Hey there, fellow life coaches! Karin Carr here, and today, we’re going to dive into the million-dollar question: “How do life coaches get clients?” If you’re looking to grow your coaching business and reach more people, you’re in the right place. We’ll discuss blogging, YouTube, and paid ads, weighing the pros and cons of each method. Plus, stick around for a fantastic resource to help you create a lead magnet that converts!

Blogging: The Write Way to Attract Clients

Blogging might seem like an old-school tactic, but let me tell you, it’s still a powerful way to connect with potential clients. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to showcase your expertise and build credibility in your niche.

Blogging Pros:

1. SEO goldmine: If you can create valuable, well-written content, you’ll have search engines like Google sending people your way.
2. Establish authority: Sharing your knowledge and experiences in a blog helps to position you as an expert in your field.
3. Nurture relationships: Blogs offer a platform for readers to engage with you, ask questions, and start a conversation.

Blogging Cons:

1. Time-consuming: Writing a blog takes time, research, and dedication – and you might not see immediate results.
2. Tech learning curve: If you’re not a techie, setting up and maintaining a blog can be daunting.
3. Staying consistent: Producing fresh content regularly can be a challenge, especially when you’re juggling a coaching business.

YouTube: The Visual Revolution for Life Coaches

As a life coach, I know how crucial it is to connect with people on a personal level. That’s where YouTube shines! It’s the perfect platform to showcase your personality, share your knowledge, and build trust with potential clients.

I know because I created a six-figure business in my first year of coaching and hit seven figures in only four years! At the time, my niche was real estate agents. I taught them how to make YouTube videos to attract buyers and sellers in the city where they lived.

It was so effective other business owners started asking me to coach them as well. I ended up getting certified as a life coach in 2022 and decided to switch my niche from real estate agents to other coaches.

YouTube is amazingly effective, takes VERY little money, and can establish you as the expert in your niche in no time. Especially if you combine it with blogging.

YouTube Pros:

1. Engaging medium: Videos are more engaging than written content, making it easier to hold the attention of potential clients.
2. SEO benefits: YouTube is owned by Google, so videos with proper SEO can rank in both YouTube and Google search results.
3. Massive audience: With over 2 billion users, YouTube offers a vast audience eager to consume content and learn from experts like you.

YouTube Cons:

1. Production time: Filming, editing, and optimizing videos can be time-consuming.
2. Equipment costs: To create quality videos, you may need to invest in cameras, microphones, and editing software. It isn’t a lot, but expect to spend a couple of hundred dollars on gear and equipment.
3. Steep learning curve: There’s a lot to learn about video production, editing, and YouTube SEO.

Paid Ads: A Quick Fix or a Money Pit?

Paid ads can seem like an attractive option for life coaches looking for a quick boost in clients. But are they really worth it?

Paid Ads Pros:

1. Immediate results: Paid ads can deliver traffic and leads almost instantly.
2. Targeting options: Platforms like Facebook and Google Ads offer advanced targeting to reach your ideal audience.
3. A/B testing: Paid ads allow you to test different ad creatives and messaging to optimize your campaigns.

Paid Ads Cons:

1. Expensive: Running ads can quickly drain your budget, especially if your targeting and messaging aren’t spot-on.
2. Temporary results: Once you stop paying for ads, the leads usually dry up, making it a less sustainable option.

I personally am not a big fan of paid ads. I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Yes, they did bring me leads, but in general, the leads were lower quality. They were not terribly serious; they were Tire kickers; they were freebie seekers; that was not always true, but as a broad generality, that is what I found.

With organic marketing, people are actively seeking a solution to their problems. They are already problem aware. They are looking for the solution, and if they find your content and consume your blog or video, they follow you; they go down the rabbit hole and consume all of your content; when they reach out to you, they have decided that you are the person to help them.

I myself have done this with my mentors over and over again. With every coach that I have hired, with every mastermind I’ve joined or mentor that I’ve retained, rarely did I find them from a paid ad. 90% of the time, it was from organic marketing. When I have a problem, and I am looking for a solution, and I have money burning a hole in my pocket, I stumble across the ideal person to help me, and it’s usually not from a paid ad.

Competition: You’re up against other advertisers vying for the same audience, which can drive up costs and make it difficult to stand out.

I recently offered a 5-day boot camp for business owners to overhaul their YouTube channels and learn what it takes to attract paying clients. The cost to attend was $27. My average cost per lead was more than $20. This was my cost to acquire a paying client.

In the end, my ads were 100% free because of the amount of revenue we collected for the boot camp paid for the ads, but there have been many times when I did not charge an admission price at all and did the 5-day challenge completely for free.

Depending on the time of year, the cost per lead was anywhere from $8 to $20. If you want hundreds of people to attend your webinar or challenge or download your free offer, you’re going to have to expect to spend a lot of money on advertising.

FAQs: Video Marketing for Life Coaches

Q: Can I combine blogging and YouTube to maximize my reach?

A: Absolutely! Combining blogging with YouTube can create a powerful synergy that increases your visibility on both platforms. You can repurpose video content into blog posts or embed YouTube videos in your blog to boost engagement. I find that creating blog content for Google and video content for YouTube is a match made in heaven.

Q: How can I get started with YouTube if I’m not tech-savvy?

A: You don’t need to be a tech whiz to get started on YouTube! There are plenty of online resources and tutorials to help you learn the basics of filming, editing, and optimizing your videos for SEO. Just follow my YouTube channel to get started. I make new videos every single week.

Q: Are there any affordable alternatives to paid ads?

A: Yes! Organic growth through content marketing (blogging and YouTube) and social media marketing can be more cost-effective than paid ads. Plus, building an engaged email list and leveraging collaborations with other coaches or influencers can help you reach new audiences without breaking the bank.

Conclusion: Your Path to Coaching Success

In conclusion, having gained insights into the intricacies of blogging, YouTube, and paid ads, you are now equipped with the knowledge and tools to excel in the world of life coaching. Keep in mind that every approach comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks, so it’s crucial to identify the optimal combination that aligns with your unique coaching brand and resonates with your target audience.

To truly conquer the world of life coaching, it is essential to find the right balance of blogging, YouTube, and paid ads that complements your unique coaching brand and style. Experiment with different content formats, advertising platforms, and targeting options to determine what resonates best with your audience and drives the desired results. Remember to track and analyze your performance data to refine your marketing efforts and maximize your success continuously.

In summary, now that you have a solid understanding of blogging, YouTube, and paid ads, you are well-prepared to make your mark in the life coaching industry. By finding the perfect mix of these approaches, tailoring your marketing strategy to your unique coaching brand, and consistently monitoring and optimizing your efforts, you will be well on your way to establishing a thriving life coaching practice and making a lasting impact on the lives of your clients.

Happy coaching, and here’s to your success!

Ready to take your coaching business to the next level? Get my FREE resources to help you create a winning video strategy for your coaching brand. Whether you’re just getting started with video or looking to up your game, these resources will provide you with valuable tips, tricks, and insights to help you succeed.