7 Proven Click Funnels Strategies to Build a Passive Income Stream That Lasts

(Pt. 2 of a Series of Topics on this crucial element of online marketing in 2024-25)

Let’s face it: You (yes you, if you’re reading this), and I are both here because we agree that having a passive income business is incredible, or you’re at least very interested in knowing more about the steps to doing so.

And, building a sustainable passive income stream is one of the most rewarding goals you can set for your business. With the right tools, strategies, and mindset, you can create an income system that works for you—whether you’re asleep, on vacation, or focused on other projects. One powerful tool that can help you build such an income stream is ClickFunnels.

ClickFunnels isn’t just for creating landing pages or simple funnels. It’s a comprehensive platform that helps you automate various aspects of your business, from lead generation to product sales. In this article, we’ll walk you through 7 proven ClickFunnels strategies that can help you build a passive income stream that lasts. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting, these strategies will guide you step-by-step in creating a system that runs on autopilot, delivering consistent profits over time.

I. Understanding Passive Income and Its Importance

Before diving into the specifics of ClickFunnels, it’s essential to grasp what passive income really means and why it’s worth pursuing.

•Definition of Passive Income

Passive income refers to money earned from investments or business activities that do not require active involvement. Unlike active income, where you trade time for money (like a 9-to-5 job), passive income flows into your account with minimal day-to-day effort. Examples include royalties, dividends, income from rental properties, and online businesses that operate on auto-pilot.

•Why Passive Income Matters

The beauty of passive income is its potential to provide financial freedom. Once you’ve set up an income-generating system, it can continue to bring in money without needing your constant attention. This creates more time for you to focus on other ventures or enjoy more freedom in life. Building a stream of passive income also helps you achieve financial stability, mitigate risk, and grow wealth over time.

•The Role of ClickFunnels in Passive Income

ClickFunnels is an invaluable tool for building passive income because it automates so many crucial processes—like lead generation, sales, and follow-up. Rather than manually nurturing leads or tracking customers, ClickFunnels allows you to set up entire sales systems that run 24/7, increasing revenue with minimal active involvement. Think of it as a digital employee that works tirelessly for you, generating income while you sleep.

II. Strategy #1: Automate Your Lead Generation with ClickFunnels

One of the first steps to creating passive income is automating your lead generation. Without consistent leads flowing into your business, your income will stagnate. Fortunately, ClickFunnels provides easy-to-use tools to automate this process.

•The Power of Automated Funnels

Automating your lead generation is essential for building a passive income stream. Traditional lead generation methods require ongoing effort, such as running ads or attending networking events. Automated funnels can perform these tasks for you, ensuring that new leads are consistently added to your pipeline without you needing to lift a finger. By using ClickFunnels, you can set up lead capture funnels that operate 24/7. These funnels include landing pages, opt-in forms, and thank-you pages, all designed to convert visitors into leads without any manual input.

•How ClickFunnels Helps

To automate lead generation, start by setting up a landing page that clearly explains what visitors will get in exchange for their email addresses (e.g., a free eBook, checklist, or webinar). Once someone enters their email, they are added to your list, and you can start nurturing them through email sequences.

Here’s how you can set up your lead capture funnel in ClickFunnels:

1. Choose a Funnel Template: Start with one of ClickFunnels’ pre-built funnel templates that fits your lead generation goals (e.g., lead magnet funnel, webinar funnel, etc.).

2. Design Your Landing Page: Customize the page with a compelling headline, a call to action (CTA), and a clear offer.

3. Set Up the Opt-In Form: Use ClickFunnels’ drag-and-drop editor to add an opt-in form to your page, which will capture email addresses.

4. Create a Thank-You Page: Once visitors opt-in, send them to a thank-you page, confirming their action and introducing them to the next step in your funnel.

•Pro Tips•

• Nurture Leads with Email Sequences: Once you’ve captured a lead, nurture them with automated email sequences. These emails can offer additional value, share testimonials, and drive them to make a purchase.

• Test and Optimize: Use ClickFunnels’ built-in analytics to track conversion rates and tweak your funnels for optimal performance.

•A Real-World Example

Take a look at how digital marketers and course creators use automated lead generation. For instance, a course creator might offer a free video series or eBook in exchange for an email address. Once someone opts in, the funnel automatically sends them an email series with valuable content, followed by an invitation to purchase the full course. This entire process works without the creator needing to do anything manually.

