How to Successfully Market Your Coaching Business

Marketing your coaching business is simple. It merely involves utilizing creative strategies to reach the people who need the value you provide and convincing them to purchase your services.

There’s no need to hire a fancy marketing firm to promote your business. In fact, you are perfectly qualified to successfully market your talents!

Let’s chat about marketing methods you can start using today to generate buzz about your online coaching business.

Why great marketing is so important

Great marketing can make the difference between intentionally capturing the attention of someone who needs your services and sitting around hoping that potential clients serendipitously stumble across your path. The work you do is far too valuable to leave up to chance!

Great marketing will help you…

• Generate awareness about your services
• Capture the attention of potential clients
• Prompt potential clients to make a purchasing decision

Don’t leave sales up to serendipity. Be proactive about your coaching marketing efforts.

The truth is, marketing your business can be fun, cost-effective and efficient. Let’s discover innovative marketing techniques that will work for you and entice potential clients.

Social media

It’s no secret that social media marketing is here to stay. The first step in starting your social media journey begins with choosing the right platforms. Start small with one or two social media apps that your ideal clients use the most. Learn how to use those platforms well and graduate on to additional services when you feel ready.

Create a website

Speaking of platforms to spread the word about your business, don’t neglect to make a platform of your own. In other words, invest in a website. It’s essential for online coaches to have a website with messaging that resonates with your ideal client. Popular DIY platforms include Squarespace, Bluehost, and Wix.

Once you’ve developed your website, begin to share your expertise through the written word with a blog. Blogging is a great way to showcase your expertise and gain new exposure for your business. Blog about topics relevant to your niche and post regularly. Promote your blog posts on social media channels, your website, and your mailing list.

Email marketing and incentives

First things first, you’ll want to choose the right email marketing platform. I recommend starting out with a platform like Flodesk or Convert Kit. These platforms are great for getting your list started and supporting you as you grow.

Email marketing is one of the BEST ways to attract new clients to your business. The main reason to use email marketing is the control you have over your subscribers. Unlike some forms of marketing where access to your audience can be jeopardized by algorithms, community guidelines, and platform restrictions, email marketing gives you direct access and control over your content and subscribers.

Once you’ve selected your email marketing platform it’s time to create a compelling lead magnet. Great lead magnets are one of the most effective marketing methods. A lead magnet is a free downloadable item you offer in exchange for an email address.

Your free offer could be a downloadable ebook, quiz, workbook, or mini course. By offering a great lead magnet, you can begin serving potential clients and collecting emails to build your mailing list. You now have subscribers!

You can also utilize discounts to attract potential clients. Use your email lists or platforms like social media and your website to highlight enticing discounts. Discounts can create the right amount of urgency and incentive to drive a sale.

Offering discovery calls or mini sessions can also be a powerful technique for coaching business marketing. This is a great way to get in front of potential clients and establish a connection. Discovery calls and mini sessions are a low-risk option for interested parties to check you out and see what your services are all about.

Virtual opportunities

You can also market your business by tapping into audiences that haven’t followed you on social media, subscribed to your email list, or found you through a past client. Are you a skilled writer? Find guest writer opportunities. Maybe you excel on stage? If so, book a keynote speaking gig. Got the gift of gab? Pitch yourself to podcasts that align with your niche.

Many online publications, like magazines or blogs, offer guest posting opportunities. These are usually an open call to anyone who wants to contribute their writing to the publication. Finding the right guest posting opportunities can be a great way to showcase your expertise and share your knowledge while also tapping into a new audience. Research guest posting opportunities that align with your niche. Familiarize yourself with the guest posting guidelines and pitch your article!

Becoming involved in online communities related to your coaching business is another great way to expand your network. Find groups related to your coaching business on Facebook, Reddit, Goodreads, Eventbrite, and more.

