Before we dive in and talk about how an inbound marketing funnel works, let’s get back to basics and answer the question, “What is an inbound marketing funnel?” Enfusen’s definition goes:
Inbound Marketing Funnel – a type of online marketing funnel that pulls qualified leads through a 4-step process in order to convert strangers into happy customers.
One of the leading inbound companies, Hubspot, has a definition that highlights goals for marketing funnels:
Inbound Marketing Funnel – A marketing process that focuses on creating quality content that pulls people toward your company and product, where they naturally want to be. By aligning the content you publish with your customer’s interests.
The 4 Stages
Stage 1: Attract
By developing and researching a buyer persona, you can align your company’s interests with the interests of your ideal customers. Once your marketing funnel goals and keyword strategy are in place, start blogging and publishing on social media to attract your ideal crowd.
Stage 2: Convert
Just attracting readers isn’t enough. By offering customers free tools or relevant information in return for their contact information, you can develop a customer database that can be nurtured and monetized.
Stage 3: Close
Now that you have a contact list full of qualified leads, close deals by positioning your highly valuable product or service through systematic nurturing. Trials and pricing are a great way to get the customer thinking about real progress that can be made by choosing your company.
Stage 4: Delight
Keeping a customer is more cost efficient that acquiring a new one, so make sure that you learn about what is working and what you need to change in order to keep a portfolio of happy clients… not to mention, the postive word of mouth and goodwill from these companies is a great supplement to working toward your organizational goals.
Want to learn more about to attract, convert, close and delight clients? Fill out the form to your right to request your sales and marketing assessment now to identify possible areas of improvement in your sales and marketing funnel!
