Why the Marketing Funnel Doesn’t Work Anymore

The traditional marketing funnel assumes buyers move in a straight line—but today’s customers zigzag. They find you on social, check reviews later, and come back days (or weeks) after considering other options. In this episode, we explore why the old model often breaks down and introduce a more realistic alternative: the Trail to the Sale™ framework. It’s a clearer, more human approach to marketing that helps you focus on the right things at the right time.

We break down the eight trail stages—awareness, consider, compare, evaluate, sell, supersize, serve, and send—and how each one calls for a different message, offer, and action. You’ll hear simple ways to diagnose what’s not working, create purposeful content for each stage, and track what’s actually driving momentum. If your current strategy feels like “just doing more,” this episode gives you a focused path that feels manageable, intentional, and results-driven.