7 Simple Ways You Grow Your Following, Build Your Authority, and Get More Clients (Even If You’re A Beginner Coach)
You’ve taken that brave step to become a coach, ready to transform lives. But now you’re faced with something you didn’t quite expect…
Marketing.
It turns out that growing a coaching business isn’t just about creating life-changing breakthroughs for your clients; it’s also about letting the world know what you have to offer.
This realization can feel a bit overwhelming, right?
The good news is that the most powerful way to market yourself is simply by being who you truly are!
This highly-effective approach for coaches is called authentic marketing – and it doesn’t have to be scary or complicated.
It means embracing your quirks, your unique perspective, and even the parts of your journey that aren’t “picture-perfect.” This is how you attract your dream clients – the ones who will feel a genuine connection with you, come back for more, and even recommend you to others.
Let’s dive into why authenticity in marketing matters and 7 ways you can confidently put yourself out there in a way that feels natural and true to you.
Why Authenticity in Marketing Matters
Most coaches and heart-centered business owners cringe when they hear the word marketing. They picture sales-y tactics, misleading promises, or pushy methods to coerce a potential client into spending their money.
But I’ll let you in on a secret…
Marketing doesn’t have to feel like you’re trying to sell something.
When you lead with authenticity and focus on building genuine connections, marketing your coaching business becomes a natural extension of who you are.
Remember, your journey as a coach is about helping others transform their lives, and your marketing efforts are simply an invitation for them to join you on that journey.
Aside from breaking through some of the worst marketing myths, authentic marketing will do wonders for your business. Here are just a few of the benefits of authentic marketing:
Authentic Marketing Builds Trust and Helps Establish Your Authority
When you show up as your true self, you create a space where people feel safe to do the same. This is especially powerful for coaches.
If you’re open about your journey, including the highs and the struggles, your potential clients are more likely to trust you and see you as a credible guide. In a world where everyone seems to be putting on a mask, your authentic brand will be like a breath of fresh air.
Authentic Marketing Helps You Attract New Ideal Clients
The beauty of authentic marketing is that it acts like a magnet.
By being unapologetically you, you’ll naturally attract those who resonate with your message and your energy.
Imagine someone scrolling through social media – they come across your post where you’re sharing a vulnerable story about overcoming self-doubt. Instantly, they see a part of themselves in you. That’s the magic of engaging authentically – your story becomes the bridge that connects you to your ideal clients.
Authentic Marketing Expands Your Reach and Gets You Discovered by New People
When you’re consistently showing up as your true self, not only does your message resonate more deeply, but it also gets shared more widely.
People love sharing content that feels real and relatable. This boosts your brand awareness and allows new people to discover your products or services. Over time, your authentic content will reach audiences far beyond your immediate network, increasing your visibility without needing to chase followers.
Authentic Marketing Makes It Easier to Grow Your Revenue on Autopilot
The more people connect with your message, the more they will naturally gravitate toward working with you.
As your authentic marketing strategy takes root, you’ll notice a steady stream of leads and followers turning into clients, almost like it’s happening on autopilot. This means more time for you to focus on doing what you love—helping people transform their lives—while your marketing efforts quietly work in the background to grow your income.
Authentic Marketing Sets You Apart from Every Other Coach Out There
The coaching industry may seem crowded, but there are no duplicates of YOU.
No one else has your unique story, perspective, or voice. By embracing brand authenticity, you immediately set yourself apart. While others might be trying to fit into a mold or follow the latest marketing trends, you’re standing tall in your truth, and that’s what people remember.
Your unique essence is your superpower.
That’s just the beginning of what authentic marketing can do for you – and before we dive into how you can implement it in your business, there are two key principles you must keep in mind…
The Two Key Principles of Authentic Marketing
Strive for Authenticity, Not Perfection
Remember, there’s no such thing as being “too broken” to become a coach.
I speak from experience here – I was at rock bottom when I decided to step into my calling to become a coach…
My career in the school system was at a dead end. I was burnt out, overworked, and underpaid. As soon as I received my paychecks, it all went away to cover bills, leaving me anxious about the future. And to top it all off, my boyfriend had recently broken up with me, saying that I “brought nothing to the table” and that I “wasn’t his dream girl”… only to find out later that he was cheating.