III. Strategy #2: Create High-Converting Lead Magnets

Lead magnets are essential for attracting and nurturing potential customers. They help build trust and offer something valuable in exchange for a visitor’s contact information.

•What Is a Lead Magnet and Why It’s Essential

A lead magnet is an irresistible offer that entices visitors to provide their contact details (usually an email address) in exchange for something of value. Lead magnets can be eBooks, white papers, checklists, templates, video series, or anything that solves a specific problem for your target audience. High-converting lead magnets are directly tied to your core product or service. They should address a specific pain point and offer a solution, so that the transition to a paid offer feels natural.

•When creating your lead magnet, follow these guidelines:

• Solve a Specific Problem: Focus on one major problem your target audience is struggling with.

• Make It Actionable: Offer tangible solutions that users can implement right away.

• Design It Professionally: A polished, well-designed lead magnet will increase perceived value.

•For example: if you’re in the fitness niche, you could create a “7-Day Fat-Burning Meal Plan” as a lead magnet. This offers immediate value and positions you as an expert.

•Integrating Lead Magnets with ClickFunnels

Once you’ve created your lead magnet, integrate it into your ClickFunnels system. ClickFunnels makes this process easy by allowing you to upload your lead magnet to the funnel and deliver it automatically to users once they opt-in.

•Bonus Points•

*To boost conversions, use scarcity and urgency. For example, limit the number of downloads or offer a time-sensitive discount. These psychological triggers increase the perceived value of your lead magnet and push visitors to act quickly….

IV. Strategy #3: Build Automated Sales Funnels for High-Ticket Offers

High-ticket offers—products or services that are priced higher than typical entry-level offerings—are a great way to maximize profits and create sustainable passive income.

•What Are High-Ticket Offers?

High-ticket offers typically range from Hundreds to Thousands of dollars. These might include premium coaching programs, high-end courses, or consulting services. They offer significant profit margins, but they often require a well-thought-out funnel to convert potential customers.

•Creating a Sales Funnel That Sells on Autopilot

To build a successful High-Ticket sales funnel in ClickFunnels, follow these steps:

1. Create a Landing Page: Highlight the problem your offer solves and the unique value it provides.

2. Design a Sales Page: Include testimonials, case studies, and any other trust-building content that demonstrates the value of your high-ticket product.

3. Set Up an Order Form: ClickFunnels allows you to create an order form that can include upsell and downsell options, allowing you to increase your average cart value.

4. Automate Follow-Ups: After someone opts in or purchases, set up automated email sequences to nurture the relationship and increase the chances of additional sales.

•Setting Up Upsells and Downsells

High-ticket funnels often include upsell and downsell offers. For example, if someone purchases a course, you can offer a private coaching session as an upsell, or a more affordable product as a downsell.

•Case Study/Example

One successful high-ticket funnel might involve a business coach offering a free webinar on business growth. Once viewers sign up, they’re introduced to a paid masterclass, followed by a high-ticket coaching program. This funnel can be set to run automatically, converting webinar attendees into paying clients without additional effort.

V. Strategy #4: Implement Email Marketing Sequences for Long-Term Engagement

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to build long-term, passive income. Once you’ve captured leads, it’s essential to engage with them consistently, offering value, and nurturing them into customers.

•Why Email Marketing Is Still King for Passive Income

Email marketing remains one of the highest-ROI marketing strategies. By sending targeted emails to subscribers, you can build relationships and offer products or services at the right moment, increasing the likelihood of making a sale.

•How to Set Up Email Sequences in ClickFunnels

ClickFunnels’ Actionetics tool lets you automate email sequences that trigger based on user behavior. For example:

1. Welcome Email: Automatically send a welcome message as soon as someone subscribes to your list.

2. Nurturing Emails: Send a series of valuable emails that educate and build trust with your audience.

3. Sales Emails: At the appropriate time, send emails that introduce your offer or promote a sale.

•Segmenting Your Email List for Better Results

Segment your email list based on user behavior (e.g., clicks, downloads, purchases) so you can send more targeted, relevant messages. This increases engagement and conversion rates.

