There’s no bigger challenge than helping people help themselves. For those who do choose to make a career out of such a calling, they’ll find plenty of opportunities as well as challenges ahead.
Like any line of work, getting started can be the most daunting part. A big part of being a successful coach or personal development expert is having a steady stream of clients. After all, customers are the lifeblood of any business, so it’s vital that you get a foothold on the market early on.
That said, it’s equally important that you attract the right kind of clients who need the exact kind of help you can provide. That’s why you need a solid approach to make sure that you connect with the right audience and make your message resonate with them.
Here are five of the best ways to kickstart your journey towards empowering others:
Clarify Your Mission
It’s crucial from the outset that you have a crystal-clear vision of what you want to accomplish in your chosen career. Think about the values you live by, and how they reflect in the work you want to do.
Ask yourself, “What kind of value, in particular, will I provide to my clients? Which specific aspects of their lives will I improve? Why is it important to me that I can give this kind of service to them?”
Admittedly, it will take a little bit of reflection and soul-searching on this one, but it’s worth it. Having a clear mission-vision based on your personal values will make it easier for you to figure out which type of people you want to connect with. That way, you can better target the audience you want and get quality clients walking through your door.
Offer Value Upfront
Speaking of value, this is something you need to have right out the gate before you can ask people to support your business. To do that, you’ll have to deliver some value first so that prospective clients will be interested in what you have to offer.
There are plenty of platforms to create value, such as a blog, YouTube channel, podcast, and various social media platforms. Whether you’re a Brain Fitness Coach, a Life Strategies Coach, or a Health and Wellness Coach, you can offer free advice on your topic of choice and position yourself as an expert in your field.
Not only will this improve people’s lives before they’ve even invested a dollar, but also give you the credibility you need. So If they believe in you, they’ll believe in your coaching business, too.
Build a Vibrant Online Presence
Naturally, putting yourself out there and getting noticed means getting on the web. In today’s hyperconnected world, having a homepage and a set of social media pages are a must. Aside from creating value, a website and social media account allow you to directly engage with your target audience.
For instance, the comment section on your blog allows you to answer people’s questions and address their concerns. The articles and blog posts can be optimized with keywords that are relevant to your line of work and with the type of questions your clients search on Google.
Also, all the essential information about your story, your mission, and your services should be on your homepage. Your site is basically your business card, so everything your prospective clients need to know has to be presented in a clear and professional way. The easier you make it for your clients to find you, the quicker your business will grow.
As for social media, having a Facebook and Twitter page will give you the means to connect with your audience on an even deeper level.
Content such as human interest stories, a behind-the-scenes look, or just your honest thoughts about a timely issue can trigger a powerful emotional response with your followers.
Get Your Branding Right
On top of having a clear mission-vision, it’s also important to cultivate a distinct identity out of it. Once you’ve got the big “Why” of your business sorted out, you’ll have to infuse that same spirit and personality into all your branding.
Whether it’s the copy on your website, the ads that you’ll run, or the content you post on your social media pages, you need to send a clear, consistent message. Again, this goes back to the values that your coaching business lives by, and work that into every piece of verbiage associated with your brand.
It also helps to have a concise idea of who your target demographic is so that you can speak the same language as them. Particularly, the type of benefits you can offer your market should be fine-tuned so that they know what they can get out of your coaching service.
Ultimately, the more your prospects can relate to your brand and identify with your voice, the better you can attract them.
Expand Your Professional Circles
Success doesn’t happen in a vacuum, especially in the world of professional coaching. It’s important to remember that you’re a node in a vast network of people who have the same passion as you do.
This is why it’s also key that you work on building a personal and professional network that can give you the additional credibility you need to be successful in the long run.
By connecting and reaching out with your peers in the industry, you can put yourself in an ideal position where they learn more about you. For instance, you can schedule a meeting and provide them a preview of what you have to offer. This will have a ripple effect throughout your network which will trickle down to your prospective clients.
On another note, you should avoid treating other coaches as hostile competitors. Instead, approaching them as partners and affiliates will benefit everyone involved infinitely. In time, other coaches can pass on clients to you, and vice-versa!
So, it’s a good idea to attend conventions, conferences and networking events that put you smack-dab in the middle of your niche. Not only will you meet potential clients, but also fellow coaches whom you can form mutually beneficial relationships with.
This kind of setting makes it easier to connect with people because everyone there more or less has a common purpose. So approaching a “warm” audience takes less work than approach a “cold” one who needs a bit more introduction.
All in all, doing all of these will help you gradually build momentum, and sooner than you expect. It does take a bit of work to get some traction, but everything will suddenly seem to take care of itself once you’ve set things in motion.
Getting Started
The Online Coaching Certification is your step-by-step blueprint to build a highly profitable online coaching business.
If you are passionate about helping people and living a fulfilling life, we can help you achieve your dreams right now. The Life Strategies Coaching Certification Course combines the latest advancements in human potential and neuroscience with proven methods of success used by the world’s most productive people.
Our programs are open to anyone with a desire to learn and help others. There are no prerequisites.
That’s it for now.
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