Help!  I need tips on how to market my life coaching business while still working my job at the hospital.  This was the request from an individual I was introduced to a year ago, who had just started her life coaching business.   

The woman whom I will call Mary, was extremely excited about her new career in coaching.  After hearing what she had to say, I concluded that she definitely had the passion and the commitment to enrich as many lives as possible.  All she needed now was how to go about getting those clients. 

My first question to her was this,

Me: “ Are you going to be able to juggle your life coaching business with your current job at the hospital?

Mary’s response:  Yes, I can do it. In an informal manner, I have started coaching a few of the patients I care for.

Me:  That’s great! So, it looks like you might already have an idea on how to get your first group of coaching clients.  Through your job. 

Having said that, you will have to check with your supervisor or HR department to ensure you are not breaking any policies as it relates to solicitation for services. 

Nevertheless, let us check out some helpful tips to guide you on how to market your life coaching business.

(NOTE: Want to replace your full time income so you can transition to coaching for a living? Then you need to watch this video. In the video, I’ll explain the high leverage “PIES” strategy to best get paying clients. Click HERE now to watch the video.)

How to Market my Life Coaching Business –  6 Helpful Tips

As with any other business, asking questions like how to market my life coaching should be on the mind of every person wanting to succeed in their business. Your marketing/advertising strategies for one’s business should have already been included in their business plan.

1. Choose Your Specialty – To advertise your life coaching business, it is a good idea to consider a coaching niche. Your clients will benefit more from your service when you utilize your specific skills or expertise. For example, if you have three or more years of experience working with children and their families, you can specialize in family coaching.  If you work with veterans in the hospital or VA homes, you can decide to focus on coaching military veterans and retirees.

2. Create a Business Website – The presence of a website for your business is essential. It provides access to existing and prospective clients, and it additionally provides a place where people can come and learn more about you and your  life coaching business.

3. Use Social Media Platforms – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have transitioned to working from home. As a result, it has become a bit easier to target prospective clients online.   Promote your life coaching business on social media outlets like Facebook, YouTube. Social media enables you to connect with your audience, and it allows you to build your client base.

4. Free Coaching Sessions – Consider offering a full month of 30 minute complimentary coaching sessions to prospective clients via zoom, chat, and phone. 

5. Word of Mouth/Referrals – Your friends, family, coworkers, and even your patients as in the case of Mary, are the best advocates for your business.  These individuals will help spread the word and create more opportunities for your business. Regarding referrals from clients or patients at your regular job/employment, as I mentioned to Mary (see dialog at the beginning of article),  it is particularly important to check with Human Resources or management before you solicit for services from them.  You definitely do not want to get into trouble with your job ( legal implications)

6. Networking – Interactions of any kind ( professional or personal) is an essential tool for growing your business. Joining business or professional networking group (s) is a great idea. These networking groups typically meet regularly and exchange ideas, contacts, and referrals.

You may have the skills and the passion to be a life coach but without effective marketing strategies,it will be challenging to get clients and retain them. “I need tips on how to market my life coaching business” states Mary and she was able to find these six marketing tips helpful and I hope you will find them useful as well.  

Margaret K. Olubiyi
Life Coach
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community