Most small business owners think they need a “funnel.” Usually because someone on Instagram told them so.
They picture a slick series of landing pages, popups, countdown timers, upsells, tripwires, and automated flows that make money while you sleep.
Sounds nice. But let’s be honest. Most businesses don’t need all that.
What you do need is a simple, intentional plan for what happens after someone shows interest. That’s it.
What Most People Think a Funnel Is
For many solo business owners, “funnel” means this:
– Someone visits your website
– They sign up for something
– They get a bunch of emails
– Boom—sale
But here’s what actually happens:
– The opt-in doesn’t connect to anything
– The email sequence feels robotic or salesy
– There’s no clear next step
– The lead disappears
The tech worked. The strategy didn’t.
What You Actually Need
You don’t need a funnel. You need a follow-up plan. Something that helps people:
– Understand what you offer
– Build trust with you
– Know how to move forward when they’re ready
And you need this to happen automatically, without you manually emailing people one-by-one or chasing DMs.
A Good Follow-Up Plan Has Three Parts
1. A Way to Stay in Touch
This can be an email opt-in form, a lead magnet, or even a “Join the list for updates” box.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to exist.
If someone visits your site, likes what you do, but isn’t ready to book—you want a way to keep the conversation going.
2. A Short Welcome Email Series
This is where most of the magic happens.
A good welcome sequence should:
– Remind people who you are
– Share how you help
– Give them a reason to stick around
– Offer them a clear next step (book, browse, contact, etc.)
This doesn’t have to be salesy. It just needs to feel like you.
Think of it like walking someone through your front door instead of yelling at them from the street.
3. A Way to Reconnect Later
People get busy. They forget.
A reactivation or “check-in” email a few weeks later can bring someone back into your orbit.
This can be as simple as:
“Still thinking about your next trip? Here’s how I can help.”
Or:
“Have a quick question—are you still looking for [X]?”
You’re not bothering them. You’re showing up like a real human who cares.
Real Example: A Travel Advisor With No Follow-Up
I worked with a travel advisor who had a beautiful website and a freebie opt-in for a “Dream Destination Checklist.”
It worked—people were signing up. But that was it. They signed up… and heard nothing.
No welcome email. No follow-up. No next step.
After we added:
– A short 3-email welcome series
– A call to action at the end of each email
– A follow-up email two weeks later
She started getting replies. Inquiries. Bookings.
Same traffic. Same website. Just a better follow-up plan.
What This Means for You
Don’t get distracted by complicated funnels or sales pages if your follow-up is missing.
Start with these basics:
– Have a way to collect emails
– Send a short welcome series
– Check in a few weeks later
That’s a funnel—done right, and done simply.
Final Thought
You don’t need to “build a funnel.” You need to build a relationship.
A good follow-up plan makes your leads feel seen, supported, and ready to say yes when the time is right.
Want help setting that up?
👉 Book a free strategy session and let’s build something simple that actually works.
