Coaching Funnels: Courses, Memberships, Audios, Q&As etc That Convert

Coaching Funnels: Courses, Memberships, Audios, Q&As etc That Convert

Online courses have become a popular way for individuals to acquire new knowledge and skills. With the rise of the internet, anyone can now create and sell courses online. But to effectively reach and engage with your target audience, you need a reliable online course platform. These platforms provide all-in-one solutions for course creation, marketing, and delivery. 

For coaches and consultants, a key to building a sustainable business is creating an automated coaching funnel. This refers to the series of online educational products, tools and touchpoints you guide prospects through that progressively lead to working with you one-on-one. An effective funnel nurtures leads, builds authority and trust, and smooths the sales process.

With more coaches moving their practices online, mastering high-converting coaching funnels is essential. The right combination of free content, low-priced offers, and exclusives offerings encourages ideal prospects to progress from unaware to client seamlessly. This maximizes client lifetime value.

This comprehensive guide covers proven coaching funnel components, sequence strategies, and conversion optimization tips to turn prospects into paying clients efficiently. Follow this blueprint to create automated funnels that attract and educate your ideal audience.

#1: Free Opt-In Content Offer

The first coaching funnel step entices interested prospects into your ecosystem by exchanging contact info for free value. This allows subsequent followup and marketing. Free opt-in offers include:

Lead Magnet Guide/Checklist

A PDF containing useful advice or a checklist relevant to your niche establishes quick value.

Video Training Series

A sequence of short video lessons with takeaways introduces your teaching style.

Assessment/Quiz

A personalized assessment or quiz engages prospects while surfacing their needs.

Cheatsheet/Infographic

A cheatsheet or infographic with key principles, frameworks, or visual data earns opt-ins.

Free Discovery Session

Offer a free short coaching call to experience working together.

The opt-in should solve an urgent prospect problem or need to motivate sign-ups. Avoid giving too much away upfront or requiring excessive contact info.

#2: Automated Email Funnel

Once prospects opt-in, an automated email sequence nurtures them towards a sale by:

Providing Ongoing Value

Continue delivering free tips, tricks, insights and training valued by your niche.

Building Know, Like and Trust

Share your expertise and personality to build familiarity and credibility over time.

Making Offers and Suggesting Next Steps

Promote your paid coaching products, services and events with context about how they provide further value.

Directing to Social Proof

Link to client success stories, rave reviews and case studies proving your results.

Segmenting and Personalizing

Send customized email paths based on prospect interaction data like assessment results.

Automated email funnels generate predictable lead nurturing without ongoing time investment. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics.

#3: Valuable Paid Offer #1

Once prospects are warmed up, promote your first low-priced paid offer. Goals of this initial paid offer include:

Providing High-Value Taste

Give an entry-level preview of your coaching style and expertise. Overdeliver value.

Beginning Client Investment

Get prospects comfortable investing money in your coaching for the first time.

Generating Early Revenue

Create cash flow and begin earning back acquisition costs.

Identifying True Prospects

See who is willing to pay, signifying stronger interest and fit.

Collecting Marketing Assets

Request testimonials, reviews, and case studies from satisfied customers.

Common first paid offers are short video courses, challenge programs, or masterclasses for $197 or less.

#4: Post-Purchase Nurturing Sequence

Follow up a prospect’s first purchase with further automated touchpoints that:

Offer Implementation Support

Provide links to supplemental resources, tech setup instructions, or quickstart guides.

Ask for Reviews

Politely request they leave an honest review to help others.

Cross-sell Next Offer

Describe how your higher-end offer provides the next step in their coaching journey.

Schedule Consultation

Offer a strategy session to discuss applying what they’ve learned.

Join Member Community

Invite them to join your exclusive member forum and networking events.

Post-purchase touchpoints transition satisfied customers to higher-end offers.

#5: Valuable Paid Offer #2

After customers complete the entry-level product, promote your next paid offer at a higher price point. Goals of the second paid offer include:

Providing Premium Value

Deliver your highest level of coaching and incredible results exceeding expectations.

