
Ali Abdaal made $4M last year from his creator business.
Justin Welsh built a $3M+ business using just LinkedIn and email.
No viral tricks. No huge teams.
Just clear, consistent content—and a really smart funnel behind it.
That’s the part most creators miss.
Because let’s face it: most of us are showing up, posting great content, and still wondering why the revenue isn’t following.
It’s not that we’re not working hard enough.
It’s that the business isn’t structured to convert attention into income.
The good news? It’s fixable.
I’ll walk you through a funnel-first way of thinking—something the best creators already use (even if they don’t call it that). Whether you're just starting out or sitting on a warm audience with no sales, this is the 5-step blueprint I wish someone had handed me earlier.
Step 1: Great content is just the beginning (top of funnel)
You need one thing at the top: A platform you’re consistent on.
That’s it. Pick one—LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, wherever you feel most natural—and go deep.

Justin Welsh focused on LinkedIn. Ali Abdaal built his machine on YouTube. Both didn’t chase every platform. They picked a lane and mastered it.
Personally, LinkedIn became my home base. And I’ll be honest—it wasn’t easy figuring out what to post at first.
That’s where this helped a ton:
🔗 50+ LinkedIn Post Templates
This guide breaks down post types that actually work—personal stories, tactical breakdowns, and controversial takes. I still refer back to it whenever I feel stuck.
Great content, shared consistently, is still the best top-of-funnel tool there is.
Step 2: Build 3 killer lead magnets (middle funnel begins)
Not 1. Not 12. Just 3 that actually solve a problem.
Here’s a simple structure for a high-converting lead magnet:

Your lead magnet should feel like a “free sample” of your brilliance—enough to make someone say “wow,” and wonder what else you’ve got behind the scenes.
One of the best formats? A 5-day email course.
Why?
Easy to build on beehiiv
Creates daily engagement
Warms people up for your offer
Here are two brilliant examples of lead magnets done right:
Both solve a specific problem and give you a taste of the creator’s expertise—while leading smoothly into their main offer.
Step 3: Send them to a VSL (your silent salesperson)
Once someone grabs your lead magnet, they’re warm.
This is the perfect time to send them to a Video Sales Letter (VSL).

A great VSL isn’t casual—it’s strategic. And the best follow Alex Hormozi’s PPPPP formula:
Pain – What your customer is struggling with
Promise – The result your product provides
Proof – Testimonials, case studies, or your own story
Plan – How they’ll get there
Picture – Visualize the outcome
Don’t overcomplicate it. 6–10 minutes of focused value can convert better than long webinars.
Want to see what a great VSL looks like? Here’s a solid collection:
🔗 9 Powerful VSL Examples for Sales
Step 4: Offer a sales call (only if it’s worth it)

If your offer is over $500, a sales call can help people make that leap.
Just don’t make them jump through hoops. Let them book easily, ideally within the next 3 days. Keep forms short. Show up with clarity.
Even if they don’t convert, you’ll walk away with feedback and language you can use in your marketing.
Step 5: Nurture everyone else (newsletter time)

Here’s the unsexy truth: most people won’t buy right away.
But if you’ve built your funnel right— you’ve got their email.
Now? Time to nurture.
Send value consistently. Weekly emails, personal stories, frameworks, customer wins—whatever builds trust over time.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If you’re reading this post, chances are you already have a shortlist of newsletters you admire. Use them for inspiration.
And yes, beehiiv makes this process easy if you want a clean UI, automation, and growth tools. But what matters most is this: show up.
Why Trust Me: For the past 5 years, Sumeet has been building funnels, digital courses, and sales systems for creators, coaches and companies—covering everything from landing pages to email automations that convert.
A quick recap (this is the funnel, friend):
Great Content → Attract the right people
Lead Magnets → Capture emails
VSL → Sell with clarity
Sales Call → Convert the high-ticket leads
Newsletter → Stay top of mind
This isn’t guesswork. It’s what Ali Abdaal, Justin Welsh, and many others do— day in and day out.
The secret? They built the system once— then optimized and repeated it.
One last thing
If this sounds overwhelming, that’s okay.
You’re not supposed to figure it all out alone.
I help creators build funnels like this—from strategy to tech to copy—at creatorsuite.co.
And if you’re starting with email?
Start with beehiiv. It’s what I use. It’s what I recommend.
If you're ready to turn your audience into customers, let’s make it happen.
Build the funnel. Optimize it. Repeat.
That’s the business.