Think about the last time you bought something online. Chances are, it wasn't totally random. Maybe you'd heard of the brand before, or you saw a great deal pop up in your email. Something caught your eye and made you click 'buy.'
Well, the journey your potential customers take is pretty similar. It's not often they stumble upon your stuff and instantly become die-hard fans. Nope, they need to see your name, your work, your message a few times before they're hooked.
But don't worry, there's a cool trick called flywheel marketing that can help speed up this process. Let me break it down for you.
What is Flywheel marketing?
So, what's flywheel marketing all about?
Well, it's basically a way of doing marketing that puts your customers front and center. It's all about making sure they have a great experience from the very beginning, so they keep coming back for more.
And here's the cool part, when your customers love what you do, they'll tell their friends about you too, which means even more people will want to check you out.
The key to flywheel marketing is keeping that momentum going. Instead of just focusing on getting as many new customers as possible and then forgetting about them, flywheel marketing is all about building relationships. You want to keep your customers happy and engaged so they keep coming back for more and spread the word about how awesome you are.
What's Good About Flywheel Marketing?
So, why should you care about flywheel marketing? Well, here are some perks:
More and better leads: When folks love what you're offering—whether it's courses, ebooks, or coaching—they're likely to spread the word to their pals. The happier you make them, the more your audience grows.
Marketing on autopilot: Even if you decide to take a breather from churning out new stuff or doing big launches, your happy customers will keep the marketing train chugging along.
Ready-made audience for launches: You can roll out new products to your existing gang because they already know your stuff is top-notch. While building a new audience is handy, having loyal customers who are eager to buy again is the real magic of flywheel marketing.
Flywheel vs. Funnel: What's the Difference?
Alright, so what’s the deal with marketing flywheels versus funnels?
Think of it this way: the traditional marketing funnel is like a straight line. You pour people in at the top, guide them through, and hope they pop out as customers at the bottom. Once they buy, that's kind of it.
But the marketing flywheel? It's like a big ol' circle that keeps on spinning. It’s all about building relationships that last. You turn customers into repeat buyers and cheerleaders for your brand.
Here’s the thing: with a funnel, you’re always hustling to attract new folks and make sales. But with a flywheel, you're tapping into the power of your existing customers and fans.
Plus, the funnel is all about chasing those big numbers and growth. But the flywheel? It's more about working smarter, not just harder.
So why is the flywheel better? Because it helps you market your creative biz more efficiently. It’s all about keeping that momentum going and building a community that sticks around.
How Creators Benefit from the Marketing Flywheel
Okay, let's talk about how the marketing flywheel works for creators in the online world.
Instead of just focusing on getting new people to notice you, the flywheel is all about adding value at every step of the customer journey.
Whether you're into dog training, parenting tips, journaling, or money management, the flywheel approach pays off, no matter what you're aiming for—like selling courses, coaching sessions, or hosting events.
Think of the flywheel like a pinwheel. You need some oomph to get it spinning, right? Well, there are two things at play:
Forces: These are the things that speed up your flywheel, like top-notch customer service, smart email setups, referral programs, or a hassle-free refund policy.
Friction: This is what slows it down, like payment issues or products that don't quite match what your audience wants.
Your goal? To reduce the friction and amp up those forces as much as possible.
And one super effective way to do this? Email marketing. Seriously, emails cover every step of the customer journey and keep that flywheel spinning smoothly.
Real Examples of Flywheel Marketing from Creators
Let’s chat about flywheel marketing with some real-life examples from creators who are nailing it.
1. Marie Poulin's Course Example
Take Marie Poulin, for instance. She's the brains behind Notion Mastery, a course that's taught over 2,000 students so far. And get this—her email list boasts more than 20,000 subscribers. Here's how she's rocking the flywheel:
Marie's all about dishing out value on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Notion's YouTube channel. Plus, she hosts webinars and online summits to share her knowledge. And she's smart about it—every time she teaches something cool, she ties it back to lead magnets and landing pages, growing her email list non-stop.
