How to Build a Passive Income Funnel

Alright, bestie. So you’ve been hearing about funnels, passive income, and “making money while you sleep,” right? It all sounds amazing… until you realize everyone’s telling you to buy like 6 expensive tools and you end up more confused than when you started. Let’s cut the noise. I’m about to show you how to build a simple-but-powerful passive income funnel using free (or super affordable) tools. No fluff, no coding, and no tech headaches — just the real stuff that actually works.

5/8/20243 min read

Affiliate marketing insights.

Set up your digital home with Hostinger

Okay, first things first. You need a place for your funnel to live — like a digital HQ. This is where people land when they click your link on Pinterest, Instagram, wherever.

Enter: Hostinger.

It’s a website builder and hosting platform that doesn’t charge you your firstborn. You can create a full-on WordPress website with just a few clicks, or use their drag-and-drop builder if you’re not into the whole “tech” vibe.

Here’s what you’ll use it for:

  • Create a landing page for each thing you’re promoting (like “Creative Labs AI” or “Faceless Creator Kit”)

  • Add your opt-in form (we’ll talk about that in a sec)

  • Add your own domain so your links look clean (like yourname.com/ai-tools instead of some sketchy random string)

Why it’s a big deal:
A landing page = attention grabber. It’s like your digital handshake. You’ve got one job here: get them to take action — download your freebie, join your email list, or click your affiliate link.

Bonus: Hostinger is cheap (like, under $3/month), and it gives you everything you need to look legit even if you’re just starting out.

Collect those emails with MailerLite

So now that your landing page is ready to impress, what’s next? Emails, baby.

Because listen — people scroll fast. You can’t count on them remembering your link, your product, or your face 10 minutes later. You need to catch their attention and grab their email so you can keep the convo going.

MailerLite is my go-to for this, and here’s why:

  • It’s beginner-friendly (like actually)

  • You can build email forms, send automated welcome emails, and run full campaigns… for free

  • No weird limits or shady upsells

Here's the play:

  1. Offer something juicy — a checklist, a guide, a starter kit — in exchange for their email.

  2. Use MailerLite to build the form that goes on your Hostinger landing page.

  3. When someone signs up, they get your freebie + a welcome email from you.

  4. Then, you follow up with a few more value-packed emails that include affiliate links or digital products you’re selling.

It’s soft selling, not sleazy selling.
It’s about building trust while also making coins.

Design your freebie with Canva

Let’s talk about the ✨magic ✨that makes people say “YES, I need this.”

That’s your lead magnet — and you’re gonna make it in Canva.

Don’t worry, no graphic design degree required. Canva is basically drag-and-drop heaven. You can make checklists, digital guides, ebooks, swipe files — whatever fits your niche.

Examples:

  • A PDF titled “Top 5 AI Tools to Make Money From Home”

  • A Canva checklist called “Faceless Content Starter Kit”

  • A mini workbook on “How to Launch a Digital Product in 1 Weekend”

Here’s how it works:

  • Open Canva → Search “ebook” or “checklist” → Pick a template

  • Plug in your info, brand colors, and maybe a cute quote or two

  • Download as a PDF

  • Upload it to MailerLite (or Google Drive) and link it in your welcome email

Boom. You just made your first “freebie funnel.”

Bonus tip:
Use Canva’s Smart Mockups tool to make your freebie look like it’s on a tablet or laptop. People love visuals that look premium — even if the product is free.

Put all your links and offers in one place with Beacons

Alright, now that you’ve got your landing page, your email form, and your freebie ready to go, you need somewhere to organize everything.

That’s where Beacons comes in.

Think of it as your digital storefront. But cooler. And free.

With Beacons, you can:

  • Share all your affiliate links in one clean layout

  • Add your freebie sign-up link at the top

  • Embed a quick video if you want (like a product demo or intro)

  • Link to your YouTube, TikTok, blog, or wherever you hang out online

  • Even collect emails right on the page

This is the link you’ll drop in your Instagram bio, pin to Pinterest, or use as a redirect after someone signs up for your freebie.

It keeps things organized, aesthetic, and conversion-ready.

The Funnel That Builds While You Sleep

Let me be clear — you don’t need to be “a tech person” to build a funnel that works.

All you really need is:

  • A landing page (Hostinger)

  • A lead magnet (designed in Canva)

  • A way to collect emails and follow up (MailerLite)

  • A way to showcase your offers (Beacons)

That’s it.

Start simple. Launch one page. Test one freebie. Build one list. You can always expand later. But the key? Just start.

Just so you know — these aren’t random tools I found on Google. These are platforms I personally use, enjoy, and genuinely believe are worth your time. Of course, there are tons of sites out there that can do similar things — from ConvertKit to Systeme.io to Leadpages and more. This just happens to be the combo that works for me. Feel free to mix, match, and explore what fits your vibe and budget best.

What matters most is that you start building something. Even if it’s small, even if it’s messy — it’s still a step toward your digital freedom. Now go launch that funnel, bestie. Your passive income era is calling.