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The mere mention of the term “marketing funnel” can strike fear into the heart of anyone starting an online business. 

And for good reason! 

When you watch presentations by marketing gurus about how to build an effective marketing funnel — you can quickly get overwhelmed by multi-layered diagrams that feature boxes, squiggly lines, and arrows that go in 17 different directions.

But I have good news for you. Marketing funnels don’t have to be complicated. 

In fact, when you’re starting your online business, I recommend keeping them simple. 

To illustrate why, let’s do a quick review of what a marketing funnel is. On paper, a marketing funnel is a visualization that maps out the process which turns leads into paying customers. 

We use the term funnel because it’s wide at the top (the number of leads you bring in) and narrow at the bottom (the number of leads you convert into buyers). 

Now, if explaining what a marketing funnel is can be this simple… then your actual funnel can be simple too. 

In fact, it can be as basic as offering prospects a value-packed lead magnet they receive from you in exchange for their email address. This builds your prospect list. 

You then send your list value-rich content on a regular basis — and then you present them with your irresistible offer when you launch your program. 

As your business grows you can segment your list into prospect and buying groups, which will make your marketing funnel a little more involved. 

But, when you’re starting out, keep it simple. This will allow you to move forward with your overall business development… and it will prevent you from being bogged down in a funnel that has too many graphics in it.

For more about how marketing funnels will help you grow your business, check out these articles and videos.