For folks who aren't quite ready to dive into Marie's course, she offers free and paid Notion templates. It's a taste of what's to come, you know?
And once you're in her course, Marie's got you covered with a personalized onboarding email series. She wants to make sure her students have everything they need to succeed. Oh, and she's made it super easy to spread the word about her course with some nifty automations.
2. Meet Phil Pallen: Brand Strategist
Check out this cool example featuring Phil Pallen, a brand strategist who helps folks like coaches, bloggers, and speakers stand out online.
Phil's all about that flywheel life. Here's how he does it:
First off, he's got this awesome stash of freebies on his website and socials. People love 'em—some have been snatched up over 22,000 times! Plus, his YouTube videos keep reeling in subscribers, even ages after they were posted.
Once someone hops on board, Phil makes sure they have a smooth ride. Whether they're checking out his website on Squarespace or diving into his courses on Teachable, everything's seamless.
But Phil doesn't stop there. He wants to know his peeps even better, so he ends his emails with an invite to chat. That way, he can learn more about them and keep on delivering exactly what they need. Cool, huh?
How to Set Up Your Flywheel Marketing Strategy?
Let's break down how to get your flywheel marketing strategy up and running!
First off, attracting folks to your email list is key. You can do this by offering valuable content like blog posts, videos, or podcasts. Then, entice them with something cool, like a checklist or ebook, in exchange for their email.
To make this happen, Digitalture comes in handy. You can create awesome lead magnets and set up snazzy landing pages to showcase them. Plus, you can spread the word about your lead magnet all over social media.
Once you've got people on your list, it's time to engage them. Send out welcome emails, newsletters, and product updates to keep them interested. And with Digitalture, you can organize your list and send personalized emails based on what your subscribers are into.
Now, onto the delight phase. This is all about keeping your subscribers happy even after they've signed up or made a purchase. Use automated sequences to welcome new customers and gather feedback through surveys. Oh, and don't forget about setting up a referral program to keep that email list growing!
With Digitalture, you've got everything you need to set up your flywheel marketing strategy and keep it spinning smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Flywheel marketing is like a circle that keeps on spinning, focusing on building relationships with your customers from the start. It's about attracting people who are genuinely interested in what you offer and keeping them engaged with valuable content.
To set up your flywheel, start by creating quality content that draws people in and encourages them to join your email list. Use tools like Digitalture to create lead magnets and landing pages to showcase your offerings.
Once you have subscribers, engage them with personalized emails and helpful resources. Keep the momentum going by automating processes like welcome emails and feedback surveys.
Finally, delight your customers by providing excellent service and incentives for referrals. With Digitalture, you can easily manage your flywheel marketing strategy and keep your business growing smoothly.
FAQs
What exactly is flywheel marketing, and how does it benefit creators?
Flywheel marketing is a strategy that revolves around nurturing relationships with customers, turning them into repeat buyers and brand advocates. This approach ensures that customers keep coming back for more, leading to sustainable growth for creators.
How does flywheel marketing differ from traditional marketing funnels?
Unlike traditional funnels that focus on acquiring new customers and end once a sale is made, flywheel marketing continuously engages existing customers to build lasting relationships. While funnels prioritize new leads, flywheels emphasize retaining and delighting current customers, resulting in a more sustainable and efficient marketing strategy.
Why is email marketing highlighted as a crucial component of flywheel marketing?
Email marketing plays a pivotal role in flywheel marketing as it enables creators to engage with their audience at every stage of the customer journey. From attracting subscribers with valuable content to nurturing relationships through personalized emails, email marketing helps creators maintain momentum and keep their flywheels spinning smoothly.
Can you provide real-life examples of creators successfully implementing flywheel marketing?
Certainly! Creators like Marie Poulin and Phil Pallen have effectively utilized flywheel marketing to grow their businesses. Marie engages her audience through valuable content and lead magnets, while Phil provides seamless experiences and personalized interactions. These examples demonstrate how flywheel marketing can empower creators to build thriving communities and drive long-term success.