4 Types of Testimonials Run Coaches Need (And How to Get Them)

You likely know that you need testimonials for your run coaching business - About 91% of consumers look at reviews before making a purchase. 

But did you know there are 4 different types of testimonials that can build interest in your run coaching services & help people overcome their hesitations in hiring you?

On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, I share: 

1. Why testimonials are a required part of your marketing strategy as a run coach. 
2. The 4 types of testimonials and examples of how to use them.
3. How to ask for testimonials & actually get a response (even if you’ve asked of them before and heard crickets) 
4. Where to post your testimonials. 
5. Bonus hot take: Should you post your clients run race results on your instagram feed? 

If you’d like the testimonial request script I mentioned, you can email me at [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram @runner_rising. 

And if you enjoy the podcast, I’d love for you to give it a 5 star rating and review and/or consider sharing it with at least 1 other run coach today. Thank you!! 

Afraid to get super specific with who you work with as a run coach?

Well, Lisa Pozzoni is an example of someone who has niched way down & truly knows the desires & struggles of her ideal athlete. And that athlete doesn't fit the mold of the "typical runner" which is why her community is such an attractive place for those who fit in there.

Lisa is the owner and founder of The Running University and the TRU Tribe Team. She is also a ChiRunning/ChiWalking Master Instructor.

It took Lisa Pozzoni a while to find her niche, but once she found it, she was able to create a thriving community of female runners aged 50+ that has nothing to do with setting PRs. Her motto is: “Helping women over 50, find the joy in walking and running.” 

Lisa and I also discuss marketing to female runners over 50 and how she uses YouTube and her newsletter to communicate & share her community. We talk about the biggest struggles she’s faced in her 17 years of coaching and how things have changed for her & her business over the years.

I hope this episode inspires you to lean into your unique personality, interests and passions as a run coach. 

To connect with Lisa, you can find her on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheRunningUniversity or her website https://therunninguniversity.com/ and Instagram TruCoachLisa.

Please consider supporting the podcast so we can get more honest, real conversations with run coaches by giving us a 5 star rating and review .Thank you!

New level, new devil. Even as a fully booked run coach, you'll face challenges. And as a new coach, you'll have different struggles. Every phase of your run coaching business will challenge you in different ways & you will need to learn new skills & implement new systems to grow & thrive.

On this episode of the Runner Rising Podcast, I explore the three phases of run coaching. You'll learn about the primary obstacles of each phase and what qualities you will need to embody to face them. We'll discuss the main business activities you need to do to grow at each level.

I have been through each of these phases and include anecdotes of my own challenges, fears and successes as I navigated the complex journey from new coach to optimized (and fully booked) coach.

If you enjoyed this episode please share with a fellow run coach and/or consider giving me a 5 star rating and review.

-----

I have 2 spots open for 1:1 business coaching for run coaches who have a minimum of 15 1:1 clients and are looking to optimize and scale their business to earn more income while working fewer hours. To learn more and book a call, please email me at [email protected] or go to runnerrising.com .

Amy Haas is a run coach, strength coach and the founder of AimVirtual (formerly known as Running With Aim), an online community with paid challenges for runners.

During my discussion with Amy, you will hear about the highs, lows and logistics of creating, building and evolving an online running community AND growing an online running business. Amy is a smart businesswoman who has been very intentional with learning and improving her offers over the years to grow a successful business that works for her lifestyle.

On a personal note, Amy has recently completed a goal of running a half marathon in every state (her Instagram handle is @raceacrossthestates ) & is now on a quest to run in every national park. She shares her own journey candidly & honestly on social media.

I hope you enjoy this discussion and can learn something from it to apply to your own run coaching!

You can connect with Amy here:

https://raceacrossthestates.com/

https://www.instagram.com/raceacrossthestates/

You've heard that run coaches should be sending an email newsletter, but what the heck do you say?

And how do you get people on your email list?

I've built a full time coaching business by sending emails as my primary marketing tool. Every time I send an email, I KNOW it's worth my time.

On this episode of the Runner Rising Podcast, I cover:

1. Benefits of building an email list and sending a regular newsletter

2. How to get people onto your email list (and how not to)

3. What to write on your email newsletter

& how often to send them (with a couple

real examples)

4. Tips for improving your emails

5. When and how to sell your coaching in email.

And a fun case study where I share my top performing and worst performing emails subject lines!

Be sure to subscribe to the Runner Rising podcast by Nicole Dobransky for more business growth insights for run coaches.

www.runnerrising.com

"I felt very overwhelmed by social media."

In the episode of the Runner Rising podcast, you’ll hear from Runner Rising Academy student Irina Stiasny. Irina is a DPT and run coach who added 10 clients since joining Runner Rising Academy (with less than 700 Instagram followers and previously hearing "crickets" when she posted about her coaching services), making back her investment & opening up her vision for the future of her business. 

