What even is a VSL? And why is everyone talking about them? Let’s start here: if writing sales pages feels like pulling teeth, or you’ve been stuck on a “coming soon” page for a month because the thought of writing 17 sections of copy makes you want to cry… you might want to consider a VSL funnel.
A VSL is a Video Sales Letter.
And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A sales page, but in video format.
It’s you (or your slides), walking people through your offer in a clear, confident, “I got you” kind of way — with a button underneath that says BUY NOW. That’s it. That’s the funnel.
And the wild part? It works. Like, really well.
Especially when you’re selling something under $500. Especially when you’re not trying to write a novel. Especially when your audience is busy, tired, and not in the mood to scroll through 2,000 words of copy just to figure out if your thing is for them.
VSL funnels are fast to build, easy to test, and — when done right — they convert like gangbusters.
In this post, I’m walking you through:
- what a VSL is (for real, not just some vague “use video to sell” nonsense)
- why VSL funnels work (especially in 2025)
- and how you can build one inside Thrivecart — even if you have zero interest in being on camera
What does VSL stand for?
VSL = Video Sales Letter.
It’s a classic sales tool that’s been around for years, but it’s having a major comeback — because people are done reading. They want to hear from a real person. They want to feel something. They want you to just explain your offer in plain English.
In marketing, a VSL is a short(ish) video that walks through:
- what your offer is
- who it’s for
- why it matters
- what happens next
It can replace a long sales page or enhance it — some people still like to skim the details below your video (and you can totally do both).
What is a VSL Funnel?
A VSL funnel is a simple sales funnel that starts with a video, not a wall of text.
Here’s the basic flow:
- Landing page with your VSL + a button
- Checkout page (powered by Thrivecart)
- Confirmation page with next steps
- Optional bonus steps:
- Order bump on the checkout page
- Upsell offer post-purchase
- Follow-up emails
This setup works perfectly for:
- Mini offers
- Digital downloads
- Evergreen workshops
- Membership previews
- Flash sales
Basically, if you can sell it online, you can VSL it.
Why VSL Funnels Work (and still convert in 2025)
Short answer? Because people don’t read anymore.
Longer answer:
VSLs work because they feel human. A real person, speaking directly to a potential buyer, cuts through the noise in a way that text can’t.
They’re faster to consume, easier to trust, and more persuasive — especially when you’re speaking clearly to a specific problem your audience wants to solve.
A few reasons to love VSLs:
- You don’t have to be a copywriter to write a good one
- They feel more personal, especially if you’re on video
- They’re flexible — you can use slides, screen shares, or even animations
- They simplify the funnel — no endless page sections to design
And best of all? You can build one without leaving Thrivecart.
What Makes a Good VSL?
You do not need to go full YouTuber. Please don’t overthink this.
A solid video sales letter just needs to:
- Hook the viewer in the first 10 seconds
- Call out the problem your audience has
- Explain how your offer solves it – a demo or peek behind the scenes is great here
- Show some proof (even a simple testimonial or screenshot is fine)
- Tell them what to do next
Example script:
“Hey! If you’re [struggling with X] and you’ve tried [thing that didn’t work], this is for you. I created [offer] to help you [do Y]. In the next few minutes, I’ll show you exactly how it works, what you’ll get, and why so many people love it.”
Boom. You’re done.
How to Build a VSL Funnel in Thrivecart
You can absolutely keep this simple. Here’s what I recommend:
1. Create your VSL landing page
Use a Thrivecart checkout page, your WordPress site, Showit, Leadpages, or whatever tool you love. Just make sure it lets you:
Text can be minimal. You don’t need 10 sections. Just your video, a headline, and a button.
2. Link the CTA button to your Thrivecart checkout
This is where the magic happens: order bump, discount code, upsell — Thrivecart does the heavy lifting here. Set up your product and drop the checkout link under your VSL.
3. Build your confirmation page
After the sale, send them to a thank-you page that tells them exactly what happens next. Email coming from XYZ platform, calendar invite, login link, whatever.
Need inspo? I wrote a whole blog post on optimizing your order confirmation page here.
Tips for Higher-Converting VSL Funnels
- Keep your video under 10 minutes unless it’s a high-ticket offer
- Repeat your CTA at least twice in the video
- Add captions for accessibility + sound-off watchers
- Make sure your page works on mobile (this is not optional)
- Don’t wait until it’s “perfect” — done is better than perfect
Final Thoughts (and your next move)
VSL funnels are one of the fastest ways to get your offer out into the world — without spending weeks writing, designing, and second-guessing every single word on a sales page.
They’re lean, flexible, and they sell.
And the best part? You don’t need a special VSL funnel template to make it work. Literally any Thrivecart template in my shop can be customized into a VSL funnel. Just swap the long copy for a video, tweak the layout, and you’re good to go.
Want to build your own VSL funnel without starting from scratch? Head to the Thrivecart Template Shop and grab a layout that fits your vibe — all of them can be adapted for VSLs in minutes. I especially think the Video-Enabled Checkout Template, part of the 10-template complete Thrivecart checkout template bundle, would be *perfect* for this.
Now go sell your baddie of an offer, on camera or off. You got this!
Other posts you may want to check out:
- What is a VSL Funnel & How to Build One in Thrivecart
- 6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Order Confirmation Page in Thrivecart
- Is Your Subscription Membership About To Violate Federal Law?
- Recurring Revenue Businesses: The Pros and Cons of This Business Model
- Website Engagement: Interactive Elements You Can Add to Your ConvertBox