Generating Significant Revenue

Earning larger investment significantly monetizes your audience.

Identifying Committed Prospects

Willingness to pay higher prices signals serious prospects.

Beginning Ongoing Access

Introduce continuity like membership or hybrid one-time purchase + retention.

Typical second offers are higher-priced courses, masterminds, or VIP memberships from $497-$1997.

#6: Pre-Application Consult

For qualified prospects nearing your high-end coaching services, offer an intro call, usually free. Goals include:

Confirming Fit

Ask questions to assess if they’re an ideal client. Review pain points.

Describing Your Process

Explain how you partner with clients and what results they can expect.

Making Your Pitch

Share success stories and powerful examples that sell them on working together.

Answering Questions

Address any hesitations or uncertainties holding them back from applying.

Urging Action

Conclude by outlining next steps to becoming a client. Provide an application link.

Pre-application consults finalize prospect sales readiness before your final high-ticket offer.

#7: High-Ticket Offer

After prospects complete the consult, promote your high-end, high-dollar coaching service like:

1:1 Coaching

Private coaching programs with scheduled sessions, interactive portals and bonuses.

Group Coaching

Small group cohorts for immersive training and peer support.

Done-for-You Services

Full-service execution like consulting calls, project delivery, concierge support.

Live Events/Retreats

Transformative in-person group events for premium-level clients.

Multi-thousand-dollar services convert your strongest prospects into premium clients.

Optimizing Your Coaching Funnel Conversion

Beyond the funnel components, additional optimization tips boost conversions:

Lead Ad Sources

Promote opt-ins via your ideal prospect’s preferred social media platforms and communities. Test various ad creatives.

Segment Contacts

Tag contacts by behaviors like email opens, content downloads, purchases to personalize followup paths.

Appointment Scheduling

Make booking calls through Calendly or Acuity Scheduling frictionless with automated reminders.

Client Portal

Provide an app like ClientPortal to access materials, schedule, message, and track progress.

Payment Plans

Allow installment payments to lower initial payment barriers for high-ticket offers.

Post-Coaching Retention

Offer alumni resources like exclusive masterminds for continued community.

Continually test and refine each funnel stage using data like enrollment rates, churn, lifetime value and satisfaction. Survey clients for feedback on how to improve conversion process.

What is an online course platform?

An online course platform is a software or website that allows individuals or businesses to create, sell, and deliver courses online. These platforms provide a wide range of features and tools to help course creators streamline their processes and effectively market their courses. From course creation to marketing and sales, an online course platform provides the necessary tools to help you build your online course business.

How do online course platforms work?

Online course platforms work by providing course creators with a user-friendly interface to create and manage their courses. They typically offer features such as course builders, video hosting, and course templates to simplify the course creation process. Once the course is created, the platform also handles the secure delivery of the course to the enrolled students. Some platforms even offer additional features such as quizzes, discussion boards, and certificates to enhance the learning experience.

What are the benefits of using an online course platform?

There are several benefits to using an online course platform:

• Streamlined course creation: Online course platforms provide course creators with intuitive course builders and templates that make it easy to create professional-looking courses without any technical knowledge.
• All-in-one solution: These platforms offer a wide range of features, including video hosting, payment processing, and course delivery, all in one place, saving you time and effort.
• Marketplace exposure: Many online course platforms have built-in marketplaces where you can list your course, giving you access to a wider audience and potential customers.
• Secure content delivery: Online course platforms handle the secure delivery of your course materials, protecting your content from unauthorized access.
• Marketing and sales tools: These platforms often provide marketing and sales tools, such as landing pages, email marketing integration, and affiliate programs, to help you promote and sell your courses.

Which is the best online course platform for 2023?

