{"id":6420,"date":"2024-11-20T15:45:24","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T15:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/?p=6420"},"modified":"2025-01-24T13:41:24","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T13:41:24","slug":"unveiling-the-dark-funnel-in-the-buyers-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/2024\/11\/20\/unveiling-the-dark-funnel-in-the-buyers-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Unveiling the Dark Funnel in the Buyer\u2019s Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6420\" class=\"elementor elementor-6420\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-da67f9f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"da67f9f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4843d4e\" data-id=\"4843d4e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a085ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3a085ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG-1024x573.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5975\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG-500x280.png 500w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-Dark-Funnel-ENG.png 1167w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0264320 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0264320\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ad2c59\" data-id=\"1ad2c59\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f5b1fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f5b1fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<h4>Finding your invisible customer<\/h4><p><strong>When we think of the buyer&#8217;s journey, it&#8217;s easy to picture a straightforward path from awareness to purchase. But in reality, most of this journey takes place in the shadows, in a phase known as the Dark Funnel. In this first article, we will uncover what the Dark Funnel is, why it is essential, and how you can reach potential customers before they even know they need you<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ab01586 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ab01586\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d59844a\" data-id=\"d59844a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eeacde3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eeacde3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Understanding the Dark Funnel<\/h2><p>The Dark Funnel is where customers begin their journey anonymously. They are researching, gathering information, and forming opinions\u2014all without directly engaging with your brand. During this stage, they may be reading blogs, watching videos, searching online, or interacting with content on social media without revealing their identity to your marketing and sales teams.<\/p><h2>Why the Dark Funnel matters<\/h2><p>Engaging customers in the Dark Funnel is critical because a significant portion of decision-making happens here. Research shows that up to 90% of a buyer\u2019s journey is completed before they make contact with a brand. If you\u2019re not actively targeting this hidden stage, you might be missing out on valuable opportunities to influence potential customers early on.<\/p><h2>Strategies to illuminate the Dark Funnel<\/h2><p>To connect with customers in the Dark Funnel, you need to focus on creating visibility and relevance:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Intent d<\/strong><strong>ata and behavioral tracking:<\/strong> Use tools like N.Rich and 6Sense to track online behavior and identify potential buyers\u2019 interests and needs.<\/li><li><strong>SEO and Content Marketing:<\/strong> Develop content that answers common questions, offers solutions, and ranks well on search engines.<\/li><li><strong>Social engagement and social listening:<\/strong> Monitor social media platforms to identify conversations relevant to your industry. Participate in these discussions to subtly introduce your brand to potential customers who may not yet be on your radar.<\/li><li><strong>Account-Based Marketing (ABM):<\/strong> Focus your marketing efforts on key accounts by crafting personalized content that speaks directly to their pain points.<\/li><li><strong>Thought leadership and educational content:<\/strong> Publish blogs, whitepapers, webinars, and reports that position your brand as a trusted source of information.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Social engagement in the Dark Funnel<\/h2><p>During the Dark Funnel stage, social engagement is vital. By actively participating in online communities, industry forums, and social media groups, salespeople can position themselves as helpful, knowledgeable resources. This isn&#8217;t about directly selling but about sharing insights, answering questions, and establishing credibility.<\/p><p><strong>Salespeople should:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Join Relevant Social Media Groups:<\/strong> Be active in LinkedIn or Facebook groups where potential customers are likely to participate.<\/li><li><strong>Share Valuable Content:<\/strong> Regularly post industry insights, answer questions, and engage in meaningful conversations without pushing a hard sell.<\/li><li><strong>Use Social Listening Tools:<\/strong> Tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social can help salespeople track relevant discussions and identify potential leads based on their engagement with specific topics or hashtags.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Looking ahead<\/h2><p>Now that we\u2019ve explored the Dark Funnel, the next step in our journey is the Awareness stage. In our next article, we&#8217;ll dive into how you can effectively capture the attention of customers as they begin to recognize their needs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e448c49 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e448c49\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0111041\" data-id=\"0111041\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28f226c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" 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class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9d0662 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9d0662\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d16a74a\" data-id=\"d16a74a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6eacfe7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6eacfe7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dcf5eb5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dcf5eb5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6957e3b\" data-id=\"6957e3b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4fcda2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e4fcda2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Would you like to know how I can support your company&#8217;s transition to smarketing?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2120cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a2120cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Damavik<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-97116e5\" data-id=\"97116e5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-359f038 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"359f038\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"132\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/emoji-5-navy-removebg-preview-1-132x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-5899\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/emoji-5-navy-removebg-preview-1-132x300.png 132w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/emoji-5-navy-removebg-preview-1-221x500.png 221w, https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/emoji-5-navy-removebg-preview-1.png 332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Dark Funnel is the hidden phase of the buyer\u2019s journey where potential customers research and form opinions anonymously. To engage with them, use intent data, SEO, content marketing, social listening, and account-based marketing. Salespeople can establish credibility by sharing insights and participating in online discussions, without directly selling.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[89,91],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marts-journey","category-suzannes-journey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6420"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6449,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6420\/revisions\/6449"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desmarketeer.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}