243: Why Your Funnel Feels Broken (And What to Do Instead)
Feeling like your funnel used to work but now it's just...stalls?
In today’s episode of the Creator’s MBA podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most frustrating pain points for digital product creators, when funnels stop converting.
You’ve probably said it yourself: “My funnel used to work, but now it’s like no one’s buying.” I’m here to tell you it’s not your funnel. It’s your system.
We’re continuing our Creator’s Growth Flywheel series by diving deep into the real reason your funnel feels broken. I walk you through why funnels are only one part of the bigger picture and what happens when they’re disconnected from a larger nurture and sales ecosystem.
Whether you’ve built multiple funnels or are still perfecting your first, this episode will show you exactly how to turn those pieces into a seamless, scalable system.
What You’ll Learn:
Why funnels that once worked are now falling flat
The outdated thinking that keeps entrepreneurs stuck
How disconnected funnels hurt your customer journey
Three reasons funnels feel broken—and how to fix each one
What your funnel should be doing to fuel growth
The crucial role of nurture content in conversion
How to take action today without building anything new
If you’re starting to realize it’s not about building more funnels, but building the right connections between what you already have, then this episode is going to be a game-changer.
Tune in now and take the first step toward building a business that compounds momentum, not just collects leads.
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Transcript:
[00:00:00] Introduction
Welcome to the Creator's MBA podcast, your go-to resource for mastering the art and science of digital product entrepreneurship. My name is Dr. Destini Copp, and I help business owners generate consistent revenue from their digital product business without being glued to their desk. No constant launching. No pressure from social media algorithms.
I hope you enjoy today’s episode.
Hi there, Dr. Destini Copp here. Welcome back to the Creator's MBA Podcast. I'm excited you’re joining me. We are in the middle of a series I'm calling the Creator’s Growth Flywheel Series.
Yesterday we talked about the shift that has everyone feeling stuck in the online world. I walked you through why growth feels heavier, slower, and definitely harder than it used to.
Today we’re diving straight into one of the biggest sources of frustration for digital product creators: funnels.
[00:01:00] Why Funnels Feel “Broken”
I hear this all the time:
“My funnel used to convert, but it’s not working anymore.”
“People go through it, but not many are buying.”
“I’ve built multiple funnels, and none of them are working.”
“I keep tweaking things, but nothing is changing.”
If that’s what you’re feeling, let me save you months of guessing.
It’s not your funnel. It’s not your business.
Your funnel simply isn’t connected to anything.
Funnels can convert. But they’re only one stage in a larger system. They’re one spoke in your growth flywheel.
The real problem is that funnel thinking is outdated.
For years, the online business world preached:
“Build a funnel.
Drive traffic.
Watch the money roll in.”
And for a while, it worked.
But now? Funnels convert maybe once. Then the momentum dies.
Why? Because most funnels are not connected to the rest of the business.
[00:02:00] What Actually Happens in Most Businesses
Most people treat their funnel as a one-and-done system. People enter. Some buy the tripwire. Most don’t. Then…
Nothing.
They fall into your general email list and never hear about your offer again. They’re not guided on a customer journey. They’re not shown the next best step.
Sometimes they’re dropped into random newsletters with no context, no relationship-building, no nurturing.
That doesn’t mean your funnel is broken.
It means the system around the funnel is missing.
[00:03:00] Three Reasons Funnels Feel Like They Aren’t Working
1. The Funnel Isn’t Connected to a Larger Customer Journey
You can’t rely on a single interaction anymore. Attention is fragmented. People need multiple touchpoints across multiple stages.
If your funnel doesn’t lead somewhere meaningful—like a nurture plan or a next-step offer—you lose their attention.
2. The “I’ll Just Build More Funnels” Mindset
Many creators react to slow sales by:
building more lead magnets
building more tripwires
building more funnels
But when none of those funnels connect, your customer journey becomes chaotic.
More funnels ≠ more results when they’re not integrated.
[00:04:30] 3. There’s No Warm-Up or Follow-Up System
Funnels, by themselves, do not create trust.
Your nurture content does.
Your weekly newsletter does.
Your thought leadership—podcasts, YouTube, blogs—does.
If your funnel isn’t supported by a rhythm of consistent nurture content that moves people toward your signature offer, then your funnel is doing all the work alone.
That’s why it feels like it stopped working.
[00:06:30] What Funnels Should Be Doing
A funnel should:
Introduce someone to your world
Give them a quick win
Segment them cleanly
Set up the path to the next offer
Tell you how they entered your world
Create the first rotation of your growth flywheel
Funnels matter.
But they only work when the rest of the flywheel is in place.
[00:07:30] How to Fix This Without Rebuilding Everything
1. Add a Real Next Step Inside the Funnel
A next offer.
A next invitation.
A next story.
Something guiding them forward.
2. Build the Nurture System Your Funnel Feeds Into
This might be:
your weekly newsletter
your podcast
your YouTube channel
This is your thought leadership.
Your point of view.
And it cannot be replaced by AI.
3. Tie All Funnels to One Signature Offer
Every funnel eventually leads to the same place—the signature offer.
4. Ensure Your Funnel Tags Give You Usable Data
You should know:
how they came in
what they want
what they’re interested in
This keeps you from flying blind.
[00:09:30] 5. Stop Building New Funnels When the Issue Is Connection
Most creators don’t need more funnels.
They need more connection between funnel → nurture → offer.
[00:10:30] Your Homework: Three Quick Questions
Ask yourself:
What is the one funnel most people go through when entering your world?
What happens in the next 14–30 days after they enter?
What offer does this funnel ultimately lead to?
If you can’t answer these clearly, that’s the first place to fix.
And I have something that’ll help you.
[00:11:30] Introducing Sloan
Sloan is my diagnostic AI tool that will help you identify:
where your funnel gaps are
which opportunities you’re missing
where to focus first
You can try Sloan for free at:
destinicopp.com/sloan
[00:12:00] If This Episode Is Making Things Click…
If you're thinking:
“I don’t need more funnels. I need a system.”
…you’re right.
And that’s exactly what we build inside the Creator’s MBA Lab.
I’ll link to it in the show notes.
Tomorrow we’re diving into a stage of the flywheel that most people skip—one that dramatically affects your momentum.
I’ll see you then.
[00:13:00] Outro
Thanks for listening all the way to the end. I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. If you love the show, I’d appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform.
Have a great rest of your day.
Bye for now.