When you first envisioned starting a coaching program, you probably thought it would be easy and quick to generate income; however, it is very likely that he discovered very quickly that coaching is a business and should be treated like a business. Like any business, a coaching business is not a get-rich-quick scheme; It takes a lot of work to put together and keep together, and it requires constant marketing attention.
Perhaps you have a few clients that you are advising right now and are seeing a steady stream of income. However, you should keep in mind that eventually these clients will move on and you’ll need new ones lined up and ready to go. It is absolutely essential that you continue to market your coaching business now, while you are busy with current clients, and not wait until they are done. If you wait, you’ll likely see a decline in revenue as you find new customers.
How do you get new clients?
When you’re already busy, finding new clients can be a challenge. Here are some simple ways to find new clients.
- Ask your current or former clients for references; Without a doubt, word of mouth referrals are a great way to build your business. Offering a monetary incentive for a new customer referral shows how much you appreciate their faith in you, and while a referral fee isn’t a new concept, it works for both online and offline training. However, you will find that many of your existing clients will be happy to provide you with a referral, simply because you do such a great job for them.
- Have a website or blog where you can showcase your expertise. People will go to your site to meet you and see what your training program is all about. Be sure to provide advice that shows you know what you’re talking about, but don’t give everything away for free or you won’t get clients.
- Generating leads on your website is incredibly important and having a special giveaway offer to collect names and email addresses from people who visit your site. These leads can be leads, and by using follow-up emails and a regular newsletter, you can keep in touch with them. Also, it is very important to have a way for your prospects and clients to contact you easily, as they may have questions about your services.
- Another way to secure new customers is to post useful information and answer questions in the appropriate forums. This is a great way to build relationships, develop credibility as an expert, and gain trust. Be helpful on these sites and you’ll find that people will flock to you, but blatant direct marketing will most likely drive your readers away. In fact, blatantly marketing your business on forums is frowned upon and can even get you banned, so be sure to follow the forum rules and watch how others post and respond.
- Meet other coaches in your field. Sometimes an associate decides to reduce his client load, or has an emergency where he can’t handle his next batch of clients; Simply because of the relationship he has developed with her, he may recommend these people to you.
Your coaching business doesn’t just need clients to be successful, it needs good material. For good material – it must be what the customer wants. Always take note of how the coaching sessions are going and always ask for feedback. That way you can tailor your program to your customers. You may think you know what they need, but it may not be what they want.