The Obvious Choice

Our team of experts discusses the right time to pay for advertising and the important steps that lead up to this moment.

The Episode: When To Pay For Advertising

It is a relatively common mistake for online business owners and coaches to start throwing money into advertising in order help or save their business. We are here to give you a simple message with regards to your advertising budget, spending money on advertising can add fuel to the fire, but is not a substitute for putting in the important work that starts a business. You need to get clear on your messaging and your target market before even thinking about spending on paid ads! The main idea here is that advertising can help you and your business, but will not save something that is failing otherwise.

In This Episode

• Using the power of paid advertising correctly [0:17:28]
• Ads on social media can be very effective for reaching your audience [0:22:51]
• Alterations to online platforms and their algorithms [0:26:08]
• Will paying for an ad help you to connect? [0:30:05]
• Spending money on advertising is not the first step! [0:32:12]

“I have found, in my experience, that a lot of people seem to jump to paid advertising far earlier than they should because it is a way to avoid doing the actual hard work.” — Jonathan Goodman

Building a Strong Foundation

There is definitely a place for paid advertising for many businesses, but when is it appropriate and when is it most effective? The simple answer is after you have your messaging figured out and then you can add fuel to the fire by spending some money. We have seen how ads do not work without that strong foundation, and you cannot avoid putting in the hard work and getting things in motion before throwing money at it. If you can build a small and strong customer base first, then when you spend some funds on advertising it will have a great jumping-off point!

The Efficacy of Advertising on Different Platforms

The truth about social media advertising is that it can be highly effective, but can also get expensive very quickly! If that strong customer base is in place, then you are able to reach that target audience in an engaging and powerful way. Remember, the online advertising space is a highly competitive environment where you are bidding against others for digital real estate. Pouring money into ads for the sake of it is to be avoided.

Tips for Better Advertising Posts

When formulating ads or posts, you need to assume that the audience has no context for your content, this will help you be more effective in your messaging. We really recommend refining your copy with free social media posts before venturing into the paid territory, so that you can make the most of your budget when you do take the step. Another important tip is to keep your language simple and approachable, in order to cast the widest net.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The team sit down to discuss the most fundamental aspects of starting an online business.

The Episode: How To Build An Online Business When You're Tech Illiterate

One of the most powerful tenets of what we teach at the Online Trainer Academy is to keep everything as simple as possible. The First Principles framework can help a lot with building a strong foundation on which you can grow, and by removing what is unnecessary you can focus more time and energy on what is! All of this can be applied to the tech side of your training business. We want you to ask yourself, 'What would it look like if this was easy?' And to also address the areas where you might be able to cut costs. This message rings true for us all, but in the beginning, when you probably do not have a lot of income, or any at all, you definitely want to focus on minimizing expenditure that is not absolutely essential. There are so many useful technologies that are available to you that you are already familiar with, from text messages and email to PayPal and beyond, so why start paying for and learning new systems, when you and your audience are already accustomed to others? 

In This Episode

• The power of simplification and using First Principles [0:06:02]
• How unnecessary complexity can stifle your business [0:14:53]
• The basics of building an online business [0:19:40]
• Utilizing existent and appropriate content and platforms early on [0:26:22]
• Automation and technology is not always the answer [0:33:11]
• When to consider leveling up your tech [0:35:01]

“To login and figure out what you don't need, is often a bigger job than figuring out what you do need.” — Jonathan Goodman

Simplification and First Principles

One of the best indications of a good understanding of something is the ability to keep it simple! On top of this, adding complexity to your business can hold it back, so all you need to do, especially in the beginning, is cover the important bases. For an online training business starting out this means having a way to communicate with your audience, a method of accepting payment from clients, and a program through which you can serve your people. 

Shortening the Road to Execution

As we have underlined before on the podcast, there is so much useful online content that can be utilized for your business. The last thing you want to do is roadblock your progress by trying to create your own videos for routines and programs, that in all likelihood won't do more for your clients. Remember, you want to be spending the least amount of time and money on this before you start actually making money. The other guiding star should be how you can make things as easy as possible for your prospective clients.

