The Shift from Traditional Sales Funnels

In terms of job searches, becoming a writer ranks second only to being a pilot globally. Yet, the journey to becoming a successful writer can be challenging. Many individuals in this field struggle financially, leading to feelings of discouragement.

Through my 3.5 years of online writing experience, I’ve identified two distinct categories of writers:

1. The Dreamy Writers: These individuals are passionate about writing but often find it difficult to make ends meet. They tend to voice their frustrations and attribute their lack of success to external factors, frequently giving up before they can see meaningful results.
2. The Successful Writers: In contrast, this group also has a love for writing but has learned to monetize their passion effectively.

What sets them apart? The key difference lies in successful writers' ability to market themselves and leverage the "creator funnel" concept devised by Justin Welsh.

Defining the Creator Funnel

A creator funnel serves as a framework that transforms individuals who engage with your work into paying customers. This can manifest through readers of your articles on platforms like Medium or participants in your online courses.

Justin's approach to the creator funnel encourages viewing it as a journey that fosters familiarity and trust between you and your audience. Ultimately, it's about nurturing relationships, as people crave deeper connections.

In 2019, Justin launched his business without this funnel, resulting in minimal earnings. However, by 2022, he implemented a creator funnel that amplified his business growth fivefold. By 2024, he is on track to build a business worth $10 million.

The Stages of a Creator Funnel

1. Get Discovered: The initial step is ensuring that people can find you. If your work isn't visible, it won’t generate sales. Justin emphasizes creating valuable content on platforms where your audience is already engaged, such as YouTube, Medium, Substack, or LinkedIn.
2. Build Trust: Once people discover you, earning their trust is crucial. This involves demonstrating your expertise through newsletters and informative videos, which showcase your skills.
3. Foster Relationships: As trust develops, audiences may seek to connect further. Justin cultivates this through a community where members engage and share insights, fostering a sense of belonging.
4. Monetization: Once a bond is established, followers are more inclined to invest in your offerings, whether that’s joining a paid community, purchasing courses, or scheduling consultations.

The Importance of Relationships

A strong relationship with your audience significantly increases the likelihood of sales. Justin's community members readily purchase his products because they have developed trust in him.

My experience at Edelman, one of the world's leading agencies, taught me that building connections with journalists, brands, and influencers is essential for any business.

Creating Your Own Creator Funnel

If you aspire to emulate Justin's success, start by establishing your creator funnel:

1. Get Noticed: Make your presence known.
2. Build Trust: Engage authentically with your audience.
3. Create Relationships: Develop meaningful connections.
4. Make an Offer: Clearly present what you are selling.

Once you define your own creator funnel, you can begin monetizing your writing endeavors!

My Personal Creator Funnel Breakdown

For my own creator funnel, I actively write on Medium nearly every day, maintain a YouTube channel with weekly content, and send out newsletters regularly.

I produce helpful videos, engage with my audience through newsletters, and maintain a blog. My "Online Writing Club" provides a nurturing environment for emerging writers looking to develop and monetize their craft. Members can access paid options and participate in courses and boot camps.

I hope these insights help you discover your own creator funnel! Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

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