The Funnel Strategy That Ended My Live Launch Burnout

PodcastMarketing

Dec 9

Episode 907: Show Notes

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 2024, it’s the game-changing power of focusing on one well-built funnel that works. In this episode, I break down why relying solely on live launches leaves money on the table and how pairing them with automated funnels creates the ultimate revenue-driving duo. I share why live launches are the perfect testing ground for building evergreen funnels that convert, plus the strategies that make this process seamless and effective!

You’ll also get a sneak peek into my funnel plans for 2025, including my return to paid advertising and the surprising power of strategic downsells. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to refine your systems, this episode will help you leverage the best of live launching and automated funnels for a sustainable long-term growth strategy. Ready to transform your business? Tune in now to get the full scoop!

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Why You Need Both Live Launches & Automated Funnels

For years, I depended solely on live launches to generate revenue, and it worked! My biggest launch brought in over $350,000 in just one week. But the cost was huge. I was in a constant loop of promoting, running workshops, and pushing out sales sequences. Even the “simpler” launches where we repeated workshops every couple of weeks were a ton of work. And when we started doing bigger launches like multi-day challenges or summits with dozens of guest speakers, it only added to the workload.

The thing is, live launching taught me so much. I got to know my audience on such a deep level: their struggles, where they were getting stuck, and what they needed most. But even with that knowledge, I started feeling completely spent. I had no boundaries, and I was thinking about work all the time. That’s when I realized I needed to find another way to build my business.

Live launching is such a powerful tool for figuring out what works, but it can’t be your only strategy. When you combine what you’ve learned from live launching with a killer funnel, that’s when you really start to see long-term success! Funnels bring in consistent, reliable revenue without the constant hustle of planning another launch. Looking back, I wish I’d leaned into funnels sooner. Live launches and funnels are an incredible combination, giving you the freedom and sustainability to grow your business without totally burning yourself out!

Use Your Live Launch To Build Your Funnel

If you want to build a great automated funnel, you need to start with a live launch. The two go hand in hand because live launching gives you everything you need to make your funnel work. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about testing things out. You get to see how your audience responds to your messaging, your price, and even the product itself. Honestly, some of my best launches were pre-sales where I adjusted the product or added bonuses right in the middle of the launch based on what people were asking for.

One thing I’ve loved doing is testing content on social first. The posts that get the most engagement (comments, shares, all of it) almost always inform what I include in my email sales sequence. This saves me so much time because I already know what’s going to hit the right notes with my audience. And during a live launch, you’ve got more time to test and tweak. Also, not every daily email is a straight sales pitch. Some of my favorite ones point to other content, like podcasts or blog posts, which keeps the launch feeling less sales-y and more valuable for my audience!

After every launch, I do a full debrief to figure out what worked. I look at which social posts had the most engagement, which emails got the most clicks, and, most importantly, which messages drove sales. This process is a goldmine for creating automated funnels that actually convert.

How to Get Leads on Autopilot

There’s so much I could say about funnels (way more than I can fit into this episode!), but here’s the main takeaway: if you’re not building a funnel, you’re leaving money on the table. Yes, creating a funnel is front-loaded work. It takes time and effort up front, but it pays off in the long run. That’s why I love pairing a live launch with funnel building. You get paid immediately, build out the product as you go, and then shift to driving traffic into your funnel once it’s set up.

Inside Leads on Autopilot, I walk you through my entire funnel-building process; how to flip a live launch into an automated funnel, get your lead magnets converting, and turn leads into sales on autopilot. And let me tell you, this isn’t just about getting leads in the door. It’s about doing it in a way that feels authentic and personal. It’s about storytelling, value, and creating email sequences that show your audience you care, you understand their challenges, and you’re ready to help them.

I also dive into testing and tweaking your funnels for ongoing improvement, plus strategies for segmentation and tailored messaging. Whether it’s the marketing side of lead generation or building a funnel that converts, I cover it all inside Email List Jumpstart, where Leads on Autopilot lives right now. And if you’re curious, watch my free workshop on getting your first 1,000 subscribers. You’ll walk away inspired and ready to take the next step toward building your funnel!

My Strategy for 2025

What’s next for my funnel strategy? Heading into 2025, I’m refining how I approach social, paid traffic, and my email list. Social media remains my tool for attracting a cold audience and driving visibility so I can create those leads. I’ve been testing strategies for sending cold traffic either directly to a low-priced offer or to a lead magnet that leads into a paid funnel.

For paid advertising, I’m diving back in with a plan to drive cold traffic straight to entry-point offers paired with upsell funnels. I’m also incorporating more strategic downsells, which can convert at incredibly high rates when done right – sometimes over 30%! It’s a brilliant way to re-engage leads and bring in amazing customers.

While this might sound like a lot, my biggest takeaway from 2024 is that you don’t need dozens of funnels to see success. Start with one, refine it, and build from there. Live launches are invaluable for testing and gathering data before transitioning to evergreen funnels. With the right setup, these systems can scale your business and provide consistent revenue!

Want to see my full process? Check out Email List Jumpstart, where I walk you through building and optimizing your funnels inside Leads on Autopilot.