The Downside of Automation

Starting an online business will mean that you have plenty of learning to do, you will be engaging with many new things, and so you do not want to compound this by opting into unnecessary technologies and platforms. We have seen how automation and technology that is aimed at convenience can actually add barriers, so be wary of this! Automation works when it works, but can also be a pain to get familiar with.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today the panel of experts talk about the important process of execution and how to turn training into a business.

The Episode: How To Execute

Education and learning are important parts of becoming an online trainer, but none of the steps that happen before execution mean anything if you cannot put your plans into motion. Taking the steps towards executing will teach you more than any course, and will push things forward in ways that nothing else can. We understand that this can be the most difficult and scary step to take, it is a challenge for all of us! No matter what stage of your online business you are currently in, confronting these hurdles is a common experience, and is so necessary to move forward. We want to send you the message to take the leap, holding back will hold you back! There are always rewards from giving something a try and pushing up against your doubts and fears.

In This Episode

• The post that motivated today's discussion on the question of execution [0:15:39]
• Components of successful execution [0:20:20]
• Common fears that we all hold about external judgement [0:22:01]
• The gift of struggling and how it enables connection [0:23:55]
• Trying, failing, and the courage that develops [0:26:45]
• Getting past imagined suffering and confronting fears [0:31:58]

“Two people often have similar goals, the person who ends up succeeding is not because their goal is different, it is because their actions are different.” — Jonathan Goodman

The Challenges of Putting Oneself Out There

We all suffer from issues of comparison, imposter syndrome, and struggling to get clear on our audience. All of these factors can lead to a lack of confidence in executing our plans and reaching our goals. It is important to remember that success depends on actions and not goals and that just planning forever does not count for much. We have seen so many times how once this piece of the puzzle is understood, trainers are able to crush it! It does take time, but it will all be worth it when you can execute confidently and successfully.

Internal Pressure and External Judgement

We all have fears around judgment, and taking what you have learned and shifting it into a space that is exposed can be quite scary. In these moments of doubt, it can be helpful to remember that we all mess up, fail, and make mistakes. The more you expose yourself to these conditions and discomforts, the easier it is to face them! It is possible to prove to yourself that you can do hard things and the inevitably of mistake is not something to hold you back. The more you can embrace the freedom and a certain recklessness of diving in, the faster your business will progress.

The Power of Struggle and Relatability

Shifting your mindset around struggle can be such a powerful move, and when we start to view it as a gift, it is like learning a superpower. Encountering struggle allows you to connect because it makes you relatable to an audience. The people you are trying to reach are undoubtedly also struggling with certain challenges and fears, so do not undervalue this circumstance that connects them to you! It takes a lot of courage to create, and when you exercise this courage it builds on itself and you will find that your worries wane in response. So double down on that enthusiasm for trying, and keep in mind that suffering happens more in the imagination than it does in reality.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The team shares some of the lessons learned and the challenges posed by the process of launching a program. 

The Episode: What You Can Learn From Our Past Launches

The launch cycle makes up a large chunk of the work of any online trainer and there are unavoidable learning curves and hurdles that everyone will encounter in the process. That being said, we wanted to share some of the biggest lessons we have learned, and hopefully avoid extra unnecessary strife in your business, if possible! Remember, learning comes from encountering challenges and the knowledge you take forward will serve you in the long run, so don't be afraid to make a misstep. In this discussion, we cover the wrong kind of marketing, avoiding apathy in relation to your offer, confidence and selling yourself, payment mistakes, and more! We also dive into tactics to keep you visible between your launches and why you need to minimize potential pitfalls early on in the enrollment process. 

