Over the past few months, I’ve had a wave of client conversations that all started with the same frustrated tone:
“We used to have a steady stream of leads, and now… nothing.”
One client blamed Google Ads.
Another was convinced it was their Meta ads.
A third was adamant that the issue was with their website.
Each came to me laser-focused on fixing one specific marketing tactic.
I get it. When something stops working in your business, your instinct is to zero in on the “broken” piece and fix it fast. That’s a very normal—and very human—reaction. But after working with hundreds of business owners over the last 20+ years, here’s what I can confidently tell you:
Marketing problems are rarely solved by fixing just one thing.
If leads have slowed down, it’s rarely just your ads… or just your website… or just your emails. It’s usually the entire digital marketing sales funnel that needs to be revisited—especially if you haven’t updated your messaging, lead gen tactics, or conversion strategy in a while.
Let me explain why.
The Customer Journey Has Changed—and So Should Your Digital Marketing Sales Funnel
There was a time when you could run some well-targeted Google Ads, boost a few Instagram posts, or crank out a monthly newsletter and expect decent results. But that time has passed.
Today, the customer journey is longer and more complex. And if your digital marketing sales funnel hasn’t evolved with it, you’re likely missing out on serious revenue.
Here’s why:
1. The market is flooded with competition
Whatever industry you’re in, it’s more competitive than it was even two years ago. Social media has given every brand a microphone. And thanks to tools like Canva, AI, and drag-and-drop website builders, everyone looks professional—even if they’re not.
2. The playing field is level
Big budgets don’t guarantee big visibility anymore. A small brand with a strong digital marketing sales funnel can outperform a large brand with misaligned messaging and outdated strategy.
3. People are taking their time
From skincare to supplements, consumers are researching more than ever. They’re comparing, scrolling, reading, and asking friends. They’re not just clicking once and converting—they’re circling for days, weeks, even months.
What Actually Drives Consistent Leads Today
Here’s what I told each client who came to me trying to “fix” just one thing:
“Let’s zoom out before we dig in.”
The truth is, lead generation today requires a layered, integrated strategy—one that works together like a well-orchestrated team. If one element in your digital marketing sales funnel is missing or out of sync, the entire system slows down.
So what does that system look like?
The Modern Digital Marketing Sales Funnel
Here’s a high-level breakdown of what your funnel should include:
1. A Lead-Generating Website
- Clear, compelling messaging using a proven framework like StoryBrand
- One main call to action (Book Now, Shop, Schedule a Call)
- Simple, mobile-friendly design
- Optimized for SEO and load speed
2. A Sales Funnel (This is where the magic happens)
- A strong lead magnet to collect emails
- A short nurture sequence to build trust
- A well-timed sales sequence to guide conversion
3. Multi-Channel Visibility
- Organic content that educates, entertains, or empathizes
- Paid ads on Google, Meta, or YouTube bringing in traffic
- Retargeting campaigns to capture warm leads
4. Ongoing Nurturing
- Monthly emails to stay top of mind
- Testimonials, case studies, and client wins
- Events, webinars, or pop-up offers to boost engagement
5. Clear, Updated Messaging
If your brand sounds like it did in 2021, it probably isn’t converting in 2025.
Real Example: It Wasn’t the Ads… It Was the Messaging
Let me pull from one of my favorite client stories.
A commercial real estate agent came to me recently, completely frustrated. Her Google Ads for a new development had performed for several months, and suddenly, they stopped converting. Her cost per lead had doubled, and she was convinced her agency had messed up the targeting.
Before making any drastic changes, I asked if I could review the landing page she was using for those ads.
Immediately, I saw the issue.
The copy was all about the building, like “new construction” and “easy highway access,” but it didn’t actually speak to what her clients cared about, which was comfortable, luxurious living.
We rebuilt the page using the StoryBrand framework, focusing on the customer’s problem and the transformation they wanted. We included new photography that illustrated the feeling we were aiming for, a clear CTA, and language that felt dreamy, not salesy.
Within two weeks, the leads were flowing again.
The ad targeting hadn’t changed. But the message had. And that made all the difference.
Feeling Stuck? Here’s Where to Start
When your leads coming in begin to slow, it’s easy to panic. But before you overhaul everything or throw more money at anything and everything, pause. Your best move is to take a 360-degree view of your funnel.
At The Marketing Concierge, we offer several services to help. Here are two easy things to get started with right away :
Marketing Concierge Brand Audit
We’ll go through every touchpoint of your brand and funnel like a customer would—your website, emails, lead magnets, visuals, messaging, and more. We’ll identify what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s holding you back.
You’ll walk away with:
✔ A full audit document
✔ Key takeaways and priorities
✔ Quick wins and strategic suggestions
Online Marketing Assessment + Strategy Call
Want to dip your toe in first? Take our 10-minute Online Marketing Assessment and get a custom scorecard showing how your digital marketing sales funnel stacks up.
Then join me for a 1-hour strategy session, where we’ll:
- Interpret your results
- Identify 2–3 action steps to get traction fast
- Share next steps (if you want to work together)
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your entire business.
You don’t need to post more.
You don’t need to cross your fingers and hope next month is better.
You need a marketing strategy that works like a system, one with aligned messaging, an active funnel, and multiple paths for your customer to say yes.
That’s what we build at The Marketing Concierge every day.
Ready to start getting leads again? Schedule a call.
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