Why funnels are being replaced by 3 distinct “marketing experiences”
If your marketing has started to feel harder than it should, you’re not alone.
For years, marketing “funnels” were built on pressure: pushing people from awareness → consideration → decision as fast as possible.
But modern buyers don’t want to be squeezed – they want positive experiences that help them feel understood and confident.
Daniel Priestley’s take is refreshingly simple:
“Stop thinking ‘funnels’. Start building a marketing playground – a set of experiences people can opt into at their own pace.”
Want to see Daniel walk you through this live?
On January 22 at 4pm GMT, Daniel is teaching this strategy in a free ScoreApp webinar – with real examples and live builds of all three experiences. Register here – https://pages.scoreapp.com/getbetterclients
The 3 experiences people move through before they buy
People don’t buy after 2–4 touchpoints anymore – it’s closer to 8–12.
And those touchpoints need to match where someone actually is in their buying journey:
- Problem – help people diagnose what’s really going on
- Process – show them how the problem gets solved
- Prize – help them confirm your solution is the right fit
Shortcut: If you want easier sales in 2026, build one experience per phase.
Experience #1: The Problem (radical empathy)
What this experience is for
People know something isn’t quite right…
They’re just not sure why or what to do about it yet.
Your job here isn’t to sell.
It’s to help them say: “That’s me.”
Strong problem-aware experiences cover four things (known as the clinical method):
- Symptoms – what’s showing up day to day
- Causes – why it’s happening
- Treatments – what could help
- Prognosis – what change looks like and how long it takes
What works best here
- Diagnostic scorecards or quizzes
- Short mini-courses that clarify the issue
- Discussion groups where people feel less alone
These experiences create trust by validating the problem – not exploiting it.
Build it in ScoreApp
Create a scorecard that categorizes the root cause – not just a generic score.
Use a dynamic results page to:
- Validate the experience (“this is common”)
- Name the likely cause
- Recommend the next step content (Process experience)
See how Daniel builds a problem-diagnosis experience live
January 22 at 4pm GMT. Register here – https://pages.scoreapp.com/getbetterclients
Experience #2: The Process (clarity and best practices)
What this experience is for
Once people understand the problem, they naturally want to know:
“What naturally works?”
This is the learning zone – where curiosity replaces resistance.
What works best here
- Workshops or trainings (live or recorded)
- Case studies showing before → after
- Clear guides or frameworks
- Benchmarking assessments that highlight strengths and gaps
- A clear point A → point B method with 3-7 principles that make it work
- Common mistakes to avoid
The goal isn’t to persuade – it’s to educate and build confidence.
Build it in ScoreApp
Create a scorecard that benchmarks someone against the pillars of your method.
Use dynamic results to:
- Highlight their top one or two gaps
- Recommend a specific next step (training, case study, call, or trial)
Want to see the process experience in action?
Daniel walks through this live on January 22 at 4pm GMT. Register here: https://pages.scoreapp.com/getbetterclients
Experience #3: The Prize (confirmation and fit)
What this experience is for
Only now are people ready to evaluate solutions.
They’re asking:
- “Will this work for me?”
- “What happens if I try it?”
- “Is this worth it?”
This stage isn’t about hype – it’s about reassurance.
What works best here
- Free trials or walkthroughs
- ROI or upside calculators
- “What happens next” explainer videos
- 1:1 consults or onboarding calls
At this stage, people aren’t resisting.
They’re confirming.
Build it in ScoreApp
- Use a longer assessment to confirm fit and readiness
- Calculate ROI, upside, or opportunity cost
- Route high-readiness leads to a trial or discovery call
See how to turn warm leads into confident buyers
Live on January 22 at 4pm GMT. Register here – https://pages.scoreapp.com/getbetterclients
A simple 60-minute implementation plan
If you only do one thing this week, do this:
Minute 0–15: Pick one experience to build first
- Cold leads → start with Problem
- Warm but hesitant → start with Process
- Lots of “sounds good, but…” → start with Prize
Minute 15–40: Build the experience
- Keep it simple (8–12 questions max)
- Focus on clarity over cleverness
- Make results specific and action-led
Minute 40–60: Add one clear next step
- Problem → watch the training or read the guide
- Process → attend the webinar or take an assessment
- Prize → start a free trial or book a discovery call
Final note
Funnels apply pressure. Experiences build trust.
If you want warmer leads and easier sales in 2026, this shift matters.
On January 22 at 4pm GMT, Daniel is teaching this exact marketing strategy for 2026 in a free ScoreApp webinar – with real examples and live builds of all three experiences.
Register here to attend free – https://pages.scoreapp.com/getbetterclients
Can’t make it?
Register anyway and you’ll get the replay.
