If you’ve ever tried to grow an online business and felt like everyone was using the term “funnel” like it’s some secret handshake you’re supposed to understand… trust me, you’re not alone magically. That’s precisely why today I want the marketing funnel explained in a simple, real-world way that makes sense — without hype, jargon, or the pressure to build a 14-page funnel before lunch.
Let’s break this thing down together so you can finally say, “Ohhh… that’s how it works,” and actually use it to grow.
Why Funnels Confuse So Many People
Let me start with a question:
Have you ever watched a marketer describe a funnel and thought, “There is no way normal humans talk like this”?
I have.
And after years of doing the affiliate-marketing thing, watching systems come and go, and helping beginners who feel lost before they ever make their first dollar, I’ve noticed something:
Most people don’t struggle with building funnels.
They struggle with understanding why funnels even matter.
The good news?
Once you understand why a funnel works, building one becomes a whole lot easier.
So… What Is a Funnel Really?
Here’s the ultra-simple version:
A marketing funnel is a guided path that moves a person from
“Who are you?” → “I like this” → “Tell me more” → “Okay, I’m in.”
That’s it.
It’s not magical.
It’s not complicated.
And honestly, it’s not even new.
Retail stores have been doing this forever:
- You walk in because something caught your eye
- A friendly employee welcomes you
- You browse
- Find something you like
- You check out
Congratulations, you have just traveled through a funnel.
But online, the steps are more intentional — and that’s where the magic comes in.
The Three Core Stages of Every Funnel
Every funnel — big, small, fancy, or simple — follows these stages:
1. Awareness — “Hey, over here!”
This is where the stranger becomes aware you exist.
It could be through:
- A YouTube video
- A Facebook post
- A Pinterest pin
- A Google search
- An email forward
- A link in someone else’s funnel (my personal favorite surprise)
The goal here is not to sell.
The goal is to get attention — and earn the right to continue the conversation.
Think of it like waving someone down from across the street.
You’re not yelling prices at them.
You’re just saying, “Hey, come check this out.”
2. Consideration — “Tell me more.”
This is where trust starts to form.
Maybe they:
- Join your email list
- Download your lead magnet
- Subscribe to your YouTube channel
- Follow you on Pinterest
- Watch a couple of your videos
This is the stage where you’re basically dating.
You’re showing them you’re legit.
Helping.
You’re showing you actually know what you’re talking about.
And yes… this is where most funnels fall apart.
Why?
Because too many people treat subscribers like slot machines —
“Pull the lever, get the sale.”
That’s not how humans work.
People buy from people they trust.
Not from people who treat them like “traffic.”
3. Conversion — “Okay, I’m ready.”
If you did the first two stages well… this part becomes shockingly easy.
Conversion can be:
- Buying your eBook
- Joining your course
- Clicking your affiliate link
- Scheduling a call
- Signing up for your newsletter
The conversion stage feels natural when the funnel path is clear and helpful.
If the earlier stages were rushed, sloppy, confusing, or overly salesy…
…this stage becomes an uphill battle.
Why Beginners Get Funnels Wrong
I’ve watched a LOT of beginners try to build funnels, and I’ve made my own fair share of mistakes. And there’s one thing almost everyone does at first:
They jump straight to the conversion stage.
They want the sale before the trust.
It’s like proposing on a first date.
Even if you’re charming, confident, and wearing your good shoes… It’s still too soon.
Funnels work because they’re customer-friendly — not marketer-aggressive.
When you treat your funnel as a journey rather than a transaction, everything suddenly flows.
Where Most Funnels Break (and How to Fix It)
Let’s talk about the three biggest “funnel killers” I see:
Funnel Killer #1: Too Many Steps
People think they need:
- A lead magnet
- A tripwire
- A downsell
- An upsell
- A bump offer
- A thank-you page
- A confirmation page
- A 7-day sequence
- A webinar
- A workshop
- A secret handshake
You don’t.
Those things can help later, but beginners need:
One page.
One offer.
One path.
If you can build that, you can build anything.
Funnel Killer #2: No Value Before the Ask
If your funnel doesn’t give anything before it asks for something, you lose trust.
Value first.
Always.
Even a simple 2-minute explainer video or quick PDF can completely change the relationship.
Funnel Killer #3: No Follow-Up
This one hurts my soul because it’s so common.
