Hello! Welcome back to my blog.
This is my second post today!
The reason why I have done two posts today is that when I posted earlier, I hadn’t finished part two of the homework.
During week 5 of the Affiliate Systems, Dean taught us about picking a lead magnet and setting up an opt-in funnel so that we can start building an email list of superfans. We want to get people on our email list. To do this, Dean had us create two things: (1) create an offer, something of value (a lead magnet), that you can give away in exchange for an email address, and (2) Set up a way to capture that email address and deliver the lead magnet.
This is the first step in building an email list.
And I am sure you have heard the money is in the list!
The skill that we learned this week is an incredibly valuable skill to learn.
Can you believe it? People can get paid a lot of money to build funnels for others.
Rusell Brunson even has a class on it. For $10,000, you can learn funnel building and be added to a list so that people can hire you to build funnels.
Thankfully, page builders have come a long way, and most are pretty user-friendly, allowing you to build your own funnel following a video.
Back in the day, according to Dean, you used to have to pay a developer or know how to code, but now it is a lot easier, and there are tons of options to choose from.
Click Funnels is one of them, and it is how I started learning.
Builderall is another example of a page builder you can use to create your very own opt-in. Builderall is a lot less expensive than Click Funnels. Dean and the crew used Builderall before they created their very own platform: Affiliate Systems.
This week, I have learnt how to create a funnel within the Affiliate Systems Platform.
Although I got one funnel up and running, it is important that I remember that this is not a one-and-done; this is a learning experience, building funnels. You will want to get to a point where you can build any page or funnel you can imagine with little effort and time commitment. When we get this to the stage, we will have developed a very valuable skill that we can utilize to propel our business and that we can charge others or help others for free, if we so desire, by teaching them how to do it, or doing it for them.
In the spirit of approaching this as learning a skill set, it is imperative that we find a sense of play. We log in, try different things, and create different funnels, just for fun and practice.
As this is a skill that will need to be developed, Dean encouraged us in today’s class to build a few funnels and play around in order to learn all the features and formatting options, and to understand how everything works.
Funnel building is a real business. People charge 1000s to 10,0000 or more to build funnels for others.
This is a skill that can be marketed. You could teach a class or be hired to build funnels for others.
Imagine being able to charge people to teach them how to build funnels.
How cool is this?
It’s another revenue stream!
Embrace this journey, and don’t look at it as a challenge or something you have to overcome. It is a skill that can make you a lot of money. Imagine getting paid more than a doctor or lawyer for learning how to successfully create funnels.
And you can learn these skills without getting ¼ million dollars in debt, going to college, and taking out student loans!!!
In order to create this opt-in funnel, We needed to create the following:
- The list-building funnel
- Opt-in page
- Thank you page
- Lead magnet delivery page
- Opt-in Form
In affiliate, systems can use a template or can build a funnel page from scratch.
As I always say, beta than better, do your best, but it will not be perfect on your first try. Publish and get it out there, and tweak it as often as you would like.
The idea is to get comfortable using the affiliate system, or whatever platform you are using.
Dean suggests to develop this skill; you will need to put time in regularly learning the builder, take time learning things like font and the right sizes of pictures to add, and build funnels for fun and practice. Like I said earlier, this is an incredibly valuable skill, so don’t be afraid to have a go at it.
Unlike Click Funnels, in the Affiliate System platform, you have to create the opt-in form separately. With Click Funnels, you create the form inside the page itself. This process in Affiliate systems is different. This opt-in form is essential the pop-up that comes up when you hit subscribe on my newsletter. This is the form where potential leads will fill in their name and email address.
Thankfully, there was a video for each step, so I followed each one, playing the video on my boyfriend’s computer while I took action on mine!
Yay, I created the funnel. Now, the next step is for that double opt-in confirmation email!
Remember, in last week’s blog post, we talked about single opt-in versus double opt-in. For this funnel, I chose the double opt-in due to the new rules and regulations. I don’t want anyone on my list who is not engaging and doesn’t want to be there. Double opt-in is going to help me create a better email sender reputation.
In this training video, we learned how to create a workflow. This will allow people who filled out the opt-in form to receive my newsletter,but before they get the newsletter, they have to confirm they want emails from me (hence, double-opt-in). So, once they fill out the form, it will trigger an email to be sent to them.
