The fast food secret that can transform your business

A few weeks ago, I took my kids to their favorite pizza restaurant because I didn’t want to cook (mom of the year over here). As I was ordering, the cashier asked, "Do you want any sides like fries or garlic knots?" which my kids overheard and immediately demanded. Then, "Would you like to make that pizza large for another $3?" Okay fine, makes sense. And finally, "Would you like to add a few pastries for 50% since it’s after 6?"

By the end, my $22 order had become a $45 order – and I wasn't even mad about it! I got more value (happy kids, happy mom, right?) and the restaurant made over double the revenue.

On the drive home (after the kids finished devouring their "bonus" treats), it hit me: THIS is what's missing from most coaches' funnels!

We spend so much time optimizing our main offers, tweaking landing pages, and obsessing over email sequences... but we completely forget about the simplest way to increase revenue: just asking if they want "fries with that" while they’re purchasing, or “dessert” at the end of their checkout experience!

The average online coach is leaving 30-50% of potential revenue on the table by not having strategic order bumps and upsells in place. And the wildest part? Adding these order bumps and upsells is probably the EASIEST tech setup you'll ever do in your business.

After 10+ years as a software engineer and 6+ years helping coaches with their tech, I've seen this pattern over and over: we make things SO much harder than they need to be!

Your customers are already in buying mode. They've already entered their credit card. They're already excited about working with you. This is literally the PERFECT moment to offer them something complementary that enhances their main purchase.

And here's the magic part: Systeme.io makes this ridiculously simple to set up (no coding, no fancy integrations, no tech tears).

Setting up upsells in Systeme.io is so straightforward, it almost feels like cheating. Here's how to create those "can I bring you a dessert menu?" moments that can dramatically boost your average order value:

• Step 1: Go to the sales funnel where you want to add an upsell and click "Add step" in the funnel pages menu on the left

• Step 2: In the "Create funnel step" popup, select "Upsell" for the "Type"

• Step 3: Choose from one of Systeme.io's pre-designed templates (they're already optimized for conversions!) or create your page from scratch

• Step 4: Click "Save" to create your upsell page

• Step 5: In the page's configuration tabs, set up your digital product and your automation rules (what happens when someone accepts or declines your offer)

• Step 6: Click "Edit Page" to customize your upsell offer with your branding, copy, and product details

Pro Tip: Want to create a downsell too? Just follow the same steps but select "Downsell" as the page type. This gives customers who decline your upsell a second chance at a different (usually lower-priced) offer!

The magic of Systeme.io's upsell feature is that customers don't need to re-enter their payment information – it's a one-click purchase, which dramatically increases conversion rates.

I just created a detailed walkthrough video showing exactly how to set this up. You can watch it here: [https://youtu.be/Vr_CzH1xafc]

This week's challenge is simple but potentially game-changing:

• Look at your main offer(s)

• Brainstorm 2-3 complementary products or services that would enhance your customer's experience

• Choose ONE to implement as an upsell this week

Your upsell doesn't need to be complicated! It could be a template pack, a bonus coaching call, a complementary mini-course, or even early access to something you're creating.

Next week, we'll be wrapping up our sales funnel mini-series with "Common Funnel Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)" – and I've got some real doozies to share from my own experience and from the hundreds of funnels I've helped optimize through Design Build Scale!

What's the most creative or successful upsell you've ever encountered as a customer? Please drop a comment below and let me know – I'm always collecting great examples!