Still, I decided to give my new dream of coaching a chance, and it’s the best decision I’ve made.
My journey didn’t make me lose credibility – on the contrary, people can relate to my story and trust me to guide them on their transformation.
We all have our limiting beliefs and moments of self-doubt – it’s part of the human experience! Don’t think you can’t coach because you still have your own challenges to work through.
In fact, sharing your growth journey makes you more relatable and trustworthy. Clients aren’t looking for someone who has all the answers; they’re looking for someone who understands what they’re going through.
Growing Your Audience Organically Takes Time
We all want quick results, but the reality is that building a community and growing your audience organically takes time.
Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, your coaching business most likely won’t be an overnight success. We’ve all seen those successful coaches on social media who travel the world, hit big launches, and have a large following – but what we often don’t see is the time and energy it took them to get there.
Be patient with yourself and take it one step at a time. The goal isn’t just to gain followers; it’s to build a genuine community that values what you bring to the table.
7 Simple Ways You Can Leverage the Power of Authentic Marketing
- Be Your Authentic Self on Social Media Posts
Your social media presence should be an extension of who you are.
Instead of trying to present a perfectly curated image, share the real moments, the ups and downs, the lessons learned. Show your audience that you’re just like them – a human being on a journey.
This level of openness will deepen your connection with your followers and create brand loyalty.
- Master Compelling Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolkit. Share both your personal stories and the success stories of your clients (with their permission, of course).
These stories create a narrative that people can relate to and see themselves in. When your audience can picture themselves achieving similar results, they’ll feel more inclined to reach out and work with you.
- Use a Conversational Tone in Your Content Creation
It doesn’t matter how much of an expert someone is in their chosen field…
Nobody likes to feel at a work meeting when they scroll on their social media feed.
So before you try to boost your authority by speaking with complex terms, or being too serious, think about the content you love and engage with the most.
So create content that feels like a conversation with a friend. Use a casual tone, and a relaxed body language if you’re on video. Whether it’s a blog post, a video, or a live stream, speak directly to your audience’s hopes, dreams, and fears.
For instance, instead of just talking about time management, share a story about how you once missed your wedding anniversary dinner because you were overwhelmed with work—and how you turned that around.
(If you’re running out of content ideas, check out this article.)
- Develop a Personal Brand
Your personal brand is what sets you apart in the crowded coaching space. It’s about more than just colors or logos; it’s the feeling people get when they interact with you.
Make sure your marketing efforts align with your values and the message you want to send to the world. Consistency in your branding will help build brand awareness and ensure your audience knows exactly what to expect from you.
- Craft Your Signature Story
Your signature story is a powerful asset in your authentic marketing strategy.
It’s the story that captures the essence of why you became a coach and what drives you to help others. Share this story often, both in your content and in conversations with potential clients. The more people hear your story, the more they’ll understand and connect with your mission.
- Check In with Past Clients
Don’t forget about the value of recurring business. Your past clients already know, like, and trust you, so checking in with them can be a great way to continue the relationship.
Ask how they’re doing, offer support, and let them know you’re there if they need anything. This simple act of reaching out can lead to referrals or repeat business.
- Collaborate with Other Creators as a Podcast Guest
Expanding your reach doesn’t always have to be a solo effort. Collaborate with other creators by being a podcast guest, especially in your niche.
Sharing your story and expertise in front of new audiences can increase your visibility and attract clients who resonate with your message.
Take The First Step to Unlock The Power of Authentic Marketing
Now that you understand the power of authentic marketing, you can go out there and lean into your unique qualities to start growing your audience, attracting clients, and scaling your business.
The problem is that most likely, you don’t even know what makes you unique.
Your superpowers come so naturally to you that you can’t imagine that these qualities are not second nature to everyone else.
If you’re left wondering what is the “secret sauce” that will make you stand out as a coach, I have a gift for you:
Take The FREE “Life Coach Quiz” Here and Discover What Makes You Unique
After you take this quiz, in just a couple of minutes you’ll be empowered with a newfound knowledge of your coaching superpower, and how to leverage it to stand out in the marketplace.
So if you’d love to put yourself out there with confidence and create a marketing strategy that resonates with your dream customers…
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