May 5, 2025
Create a funnel with AI:
Imagine you are sleeping, and your business still generates new customers. While other coaches start from scratch every morning and desperately hunt for leads, your system works 24/7 for you. Sounds too good to be true?
Here’s the reality: 87% of all website visitors disappear forever without ever coming back. You invest time and money in content, social media, and networking – but most prospects slip through your fingers because you don’t have a system that catches them and turns them into customers.
The solution? A well-thought-out funnel that turns random website visitors into paying customers. Automatically, systematically, measurably.
In this guide, I will show you step-by-step how to create your first profitable funnel – without any technical knowledge, without an advertising budget, and without being online 24/7. You will learn the proven 7-step method that already 73% of all successful coaches use to gain new customers predictably.
What is a funnel anyway? (And why do you need one)
Funnel definition for non-techies
A funnel is like a digital sales funnel that guides potential customers through various stages – from the first attention to the purchase. Imagine meeting someone at a party. You chat briefly, exchange numbers, meet for coffee, get to know each other better, and maybe that leads to a business relationship.
That’s exactly what a funnel does digitally: It guides prospects through a structured getting-to-know-you process, builds trust, and turns strangers into customers.
The big difference from a "normal" website: While a website passively waits for visitors to act on their own, a funnel actively guides them through a process. Each step has a clear goal and brings the prospect closer to a purchase.
Why 90% of all coaches are giving away money (without a funnel)
The hard truth: Only 2-3% of all website visitors buy on their first contact. The remaining 97-98% need multiple touchpoints before they build trust and make a purchasing decision.
Without a funnel, the following happens: A prospect visits your website, takes a look around, thinks "interesting" – and then they are gone. Forever. You have no way to reach them again, build trust, or prove your expertise.
With a funnel, you catch these 97%, build a relationship over time, and systematically convert them into customers. Instead of a one-time "all or nothing" moment, you create a structured sales process.
The 3 most important funnel types for coaches
Lead Magnet Funnel: The foundation of every coaching business. You offer something valuable for free (checklist, mini-course, assessment) and receive the email address in return. Then, you build trust through multiple emails and make an offer.
Sales Funnel: For coaches with an established offer. Here you lead prospects directly to a paid product or service. Works particularly well for low-priced products (under €500).
Webinar Funnel: The king’s path for higher-priced coaching. You invite them to a free webinar, deliver immense value, and make an exclusive offer at the end. Perfect for coaching priced from €1,000 upwards.
Creating a funnel: The 7-step guide (also for tech phobes)
Step 1 – Define target audience & goal
Before you create a landing page, you need to know crystal clear: Who do you want to reach, and what should happen?
The template: "I want to get [specific target audience] to [desired action], so that [end result] happens."
Examples:
"I want to get stressed executives to take my stress test so they book a coaching conversation."
"I want to get new freelancers to use my revenue calculator so they buy my course."
"I want to get middle-aged women to sign up for my webinar so they book my 6-month program."
The more specific you are, the better your funnel will work. "All people" is not a target group – "Executives aged 35-45 who suffer from burnout" is.
Step 2 – Develop the perfect lead magnet
Your lead magnet is the bait for your funnel. It needs to be so valuable that people will willingly give up their email address for it.
What works for coaches:
Checklists: "The 10-point checklist for perfect client conversations"
Mini-courses: "5-day email course: Setting boundaries without guilt"
Templates: "My 3 email templates that get a response 90% of the time"
Assessments: "Find out what type of leader you are in 3 minutes"
Calculators: "Calculate your ideal coaching fee in 60 seconds"
What does not work:
Newsletter ("Stay informed")
General eBooks ("Everything about stress")
Vague promises ("Tips for more success")
The lead magnet formula: Concrete benefit + quick result + low effort = perfect lead magnet
Step 3 – Create a landing page (without programming knowledge)
Your landing page has only one job: to get visitors to enter their email address. Everything else is distraction.
Tool recommendations for beginners:
GetResponse: Drag-and-Drop editor, many templates, from €13/month
Leadpages: Specialist for landing pages, very user-friendly, from $37/month
ClickFunnels: The market leader, but more expensive, from $127/month
Must-have elements of your landing page:
Headline: Clear benefit recognizable in under 10 seconds
Subtitle: Explains what exactly the visitor receives
Value proposition: 3-5 concrete benefits/results
Form: Only email address (possibly first name as well)
Call-to-action: Clear button text like "Secure checklist for free"
Building trust: Brief description about you, possibly testimonials
Template structure:
Address the problem: "Do you know the feeling that..."
Present the solution: "I will show you how to..."
List benefits: "With this you will receive..."
Call to action: "Secure now for free"
Step 4 – Write an email sequence that sells
Most coaches send a boring confirmation email after registration and then forget their leads. Fatal mistake.
