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Step 3 of 10 in this module#873 of 1,000

3. Providing Choices: Avoiding the Forced Funnel

Part 9 • Testing All Vendors and Providing Choices

A "forced funnel" occurs when you present your audience with only one option, pushing them down a single path, often towards your highest-paying affiliate. This approach, while potentially profitable in the short term, erodes trust. Instead, you should always present at least two viable options (where appropriate) for any given category, guiding your audience through the decision-making process based on their needs, not just your commissions.

<ul> <li><strong>Example:</strong> For print-on-demand, recommend Printify (for budget/catalog) and Printful (for premium quality/branding).</li> <li><strong>Example:</strong> For music distribution, discuss both DistroKid and TuneCore, highlighting their different features.</li> </ul> This positions you as a helpful guide, not a salesperson.

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In this module: Testing All Vendors and Providing Choices10 steps
  1. 1The "Blind Recommendation" Trap
  2. 2The Mandatory "Sample Order" for Merch Platforms
  3. 3Providing Choices: Avoiding the Forced Funnel
  4. 4The "Pros and Cons" Framework for Recommendations
  5. 5Demonstrating Expertise Through Personal Use
  6. 6Continuous Learning and Re-Evaluation
  7. 7The Impact on Your Brand Authority
  8. 8Gathering Audience Feedback on Tools
  9. 9Synergy with the Micro-Agency Model (Module 28)
  10. 10Your Actionable "Trusted Advisor" Checklist