
- The flywheel keeps them coming back—and brings their friends with them.
Just Getting Started? Here Are The Big 4
Whether you’re building or optimizing your marketing strategy, your funnel foundation has to include
A clear brand message
A website that works (mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and designed to convert)
A lead generator that captures email addresses
An automated email sequence that follows up with value
These tools help your funnel flow smoothly, and once you start delighting customers, they fuel your flywheel too.
Funnels, Flywheels, and Finding Your Flow
When you build a strong foundation with a funnel and fuel it with a flywheel, you create a system that not only attracts and converts but also retains and delights customers.
Start with the Big 4 and remember: you don’t need to do everything, just the next right thing. That’s how momentum builds. That’s how marketing works. And if you ever need a guide? We’re right here, ready to help.
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