The proven 5-email formula:
Email 1 – Welcome (immediate):
Subject: "Your [lead magnet] is here (+ surprise)"
Content: Deliver lead magnet, briefly introduce it, set expectations
Bonus: Additional small value (link to helpful resource)
Email 2 – Value (after 2 days):
Subject: "The most common mistake in [topic]"
Content: Deliver free value that builds on lead magnet
Goal: Prove expertise, strengthen trust
Email 3 – Story (after 4 days):
Subject: "Why I almost gave up..."
Content: Personal story that shows your transformation
Goal: Build an emotional connection, establish credibility
Email 4 – Social Proof (after 6 days):
Subject: "How [customer] achieved [result] in [time]"
Content: Success story of a customer (with permission)
Goal: Prove that your method works
Email 5 – Soft Offer (after 8 days):
Subject: "Ready for the next step?"
Content: Gentle offer for an initial conversation or low-ticket product
Goal: Identify and convert qualified leads
Step 5 – Drive traffic to your funnel
The best funnel is useless if no one sees it. Here are the most effective ways to get visitors to your landing page:
Free traffic sources:
Social Media: Regularly share your lead magnet on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Content Marketing: Mention your lead magnet in blog articles, podcasts, videos
Cooperations: Guest posts, podcast interviews, mutual recommendations
Email Signature: Every email becomes an advertising space
Paid traffic sources:
Facebook/Instagram Ads: €1-3 per lead is realistic
Google Ads: More expensive but highly qualified leads
LinkedIn Ads: Perfect for B2B coaches
Quick-win tactic: Send your existing contacts through the funnel. Email newsletter subscribers, personal contacts, social media followers – this way you get immediate data and feedback.
Step 6 – Connect technology (without headaches)
Most coaches struggle with technology. Yet it’s easier than you think when you use the right tools.
All-in-one solution (recommended for beginners):
GetResponse: Landing page + email marketing + automation
ActiveCampaign: More powerful for advanced users
GoHighLevel: Complete business suite
Connect separate tools: If you already use tools, connect them with:
Zapier: 1,000+ integrations, easy to use
Make (Integromat): More powerful but complex
Step-by-step connection:
Landing Page: Connect form with email tool
Email Tool: Set up automation (new sign-up → start email series)
CRM: Automatically transfer and tag new leads
Test: Go through the funnel yourself and check
Step 7 – Measure, optimize, scale
A funnel is never "finished" – it is continuously optimized. Here are the key metrics:
Conversion Rate Landing Page:
Good: 20-30%
Very good: 30-40%
Excellent: 40%+
Email Open Rate:
Good: 20-25%
Very good: 25-35%
Excellent: 35%+
Click-Through Rate (Emails):
Good: 3-5%
Very good: 5-7%
Excellent: 7%+
A/B Test Ideas:
Headlines of the landing page
Button texts and colors
Email subject lines
Sending time
Lead magnet offers
When is a funnel successful? When customer acquisition costs are lower than the customer lifetime value. Simply put: When you spend less on a customer than they bring you.
The 5 best tools to create your funnel
All-in-one solutions (recommendation for beginners)
GetResponse (from €13/month):
✅ Landing page builder, email marketing, automation
✅ German user interface, GDPR compliant
✅ Free 30-day trial
❌ Fewer templates than competitors
ActiveCampaign (from €29/month):
✅ Powerful automation, CRM integrated
✅ Excellent for segmentation
✅ Many integrations
❌ Steeper learning curve
GoHighLevel (from $97/month):
✅ Complete business suite (CRM, calendar, invoices)
✅ White-label for agencies
✅ Unlimited contacts
❌ More expensive, in English
Specialized landing page builders
ClickFunnels (from $127/month):
✅ The pioneer, huge community
✅ Many templates and integrations
✅ Complete funnel suite
❌ Expensive, in English
Leadpages (from $37/month):
✅ Easy to use, fast loading times
✅ Good WordPress integration
✅ Lead magnet library
❌ Fewer automation features
Free alternatives (for getting started)
Mailchimp:
✅ Up to 2,000 contacts for free
✅ Simple landing pages
✅ Basic automation
❌ Limited features in the free version
ConvertKit:
✅ Free until 1,000 subscribers
✅ Developed specifically for creators
✅ Good automation
❌ No German templates
3 funnel examples that work for coaches
The "Free Consultation" funnel
Structure: Lead magnet → 3 emails with value → Invitation to free strategy call
Example: A stress coach offers a "5-minute stress test." After registration, prospects receive:
Email 1: Test results + First immediate tips
Email 2: "The 3 most common stress traps (and how to avoid them)"
Email 3: "Why relaxation techniques don’t work"
Email 4: Invitation to a free 20-minute conversation
Why it works: Low threshold, high perceived value, personal contact as the next step.
The "Mini-Course" funnel
Structure: 5-day email course → Upgrade offer → Main product
Example: Business coach with "5-day productivity challenge":
Day 1: "Identify your biggest time wasters"
Day 2: "The 2-minute rule for immediate successes"
Day 3: "Saying no without guilt"
Day 4: "Energy management instead of time management"
Day 5: "Your personalized 90-day plan"
Offer: Detailed course "Productivity Masterclass" for €197
Conversion tricks: Daily interaction, gradual value building, time-limited bonus offers.