They will need to go to their email and click I want to receive emails! Then they are confirmed and will receive their two free trainings, and now they are on my newsletter email list!
I made it to the last video! This video is where we make sure everything works!
Time to test out the funnel and see if all the steps occur as they should…….watch the video below as I check each step of the funnel to see if my funnel works:
If you watched the video above, then you know that each step of my funnel did not work, and help was needed and received!
What Should Happen based on what we have done?
Someone will land on my opt-in page they will hit subscribe now; this will trigger a pop-up box for them to enter their name and email.
Once they do this, it should take them to a thank you page and simultaneously sned them a confirmation email.
Then, they will go to their email, and in the email, there will be a link they will need to click to confirm they want to subscribe to my newsletter.
Once they click this link, it will take them to the free gift page and give them the two FREE trainings!
What actually happened:
First step…. I hit subscribe now…Unfortunately, the pop-up box did not appear. I got this instead:
Thankfully, there is a help center. I clicked the help button, and a live agent was able to help me resolve the issue!
Now, the pop-up was working, and I was able to put in my email, but the thank you page did not appear.
Back to the help center…
Now, the third step…I got the confirmation email!!! But when I clicked on the link, I got “This site can’t be reached.”
It was one of those days when every step did not work and required me to check in with an agent for help, but after an hour or so of going through it with them on the phone, my funnel was up and running. I learned what mistakes I had made along the way, and hopefully, the next time I do this, it will go a lot smoother!
Now, I am ready to start building a list of superfans!
We haven’t learned how to set up the follow-up sequence of emails yet…that is coming soon, but for now….the opt opt-in is complete!!!!
Time to celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!
One last thing to do – add this funnel to my blog!
There are many ways to do this; you can add it to the top bar (navigation toolbar) where my story, about me, and contact me forms are in, OR you can add it as a banner on the sidebar or footer.
To create banners, you can use Canva to create an image, or if that’s not your thing, use leverage and hire a Fiverr artist!
If you do create an image, Dean recommended that the image size be 250 pixes x 250 pixes.
In today’s video, Dean showed us how to add the opt-in to the navigation toolbar.
If you are following along and want to do the same, here are the instructions Dean provided.
How to Add an Opt-In Funnel Onto Your Blog:
In the WordPress menu on the left side of the page, go to appearance and select menus.
In the menu, select the custom link; here is where you will need to enter the URL of your opt-in page and Link Text. I put in FREE Newsletter!
Now, we want the opt-in page to open up in a new window whenever someone clicks on it. To make this happen, you will need to click on select screen in the top right corner of the page. Then select link target, placing a check in the box.
Now, the option to open the link in a new tab appears! Go ahead and Click it, and then press save!
That is it. We are done!
Now, let’s check to see if it all works!
It worked! Free Newsletter showed up in my navigation bar, and when I click on it, it goes to my opt-in page!
TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!!!!
We have accomplished so much this week!!!!
Please share this post with anyone you feel can benefit, and don’t forget to comment below. Was this helpful? Did you pick your lead magnet and set up an opt-in funnel?
If you want to join my email list, click here or click on Free Newsletter in the navigation bar!
Let’s ride from rookie to riches together,
Alison Blaire
22 Responses
Congratulations on getting your opt-in to work, well done.
I have to say I loved listening to your enthusiasm and energy (and sound effects!) in your video, it really brought the blog alive. Thank you so much for being honest and sharing your struggle AND victory.
Please post more videos.
Hi Tony, thank you for these words of encouragement, I am always so hesitant to post videos, but this one was fun, despite no makeup and just being in the moment! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alison, Alison what a great post! I am also in the process of setting up a funnel so this blog is great as it sets out each step of the way. I do appreciate being able to come back to your blog again to read your other posts.
Hi Eleanor, I am so happy to read that my post provided you some assistance! Good luck on setting up your funnel, and please feel free to reach out if there is anything I can help you with. Always here to help!
This is some very valuable information you’re sharing.
I think learning how to make funnels is one of the best things about affiliate marketing. When learning these skills – first you start to realize they are everywhere and every industry uses them in their marketing; then you realize hey I’m learning something really valuable that can be used in a whole lot of ways other than affiliate marketing.