(..and yet another) •Pro Tip•

*Use Actionetics to trigger follow-up sequences based on specific actions (e.g., abandoned cart emails or content downloads). This level of automation keeps your audience engaged without you needing to manually intervene.

VI. Strategy #5: Leverage Affiliate Marketing with ClickFunnels’ Affiliate Program

Affiliate marketing is another fantastic strategy to scale your passive income. With ClickFunnels, you can set up your own affiliate program to promote your products.

•What Is Affiliate Marketing and Why It’s Passive Income Gold?

Affiliate marketing allows others to promote your product in exchange for a commission on sales. Once you’ve set up your affiliate program, affiliates can start promoting your product and generating sales, with no effort on your part…..and I know all about this, because I AM an affiliate for ClickFunnels!! I started out as a customer, using their funnels to Market my wife’s Life Insurance Company, and loved them so much, as well as how transparent they were (Russell Brunson, Creator said, “do you want to promote and create a funnel…..FOR a ClickFunnels offer?!).... I decided to partner with them.

(disclaimer: I am an Affiliate FOR Clickfunnels, I am Not promoting my own products by allowing would be Affiliates like myself partner with my company, as described below)

•How to Set Up an Affiliate Program in ClickFunnels

ClickFunnels makes it easy to set up and manage an affiliate program through its Backpack feature. Here’s how:

1. Create Your Affiliate Program: Define your commission structure and marketing materials.

2. Recruit Affiliates: Reach out to influencers or loyal customers who can promote your products

3. Track Affiliate Performance: Use Backpack’s analytics to track affiliate performance and optimize your program.

•The Power of Affiliate Partners

(yes, this is me)

Affiliates expand your reach without requiring upfront costs. The more affiliates you recruit, the greater your exposure and the higher your sales potential.

VII. Strategy #6: Use Recurring Revenue Models with Subscription Funnels

Recurring revenue models, like subscription services or membership sites, provide a steady, predictable income stream.

•What Are Recurring Revenue Models and Why They’re Ideal for Passive Income?

Recurring revenue models are businesses that generate income on a regular basis, such as monthly subscriptions, memberships, or SaaS products. These models are perfect for creating long-term, passive income because they offer predictable cash flow.

•Setting Up a Subscription Funnel in ClickFunnels

ClickFunnels allows you to create subscription funnels that automatically bill customers on a regular basis. To set this up:

1. Create Your Subscription Product: Design a valuable recurring offer, such as a membership site or monthly subscription box.

2. Automate Billing: Set up automated billing through ClickFunnels’ integrations with payment processors like Stripe or PayPal.

3. Provide Ongoing Value: Keep your subscribers engaged with exclusive content, community access, or ongoing support.

•How to Keep Subscribers Engaged

To retain subscribers, offer continuous value through exclusive content, regular updates, or member-only perks. Use email sequences to keep them informed and involved.

To illustrate some examples of subscriptions I actually use & DEPEND ON as a business owner, and as I write this BLOG (you want content, I'LL give you some CONTENT).... knowing that I'm in a coffee shop in Athens Greece, using questionable wifi, or when I'm tethering my iPhone while on a beach, hotel room on Aegina Island, or anywhere other than home where I'm prey to European hackers taking advantage of WEAK and or NO SECURITY... a SaaSsubscription that I use to keep all of my data, passwords, banking info, etc., SAFE, is Nord VPN.

Yes, there are tons of VPN apps and programs out there, that you can download and have a month free, or just free period (as long as you're cool with the endless pop-up ads), but I'm telling you: If you're reading this blog, and are seriously, like SERIOUSLY considering starting an online business, just as I will tell you that all of the other free funnel building sites completely SUCK, all of the free VPN apps COMPLETELY SUCK. They're slow, glitchy, and usually after a week or 2, they just stop working (by design so you'll purchase a....wait for it: SUBSCRIPTION!).Even with the paid versions, there simply isn't a substitute for the OG.

