Posted by Kristine “Kurly” de Guzman, PCC (Philippines) | December 9, 2024 | Comments (0)
More than seven years ago, I put up my coach profile on social media with a nice logo made by a friend and a catchy bio I developed through a social media marketing class. I expected clients to come rushing in, messaging me for my services.
I was wrong.
It takes more than just setting up your profile on social media or putting up your website to land a coaching gig. Sure, those strategies help, but to be successful in starting out, you need to be intentional and strategic about the steps you’ll take.
Here are some tried-and-tested ways that have worked for many coaches I know, including myself. Of course, prior to this, it helps to have a clearly defined personal brand and a solid understanding of your ideal clients.
Key Strategies to Secure Your Next Coaching Opportunity
Speaking Engagements
If you have a gift for public speaking, this might be your top option. Many organizations and universities look for speakers for their events. Some are willing to pay your professional fee, while others, like student-led or nonprofit events, are pro bono.
It’s up to you whether you’re willing to take on these pro bono initiatives. It might not immediately increase your revenue or market share, but it gives you publicity and content for social proof – important factors, especially when you’re starting out.
Personal Referrals
My very first clients were a combination of people who stumbled upon my page online and former classmates who were pleasantly surprised to discover my services. The key to activating your personal network is to make sure they know about the work that you do. If you’re shy about asking them to help promote your services, you can just casually talk about what you do when you catch up.
Group Sessions
Though coaching is growing in popularity, there are still many who do not fully understand what it is. You can organize group sessions open to the public – either free or paid – to give your target audience a taste of what you offer. These sessions could be group coaching, workshops, or open houses to help spread awareness about coaching.
Creating Valuable Content
When you want to learn about something or someone, where do you look first? Maybe you use your favorite search engine or head straight to your favorite social media platform. Creating valuable content relevant to your brand and niche will help people find you. For example, as a career and leadership coach, I post a lot of content related to career growth, leadership development, and coaching. So, when someone looks up “leadership coach,” having valuable content online allows them to find me.
Joining Coaching Firms
When I started coaching, there weren’t many coaching firms that actively recruited worldwide. I remember my coach-mentor telling me that I wouldn’t find these kinds of jobs through job ads, but through my network. These days, things are different. While some firms approach and invite coaches to join, others allow you to apply through their website, via email, or job ads. This option is great if you’re not yet ready to level up your marketing game and are fine with the unpredictability of demand.
Remember, do what works for you. You can try one or more, or a combination of these tips to land your next coaching gig. You don’t have to do all of them. Focus on what you think will work best and will allow you to shine as someone people can trust.
