25 + Marketing Ideas for Coaches
By: Coach Mackenzie Pearce
Printer Version
Here are some marketing ideas for coaches like yourself:
Have a 1-800 number. It is a great deal, and it is easier to get then you might
think. Often 1-800 numbers will ring through your regular office phone line
and will cost only about $8 a month, plus about $0.10 a minute. Not bad when
you consider that people are over North America can reach you at no cost to
them. Great for first-time callers.
Have a free first session. That way people have a chance to ask questions at no
cost to them.
A Send your clients free attractive gifts that are small enough to be sent in
regular mailing
envelopes. That way they are appreciated by the client and not costing you
anything extra
to send them.
A Send your clients motivational cards and thank you cards at the end of your
work together. People love to receive things other than bills in the mail! You
may even want to include gift coupons (for example "$10 off any of my
service packages").
A Unscheduled phone calls in between session times. When your clients are
not expecting it, and at no cost to them, just call to see how they are making
out this week.
A Always ask if there is anything else you can do for them.
A Apologize when something goes wrong. Some people are afraid that if they
apologize it will leave them liable for something or other. A great way to
avoid a lawsuit is to apologize. People like to know that you care.
Apologizing makes them feel that they have been heard.
A Have extended hours. 9-5 availability isn’t always convenient for clientele,
who likely work during normal office hours.
A Accept many forms of payment. Credit cards, checks, cash. To set up a
system so that you can take credit card payments, ask your bank about who
you should contact about setting up a merchant account. You will be the
merchant (in case they ask). To sign up for a free merchant account, visit the
student center.
A Have some custom-made letterhead made for your business with matching
envelopes.
A Have a raffle. Set the item up in a local office. It can be anything, a clock, a
picture, whatever you want. Have a spot where people drop in their business
cards or fill out a ballot. Ask them if you can contact them at a later date, or
just have your name next to the item being raffled off.
A Memorabilia with your name on it.
A Magnetic business cards.
A Make brochures that you can leave hanging around in your doctor’s or
lawyer’s office.
Leave a copy or two anywhere in waiting rooms where people might notice it
and read about your services.
A Have a launch party!
A Newsletters. Send them out with addresses (email and otherwise) that you
have received from your website.
A Seminars or Workshops. Coaches rave about the clients they get from doing
free seminars.
Some coaches have spoken about topics learned at Coach U.
A Pro-bono work. Anything to get your name out there. People love to talk.
You can bet that someone who has had a good experience with you will tell
their friends.
A Get online! You must have a website! Who isn’t on the web? More and more
people everyday are using the web.
A Submit to search engines.
A Create an interactive site that offers surveys, free sign-ups, free resources of
useful information and access to books (both hardcover and e-books!). Have a
frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, a download area, even an active
ICQ link so that people can instant message you right from your site with any
questions they have.
A Have autoresponders sent out when people email you from your site. They
can say something brief such as "Thank you for your question! I promise to
respond to it within the next business day. If you need to reach me sooner feel
free to call me at 1-800-314- 0481."
A You can even sell items on your site: books you’ve written, audio tapes
you’ve recorded… the sky is the limit!
A Use an ad-free site.
A Choose a great domain name (www._____________.com).
A Become an affiliate. After you sign up for a website, you can also become an
affiliate for larger companies. Companies who want you to sell their products
for them on your site and in return will do something for you (similar to
commission). For example, once you have a website, Amazon.com allows
people to sell their books on their site and in return gives you some profit.
A If your coaching niche is divorce or spirituality, on your site you may want
to allow clients the option of ordering books regarding those issues. Or
movies. Whatever you decide. Or not. It is up to you, after all it is your site.
A Write an e-book on anything and include all the services you offer.
A Write articles and submit them to web sites and newspapers.
A Use pay-per-click advertising on the internet, so that you only pay when
someone clicks to your site.
A Don’t give up! Businesses are not built overnight. You’ll get there. Take a
referral class.
There is a method to it. Repackage, repackage, repackage. If you are
advertising and not
moving any services, repackage them. For example, change your website
layout.
A Final tip: They say that 99% percent of business failures are due to interpersonal
skills, so keep yours up! Go the extra step for people- your clients
will appreciate it.
