Internet Marketing for Coaches

If you want to sell your services as a coach, you need to have a website. Part of running a profitable business is having a website and internet marketing. You teach your clients the importance of the internet, so make sure you use it yourself.

If you have never created a website before, you may be a bit nervous about the entire process. After all, you want to get it right and the first time. You have two main options. These are to hire a web designer or do the work yourself. If unfamiliar with HTML, do not fret. Opt for a web hosting package that includes a site building tool.

Before you get started, you must know some important things. A website should be professional and easy to navigate. You run a professional business, so your website should have the same look and feel. As for navigation, fewer pages are better. No one wants to visit 10 different pages on your website before finally finding your contact information. Chances are, they will give up after the 5th and turn to a competing business coach.

As for what you need to get started, you need a web hosting package, good domain name, pictures, and content. Continue reading on for a further explanation of each.

Web hosting. Choose an affordable package. Most hosting companies offer discounts if you pay for a year or two or advance. Do this. Remember, if you don't know HTML, opt for a package that includes a website building tool. You should gain access to hundreds of templates, colors, pictures, and fonts. Have a look at the Host I always use which is Hostgator

Domain name. Your domain name is important. Most clients will find you with a standard internet search, but some may key in your website address directly. Make sure it is easy to spell and short. You can use your name, your business name, or a phrase related to coaching or help. Take a look at www.GoDaddy.com


Pictures. All business owners should have a picture of themselves on their website. This is important for you because you will be working one-on-one with clients. A picture speaks a thousands works. Make sure it is a professional picture, but that you also look like a real person. Always smile. This picture needs to show your clients that they can entrust you with their business and feel comfortable working side-by-side with you.

Website content. You should divide your content into different sections and pages.

Start with the main page, also known as the home page. When internet users type in your address at SAMPLE.com, this is the first page they will see, so make it good. Your picture should be somewhere on the page, like in the upper right-hand corner. Welcome visitors to your page and then start with a catchy tag line.

"Have you turned your dream of running a business into a reality, but does that reality feel like a nightmare? Let me help you improve your profits and get your dream back on the right track." This phrase is best if catering to small to medium sized business owners.

Underneath your tag line, use bullet points to highlight how you can help. This can include team-building exercises, time management exercises, business communication exercises, sharing marketing tips and more. Make each of these clickable links leading to a new page.

At the new page, focus more on the service offered. For example, communication building exercises. Stress the importance of etiquette, listening to clients, and summarize methods of communication. Then, state the consequences for not having good communication skills. For example, a customer who doesn't feel like they are being heard, is likely to take their business elsewhere.

Then, highlight a few examples on how you can help management and employees improve communication in the workplace. Don't give away too much information. For example, state that you can have employees write sample letters to each other and clients. You can dissect them and give suggested improvements.

At the bottom of each page, you must include your contact information. This includes your name and business name, business address, phone number, and email address. Remember, you want to make this easy for potential clients to find. Put it at the bottom of each page. Also, have a separate page that you can list on your menu bar labeled "Contact Us." Nothing will appear on this page, but your picture and contact information.

If no one sees your website, you will not get any clients. So, now you need to develop a marketing plan. What should that plan include?

Article directories. You may be surprised how many people want to work-from-home or start their own business. You may also be surprised how many people turn to the internet to make that happen. Each day, thousands of men and women search the internet looking for small business ideas, ways to make money from, home, and so forth. If you write articles for article directories, they may find your content. Include a link to your website at the end of those articles and they will find your website.

The key to writing articles for article directories is to write on related subjects. You want to target new business owners and struggling business owners. Write articles on how to start a home based business, how to start a small business, how to run a profitable business, and important keys to running a smooth business. At the bottom of each article, remember to place a link back to your website. If they can use your services, they will.

Message boards for work-at-home parents. As previously stated, a lot of men and women want to work from home or be their own boss. For most, this is because they are tired of having someone else to answer to. For parents, this is to spend more time with their kids and eliminate the need for costly daycare. A stay-at-home mom may have a great idea to sell handmade toys online, but there are thousands of others doing the same. You can help her improve her products, create good sales pitches, and market her website.

To get clients from work-at-home message boards, you need to rely on posts, signatures, and your profile. Interact in the community. Even if you aren't a parent yourself, you are free to join. Does a parent ask about business ideas or marketing tips? Offer a few suggestions, but avoid from outright posting an advertisement. In fact, some message boards have an "Advertise Your Business Here," section. If signatures are enabled, create a catchy phrase and make it clickable and leading to your website. That signature will appear below each of your posted messages.

In addition to targeting work-at-home communities, you can also do the same with small business communities. There are many online message boards where small business owners get together to share tips and tricks. Insert yourself in these types of communities.

Online business directories. If your business isn't already listed in a number of online business directories, get it. Perform a standard internet search with the phrase "business directories." Those searching with the same phrase will get the same results. Start at the top of the list and work your way down. Most are free and you can add your business right away. When doing so, be sure to include a link to your website. The search engines and readers will pickup this link.

Search engine optimization. If you don't know what search engine optimization, also known as SEO, is, it is time to learn. You are hurting your business by being unfamiliar with the phrase and practice. When you created content for your website, did you use a keyword tracker tool to see what internet users are searching for? No? Go back and do so. You will find that people want to learn how to start a small business, how to open a storefront store, how to market and online store, and so forth. Take these exact phrases and incorporate them into your website content. The search engines will pick them up and list your website in related search results.

Searching engine optimization is a very important part of internet marketing. It can help your business or greatly hurt it. Your goal as a business coach is to teach others how to market their business. You need to be able to do the same with your own. If a reader searches for "business help," "business coaches," or "business coaching services," and your website does not appear until the 10th page on Google, you are out of luck.