In This Episode 

• The roots of knowledge lie in challenges and mistakes [0:13:37]
• Avoiding over-the-top and misleading marketing [0:14:43]
• The impact of self-doubt on selling yourself and your offer [0:18:11]
• Lasting effects of early issues present in the enrollment period [0:21:04]
• Taking payment up front, no matter what [0:25:01]
• Creating excitement and energy for your launch [0:28:46]
• The power of identity and appealing to certain sectors or demographics [0:35:01]
• Staying visible between launches and looking for feedback [0:36:12]

“The thing about lying is that once you start to lie, it starts to spin out of control very, very quickly. And then you have to lie to cover up your lies, and then lie again to cover up those lies. And all of sudden your entire business is just a lie.” — Jonathan Goodman

The Growth Opportunities Offered by Mistakes

Launches present a multitude of challenges for online trainers and these, in turn, offer many opportunities for learning! The first thing to keep in mind is that problems that are present in the early stage of a launch can linger, so best to keep a handle on things from the start. As we often say, you want the right kind of clients to work with you, so appeal to your ideal audience, get people excited, sharing your offer, and wanting to sign up!

Honesty and Self-Belief 

Honesty is always the best policy and this is true with marketing too. As soon as you start lying or even stretching the truth, you are setting yourself up for unnecessary and unwanted stress. Leading with transparency from the start will have direct results in your program and the experience of those that sign up, so make this a priority! Honesty will also force you to be a better and more accurate communicator, serving your business in the long run. The next point relates to your confidence and how you are able to present and sell yourself. If you are clear on your offer, it is that much easier to be proud of what you doing and launch in an impactful way!

Payment and Excitement Generation

We have seen many times how deferring payment in some way can lead to a number of issues. We highly recommend taking full payment upfront, as this will set the tone for a professional relationship, which is what you want. One of the most important things about any launch is the creation of excitement and energy, so you want to try and enhance this as much as possible. Get your things in order and organized, and then see the process through. You want to be hosting the party that everyone wants to go to, so double down on the celebratory aspects of your launch to get people interested.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today our panel talk about adherence and what to do when your clients want to go off an agreed training plan.

The Episode: When Clients Want To Go Off Plan

From time to time, clients will come to you with a question or request regarding something they saw or heard about elsewhere. This can be a new fitness fad or a recommendation from a magazine or celebrity trainer, but it might not fit in with your current plan. What should you do in these situations? There are two broad ways to respond to these scenarios, the first is around sticking strictly to the plan and asserting your authority as the coach. The other way you can tackle this issue is to adopt a more supportive and explorative tact. You can allow your client to try something, with your guidance, and perhaps you can both learn something! The main thing is to use the advantage you have, which is the personal credibility you have as their trainer.

In This Episode

• The question that sparked today's topic about adherence [0:17:01]
• What a distracted client shows about your training [0:22:30]
• Ways to deal with requests to go off plan [0:26:02]
• Supportive versus strict coaching [0:30:52]
• The inevitable occurrence of these kinds of interactions [0:33:54]
• Lessons we can learn from client requests and questioning [0:35:01]
• The strengths of a personalized approach to fitness programs [0:38:20]

“Part of coaching women is remembering and understanding that women have complete and full autonomy over their body. They can do and not do, with their body, whatever the heck that they want.” — Carolina Belmares

The Ups and Downs of Fitness Trends

It can be quite tricky to deal with the influence of current trends and changes in the fitness landscape. Clients can get shiny object syndrome very easily, so it is important to stay focused on the personal connection you have as a personal trainer! Questions and doubts do not have to lead to losing a client and can actually lead to learning and present opportunities to grow and assist someone in new ways.

Responses to Client Requests

A small tip that can be very helpful is to always celebrate a client's engagement and interest in their fitness and health. You should let the nature of your relationship with them lead the way in terms of how you deal with things too, certain people can be pushed a little harder while others might need a more gentle approach. Being present in the process of a client's learning is a plus, so if you can keep them safe while staying within your scope and expertise, that is usually a good thing.

The Two Methodologies

Dealing with these scenarios is somewhat inevitable at some point, so having your responses in order is advised. Whichever way to you chose to go, taking your ego out of it and making their health and fitness journey the priority will always be best! There is also the added dimension of what these kinds of queries can signify, and if you can keep in mind the idea of helping them in ways you might have been missing, you can strengthen your coaching relationship rather than undermine it.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we unpack some helpful thoughts on the onboarding process and how to welcome in new clients in the best way. 

