Sign up now for 50+ free audio & video pre-recorded classes on living your truth, marketing, and relationships by clicking on this link.

The "Marketing Funnel" Business Model Sucks

By on August 23, 2009 in Marketing and Making Money

I was taught the “marketing funnel” business model as the main model for information marketing, coaching, and consulting businesses. And maybe it works great for some people, but I kept trying to force myself into that model (with little success, of course).

So in this video I’m sharing the business model I’m using for Potts Weinstein Enterprises, LLC, both to show you an alternative model that may work for your business, and to give you some ideas for creating the model that better fits you, your business, and your passion.

Related Posts

, , , , , , , ,

← Older Comments
  • http://twitter.com/a_creative_life Melissa Dinwiddie

    I love this model! The traditional funnel certainly has its place, but I don’t want people to sign up on my mailing list just for some little freebie; I want people to sign up because they resonate with my Big Idea! Yes!

    Also, I love that you included your bloopers. Very fun! :-)

  • http://twitter.com/a_creative_life Melissa Dinwiddie

    I love this model! The traditional funnel certainly has its place, but I don't want people to sign up on my mailing list just for some little freebie; I want people to sign up because they resonate with my Big Idea! Yes!

    Also, I love that you included your bloopers. Very fun! :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ceil-DeYoung/100001161589314 Ceil DeYoung

    I like the no secerts idea. Where do I sign up

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ceil-DeYoung/100001161589314 Ceil DeYoung

    I like the no secerts idea. Where do I sign up

  • http://www.facebook.com/davidkrausfan David Kraus

    Robert Allen calls them the MOO-BAA. If the herd of cows or flock of sheep are all going one way, you better be going the other. And then when they finally figure it out and start going the way you are, they're too late, you have already turned into another direction.

  • Mike

    This is another description of a marketing funnel. All a marketing funnel really is…

    Is a process to attract prospects (can be a big idea and free community) that leads to building relationships and offering value that people eventually pay you for.

    But you did an excellent job of describing a certain frame work for a marketing funnel. I’ll recommend you within that context for sure.

    Great job.

  • Mike

    This is another description of a marketing funnel. All a marketing funnel really is…

    Is a process to attract prospects (can be a big idea and free community) that leads to building relationships and offering value that people eventually pay you for.

    But you did an excellent job of describing a certain frame work for a marketing funnel. I'll recommend you within that context for sure.

    Great job.

  • Joe

    Your video is the first step in the marketing funnel

  • Joe

    Your video is the first step in the marketing funnel

  • nick

    I watched your video a second time because the first time I watched it I was a little judgemental of you because of the negativity you expressed by saying, “the funnel model sucks” just because it wasn’t suitable for your business. That’s kinda lame. So I didn’t get much from my first viewing.
    On second viewing, however, I managed to see the benefits of what you are talking about, so thanks for sharing. The funnel model is new to me, but it seems to me that by giving this free information, in a hope to draw people into your circle of influence, you are already using it unwittingly.
    And no, you probably shouldn’t use the F word here at the top of your funnel. Save it for your qualified customers. They will be much more forgiving.

    • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

      Part of the point of using the “sucks” headline is to entice people to
      watch, not to say it’s bad for everyone. In the video what I really
      share about is taking the ideas of a funnel (the free sample, etc) and
      turning them in a different way/purpose. This video was intended for
      people who have used the funnel for years and are looking for new
      ideas.

      I disagree re using the f word. I *want* to disqualify people who are
      offended by that. Someone who is easily offended does not make a good
      customer for me. So wonderful if they find that out during the first 5
      seconds of being on this site! Then less time wasted for everyone! :)

      ~ Elizabeth

      • http://www.thatphpgirl.com Nikole Gipps

        I agree … if someone was scared off by you being yourself, then they were never your client in the first place.

  • nick

    I watched your video a second time because the first time I watched it I was a little judgemental of you because of the negativity you expressed by saying, “the funnel model sucks” just because it wasn't suitable for your business. That's kinda lame. So I didn't get much from my first viewing.
    On second viewing, however, I managed to see the benefits of what you are talking about, so thanks for sharing. The funnel model is new to me, but it seems to me that by giving this free information, in a hope to draw people into your circle of influence, you are already using it unwittingly.
    And no, you probably shouldn't use the F word here at the top of your funnel. Save it for your qualified customers. They will be much more forgiving.

  • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

    Part of the point of using the “sucks” headline is to entice people to

    watch, not to say it's bad for everyone. In the video what I really

    share about is taking the ideas of a funnel (the free sample, etc) and

    turning them in a different way/purpose. This video was intended for

    people who have used the funnel for years and are looking for new

    ideas.

    I disagree re using the f word. I *want* to disqualify people who are

    offended by that. Someone who is easily offended does not make a good

    customer for me. So wonderful if they find that out during the first 5

    seconds of being on this site! Then less time wasted for everyone! :)

    ~ Elizabeth

  • http://www.thatphpgirl.com Nikole Gipps

    Funny to stumble upon this older video just now … I have been going through a lot of this in the last few months. I wanted to launch a product, to get away from being 100% service-based, and I found a million people wanting to coach me to reach that goal. And yet, something still feels wrong to me. I think it my own self trying to tell me that this one-size-fits-all model with the sales funnel just isn’t right for me. I feel like I am spending so much time trying to figure out how to squeeze every dollar out of things, how to bundle, how to release your products in a specific order, how to increase them in value etc … I’m so tried of all of that. I just want to make some stuff and see what happens – let it ride and see if anyone likes it, you know? Why is there not a product creation class that teaches that sort of model?? I feel like I have wasted months and mucho $$$$ … and lost so much momentum trying so hard to do it the “right” way … it is months later and I STILL don’t have a product out!!

    • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

      Yes, I’ve been there. Spent 10s of thousands on coaches and programs and didn’t see anything happening. Of course learned a lot. But also learned that throwing money at people to save me is a great way to run up credit cards but not a great way to move forward to me being me and creating a business that is really me.

      My gut response to you Nikole is … why do you need a class in product creation? Why not just do it? Perhaps there is no right way. I suspect you have been in enough programs to know the basis of what works for you, and could put together something shoestring to test your ideas and see how it goes. I’d say pick your favorite program format (ebook, videos, membership site, teleclass, ecourse, whatever) and do that.

  • http://www.thatphpgirl.com Nikole Gipps

    I agree … if someone was scared off by you being yourself, then they were never your client in the first place.

  • http://www.thatphpgirl.com Nikole Gipps

    Funny to stumble upon this older video just now … I have been going through a lot of this in the last few months. I wanted to launch a product, to get away from being 100% service-based, and I found a million people wanting to coach me to reach that goal. And yet, something still feels wrong to me. I think it my own self trying to tell me that this one-size-fits-all model with the sales funnel just isn't right for me. I feel like I am spending so much time trying to figure out how to squeeze every dollar out of things, how to bundle, how to release your products in a specific order, how to increase them in value etc … I'm so tried of all of that. I just want to make some stuff and see what happens – let it ride and see if anyone likes it, you know? Why is there not a product creation class that teaches that sort of model?? I feel like I have wasted months and mucho $$$$ … and lost so much momentum trying so hard to do it the “right” way … it is months later and I STILL don't have a product out!!

  • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

    Yes, I've been there. Spent 10s of thousands on coaches and programs and didn't see anything happening. Of course learned a lot. But also learned that throwing money at people to save me is a great way to run up credit cards but not a great way to move forward to me being me and creating a business that is really me.

    My gut response to you Nikole is … why do you need a class in product creation? Why not just do it? Perhaps there is no right way. I suspect you have been in enough programs to know the basis of what works for you, and could put together something shoestring to test your ideas and see how it goes. I'd say pick your favorite program format (ebook, videos, membership site, teleclass, ecourse, whatever) and do that.

  • Pingback: 23 Brilliant Bloggers Talk About Product Launching — BlogWorld & New Media Expo Blog

  • Pingback: Applying Journalism’s “5 W’s” to Website Copywriting

  • http://lizschneider.net Liz Schneider

    Elizabeth,
    I’ll admit that I lost track of you when you were on your recent hiatus and in looking at your new site design, the GREAT about page, and then seeing this post, I’ve fallen for you all over again.  Your truths, your natural wisdom, your rule-breaking … all fueled by your big idea of living your truth.  I am so grateful that you are “back” and am very inspired by this non-funnel model, the other way has never quite worked for me.

    • http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com ElizabethPW

       Thanks Liz, I’m so glad you liked it all and rediscovered me! :)   Yes, I’m glad this video helps people think of other way(s) to look at the business model for us information/personality businesses :)

← Older Comments