Do You Know Why Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels Are All The Rage Lately? Because They Work!

But what are Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels? Simple – it’s a workflow that moves people through phases intending to turn a prospect into a paying client. It’s also how you automate your marketing and even your sales, so it runs 24×7. Automation = Freedom.

Virtual Assistant sales funnels combine strategy and technology. They will help you get in front of your audience, share your expertise, and get clients on autopilot. They can be very simple or very complex. And every online business should have at least ONE funnel.

Why You Should Have A Sales Funnel

People are looking for exactly what you offer every minute of every day, whether through a Google search or perusing Facebook or LinkedIn Groups. Your clients are looking for you. And, it would be best if you made it easy for them to find you 24×7.

For instance, let’s say you offer WordPress as a service. Then it would help if you had a virtual assistant sales funnel that focuses on WordPress – whether you build them or manage them (or both).

The Structure Of Simple Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels

The first step in a funnel is getting your ideal client’s attention. It’s known as Content Marketing, and we will talk more about this in a moment. Once you have their attention, you want to offer them something for “free” in exchange for their email to get them into your funnel.

Have you heard of list building? What about Lead Magnets of Freebies? Believe it or not, but both are part of simple Virtual Assistant sales funnels. You can create a sales funnel that includes a free checklist or ebook (Lead Magnet) in exchange for their email, which adds them to your “list” (funnel).  

Once they’re in your funnel (on your list), Email Marketing takes over. Here is where you build the know, like, and trust factor through a series of emails. You’re starting a relationship. The series of emails you send after someone joins your list is called a follow-up sequence (there are other terms used, but we will stick with this one for this blog post).

Now you know the structure or workflow of uncomplicated Virtual Assistant sales funnels. Let’s focus on what you can give away for free – your Lead Magnet to get them in your sales funnel.

Lead Magnets For Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels

As I mentioned above, let’s say you offer WordPress as a service. You want your Lead Magnet to focus on how you help your clients with WordPress. A crucial tip here – your sales funnel should stick to ONE topic only. Meaning the freebie and the follow-up sequence should speak to WordPress in this instance. Why? Because they’re showing that they are interested in WordPress based on their actions.

#1 – Keep It Simple If This Is New

Ok, so back to the Lead Magnet. The easiest freebie to create is a checklist, and where I highly recommend you start if you’re new to all of this. It can be something straightforward because it’s all about value. It’s not quantity, it’s quality.

Let’s say clients know that they need a WordPress website, but they have no idea where to start. Or maybe they’re going to create it themselves, but they need to know the best practices. You could create a simple checklist that lists the top 10 mistakes to avoid when you’re making your WordPress website. You’re showing them you know what you’re talking about, and it’s helpful for people who don’t know what to look out for when building their first website.

#2 – Create Different Freebie Versions

Let me share a little hint when it comes to creating any freebie. Focus on tips and tricks, best practices, mistakes to avoid, and hacks, these are the most common things that people are looking for, and you’ll have a better conversion rate. You could create five different freebies around your WordPress services. Then you’ll have five different ways for people to get into your funnel. Here’s the thing with sales funnels, you can have multiple Virtual Assistant sales funnels for various things. You can also have several entry points into the same funnel. 

As can you see, if you don’t have a lead magnet for at least one of your services, you’re missing out on lots and lots of potential business. Plus it’s also a great way to set you apart from everybody else that takes part in the feeding frenzy that is social media.

#3 – Tools To Create A Simple Freebie Checklist

• A Word Processor, such as Word or Google Docs
• Canva to create a fancy cover if you want 
• Your website
• Email marketing tool, such as Mailerlite

These are free tools that you can use to get yourself started.

#4 – How To Set Up + Launch Virtual Assistant Sales Funnels

Here’s a quick example of what I’m talking about using these tools.

• Create your freebie in Word
• Upload it into your WordPress media library
• Create two landing pages on your website
1. Optin page
2. Thank you page
• Add the Mailerlite plugin
• Create the list in Mailerlite
• Add the Mailerlite form to the landing page
• Write the follow-up sequences
• Test it!
• Launch it!

#5 – Include A Call To Action

Once they’re on your list, be sure you’re guiding them towards the action you want them to take in your emails. For example, do you want them to sign up for a discovery session or purchase a specific package or product? Be specific – tell them what you want. It’s known as a Call To Action or CTA. The goal, after all, is to turn them into a paying customer. That’s it – that is a simple Virtual Assistant sales funnel!

Don’t Forget To Capture Your Dream Client’s Attention

Let’s talk about Content Marketing for a second. Content marketing is what you use to get your ideal client’s attention. You do this by sharing your expertise with them via free content such as a:

• Blog post
• Pinterest pin
• Podcast
• YouTube video

The goal is to create content that solves their problems. Getting their attention is the first step or stage in Virtual Assistant sales funnels. They can’t get into your funnel unless they know you exist. That’s marketing 101 – awareness.

What are you doing right now to get your ideal client’s attention? If nothing, it’s time to start. Pick one method and stick with it. Also, don’t miss having a look at my post The Ultimate VA Success Guide: 8 Tips On How To Get Clients As A Virtual Assistant to learn about the different ways you can make them aware of how awesome you are and how you can help them.

A Quick Summary + Invitation

Whew ok, that’s a lot of information, but hopefully, you now have a better idea of what a sales funnel is and how to create a simple one. Remember, the beauty of a sales funnel is that it’s running all the time. So no matter when they download your freebie, you can hit them up with your email sequence and upsell them into buying a package from you for whatever you sell.

Now go out and create your Virtual Assistant sales funnel and then feel free to share with me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading – Susan