The Episode: Onboarding New Clients The Right Way

The process of onboarding new clients has a big impact on customer retention, commitment, and the growth of your coaching business going forward. Eliminating gaps and confusion for the client, and making the path ahead crystal clear, will increase the likelihood of their buy-in and resultant success. An important piece of this project lies in understanding each client and their particular needs and then making the necessary adjustments accordingly to usher them along the first part of their journey. What do they need early on? A quick win? Reassurance? Understanding these dynamics is vital and the better you are at mapping out potential hurdles on the way to their goals, the more they will value your service!

In This Episode

• Mapping out the onboarding touchpoints [0:11:50]
• Optimizing the client experience at each juncture [0:17:23]
• The needs of different clients [0:19:32]
• Reacting to each client and keeping the focus on them [0:23:46]
• The importance of check-ins and continuity in the process towards goals [0:26:54]
• Accountability through community [0:30:01]
• Keeping the onboarding process simple and easy [0:31:47]

“Great trainers recognize this kind of stuff in their clients and build it into their program.” — Jonathan Goodman

Making Use of Important Opportunities

Going into relationships with new clients means being aware of the important touchpoints in your customer journey. Each step in the early parts of the process, from messaging and receipts to check-ins, are opportunities for better communication and to show your value. If you pay attention and respond accordingly, you can easily differentiate yourself from other trainers, and stand out in a crowded field! We recommend putting yourself in their shoes and trying as much as possible to meet them where they are.

Stand Out from the Start

The onboarding process is the first real opportunity to show your clients who you are and what you have to offer. And when you couple this sort of communication with an understanding of the different sectors that you serve and how any particular client fits into this framework, you are able to tailor very strong messaging that connects with people! People might have similar goals, but generally, there are different ways to get there. Another area that seems to often be neglected is the continuity related to progress; if you have laid out a plan, then let them know how far along they are at any given time. You want to build buy-in and enthusiasm!

The Role of a Helpful Trainer

As we have said before, keep the focus on the client and put yourself and your goals second. If you can prioritize building trust and confidence, it is that much easier to maximize positives and minimize negatives! All of this important stuff is accessible as early as the onboarding process, and should not be left for a later stage of a relationship. In fact, if pieces of this are missing from the start, a client's journey might come to an early end.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The panel discusses some opinions about the best lead generation methods for your online coaching business.

The Episode: What's The Best Lead Generation Method?

There are plenty of avenues that can be effective ways to generate leads for your coaching business. The foundation of all of these, however, comes back to a message we often underline: knowing your story, your audience, and how to communicate it to them. We recommend that whichever method or methods you choose, that you occupy spaces that you will find your ideal clients in, and then allow opportunities to present themselves as a result of showing up. It is somewhat irrelevant how exactly you generate the leads or which platform you utilize. It is possible to do a small amount of actual work on this, but if it is smartly positioned and timed, your leads can blow up! In the game of lead generation, timing and patience trump force every time so if you can exercise these virtues you will be well-positioned to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.

In This Episode

• The recent PTDC issue on Instagram and the lesson it contains [0:12:20]
• Confusing traffic numbers on Facebook and online communities [0:17:32]
• Independence from specific funnels for your business and leads [0:22:05]
• The power of Facebook Groups for generating new leads [0:27:04]
• Doubling down on whichever avenue you pursue [0:27:04]
• Building from a foundation of understanding and strong communication [0:36:48]
• Rounding up some general tips for effective action [0:39:55]

“All of these things work, what probably won't work is trying to do all of them.” — Jonathan Goodman

Get Involved in Communities

Connecting on platforms such as Facebook Groups can build a powerful bond and then an opportunity to pitch to your ideal clients. The trust that grows from showing up authentically and sharing with people online, should be valued and built over time, and the benefits that can result might be surprising to you! A great way to connect is by sharing knowledge and telling your story in the right spaces, this can lead to all types of chances to turn casual interactions into business.