Be sure to share valuable insight and perspective in the communities you join. Joining a handful of communities and spending an hour or two contributing to those groups per week is reasonable. Anything beyond that amount of time may be more effort than it is worth.

Online Webinars and Conferences

Periodically hosting informational webinars will help to establish you as the expert in your niche. Webinars are a time-efficient and cost-effective way to reach larger audiences and generate new leads. Host your informational webinar once a month or once a quarter. Choose a topic for your webinar, create content to share, and spread the word!

Because there are so many virtual conferences and seminars happening all year long, event curators are eager to showcase talented speakers. Find online summits and conferences that align with your niche and pitch yourself as a featured speaker.

You may even wish to take this a step further and launch your own online event! You could launch a virtual workshop, conference, or summit on a topic related to your coaching niche. Feature guest speakers or command the virtual stage yourself!

Become known for what you do by attending virtual networking events. Like in-person Biz to Biz events, there are a plethora of online networking opportunities. Join virtual meetings to share your elevator pitch and establish strategic connections with fellow business owners.

No matter what format you choose, don’t forget to upsell your coaching services at the end of the event. Provide a clear next step that your audience can take. Build on the momentum and excitement by encouraging them to purchase your services.

Podcasting and collaboration

Another popular platform to market your business is podcasting. Hosting a podcast that provides valuable information will help you establish yourself as an expert in your niche and attract new clients. Share your voice with an audience that is eager to learn from your valuable content and eventually hire you for personalized coaching.

Not up for the challenge of starting your own podcast? Look into existing shows that you could be a guest on. Hundreds (if not thousands) of podcasts are looking for new guests every week! Throw your hat in the ring for shows that feature guests and align with your area of specialization. This is a very time-efficient and cost-effective way to market your business.

Collaborating with the right people is a fun and effective way to grow your coaching business. You may begin networking with like-minded people and brands to help you grow your following and meet new clients.

Referrals and testimonials

Digital formats aren’t the only means of marketing your business. When it comes to showcasing what you have to offer don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. One of the easiest ways to market your online coaching business is through referrals. Your clients know you, love the results you get them and pay good money to work with you.

Simply ask past clients to refer you to their friends and family through word of mouth or create a script that your clients can share on social media, via text, or by email. Incentivize referrals by offering discounts on future sessions or a small gift (like a coffee card) for participants.

Create a Google form to use as a survey tool. Ask your current or past clients what it is like to work with you, what kind of results they achieved, and why they would recommend you as a coach. Sharing rave reviews from past clients is one of the most effective ways of coaching marketing.

Skeptical clients might not take your word for it when you tell them that your services are amazing, but they will very likely trust the word of someone who has worked with you. Post testimonials to social media, the coaching page of your website, and embed in proposal packages.

Capitalize on SEO and paid ads

Search Engine Optimization or (SEO) is a game changer when it comes to marketing your online coaching business. You want your content to populate when someone searches for a term related to your niche. SEO boosts your visibility on search engines which drives more traffic to your website. And more traffic to your website means more leads!

Once you have visibility you may consider utilizing paid ads. Paid ads are an arrow you’ll eventually want to add to your marketing quiver. Use paid ads to boost your best-performing content, highlight an amazing downloadable freebie, or invite potential clients to a webinar. Paid ads should complement your other marketing methods.

Coaching business marketing is easier than you thought. You are perfectly capable of marketing the amazing work that you do! And you’re capable of running a thriving, impactful business!

Choose marketing methods that are…

• Authentic to you – what is doable for you based on your current experience, capacity and interests?
• Draw on your strengths – You are capable of tackling any marketing method but start with the ones that come most naturally to you.
• Aligned with your goals – invest in marketing methods that support your business goals.

Your Action Step

Ready to take your coaching business to the next level?

Learn how to elevate your business from experts with decades of experience at The Coach School. Through The Coach School, you’ll gain access to proven strategies, hands-on tactics, real-world examples, and done-for-you templates so you can book more clients and change more lives.