We discuss what held Irina back from initially joining the Runner Rising Academy (the money!), why she signed up and details on what was the most effective thing she did to bring in new clients. We also talk about the 1:1 guidance that I provide in this small group coaching program - you will not get listed in a massive group in in Runner Rising Academy - I am there to give you custom feedback.

This episode is designed to help you get a feel for what it’s like to work with me & give you insights into how the program works. 

—— 

What if you're closer than you think to a breakthrough in your business?

Having an experienced business coach give you custom feedback like I did with Irina can make big difference.

The Runner Rising Academy is a small group business coaching program for run coaches with the goal of helping you implement a system to bring in new clients month after month. Not only will you get training & resources to help you learn valuable marketing skills and grow your business, but you will get individual feedback from me, business coach & expert at marketing to runners. Plus, a community of other run coaches to grow with! 

PODCAST LISTENERS get $500 off when you enroll by end of day January 20th. First 3 to enroll get a 1:1 coaching call from Nicole (which we talk about on this episode).

Learn more and join the next group, which starts on January 22nd:

https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/ 

Schedule a call if you want to talk with me about whether it's a good fit for you or get any questions answered.

Discount codes: 

RUN ($500 off 1 time payment)

RUN MONTHLY ($166.66 off 3 payments)  

Now is a GREAT time to be a run coach, but there are some things that are changing in 2025! If you don’t stay on top of these changes, you could be left behind. 

On this episode of the Runner Rising Podcast with Nicole Dobransky, I discuss the trends  in  3 areas that could impact your run coaching business in 2025.

My thoughts and theories in this episode are based on research (Forbes, the 2024 Global Runner Survey, business coaches & experts , etc. ), my discussions with run coaches this year on the podcast & on Instagram, my own experience, and more.

If you have any trends to add, please send me a message on Instagram or email [email protected] - I want to hear what you think! 

----

Want to stay on top of your marketing & learn how to leverage what's working now to build your run coaching business? Join the Free 3 Day Instagram Workshop, which takes place January 14-16 on Facebook. Learn more and get in now: https://www.runnerrising.com/workshop 

Get on the waitlist for the Runner Rising Academy January 22 cohort, the only small group business growth program for run coaches.

https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/ 

Instagram is full of running content - how do you stand out?

In this interview with run coach, blogger & influencer Michelle Baxter, we discuss using Instagram to grow a run coaching business, sell training plans and work with brands.

We get deep into the details on this one, including:

-How to stand out on Instagram

-The evolution of Instagram & how it's changed for run coaches & runners

-Which reels and content do the best right now (and how to create voice over reels)

-Does your own running performance matter when it comes to creating demand for your run coaching?

-Shifting your Instagram content and messaging as YOU evolve personally

-Balancing work with young kids at home

Connect with Michelle Baxter at https://www.therunnersplate.com/ and on Instagram .

----

Do you want to learn a strategy to improve YOUR Instagram marketing? I invite you to learn more about my FREE 3 Day Instagram Workshop for Run Coaches, starting January 14th. 

By the end of the 3-day workshop, you will have...

Join here now: https://runnerrising.com/workshop/

The truth is, nothing changes in your business on January 1st unless you change. On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, I share the 3 step process that will help you reflect & analyze your current business so you can make a solid plan to improve in 2025. 

Step 1: Reflect on Wins & Areas of Improvements

Don't set goals without first celebrating your achievements and analyzing the areas of growth. This goes beyond income -let's celebrate all the runners who you helped this year too.

Step 2: Analyze income streams 

Many run coaches have 2+ income streams, whether it’s a full time job, another business or multiple offers. This exercise will help you determine where to spend your time & energy going forward to maximize income & fulfillment. 

Step 3: Set Goals

Get clear on 5 year and 1 year goals & put a plan in place to get there. This includes both the actions you need to take and the mindset you need to adopt. 

You’ve got this! If you’d like to share your goals with me, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram or email me at [email protected]

——

Want the step by step plan to grow your run coaching business in 2025 and the coaching & support you need to do it faster? The next cohort of the Runner Rising Academy begins on January 22nd! This 12 week small group coaching program is designed JUST for run coaches, by a run coach & includes both group and 1:1 feedback. This is not a course where you get lost in a giant group. I will personally be helping you!

Prices go up on January 6th - get on the waitlist now to lock in the lowest price before it goes up. 

Aaron Saft has been a run coach for 24 years and he coaches a whopping 100 runners on a 1:1 basis AT ONCE.

On this episode, you'll learn how to be a better run coach to increase your retention, referrals & word of mouth marketing.

You'll understand what it takes to coach up to 100 runners at once without letting anyone fall through the cracks. Specifically, we dig into the importance of communication & cover topics like how to keep athletes accountable & growing (even if they don't log their workouts or reach out to you at first).

You can connect with Aaron at www.runningislife.run , on Instagram at @runningislifecoaching and on his podcast Running is Life.

If you enjoyed this episode please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review. I'm committed to bringing your value with no ads and the best way to support the show is with a 5 star rating and review. Thank you & happy holidays!