Basic Stages of a Sales Funnel

A Thought Leader Guest Post from Blue C:

Content Marketing Across the Sales Funnel

What is a Content Marketing Sales Funnel?

A content marketing sales funnel takes as many leads as possible via a step-by-step content flow, converting those leads into customers who purchase your products or services.

When you imagine a funnel, imagine the top of the funnel—the widest part. This part of the funnel is where it begins—where consumers become aware of what your company offers.

At this level of the funnel, every single person is potentially a future customer. As consumers move through the widest part of the funnel to the narrower neck, a significant number will drop off, with only a relatively small number of leads making it to the bottom of the funnel (and becoming a customer).

The basic stages of a sales funnel include:

Discovery—The top one-third of the sales funnel is all about a lead’s first experience with the brand or product you are selling. The discovery stage could include infographics, podcasts, videos, social media updates, and blog posts. The ultimate goal of discovery is indirect customer acquisition and brand awareness.
Consideration—This level is where the leads remaining from the first stage of the funnel determine whether your service or product is right for them. The consideration stage of the sales funnel could include...