Choosing the best online course platform for your business can be a daunting task. There are several popular platforms available in the market, each with its own set of features and pricing options. In order to determine the best platform for your needs, it’s important to consider factors such as your budget, course requirements, and desired features. Here are some of the top online course platforms for 2023:

• Kajabi: Kajabi is an all-in-one online course platform that offers a wide range of features, including course creation, marketing tools, and a built-in marketplace. It is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful marketing automation capabilities.
• Teachable: Teachable is another popular platform that allows you to create and sell courses online. It offers a variety of customization options and integrations, making it a flexible choice for course creators.
• Thinkific: Thinkific is a versatile online course platform that offers features such as course creation, marketing tools, and integrations. It is known for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support.
• LearnWorlds: LearnWorlds is a platform that focuses on creating interactive and engaging learning experiences. It offers features such as interactive video players, gamification, and social learning tools.

How to sell courses online

Now that you have an understanding of online course platforms, let’s explore the steps involved in creating and selling courses online.

What are the steps to create and sell online courses?

1. Identify your target audience: Before creating your course, it’s important to identify your target audience and their specific needs and interests. This will help you tailor your course content to meet their requirements.

2. Choose a topic and course format: Select a topic for your course that aligns with your expertise and interests. Decide on the format of your course, whether it will be video-based, text-based, or a combination of both.

3. Create course content: Develop the content for your course, breaking it down into modules and lessons. Ensure that your content is well-structured, engaging, and provides value to your students.

4. Choose an online course platform: Research and select an online course platform that meets your requirements in terms of features, ease of use, and pricing.

5. Set up your course: Use the course creation tools provided by the platform to upload your content, organize it into lessons and modules, and customize your course layout.

6. Price your course: Determine the price for your course based on factors such as the value you provide, the market demand, and your competition. Consider offering special discounts or promotional offers to attract new students.

7. Market and promote your course: Use a combination of marketing strategies such as content marketing, social media promotion, email marketing, and paid advertising to reach your target audience and generate interest in your course.

8. Launch your course: Once everything is set up, officially launch your course. Inform your target audience about the availability of your course and encourage them to enroll.

9. Engage with your students: Interact with your students through discussion boards, Q&A sessions, and feedback forms. Encourage them to provide testimonials and reviews to attract more learners.

10. Continuously improve your course: Pay attention to student feedback and make necessary improvements to your course content and delivery. This will help you provide a better learning experience and attract repeat customers.

What are some alternatives to Kajabi for creating an online course?

While Kajabi is a popular choice for creating and selling online courses, there are several alternatives available in the market:

• Teachable: Teachable is a user-friendly platform that offers a range of customization options and marketing tools.
• Thinkific: Thinkific is a versatile platform that provides course creation tools, marketing features, and integrations.
• Podia: Podia is an all-in-one platform that allows you to sell online courses, memberships, and digital products.
• LearnDash: LearnDash is a WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a learning management system, offering course creation and delivery features.

What are the key features to look for in an online course platform?

When choosing an online course platform, it’s important to consider the following key features:

• Course creation tools: Look for a platform that offers intuitive and user-friendly course creation tools, such as a drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates.
• Course delivery options: Ensure that the platform provides secure and reliable course delivery to your students. Features such as video hosting, quizzes, and certificates can enhance the learning experience.
• Marketing and sales tools: Check if the platform offers marketing features such as landing pages, email marketing integration, and affiliate programs to help you effectively promote and sell your courses.
• Payment processing: Look for platforms that provide seamless payment processing options, allowing you to accept payments from multiple payment gateways.
• Customer support: Consider the level of customer support provided by the platform. Look for platforms that offer responsive customer support to assist you with any technical issues or queries.
• Integration capabilities: If you use other tools or software in your course creation process, check if the platform offers integrations with those tools for a seamless workflow.

Choosing between Kajabi and Teachable

Two popular online course platforms are Kajabi and Teachable. Let’s explore the advantages of using each platform.

What are the advantages of using Kajabi?