The "Webinar" funnel
Structure: Webinar registration → Reminders → Live training → Time-limited offer
Example: "How to earn your first €10,000 as a coach in 90 days"
Registration: Big promises, social proof
Email series: Building anticipation, success stories
Webinar: 60 minutes of value, 20 minutes of sales
Offer: 6-month coaching program for €2,997 (instead of €4,997)
Secret to success: Emotional storytelling, clear transformation, artificial scarcity.
The 7 most common funnel mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Mistake 1: Starting too complicated
The problem: Many coaches think they need a 15-step funnel with complex segmentation and personalized paths. The result: Overwhelm and never finishing.
The solution: Start with a simple 3-step funnel: Lead magnet → Email series → Offer. If that works, you can still get more complex.
Mistake 2: Weak lead magnet
The problem: "Subscribe to my newsletter for valuable tips" no longer attracts anyone. Much too vague, no concrete benefit recognizable.
The solution: Your lead magnet needs to solve a concrete problem, and the benefit must be recognizable in under 30 seconds. "Checklist for perfect client conversations" beats "Tips for better communication" by a mile.
Mistake 3: Wanting to sell too quickly
The problem: Making a coaching offer directly in the first email scares people away. They need time to build trust.
The solution: Follow the "value-first rule": Provide free value first, build trust, prove your expertise – then sell.
Other critical mistakes:
Too many options on the landing page: Every additional option reduces the conversion rate. One page, one goal, one action.
Emails without personality: Boring, impersonal emails end up in the trash. Write as if you were writing to a friend.
No mobile optimization: Over 60% of emails are read on mobile phones. Your landing page and emails must work perfectly on mobile.
Forgotten thank-you pages: Landing on an empty page after registration is wasted potential. Use the thank-you page for additional offers or social media follows.
Measuring funnel success: These numbers you need to keep an eye on
The most important KPIs for your funnel
Conversion Rate Landing Page (20-40% is good): How many visitors enter their email address? If your rate is below 20%, something is wrong with your lead magnet or landing page.
Email Open Rate (25-35% benchmark): How many recipients open your emails? Low open rates indicate boring subject lines or poor sender reputation.
Click-Through Rate (3-7% depending on the industry): How many recipients click on links in your emails? Shows how relevant and interesting your content is.
Cost per Lead (What should a lead cost?): If a lead generates an average of €200 in revenue, you can spend up to €50 on acquisition (25% of the marketing budget).
Simple tracking tools (also for beginners)
Google Analytics Goals: Free and powerful. Set goals for registrations, email clicks, and purchases.
Facebook Pixel: If you use Facebook Ads, the pixel tracks all important actions on your website.
Email tool internal statistics: All professional email tools provide detailed statistics on open and click rates.
UTM parameters: Add special codes to your links to see exactly which traffic sources convert best.
Your action plan: How to start your first funnel today
Week 1: Planning & Concept
Day 1-2: Define target audience & goal
Write the sentence: "I want to get [target audience] to [action]"
Research the biggest problems of your target audience
Define what should happen after registration
Day 3-5: Develop lead magnet
Choose the format (checklist, mini-course, assessment)
Create the content (doesn't need to be perfect!)
Test it with 3-5 people from your target audience
Day 6-7: Write email sequence
Write 5 emails according to the proven formula
Leave them for 24 hours, then revise
Have someone proofread
Week 2: Implementation
Day 8-10: Choose & set up tool
Decide on a tool (GetResponse for beginners)
Set up your account and familiarize yourself with the interface
Watch YouTube tutorials for your chosen tool
Day 11-12: Create landing page
Use an existing template as a base
Add your texts and images
Test the form (sign up yourself)
Day 13-14: Connect technology & test
Connect landing page with email tool
Set up the automation
Test the complete funnel several times
Week 3: Launch & Optimization
Day 15: Go Live!
Make your funnel public
Share it on your social media channels
Send an email to existing contacts
Day 16-21: Generate traffic & collect initial data
Post daily about your lead magnet
Have conversations and mention it casually
Collect feedback from the first registrations
Important note: Your first funnel will not be perfect – and that’s perfectly fine! The goal is to start and learn from real data. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
You now know how to create a funnel – but what about the rest of your business processes?
A funnel is just the beginning. As you now systematically gain new leads, there are likely dozens of other processes in your business that cost you time and nerves: appointment scheduling, invoicing, customer communication, follow-ups...
What if you could automate not just your customer acquisition but your entire business?
Imagine: Your appointments are scheduled automatically, your offers are sent out without your intervention, your customers go through a professional onboarding – while you focus on what your clients really book you for: your expertise.
Learn how to automate your entire business →
Ready for the next step?
Secure now:
✅ Free funnel template (landing page + 5 email templates)
✅ Automation check (30 min analysis of your business processes)
✅ Tool comparison table (find the perfect tool for your business)
[Secure funnel template + automation check for free →]
Transform website visitors into paying customers – systematically, automatically, measurably.
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