If you run a service-based business, setting up a solid sales funnel can make a huge difference in turning curious prospects into loyal, paying clients.

With the right approach, and a few well-placed ads, you’ll be able to attract leads, build trust, and guide them step-by-step to purchase.

Here’s a straightforward guide to building an effective funnel—and where ads can help at each stage!

1. Start with a Free Offer to Attract New Leads
To kick things off, offer a freebie that genuinely helps people get a taste of what you do best. Think about what would get your ideal client excited—maybe it’s a live masterclass, downloadable guide, e-book, or live workshop. The goal? To get them interested and subscribed to your email list so you can keep the conversation going.

Our favourite ads to use at this stage are Meta ads

Ads are the perfect way to get eyes on your free offer!

Create Facebook, Instagram (Meta) that highlight the problem your freebie solves or the value it provides. Target these ads thoughtfully  so they’re reaching the right audiences. The goal here is simple: get high-quality leads into your funnel at a sustainable price point.

We see CPL ( Cost-per-leads) that range from 2$ to 20$. 

2. Nurture Those Leads with an Email Series
Once someone opts in for your freebie or attends your live event, make sure to follow up with a series of emails to keep them engaged. This is your chance to show them more of what you do, offer tips, and share some success stories.

This is also the time to start speaking about your paid services. 

You can opt to have a 7 or 10 day email series that speaks about who you are, your testimonials, the value of your services and more. 

Then prompt your audience to make a first purchase with you. 

This can be through a low-ticket item or straight to your main offering. It is typically advised to give a special discount to urge people to purchase at that time. 

3 During the stage, you can use Remarketing Ads to Nudge Prospects to Buy

At this point, retargeting ads work wonders to keep your service front-of-mind. These ads could feature client testimonials, showcase your service benefits, or promote any limited-time offers to create urgency. This keeps your service visible while your email series does the talking. 

A well-built sales funnel can help convert leads into loyal clients, but ads are the driving force that take your funnel to the next level.

The most powerful ads are those at the top of the funnel, getting your offer in front of thousands more people than you can reach organically.

Expertly managed ads ensure each stage—from initial awareness to final conversion—is optimized to bring in quality leads and boost engagement. Working with an ad agency gives you the advantage of expert targeting, creative strategy, and ongoing optimization, so you get the best possible results from every ad dollar spent. Start with a strong ad strategy, add a low-ticket offer, and watch your funnel work seamlessly to grow your business!

How to Build a Sales Funnel that Actually Works (and Where to Use Ads for Maximum Impact!)