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that offers a wide range of features to streamline your course creation and marketing process. Some advantages of using Kajabi include:

• User-friendly interface: Kajabi provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for beginners to create and manage their courses.
• Powerful marketing automation: Kajabi offers robust marketing automation features, such as email marketing, sales funnels, and analytics, to help you effectively market and sell your courses.
• Integrated sales funnels: Kajabi allows you to create integrated sales funnels to guide your customers through the buying process, increasing conversions and revenue.
• Built-in marketplace: Kajabi

Conclusion

An automated coaching funnel that methodically nurtures prospects is essential for coaches to generate predictable leads and revenue. Guide prospects through a sequence of free value, paid offers, and exclusives using opt-ins, email funnels, and strategic touchpoints at each conversion stage. Simplify booking and access through client portals and payment plans. The end goal is progressively qualifying and monetizing followers into satisfied clients. Continuously improve funnel conversion rates by tracking data, surveying clients, and refining your automated sequences. Follow this blueprint to create a high-converting coaching funnel that attracts and converts your ideal clients.

FAQ based on the article “Coaching Funnels: Courses, Memberships, Audios, Q&As etc That Convert”:

What is an online course platform?

An online course platform is a software or website that enables individuals or businesses to create, market, and deliver courses over the internet. These platforms typically offer tools for course creation (like video hosting and course builders), marketing (such as email campaigns and sales funnels), and secure delivery of course materials to enrolled students.

How do online course platforms work?

Online course platforms provide intuitive interfaces for course creators to upload content, organize it into modules and lessons, and customize the course layout. They handle tasks like video hosting, payment processing, and student enrollment management. Some platforms also offer additional features like quizzes, discussion boards, and completion certificates to enhance the learning experience.

What are the benefits of using an online course platform?

Using an online course platform offers several advantages:

• Streamlined Course Creation: Platforms provide tools that simplify creating professional-looking courses without technical expertise.
• All-in-One Solution: They integrate course creation, marketing, sales, and content delivery in a single platform, saving time and effort.
• Marketplace Exposure: Many platforms have built-in marketplaces where courses can be listed, expanding reach to potential students.
• Secure Content Delivery: Platforms ensure that course materials are securely delivered to enrolled students, protecting against unauthorized access.
• Marketing and Sales Tools: They often include features like landing pages, email marketing, and affiliate programs to help creators promote and sell courses effectively.

Which is the best online course platform for 2023?

Choosing the best platform depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options in 2023 include:

• Kajabi: Known for its all-in-one capabilities and powerful marketing automation.
• Teachable: Offers flexibility and customization options for course creators.
• Thinkific: User-friendly interface with strong customer support.
• LearnWorlds: Focuses on interactive learning experiences and community-building features.

How to sell courses online?

To sell courses online effectively, follow these steps:

1. Identify Your Audience: Understand your target audience and their learning needs.
2. Create Course Content: Develop valuable and structured course content aligned with audience interests.
3. Choose a Platform: Select an online course platform that meets your needs.
4. Set Up and Customize: Use platform tools to upload content, set pricing, and customize the course.
5. Market Your Course: Employ marketing strategies like content marketing, social media, and email campaigns.
6. Launch and Monitor: Launch the course, monitor performance, and collect student feedback.
7. Engage and Improve: Interact with students, gather reviews, and continuously improve course content based on feedback.

What are some alternatives to Kajabi for creating an online course?

Besides Kajabi, other popular alternatives include:

• Teachable: Offers customization and a straightforward interface.
• Thinkific: Known for user-friendly features and strong customer support.
• Podia: All-in-one platform for courses, memberships, and digital products.
• LearnDash: WordPress plugin for transforming websites into learning management systems.

What are the key features to look for in an online course platform?

Key features to consider when selecting an online course platform include:

• Course Creation Tools: Intuitive tools for creating and managing course content.
• Course Delivery Options: Secure and reliable delivery of course materials to students.
• Marketing and Sales Tools: Features like landing pages, email marketing, and affiliate programs.
• Payment Processing: Seamless integration with multiple payment gateways.
• Customer Support: Responsive support for technical issues and queries.
• Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with other tools and software used in course creation.

Choosing between Kajabi and Teachable:

• Kajabi: Ideal for users seeking comprehensive features and powerful marketing automation.
• Teachable: Suited for those preferring customization options and ease of use in course creation.

These FAQs summarize essential information from the article to help clarify concepts related to coaching funnels and online course platforms.