Now you’re all set to go. You’re ready to make waves and change lives as a coach. Only, you’re not sure how to get enough credibility so that someone will hire you. You know what your level of experience is. You know how much you can help and what you can do to inspire. But, no one else does. Sure, it’s easy enough for experienced coaches to get clients, but how can you get clients as a new coach with little visibility?

Become Known

One of the best ways to gain credibility is to release a book in your industry. You need to release something fairly groundbreaking that will get you a lot of notice. This might sound kind of intimidating. But, it’s really not at all. These days, you can quickly write a book and self-publish. Consider it a giant business card that can get you a lot of recognition and some easy clients.

Take a look at what’s already out there, both on Amazon and in the eBook space. Are there books written by well-respected consultants and coaches in your area of expertise? Buy their books and analyze their strategy. Take notes on what you like and what you think you can do better.

For your own book, brainstorm what you have to offer that no one else does. You want to write a book on a topic that will help you get a lot of interest but that’s unique at the same time. Basically, put a new spin on a hot topic. You’ll get the benefit of getting book sales outright.

In addition to the book sales, you’re going to sprinkle information about your coaching throughout. You’re going to do “soft sells” for the coaching throughout, with a harder sell, like to an opt in page for more information, at the end.

Writing and releasing a book does wonders for your credibility. You’ll be helping people who buy and read your book for information. You’ll also be getting your name out there as an established coach. You’ll also be getting yourself out there as an authority, even if people don’t actually buy your book. Just the fact that you have a book for sale does wonders for your authority.

Network

As a businessperson, you’ve likely built a network of customers, clients, and like-minded businesspeople already. You communicate with them on social media like Facebook and Twitter. You chat with them on Skype. You send emails back and forth and keep up with their LinkedIn updates. This is all wonderful— and you can make use of it all for your new coaching business.

That’s the first step— start planting seeds about your new coaching business on all of your existing networks. Sometimes, all you have to do is take advantage of the credibility you’ve already built up. Let people know what you’re up to and they will support you based on your great reputation.

If you don’t have any sort of online reputation, now is the time to start building one. It’s very important for you to network online, no matter which field you’re in. You have to get to know people and let them get to know you. Join Facebook and create a page for your brand. Also, join and create groups related to your area of interest. Share your expertise so you can become known as an authority. Join Twitter and LinkedIn to network. Build your blog and rub elbows with other experts in your niche. Get your associates to write guest blog posts for you, and return the favor for them.

The goal is to get your name and brand out there in any way you can, even when you’re in the early launching stages. Plant the seeds before you’re fully ready to launch and you’ll likely have clients lined up when you’re ready to accept them.

Be “Seen” With Others of Authority

People tend to trust those who are liked by others they trust. So let’s say they are fans of business guru #1, and you are liked by or endorsed by business guru #1. You’re a near shoe-in for success with your coaching business,