What is a funnel in affiliate marketing? A funnel is the term used for the process of capturing a potential customer and sending them on a customer journey through to an affiliate product. A sales funnel begins with a marketing “engine” where people are sent through to a landing page from an advert. On a landing page, a visitor’s email is captured and they begin the process of a marketing campaign. This campaign is designed to ultimately sell an affiliate product.
The funnel looks something like this in concept, an upside down cone shape. As a visitor clicks on an advert they come through to a landing page. Here’s an example of a landing page designed for a particular need:
Once a visitor enters their details into the landing page, they will automatically receive an email follow up. This email is the beginning of the marketing campaign which is used for the process of selling affiliate products online.
What Is A Funnel In Affiliate Marketing: Follow Up
The funnel starts with an offer on an advert, and this is usually also shown on the landing page for congruence. This offer will relate to the end product but also to a need which is fulfilled through the free giveaway. In the above landing page, the giveaway is a free video series. This is often called a “lead magnet” and it is used in exchange for the visitor handing over their email so they can receive email messages.
The subscriber will then receive information relating to their interest in a number of email follow ups. Over the course of several messages, they will also be shown a product. Usually this product is an “entry level” item.
Once someone in the funnel makes a purchase, they can be offered other related products which offer greater value. As an affiliate your job is to find suitable subscribers to send into your sales funnel. The follow up process is automated to provide value and sell affiliate products.
Follow up messages can be send over a long period of time. Often for weeks or even months and years. Email messages are used to build trust and send out value to help subscribers with a specific need or problem.
TripWire Funnel
A tripwire funnel refers to an offer which is triggered by the sale of another product. So when a subscriber buys something, another product is automatically offered to them.
The further down the funnel a subscriber goes in terms of product, the more expensive the products become. This allows affiliates to pitch products at customers who are most likely to be interested in them, and avoid trying to sell to those not ready to buy.
As subscribers move through the funnel, they might make purchases according to their needs and understanding of your product range. So initially the email messages are designed to increase their awareness and interest in what you have to sell.
Why Use A Funnel In Affiliate Marketing
Many affiliates simply sent customers directly to products through their affiliate links. But a funnel is much better because it allows them to build a more long term relationship with their subscribers. On a website, a visitor only has a few minutes to make a purchase. But once inside a funnel, they are given many more opportunities to buy.
Subscribers can make a buying decision even months or years after joining an email list and entering the sales funnel.
As an affiliate, if you’re paying for advertising, it’s much more cost effective to send visitors to a landing page where you can collect their details and follow up.
Learn more and build your own funnel here.
Summary
A funnel in affiliate marketing is the process of sending potential customers into a email marketing campaign from a landing page. From there, they receive a number of automated messages helping them with a particular problem and recommending certain products which may be of help.
Once they purchase a product, they may be offered another product, triggered by the sale. This is known as a tripwire funnel, where a sale triggers another offer.
A sales funnel is useful for affiliates because it allows them to build a longer term relationship with potential customers by offering them useful information and helping them with a particular problem. Most online consumers will require multiple touch points before buying something. A sales funnel gives them this and allows affiliates a greater length of time to make a sale.
