Listen On:

top 5 coach marketing mistakes

Listen On:

The Top 5 Coach Marketing Mistakes (and what to do instead!)

In this revealing episode, Lauren Brollier Newton, host of The Abundant Coach, addresses the most common mistakes coaches make when marketing their services. She explores the importance of focusing on the result rather than the process, choosing the right marketing path, and mastering the art of storytelling to create connections. Lauren also discusses how to effectively work with independent contractors and avoid giving up on proven marketing methods too early. 

Packed with real-world insights and relatable examples, this episode is a must-listen for any coach who wants to refine their marketing approach, boost client attraction, and avoid costly pitfalls. Join Lauren as she shares the top missteps and practical solutions for a more impactful, aligned marketing strategy.

Introduction to the Episode

Welcome back to The Abundant Coach! In this episode, host Lauren Brollier Newton dives into the top five coach marketing mistakes that can derail your success. These mistakes—from focusing too much on process over results to lacking clarity in your marketing pathway—often keep coaches from fully realizing their potential to attract clients and grow their businesses. With her signature blend of honesty and expert insight, Lauren walks listeners through these common traps and provides clear strategies for avoiding them.

Coach Marketing Mistake #1: Selling the Process Instead of the Result

Many coaches get bogged down in explaining their methods, processes, or jargon rather than focusing on the outcome their clients will experience. Lauren encourages coaches to sell the transformation, not the tools, using real-world analogies to illustrate the importance of selling results that resonate with clients’ desires and goals.

Coach Marketing Mistake #2: Not Choosing a Defined Marketing Pathway

Are you trying to juggle too many marketing channels without clear focus? Lauren addresses the pitfalls of being too scattered and recommends choosing either an online or in-person marketing approach to gain traction. For coaches who are trying to “do it all,” Lauren emphasizes the benefits of mastering one channel or pathway before expanding to others.

Coach Marketing Mistake #3: Expecting Independent Contractors to Know Your Vision

Lauren shares the importance of clearly articulating your business vision when working with independent contractors or marketing teams. She explains how delegating without direction can lead to unsatisfactory results and suggests coaches take time to understand enough about the marketing processes to guide those they hire.

Coach Marketing Mistake #4: Giving Up on Proven Marketing Methods Too Early

It’s tempting to abandon a marketing strategy when it doesn’t yield immediate results. Lauren dives into the importance of persistence with proven processes, sharing examples from her own journey to illustrate the value of commitment and testing over time.

Coach Marketing Mistake #5: Neglecting Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with potential clients, but many coaches fail to incorporate it into their marketing. Lauren discusses how sharing stories—whether from personal experiences, clients, or hypothetical examples—creates emotional connections and helps clients envision the transformation they’re seeking.

Practical Marketing Takeaways for Coaches

Throughout the episode, Lauren provides practical, easy-to-implement strategies for coaches to avoid these marketing mistakes. She encourages listeners to focus on client results, master a single marketing channel, clearly communicate their vision, be persistent with proven methods, and embrace storytelling in their marketing efforts.

Kay Takeaways

  1. Sell the Result, Not the Process
    Clients are interested in the transformation they’ll experience, not the intricate steps or methods of coaching. Focus on the benefits and outcomes they’ll gain, rather than explaining your process in detail. 
  2. Pick a Single Marketing Pathway to Master
    Trying to juggle multiple channels without focus often leads to diluted efforts. Choose either an online marketing approach (like social media or email funnels) or an in-person strategy (like local networking or events) and work to master it before expanding. 
  3. Own Your Vision When Working with Contractors
    Don’t expect independent contractors or team members to inherently understand your vision or run the business for you. Communicate your goals clearly and learn enough about the processes they’re handling so you can provide direction and oversight. 
  4. Stay Consistent with Proven Marketing Methods
    Don’t give up too soon on strategies that have worked for others in the coaching industry. One or two failed attempts don’t mean a strategy won’t work—refine, test, and persist to see results. 
  5. Use Storytelling to Connect with Clients
    Stories resonate more deeply with potential clients than facts or theories alone. Share personal stories, client transformations, and relatable scenarios to create connection and demonstrate the impact of your work.

Curious about how your unique strengths align with a coaching career? 

Take our Meant to be a Life Coach Quiz! Discover your distinctive coaching skills, gifts, and talents, and learn the common pitfalls to avoid for a successful career in coaching. Find your path to coaching success faster—take the quiz now!

discover your unique coaching style