A short video by George Kao arguing against rigid sales funnels for service providers. Kao recommends replacing managed funnels and expensive automation tools with a simple, organic pathway: publish consistent, authentic free content, offer affordable entry-level workshops or services, and let interested people self-select into higher-priced one-on-one work at their own pace.
I just came to a realization today that maybe the number one problem I have with sales funnels is that it artificially tries to move people along a particular path when they may or may not be ready yet. And so I no longer have a sales funnel that I manage. And I don't use systems such as infusionsoft or ontraport. I honestly think most people sign on to those systems way too early. They end up paying hundreds of dollars a month unnecessarily, and they could have spent that money more wisely to actually grow their business rather than to have an unnecessary expense. So what do I recommend? Instead of having a sales funnel that you're managing now? I'm talking to those of you who are service providers, who want to make a true livelihood, who want to keep your business simple rather than complex, who want to be able to make a good living coaching, counseling, consulting, teaching what you love. Right? So what I recommend is instead of a sales funnel, that you create a pathway that you don't have to consciously move people through, but that they themselves move. They move themselves through it organically, at their own pace. So, for example, my pathway is very simple. I have consistent, I hope, authentic and I hope relevant content that I share for free. You know that because you're watching this video right now. And so I do this, you know, a couple times a week. And it's easy for me to do. I'm here walking my dog, buddy. I don't know if you can see him right there. I mean, we're. We're on a regular walk, and I just pull out the phone. I had this idea, wanted to share it with you, and I'm sure you have ideas, too, in your field of expertise that you could share with your audience. Little tips here and there that you think may be obvious to you or maybe it's a breakthrough for you, but you share it anyway so that you can maybe benefit others as well. So that's the first part of the pathway. And then after that, some people decide to go to my website. They might look at some of the archived content that I have, but they also discover that I have online workshops that I run every month, very affordable, on a variety of interesting topics. So they sign on to the one that they're interested in, and they come to the workshop. Most of them love it. And after that, they may say, gosh, I want to work more with George because I want George's in depth, customize expertise into my business. So then they go back to my website and find that I provide one on one services and so they contact me about that. And so ever since I have done this very natural organic pathway that is an alternate to a sales funnel, it's worked amazingly well. And so I no longer think about, gosh, I gotta follow up with so and so. It's been six months since I've contacted them. I better reach out to them and say, hey, how's it going? I used to do that, I'll tell you this, and it never was very effective. And so I really encourage you to create consistent, authentic, relevant content and have some lower priced offerings so that people can try you out at those levels before they then try you out at higher price levels. So if you do that on a consistent basis, you don't need the artificial feeling of a sales funnel and that kind of relationship with your audience, that makes sense. So I hope this is helpful. Always open to your comments and your questions and until the next video, I wish you an authentic, organic feeling business that serves the world and allows you to thrive. Be well.
