How to Market Your Coaching Business Online

How do you market your coaching business online?

This is the big question that so many of our clients come to us asking.  So fear not we have got you on this.  There are so many ways to market a coaching business online that is can make you go a little cray-cray.

Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:

1. Create a website: A website is a great place to share information about your coaching business, including the services you offer, your experience and qualifications, and testimonials from past clients. You can also use your website to sell coaching packages or schedule appointments.
2. Use social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are great places to connect with potential clients. Share updates about your coaching business, including any new services or packages you’re offering. Engage with your followers by asking questions, sharing valuable content, and responding to comments and messages.
3. Write a blog: A blog is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract new clients to your coaching business. Share tips, strategies, and insights related to your coaching niche, and consider including a call to action at the end of each blog post to encourage readers to learn more about your services.
4. Use email marketing: Email marketing allows you to send newsletters, promotional emails, and other types of communication directly to your email list. You can use email marketing to promote new coaching packages, share special offers, and keep your subscribers informed about what’s happening with your business.
5. Collaborate with other professionals: Collaborating with other professionals, such as therapists, business coaches, or personal trainers, can help you reach a wider audience and attract new clients to your coaching business. Consider partnering with these professionals to offer joint coaching packages or cross-promote each other’s services.

Which one of these ideas do you start with?

Ok so we’ve thrown a whole bunch of ideas your way, so which one do you start with?

It’s generally a good idea to start by creating a website for your coaching business. A website is a central hub where you can share information about your services, showcase your experience and qualifications, and allow potential clients to learn more about you and your coaching approach. You can also use your website to sell your coaching packages, schedule appointments, and collect contact information for potential clients.

Once you have your website up and running, you can begin exploring other marketing strategies like social media and email marketing. You may also want to consider starting a blog or collaborating with other professionals to reach a wider audience and attract new clients.

It’s important to remember that marketing your coaching business will likely be an ongoing process. As your business grows and evolves, you may want to try different marketing strategies to see what works best for you.

I am going to throw something out here right now – when starting out don’t get too fancy with your website and blow your marketing budget.  I would argue that if I had a choice I would start with a funnel first, before a website to get leads and sales call going.

So How do you do email marketing without an audience?

But Kenneth, I don’t have an email list, how do I get started?  Well if you don’t have an email list yet, there are a few things you can do to start building one:

1. Offer a free resource: One effective way to collect email addresses is to offer a free resource such as an e-book, checklist, or mini-course in exchange for an email address. You can promote this free resource on your website, social media, or through paid advertising.
2. Use sign-up forms: Add sign-up forms to your website and social media profiles to collect email addresses from visitors. You can also use lead generation tools like Leadpages or OptinMonster to create opt-in forms and pop-ups that encourage visitors to join your email list.
3. Host a webinar or workshop: Hosting a webinar or workshop is a great way to attract new subscribers to your email list. You can promote the event on your website and social media, and collect email addresses from attendees.
4. Purchase an email list: While purchasing an email list is not generally recommended, as it may result in low engagement and deliverability issues, it can be an option if you’re just starting out and don’t have an audience yet. Just be sure to only purchase lists from reputable companies and always follow best practices for email marketing, such as obtaining permission before sending any emails.

It’s important to remember that building an email list takes time, so be patient, don’t beat yourself up, and keep experimenting with different tactics to see what works best for your coaching business.

Which social media channel do I start with to market my business?

Ok so from that place where do you start and which platform should you go to?  Well, it’s generally a good idea to start with the social media platform that your target audience is most likely to use and the one that you enjoy the most. If you’re not sure which platform that is, consider conducting market research to learn more about your target audience’s demographics, interests, and online habits. This can help you determine which platform is most likely to reach the people you want to connect with, while still also being aligned with your preference.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a social media platform:

1. Age: Different social media platforms are popular with different age groups. For example, Facebook is popular with a broad range of ages, while platforms like TikTok and Snapchat tend to be more popular with younger users.
2. Interests: Consider the interests of your target audience when choosing a social media platform. If you’re targeting a professional audience, for example, LinkedIn may be a good choice. If you’re targeting a more creative or visually-oriented audience, platforms like Instagram or Pinterest may be a better fit.
3. Goals: Think about your marketing goals when choosing a social media platform. Do you want to build brand awareness, generate leads, or drive traffic to your website? Different platforms excel at different goals, so choose the one that aligns best with your objectives.

