It’s all there, tied up with a bow… your freebie, the landing page, the welcome email.

So why does your funnel feel more like a ghost town than a sales machine?

People are signing up, sure. But then… nothing. No clicks. No replies. No signs of life.

It’s not that your funnel is broken. It’s just leaking. Quietly. Steadily. And those tiny leaks? They add up to missed opportunities and momentum that stalls before it even starts.

Let’s talk about why your subscribers might be ghosting you and how to tighten up your funnel so more people stick around (and actually buy).

Reason #1: Your Welcome Email is All About You

Yes, your reader just signed up for your freebie, but their first question is still:

“What’s in this for me?”

If your welcome email kicks off with a long intro about who you are, your background, and your favorite coffee order before delivering the freebie or giving them a reason to stay subscribed… they’re probably already gone.

Start by delivering the freebie right away. Then clearly share how sticking around is going to help them solve the problem they signed up for in the first place.

Keep it warm and human, but make it reader-first, not resume-first.

Reason #2: You’re Not Sending Enough Emails

You might think, “I don’t want to overwhelm people.”

But if your subscribers hear from you once and then don’t see your name again for two weeks, they’ll forget who you are. Fast.

Your nurture sequence should create momentum. Think of it like a conversation: the more consistent and clear your voice, the more likely they are to keep listening.

What to include:

• Short tips that build on your freebie
• Quick wins or relatable stories
• A teaser about what’s coming next

You don’t need to write essays. You just need to stay present and top of mind (or at least just not fall off their radar completely).

Reason #3: You Have a Freebie-to-Offer Gap

A common leak: your freebie and your paid offer feel disconnected.

If someone downloads a checklist on content batching but your offer is a high-ticket mindset coaching program… it’s going to take a lot of convincing to bridge that gap.

Your lead magnet should be a natural first step toward your paid offer. Something that gets your reader nodding along and thinking, “If this is the free stuff, I wonder what the full thing looks like.”

Reason #4: There’s No Clear Next Step

If you’re not telling people what to do next, they’ll default to doing nothing.

Every email in your funnel should include a soft next step:

• Hit reply and tell me your biggest struggle
• Check out this client story
• Watch this 3-minute video tip

Calls to action don’t always need to be “Buy now.” They just need to move the relationship forward.

Reason #5: You Sound More Like a Teacher Than a Guide

Educational content is great, but if your emails read like a textbook, your readers might feel like they’re doing homework.

The best funnel content blends:

• Education (teach me something useful)
• Empathy (show me you get where I’m at)
• Leadership (give me a reason to trust your approach)

It’s okay to simplify. It’s okay to have a little fun. You’re not writing a curriculum. You’re building a connection.

Try This Instead: Rewrite One Email

Instead of auditing the whole funnel right now, pick just one email from your sequence and rewrite it using these quick tweaks:

• Swap out the intro paragraph for something more reader-focused
• Add a story or real-world example instead of a tip
• End with a next step that builds momentum, not just sells

This tiny shift can give you big insight into what your funnel might be missing. No overhaul required. After maybe 30+ sends, see if you notice any uptick in your open rate once you’ve spiced up the subject line. Or maybe you’ll see a higher click-through-rate once you’ve add some links that pique your audience’s curiosity. Then, repeat with more pieces of your funnel!

Want Support With Your Funnel Messaging?

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start guiding your subscribers from “just looking” to “just bought,” I offer done-for-you funnel copy and strategy for course creators.

Let’s build a funnel that feels like a real conversation. One that leads somewhere on purpose.