Let’s Talk About Your First Opt-in Funnel

This week, I want to share a spark to help you plan your first opt-in funnel so you can start building an email list of people interested in what you have to offer—even if you don't know what it is yet.

You know you need an email list but don't know how to start.

When finding new customers, social media is getting more unreliable by the day. 

Services can be shut down, your account can be hacked, the algorithm can change overnight, or an unhinged billionaire might scare all your potential customers away. 

A list of email addresses is a much more reliable strategy. Even if you don't have a product or service to sell yet, having a list of people who have already expressed interest in what you do is a valuable resource.

"My biggest regret is not starting my email list sooner"—Pat Flynn

The software choices are overwhelming, and there are so many moving parts.

There are many different ESPs (email service providers), and deciding which one to use can be overwhelming. 

However, when you are getting started, none of it really matters. 

So many people get stuck in paralysis analysis when all you need is a way to collect email addresses and deliver your freebie. If your business is financially successful, you will probably end up moving to an all-in-one solution anyway, so for now, pick one and get started.

The good news is, building your first opt-in funnel is a lot simpler than you think.

All you need is a lead magnet (something that will entice people to sign up for your list) and a way to deliver it (usually through an email autoresponder). 

Once you have those two things in place, you can start driving traffic to your opt-in page and building your list.

Once you know your audience, you can tailor your products. 

Once you have a list of subscribers, you can develop products and content specifically for them. This is where your funnel comes in. 

By developing a high-converting opt-in funnel, you can turn your list of subscribers into a group of raving fans eager to buy your products and services.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown of the process

Step 1: Plan your funnel steps before you start.

Planning your funnel on paper will help you determine what content you need and what order the steps should be in. This will allow you to visualize the steps and make changes as needed. 

Building a funnel can be a little confusing, so planning your funnel before you start can save you time and frustration in the long run.

Step 2: Create something valuable and free to attract people to your list.

The key to a successful opt-in funnel is to offer something of value for free. This could be an eBook, a tool, or even a helpful PDF. It is known as a "freebie" or a "lead magnet".

Ensure your freebie is digital, a "quick win", and relevant to your target audience. You can quickly grow your email list and build relationships with potential customers by offering something valuable.

Step 3: Sign up for an email service provider (ESP).

Mailchimp, Active Campaign and Convertkit are all popular options, each with pros and cons.

Mailchimp is usually the first choice if you're starting with email marketing. It has a free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers but no automation features. ConvertKit is a better free option, as it's more user-friendly, but Active Campaign is the preferred choice if you are looking for more features, such as automation and segmentation. It's more expensive than Mailchimp or Convertkit, but it has a free trial, so you can try it out before you commit. 

Step 4: Set up your opt-in page.

An opt-in page is where potential subscribers will sign up for your list. 

There are a few key elements that you'll want to include on your opt-in page, such as a strong headline that tells visitors what they'll get by signing up, a brief description of what they can expect from your emails and a form for collecting their names and email addresses.

Step 5: Set up your autoresponder to deliver the lead magnet.

Now that you've got your opt-in page and lead magnet, it's time to set up your autoresponder to deliver it to new subscribers. 

An autoresponder is one or a series of emails sent automatically to people who sign up for your list. In this case, you'll want to set up an autoresponder that sends your lead magnet to new subscribers.

Step 6: Follow up with the people on your list.

Weekly emails should form a crucial part of your organic content strategy.

Regular emails allow you to share valuable information, promote your products and services, and drive conversions. Plus, they're a great way to stay on top of mind with your audience when you are ready to start creating and selling digital products. 

Takeaways

1. Start building a list of potential customers now, even if you're not ready

2. Focus on building an email list instead of social media

3. Attract the right people onto your list with a lead magnet

4. Set up an opt-in funnel to collect names and email addresses

5. Get started with an email provider and move to a full-featured option later

6. Share valuable content with your email list every week.

⚡ I hope this sparked for you why every creative business owner needs an opt-in funnel and email list.

Please tag me on Instagram @dominique_falla if you found it useful.

Sign up for the Creative Funnel Formula and let me help you build your first funnel step-by-step. Use the code SPARKS for a 40% discount.