As a small business owner, you wear a lot of hats. One of those hats is chief marketing officer. Whether you realize it or not, you’re responsible for spreading the word about your amazing services through various marketing methods. Choosing the right marketing methods can make all the difference when it comes to growing your business and booking clients.
Keep reading to discover 21 innovative ways to market your online coaching business.
Why great marketing is important
Great marketing can be the difference between intentionally capturing the attention of someone who needs your services and sitting around hoping that potential clients serendipitously stumble across your services. 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 marketing efforts.
What most coaches get wrong about marketing
Wondering how to start marketing proactively? The good news is there is no need to be salesy or sleazy when marketing your coaching services.
Here’s what most coaches get wrong about marketing…
- You have to spend a ton of time and money
- You have to be on social media constantly
- You have to pressure people into making a purchasing decision
The truth is, marketing your business can be fun, cost-effective and efficient. Break up with the false beliefs listed above to discover innovative marketing techniques that will work for you and woo potential clients.
1. Use social media platforms to your advantage
Social media isn’t going away anytime soon. Creating a social media presence is a great way to market your business and meet potential clients. The good news is you don’t have to be on every social media platform.
Start small with one or two social media platforms that your ideal client uses the most. Learn how to use that platform(s) well and graduate on to additional platforms when you feel ready!
Need some help with social media content? Download a free 30-day social media planner here.
2. Create a website that is user-friendly and informative
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.
Hire a professional to help you build a beautiful website or do it yourself. Popular DIY website platforms include Squarespace, Bluehost, and Wix.
3. Offer discounts to attract potential clients
Use platforms like social media and your website to highlight discounts. Offer enticing discounts to your followers, email subscribers, and anyone who lands on your website. Discounts can create the right amount of urgency and incentive to drive a sale.
Pro tip: Don’t offer outrageously low discounts. The goal is to incentivize a sale by slightly reducing your prices while still making a profit.
4. Host a podcast that provides valuable information
Another way 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!
5. Get involved in online communities related to your coaching business
There is an online community for just about everything. Find online communities that align with your niche and get involved! Find groups related to your coaching business on Facebook, Reddit, Goodreads, Eventbrite, and more!
Be sure to share your valuable insight and perspective in the communities you join, but don’t go overboard. Joining a handful of communities and spending an hour or two contributing to those groups per week is reasonable. Anything above that may become more of a draw on your time and energy than an effective marketing method.
6. Host informational webinars
Periodically hosting informational webinars is a great way to market your business. Webinars are a time-efficient and cost-effective way to reach larger audiences and generate new leads. Host your own informational webinar once a month or once a quarter. Choose a topic for your webinar, create content to share, and spread the word!
7. Start a blog
Share your expertise through 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.
Pro tip: Promote your blog posts on your social media channels, website, and mailing list
8. Collect referrals from past clients
One of the easiest ways to market your online coaching business is through referrals. Simply ask past clients to refer you to their friends and family. Encourage clients to refer you directly 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.
9. Utilize 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.
Pro tip: Paid ads should complement your other marketing methods, not your sole strategy.
10. Pitch yourself as a guest on a podcast that is relevant to your niche
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 niche. This is a very time-efficient and cost-effective way to market your business.
11. Implement email marketing
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.
12. Pitch yourself for virtual speaking gigs
Online events happen all year long. With so many virtual events happening month in and month out, event curators are eager to showcase talented speakers. Find online summits, conferences, and similar events that align with your niche and pitch yourself as a featured speaker.
13. Host online events
Take things one 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!
14. Attend virtual networking events
Become known for what you do by attending virtual networking events. Similar to in-person Biz to Biz events, there are a plethora of online networking opportunities. Join virtual networking events to share your elevator pitch and establish strategic connections with fellow business owners.
15. Create great lead magnets
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. By offering a great lead magnet, kill two birds with one stone by serving potential clients and collecting emails to build your mailing list.
Examples of great lead magnets:
- Quiz
- eBook
- Workbook
- Mini course
Pro tip: Post your lead magnet on social media (as a post or paid ad) and share a signup form for the lead magnet on the front page of your website.
16. Volunteer for guest posting opportunities
Many online publications, like magazines or blogs, offer guest posting opportunities. Guest posting opportunities are 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!
17. Sponsor events relevant to your niche
Sponsorships are an often overlooked marketing tool. Sponsoring events can boost your brand awareness and generate leads. Many virtual events offer sponsorship opportunities to engage in live chats, networking spaces, and other interactive features. Consider sponsoring a virtual event to spread awareness about your business.
18. Capitalize on SEO
Search Engine Optimization or (SEO) is a game changer when it comes to marketing your online coaching business. Getting your content to populate when someone searches for a term related to your niche is a competitive business. SEO boosts your visibility on search engines which drives more traffic to your website. And more traffic to your website means more leads!
Learn how to get started with SEO here.
19. Seek out strategic partnerships & collaborations
Collaborating with the right people is a fun and effective way to grow your coaching business. Establishing partnerships or collaborations with like-minded people and brands can help you grow your following and meet new clients. Research strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities that align with your niche.
20. Offer discovery calls/mini sessions
Offering discovery calls or mini sessions can be a powerful way to market your online coaching business. Discovery calls/mini sessions are a great way to get in front of potential clients and establish a connection. These calls/sessions are a low-risk way for interested parties to check you out and see what your services are all about.
During your call or session, showcase your skills and serve your potential client.
21. Collect past client testimonials
Sharing rave reviews from past clients is one of the most effective ways to market your business. 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.
Create a testimonial survey and send it out to your past clients. Once you have a handful of testimonials, share them everywhere you can! Post testimonials to social media, the coaching page of your website, and embed them in proposal packages.
How to find the best marketing methods for your business
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the 21 innovative ways to market your online coaching business mentioned above? Relieve the self-imposed pressure on yourself to do it all. Instead, pick a few of the marketing methods mentioned and get started.
Choose marketing methods that are…
- Authentic to you – What is most doable for you based on your current experience, capacity, and interests?
- Draw on your strengths – Opt for marketing methods that draw on your strengths. You are capable of tackling any marketing method but start with the ones that come most naturally to you.
- Align with your goals – Invest in marketing methods that support your business goals.
Ready to take your coaching business to the next level?
Learn how to market your business and more with The Coach School. The Coach School is a 12-week program designed to help you take your coaching business to the next level. Each week of the program features interactive content, live coaching sessions, mastermind meetings, and hands-on mentor support.
Join The Coach School to build a successful coaching business.