•Look at it from this angle (follow me here down a rabbit hole):

As a Professional guitarist and Producer, who's been on countless Records, and countless runs around the US, Canada, and now in Europe, I can tell you that cheap gear: Guitars, amps, pedals, cases, cables, etc., ALL end up costing you in the long run. The Guitars don't stay in tune, cables break down easily, Amps/pedals/effects can't hold up to temp changes, sound bad, are extremely unreliable and require constant maintenence

And, in the software world of Recording, all of the cheapo DAW programs that claim to be as good as the industry standard-PRO TOOLS, or in the Video editing world, FINAL CUT PRO, will NEVER be seen inside of a Top level, A-list Artist saturated Recording Studio or Editing Room... because those businesses would never comprimise their BUSINESS, by cutting corners with inferior software, cheap computers (PC's), and sub par equipment... just will never happen.

•SO! Now out of the rabbit hole and to my POINT:

Nord VPN, ClickFunnels, Apple computers , Microsoft Excell, and other industry standards for Online Businesses, Start-Ups, Marketing Firms, E-commerce juggernauts, and Affiliate Marketers, are not going to be sacrificed to save a few bucks when the owners of these businesses, once SUCCESSFUL, have either been thru the Hell of losing their entire website to a virus, hacker, or computer crash (yes Microsoft/PC world, your software may be universally used, but your computers and operating systems still SUCK), or have simply not had any real sales or conversions for a long enough period of time, and simply decided to use the products the big boys use...just like Slash uses Les Pauls, your never going to see him suddenly decide to go with a cheap Ibanez, like, NEVER.

•OK, Let's get out of my analogies and start wrapping this thing up:

(aaaand, last one I promise)

•Pro Tip•

*Consider offering a free trial or a discount for the 1st month to encourage sign-ups.

VIII. Strategy #7: Optimize and Split-Test Your Funnels for Maximum Conversions

To ensure your funnels are as effective as possible, continuous optimization is crucial.

•The Importance of Continuous Optimization

Testing and tweaking your funnels allows you to identify what works and what doesn’t, ensuring higher conversions over time.

•How to Use ClickFunnels A/B Testing Features

ClickFunnels provides an A/B testing tool that lets you compare two versions of a funnel. You can test elements like headlines, copy, buttons, and images to see which version converts better.

•Understanding Analytics to Maximize Profits

ClickFunnels also provides in-depth analytics, helping you identify bottlenecks and optimize your funnels for maximum profit. Focus your testing on the areas that have the greatest impact on conversions—like landing pages and checkout pages.

And, speaking of landing pages, If you’ve happened to click on one of the links attached to the many references to “landing pages”, you were redirected to a Web Hosting platform/company called Hostinger. These guys are geniuses, and made the process of setting up multiple websites extremely easy, and seriously, like no joke, aesthetically speaking the end result was actually better than a site I had paid a professional for (she’s good don’t get me wrong). I just simply liked it better. Easier on the eyes.

They utilize AI to build your site in minutes –given the proper prompts, have loads of copyright free images to choose from, as well as an AI image Generator (although you eventually will have to buy credits to keep using it, and the images are pretty obviously AI generated and a bit tacky–personal opinion only) , and, well, if you’re trying to create a high quality landing page, website, or wordpress site, I honestly think they do it the best and fastest.

Not to mention cheapest. Monthly prices start around $3.50 and INCLUDE a year’s ownership of your domain name associated with your page/site.

IX. Conclusion: Bringing It All Together for a Consistent, Scalable Income Stream

Building a passive income stream takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. With ClickFunnels, you have the tools to automate your lead generation, sales processes, and follow-up systems. By using the strategies outlined in this article, you can build a scalable, sustainable income that keeps growing while you focus on other important aspects of your business.

X. Call to Action (CTA): Ready to Build Your Passive Income Stream?

Now that you know the seven strategies for building a passive income stream with ClickFunnels, it’s time to put them into action! Start by implementing one or two strategies today, and watch as your business starts to generate consistent, passive income.

Feel free to share your experience in the comments below, or ask any questions you may have. And if you’re ready to take the next step, check out ClickFunnels and start building your automated income system now!

*If you’ve enjoyed this blog, and feel like you got some value from it, let me know! And if you’re an entrepreneur, or recently devoted digital nomad, adopting a traveling lifestyle as your new office space, head over to www.theperpetualtraveller.net . It’s a sibling site, new so not tons of content(yet), with similar interests, more focused on the travel aspect of what a passive income business owner can hope to enjoy, or already IS enjoying…

CLICK FUNNELS LINKS:

PLR funnel template

AI webinar and 14 day Free Trial

One Funnel Away Challenge!