It’s generally a good idea to start with one or two social media platforms, rather than trying to be active on all of them at once. This will allow you to focus your efforts and get better results without you getting overwhelmed and frustrated. You can always expand to additional platforms as you become more comfortable with social media marketing.  Remember to just be patient when starting out.

Ok great. How do I plan this all out so as not to get overwhelmed?

Marketing your coaching business can be a lot of work, (let’s be honest, this is not easy) so it’s important to plan carefully to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few tips for you:

1. Set clear goals: What do you want to achieve through your marketing efforts? Do you want to build brand awareness, generate leads, or drive traffic to your website? Setting clear goals will help you focus your efforts and measure your progress.
2. Create a content calendar: A content calendar is a schedule of the content you plan to create and share on your website and social media platforms. Having a content calendar can help you stay organized and ensure that you’re consistently sharing valuable content with your audience.
3. Plan ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute to create content or plan your marketing efforts. Instead, try to plan as far in advance as possible. This will give you time to research, create, and schedule your content, and help you avoid feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
4. Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to marketing your coaching business. Try to post regularly on your website and social media platforms, and stick to a schedule that works for you. This will help you build an engaged audience and establish your business as a reliable source of information and inspiration.
5. Don’t try to do everything at once: Marketing your coaching business takes time and effort, so don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, focus on a few key activities each week and build from there. As you become more comfortable with marketing, you can expand your efforts and try new tactics.

This coaching market is competitive so how can I stand out from the competition?

That is the million-dollar question and so I want to share with you a few tips for you:

1. Define your niche: Specializing in a specific area of coaching can help you stand out from the competition. Consider what makes you unique and how you can use that to your advantage. For example, if you have a background in psychology, you might specialize in coaching clients on mental health and well-being.
2. Offer unique services: Consider offering services that are unique or not commonly offered by other coaches in your market. This could be something as simple as offering coaching sessions via video conference, or as specialized as offering coaching for a specific industry or population.
3. Position yourself as an expert: Use your website, social media, and other marketing channels to showcase your expertise and knowledge. Share valuable content, such as blog posts, videos, or podcasts, that demonstrate your understanding of your coaching niche.
4. Build relationships: Building relationships with potential clients, referral partners, and other professionals in your industry can help you stand out in a competitive market. Networking events, online groups, and professional associations are all great places to connect with others and build relationships.
5. Focus on customer service: Providing excellent customer service can help you stand out in a crowded market. Respond promptly to inquiries, follow up with clients, and go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can help you build a reputation for being reliable and easy to work with, which can differentiate you from your competitors.

Any tips for having limited time to do all of this?

Ahhh TIME.  We all have limited time and that is the real scarcity, right?  Most of us have limited time to devote to marketing our coaching business, so here are a few tips for you and how you can start thinking about it this way.

1. Prioritize: Identify the marketing activities that are most likely to yield results and prioritize those. For example, if you know that your target audience is active on a specific social media platform, spend your time there rather than trying to be active on every platform.
2. Automate: Use tools and technologies to automate tasks wherever possible. For example, you can use an email marketing platform like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to automate newsletters and promotional emails.
3. Outsource: Don’t be afraid to outsource tasks that you don’t have the time or expertise to handle. This could include tasks like website design, content creation, or social media management.
4. Be efficient: Make the most of the time you have by working efficiently. This might mean batching tasks together, setting aside dedicated blocks of time for marketing, or using productivity tools to stay on track.
5. Set boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries and make sure you’re taking care of yourself, even if you’re busy with your coaching business. Make sure you’re taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and setting aside time for self-care. This will help you stay energized and focused, and better able to handle the demands of running a business.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and I hope it helps you to get started.  Please leave your comments and thoughts as to how and where we can help you.

To your success.

Kenneth