How to Build an Advertising Funnel for Online Courses and Education Products
Selling online courses or education products today?
Bad news: It’s crowded.
Good news: 99% of your competitors don’t know how to build a real funnel.
If your strategy is still “boost a post and pray,” you’re leaking sales like crazy.
In 2025, a smart advertising funnel isn’t optional — it’s survival.
Let’s break down exactly how you can build a scalable, DMCA-safe, real-world advertising funnel that actually brings students in the door.
Disclaimer: We don’t sell IPTV services. We don’t sell apps. We don’t take commissions.
What we actually do? We test, research, compare, and simplify. We dive into forums, scroll through tech blogs, install all kinds of apps (even the weird ones), and package everything into useful shortcuts you can trust.
We’re just a bunch of nerds obsessed with tech, doing our best to save you time and headaches. Everything we write comes from real testing and experience — no fluff, no hype, no bias.
Use it, test it, question it. We’re not here to sell — we’re here to help.
Step 1: Start with a Killer Lead Magnet
Nobody signs up for a $500 course from a cold Facebook ad anymore.
✅ You need to give before you ask.
Best lead magnets for education products:
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Free mini-courses
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PDF guides (“7 Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make”)
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Webinars (“How to Land Your First UX Job in 60 Days”)
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Quizzes (“Which Fitness Coaching Program Fits You?”)
✅ Key Rule:
Make it super specific and immediately useful.
📈 According to Thinkific’s 2025 Online Course Trends Report, free value-first lead magnets increase paid enrollments by 46%.
Step 2: Build a Simple, High-Converting Landing Page
✅ Elements you MUST have:
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Clear headline (problem → solution)
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3–5 bullet points (what they’ll learn or gain)
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Simple opt-in form (email + name max)
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Trust boosters (testimonials, brand logos, “as featured in”)
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Short, no-distraction design
No clutter. No fancy scrolling effects.
Just value and a clear call to action.
✅ Pro Tip:
If possible, embed a short personal video introducing yourself — connection boosts trust.
Step 3: Run Smart Top-of-Funnel (TOFU) Ads
✅ Your cold traffic ads should ONLY sell the lead magnet, not the course yet.
Best platforms to run TOFU ads:
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Facebook and Instagram (mass reach)
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YouTube pre-roll ads (great for education demos)
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TikTok Ads (for younger audiences)
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Google Discovery Ads (to reach interested browsers)
✅ Focus ad messaging on:
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Solving a pain point
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Offering quick wins
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Building intrigue, not hard-selling
🎯 Sites like TopFirestick.com succeed because they build curiosity and solve problems — that’s exactly the mindset for TOFU ads too.
Step 4: Automate Email Nurture Sequences
Once you capture that email? Don’t ghost.
✅ Your automated email funnel should:
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Deliver the lead magnet immediately
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Tell your personal story (build trust)
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Educate gently about the full course
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Offer free tips or bonus resources
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Soft-sell the paid program around Email #4 or #5
✅ Example sequence:
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Day 0: “Here’s your free guide!”
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Day 1: “Why I Built This Course (Personal Story)”
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Day 3: “3 Mistakes You’re Probably Making Right Now”
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Day 5: “How My Students Transformed (Case Studies)”
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Day 7: “Enrollment Closing Soon! Secure Your Spot”
Step 5: Retarget Warm Leads Aggressively
✅ Retarget:
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People who downloaded your freebie but didn’t buy
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Webinar attendees who didn’t enroll
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Landing page visitors who didn’t opt-in
Retargeting Ad Ideas:
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Testimonial videos (“Hear what our students say”)
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Scarcity ads (“Only 12 spots left this cohort!”)
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Bonus stacking ads (“Enroll now and get 3 bonus modules free!”)
✅ Keep retargeting creative fresh every 7–14 days — don’t let warm leads cool down.
📈 Facebook internal research shows retargeting site visitors increases conversion rates by 70%+ compared to cold traffic.
Real Talk: Funnel Winners vs Funnel Strugglers
| Funnel Strugglers | Funnel Winners |
|---|---|
| Try to sell expensive courses directly to cold traffic | Offer high-value free lead magnets first |
| Rely on random Facebook boosts | Build structured, multi-step funnels |
| Ignore email follow-ups | Automate nurturing with personal stories |
| Run one generic retargeting ad | Deploy dynamic, sequential retargeting ads |
Closing Thoughts
Selling online courses today isn’t just about great content — it’s about building a great journey.
✅ Lead with real value.
✅ Build trust through storytelling.
✅ Educate before you ask.
✅ Retarget smartly.
✅ Keep the experience human, not corporate.
Because in 2025, the brands that win in education aren’t the ones shouting the loudest.
They’re the ones teaching the best — even before you pay them.
Your funnel isn’t just a marketing tool.
It’s your best student experience — before the course even starts.