So true. It is funny now when I get an email or an invite into a funnel. I like to go through the steps to get ideas. I am not looking at it from a customer point of view but trying to learn all I can; they really are everywhere!
Alison, Fantastic job on getting your site up and running correctly..Teaching by example as well when it comes to needing help and asking for it! Learning from my mistakes has taught me many things over the years. First is Patience, then Perseverance. Those two things combined with Practice will create a much valued skill set that you can use for years to come. Keep up the great work… Success is right in front of you!
I love that, David, It’s so true; the three P’s: Patience, Practice, and Perseverance will get you really far in this business and in any endeavor you want to accomplish in life.
That is awesome Alison, you document all this so well! I’m really impressed! Glad you make it through to work for you and your nice blog. Time to grow your email list now, get that traffic and capture your leads! Nice job with Affiliate System. The results and fun doing it worth the efforts!
Kind regards,
Martin
YES, next step is traffic and growing my email list. I have been practicing emails and sent out my first broadcast email yesterday! So excited to keep growing my list and providing value, and learning how to craft great emails is a skill set I am determined to get good at.
Alison, I love the videos that you’re doing really good really engaging. Also your enthusiasm and excitement is really good and infectious and it’s great to see you doing it practically on the screen as you go. I’m glad you got there in the end just a few teething problems, but that’s all part of the learning. When you create your own funnel from scratch you’ll probably have similar issues but that’s the whole point you’re learning a new skill and a very valuable skill. well done I’m now gonna join your newsletter and I will let you know in the chat if it all goes well it be great if you could also join my newsletter too it’s on the top menu of my blog and also at the end of each post. Well done great job , see you again soon. Thanks, Atif
Atif, thank you so much for your kind words! Thank you for joining my newsletter, and I look forward to watching your journey as well!
Hi Alison! Great blog and congratulations on your success getting your opt-in page complete! I haven’t managed to start that process yet but hope to soon. Loved the video documenting your experience. It was wonderful to see you pushing on through the blocks successfully! Have an amazing week and I’ll see you again soon!
Thank you so much Sharel, you will get there soon! Everyone, goes at their own pace! If you need any help, please reach out, I am here to help in any way possible!
Hello – I love your persistence and positive attitude. In your video, while you were having difficulties, you never gave up. The final segment I could see the beaming excitement in your accomplishment. Well done. I plan to follow your steps soon as I progress on my journey. I just want to say thank you for reminding me it is possible to remain positive even when things are not going the way I want and need.
Ernie, it makes my day to read your post, and know that I reminded you to stay positive even when everything is not working out like it should!
Great post Alison.
Creating a funnel is a fundamental skill in affiliate marketing.
The beauty of the affiliate system is that we have all the necessary tools in one box. All are nicely connected, with full automation for lead generation.
I have learned recently that the sign-up form can be embedded in any website so the possibilities are endless.
I love how easy it is to build a page. With a little bit of practice, anyone can do it as it is what you see- what you get as a block builder.
Thank you for your video on how to add opt-in to a blog. This is my task for tomorrow, so wish me luck.
Tom, creating a funnel is a fundamental skill and it was kindoff fun. I am still playing around with mine and have a few versions that I have been working with. I agree, with a little bit of practice you can do anything!
Hi Alison,
Great post! It’s so detailed and laid out in a way that makes it so easy to follow you! Your video is a great touch and made the process real, not just words to follow 🙂 Your persistence and follow through paid off, congrats! Look forward to your next post!
Denny
Thank you so much for your kind words Denny it means so much.
Alison,
Dean is correct it use to be a ton of work to build just a simple funnel. With a background in computer programming you learn to enjoy the simpler things in life, like Click Funnels or Affiliate System. They are so much simpler to use and publish than the old way.
One that that has not changed is the frustration when something doesn’t work like we expected it to. However, when you have a good support team it defiantly makes life much better.
I am glad you were able to get your issue resolved and your weeks homework completed.
CJ
Good support makes all the difference. I have made a commitment to myself, to not purchase or join anything that does not have customer service, there is nothing worse then staying stuck.