Someone signs up… and nothing happens.
No welcome email.
Zero follow-up.
No “here’s what to expect.”
No nurturing.
Funnels without follow-up are like planting seeds and never watering them.
Maybe one or two will grow.
But imagine how many could grow if you followed up consistently.
Your YouTube Video → The Start of a Funnel
Let me show you how your recent YouTube video plays into all this.
Your video is in the Awareness stage.
It’s the hook.
It’s the spark.
People watch.
They get a clear, simple explanation.
They feel like, “Okay, I get this now — and this guy actually knows what he’s talking about.”
From there, you direct them to:
- Your email list
- A lead magnet
- Your Facebook community
- Of Course your website
- Your next video
That’s Consideration.
Then your List Builder Jumpstart, List Builder Pro, or any affiliate recommendation becomes the natural Conversion step.
This is precisely how content becomes a funnel engine — instead of just a random piece of content.
How to Build a Simple Funnel That Actually Works
Let’s walk through a beginner-friendly example that anyone (including you reading this with coffee stains on your shirt — don’t worry, I’ve been there) can build.
Step 1: Create a Valuable Entry Point
This could be a:
- YouTube video
- Free checklist
- Short training
- Beginner’s guide
- Simple email series
Make it easy.
Something helpful.
Something you’d want if you were starting over.
Step 2: Build a Landing Page With One Goal
One headline.
One call-to-action.
One benefit.
You’re not trying to be Amazon.
You’re trying to be clear.
Step 3: Deliver Value Fast
After they opt in:
- Give them something immediately
- Thank them
- Tell them what’s next
- Set expectations
This is where you stand out.
Most marketers disappear after the opt-in.
You won’t.
Step 4: Follow Up Consistently
Your 3-day rhythm comes in beautifully here:
Day 1: Personal story + value
On Day 2: Another personal story + value
Day 3: Story that gently points to a product
Repeat.
People don’t get annoyed by value.
They get annoyed by selfishness.
Your rhythm isn’t selfish — it’s helpful.
So it works.
Step 5: Make the Offer Feel Natural
Once trust is built, recommending:
- A course
- A tool
- A book
- A program
…feels like guidance, not selling.
That’s when funnels become fun.
The Secret Truth About Funnels (Nobody Tells You)
Here’s the part marketers rarely admit:
The funnel isn’t the hero — you are.
A funnel is just a delivery system.
It’s your stories…
Your experiences…
Your perspectives…
In your voice…
Your consistency…
Your honesty…
…that turn strangers into subscribers, and subscribers into buyers.
Funnels don’t sell.
People do.
Your job is to guide people down a path you’ve already walked — and remove the confusion along the way.
Do You Need a Complicated Funnel? Honestly? No.
If you’re starting, your funnel can be:
- A video (like the one you made yesterday)
- A simple landing page
- A welcome sequence
- A clear, honest recommendation
Four steps.
No fluff.
No overwhelm.
Once you’ve mastered that, then you can add:
- A tripwire
- A bump
- A lead magnet stack
- A webinar
- A challenge
But only when you’re ready.
Why Understanding Funnels Helps You Make More (With Less Stress)
Once the marketing funnel is explained and actually understood, everything changes:
- You stop chasing shiny objects
- You stop rebuilding your system every month
- And you stop doubting the process
- You start improving the right things
- You’ll start seeing growth from small efforts
- You begin trusting the long game
Funnels aren’t about building an empire overnight.
They’re about building a system that works even on your “off days.”
They’re your safety net in a business that often feels unpredictable.
Your Next Step: Build One Funnel That Works
Here’s the simplest way to start today:
- Watch your own YouTube video again (yes, seriously)
- Write down the three main “teaching points” you covered
- Turn those into a simple lead magnet or opt-in
- Build a clean landing page
- Add your welcome sequence
- Point traffic toward it
That’s it.
Don’t add anything else yet.
Build your base funnel — your foundation — first.
Once that’s running smoothly, everything else gets easier.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I hope you take from this breakdown, it’s this:
A funnel isn’t a complicated tech machine.
It’s a conversation.
A relationship.
A path.
And once you understand the path — really understand it — you can guide people through it with confidence… without overwhelm… and without feeling like you’re “missing something.”
You’re not missing anything.
You’re building it.
One clear step at a time.