How to Market Your Coaching Business

Marketing for Coaches - Expert Advice

We asked 7 thought leaders to share their advice on digital marketing for coaches.  "How did you successfully market your coaching business?" "Can you share your best advice or recommend any strategies that others can use to market their coaching businesses?" See what they have to say, don't miss out on this unique opportunity to get some advice on how to take your coaching business to the next level!

7 Tips From Experts

Here are the top tips from our expert coaching discussion panel:

• Cultivate a Strong Personal Brand
• Blogging for Long-Term Traffic Growth
• Leverage Collaborations for Visibility
• Combine Content Marketing With Social Engagement
• Use LinkedIn and Email Newsletters
• Offer Free Courses and Use Interactive Tools
• The Importance of Professional Branding

Cultivate a Strong Personal Brand

​People buy from those they know, like, and trust, and for coaches, establishing that connection is crucial amidst a crowded market of millions. So, how do you get people to know, like, and trust you in a digital world? Through your personal brand. To effectively market and sell your coaching services, cultivating a strong personal brand is not just beneficial—it's essential. You need to become the go-to expert in your field for your network AND your network's network.
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​Natasha Walstra, Founder/CEO, NearPoint Strategies

Blogging for Long-Term Traffic Growth

Blogging has been an incredibly effective marketing strategy for my eight-figure coaching business. In fact, within just two years, it became a multiple-six-figure traffic source—and it's still growing. What's great about blogging in particular? For one thing, it's an evergreen marketing strategy. Articles I wrote several years ago can still drive organic traffic to my offers, which is invaluable. And two, the people who find my content are actively searching for answers, which means they're much more likely to buy than people who happen across an ad in their feed. Ultimately, blogging works, but it's a long-term strategy—don't expect immediate results.
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Luisa Zhou, Founder, LuisaZhou.com

Leverage Collaborations for Visibility

​One marketing strategy that significantly increased my visibility as a business coach was focused on collaboration. I participated in bundles, summits, and podcasts—promoting these events across my social media platforms and email list. By leveraging my network and using services like Collaboration Station to find opportunities, I maximized my reach. This strategy grew my email list by as much as 300% in a single month. It quickly positioned me as an expert, placed me in front of my ideal clients, and created substantial visibility with minimal stress.

In addition to growing my email list, this strategy also led to an increase in website traffic and social media followers. By consistently sharing valuable coaching insights and engaging with my audience during these events, I built stronger relationships with potential clients. This collaborative approach not only boosted my visibility but also established my credibility and authority as a business coach, paving the way for long-term growth and success in my coaching practice.
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Lauren Diana Scalf, Business Coach & Strategist, Soul Empowered with Lauren Diana

Combine Content Marketing With Social Engagement

When I started marketing my coaching business, one of the key strategies that proved successful was leveraging the power of content marketing and SEO to establish authority in my niche. By consistently creating high-quality, informative content tailored to my target audience, I enhanced my website's visibility in search engine results and built trust with potential clients. This content included detailed blog posts, insightful articles, and helpful guides that addressed common questions and challenges my audience faced.

Another effective tactic was engaging actively on social media platforms where my target audience frequented. This engagement wasn't just about posting content but also about interacting with users, joining discussions, and providing free value in the form of mini coaching sessions or Q&A sessions. This approach helped me to directly connect with potential clients and gain visibility in a crowded market.

For anyone looking to market their coaching business, I recommend starting with a solid content marketing strategy that includes SEO to ensure your services are easy to find online. Simultaneously, focus on building a strong social media presence where you actively engage with your audience. This combination not only increases your visibility but also establishes you as a credible authority in your field, which is crucial for attracting and retaining clients.

Brandon Leibowitz, Owner, SEO Optimizers

Use LinkedIn and Email Newsletters

I successfully marketed my coaching business using a combination of LinkedIn and my email newsletter. If you're looking to attract coaching clients, you need to solve for discovery first. How are total strangers going to discover who you are and what you can help them with? That's where LinkedIn comes in. 

Second, you need a medium to nurture them and convert them into clients. This is where your email newsletter comes in. Newsletter subscribers are much higher-intent than social media followers. And there's an inherent intimacy to an email because it's a message that's consumed in a private space (i.e., their email inbox) versus a public space (i.e., their social media feed).
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Jim Hamilton, Co-founder, Persuasive Alchemy

Offer Free Courses and Use Interactive Tools

I have a coaching business that involves one-on-one coaching. I also have a blogging school that offers coaching where students go at their own pace. These strategies worked for us:

First, we offer free courses. This helps us build credibility with our community. When students feel they want more intensive training, they pay for more advanced courses.

Next, we used interactive tools like surveys on our website. We still create polls that we post on Instagram, tapping into people's pain points.

We also contacted people who took our poll and expressed interest in our coaching business in their DMs on Instagram. We used this one-on-one approach to clarify any concerns potential leads may have before signing up for coaching.

Also, we have personalized video messages. We post those on YouTube as well as on our website. Students trust people they can see and hear and are more likely to sign up for our coaching services.

In addition, we sell books. These spread our expertise and offer people more individual coaching after they are done reading the books.

All these methods boost your brand's credibility and authority and have helped us land leads for our coaching business.

Janice Wald, Blogger, Mostly Blogging

Don't Skimp on Your Branding

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression! ​Branding is crucial in coaching! With so many coaches out there, it’s essential to set yourself apart, and that starts with professional branding.

Your brand not only boosts your visibility and recognition but also builds trust and credibility with potential clients. A strong online presence helps you stand out, connects you with your audience, and creates opportunities for growth, ensuring your coaching business thrives in a competitive market.

So when it comes to launching your coaching business, do not skimp on your branding, get a professional to help craft your logo and brand so that it speaks volumes about your professionalism and qualifications.  If you already have an established brand but are not happy with it, you could get a professional to help you with a brand refresh. 

Jonathan Buffard - Bottom Line Marketing Founder and Digital Marketing Coach.