Every customer goes on a journey before they buy. The funnel is simply you taking control of that journey instead of leaving it to chance.A funnel is simply the path people take from not knowing you, to trusting you, to finally buying from you.
The problem? Most entrepreneurs either don’t know their funnel, or they’re building the wrong one. And if you’re building the wrong funnel, you’re basically pouring water into a bucket full of holes.
Step 1: The Awareness Stage – They Don’t Know You Exist
Think of the first time you met your spouse, your best friend, or even your barber. Before the first “hello,” you didn’t exist in their world. That’s your customer right now. They have a problem, but they don’t know you’re the solution.
Awareness is where you cast the net. Social media content, ads, podcasts, events—this is you saying, “Hey, I exist.”
But here’s where most entrepreneurs fail: they sell too early. Nobody wants to marry you on the first date. Slow down.
Step 2: The Interest Stage – You Have Their Attention, Now What?
Okay, they saw your ad, your post, or your video. Now what?
Interest is where you educate, entertain, and earn trust. This is where storytelling comes in.
Apple doesn’t just say, “Here’s a phone.” They show you why it makes your life better. Starbucks doesn’t sell coffee; they sell a third place between work and home.
If you’re here talking only about features and not outcomes, you’re done. This is where you start nurturing. Emails, free guides, short videos—all designed to answer one question: Why should I care about you?
Step 3: The Decision Stage – The Crossroads
At this point, they’ve got options. You’re one of them. Maybe two other competitors are knocking on the door too.
Here’s where you separate amateurs from professionals. Pros remove friction. Clear pricing. Clear offers. Social proof. A guarantee. Scarcity without the scammy nonsense.
Think Amazon’s one-click buy. Think Tesla’s seamless online order. If your checkout process feels like solving a Rubik’s cube, you’ve already lost.
Step 4: The Action Stage – Money Changes Hands
This is where they pull out the credit card. But here’s the mistake most entrepreneurs make: they celebrate too early.
Action isn’t the end of the funnel—it’s the beginning of the relationship. If you stop here, you’re like the guy who takes a girl on one date and then disappears. Don’t be surprised when she ghosts you.
Follow-up. Deliver an insane customer experience. Turn them into repeat buyers and evangelists. That’s where the real money is.
The Hidden Funnel Most Don’t Talk About: Retention & Referral
Listen, acquiring a customer is expensive. Keeping one is priceless.
Your best customers will bring you more customers—for free.
Think about how Dropbox grew: referral programs. Think about how Tesla grew: owners becoming evangelists. If you don’t have a retention + referral system in your funnel, you’re leaving millions on the table.
The Funnel Mindset
Here’s the truth: funnels aren’t optional. They’re not just for internet marketers or software companies. They’re for everyone.
- A gym funnel starts with free trials.
- A lawyer’s funnel starts with free consultations.
- A YouTuber’s funnel starts with free content.
Funnels are everywhere. The question is: do you control yours—or are you winging it? Understanding funnels is understanding human psychology. People rarely buy the first time they see you. They need to discover, trust, decide, and commit.
If you get this wrong, you’ll always feel like you’re hustling with no results.
Get this right, and you’ll feel like you finally turned on the switch—customers coming in, revenue flowing, and your brand compounding.
Because business isn’t about funnels—it’s about trust. Funnels are just the system that makes trust scale.