Choosing a Route to Pursue 

Whichever route you decide on, whether it is through forums, email newsletters, or even ethical bribes, make sure you have your method down. You do not necessarily even have to use social media, it is up to you and the needs of your business. More important than where is how; if you can communicate well with the right people, you will reap the rewards and harvest the fruits of your labor.

Tips For Effective Lead Generation

Not every interaction has to be about business, so showing up and sharing naturally, with lowered open expectations, will lead to better relationships and immersion within a community. In fact, we believe that this kind of approach will have better results from a strictly business perspective too, as people will be more in tune with exactly who you are and what you do.

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

How Online Personal Trainers Should Be Mastering and Profiting from Their Niche (the Right Way): https://www.theptdc.com/how-to-market-your-online-personal-training-niche

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our team gives an overview of the necessary pieces you need to put in place to take care of the legal side of your coaching business.

The Episode: The Boring Legal Stuff You Must Know When Training Clients Online

You cannot escape the realities of running a business, and this means that there are inevitable legal hoops you have to jump through at certain points. We are here to tell you that the sooner you do this, the better. Clearing your mind of any concerns will help you sleep better at night and will also make sure you are securer in your work going forward. You do not want to pay the price for avoiding necessary work that you can do now and put it to rest. If you run a growing business, which most of are or at least want to, the chances are that you will encounter some legal issues at some point. This does not have to be a train smash if you have the right things in place, so let's get these out of the way and move on to more fun stuff!

In This Episode

• Taking responsibility for a coaching business and its expenses [0:11:25]
• The importance of financial literacy and realistic expectations [0:15:12]
• Four essential components to a legally functioning business [0:16:28]
• The situations that arise that can derail you [0:22:20]
• A proactive approach and how it will serve you down the line [0:25:03]

“When you become an online trainer, even if it's a side hustle, you are operating a business. You should act like you are operating a business. Most people do not.” — Jonathan Goodman

The Expenses of Running a Business

If you are not clear on this already, here is a reminder: it will cost some money to run a business. That is just part of what it means to start something and keep it afloat, and expenses are to be expected. Unfortunately, this part of financial literacy seems to be frequently missing from many businesses and is a basic building block for becoming a functional entity.

Four Legal Components of Business

The four legal areas we want to highlight as most foundational to coaching are insurance, terms of service, privacy policies, and a PAR-Q. If you are able to cover these bases, making sure the way you are set up in relation to your clients and their information, your relationship with our insurance company, your records, and so on, you are well on your way to moving past these administrative hurdles. Getting the help of a professional for any task is advised, as this will make the ins and outs a bit more comprehensible to the average person. 

Reasons to Stay Proactive

It is not possible to be in control of when an issue or difficult legal situation might arise for you. Most often these things happen when you least expect them, or worse, when you are least able to deal with them. For these reasons you want to be ahead of the game, and putting things in place while your business is still small, will mean that it will be that much more simple. It will also give you time to learn the ropes and get used to the particulars of the legal side of your business, so there is no good reason to delay!

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we examine the validity of the common complaint that 'people just aren't buying right now'.

The Episode: People Just Aren't Buying Right Now

At the OTA we regularly hear from students and coaches that it feels like people are not buying at a certain time. While there may be hills and valleys across the seasons, we believe that mostly this is a false perception and is much more to do with your side of things than external forces. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by believing you cannot sell at any given time. With that in mind, we have compiled a checklist that you can run through in order to better assess your prospects and figure out where you need to improve. 

In This Episode

• Assessing the perception that people seem to not be buying right now [0:15:40]
• Getting clear on who you help and how you do that [0:18:58]
• Sharing your human side along with your profession [0:22:39]
• Creating an appropriate solution to your clients' problems [0:23:30]
• Sending a clear and consistent message about being open for business [0:27:50]
• Communicating your value in the correct way for your audience [0:32:50]
• Focussing on the mission of building relationships with people [0:33:57]
• Growing a network by engaging in spaces you would find your ideal client [0:33:57]
• Making sure people know about you! [0:40:50]
• Collecting testimonials and referrals from past and current clients [0:41:06]

“Saying what you think is right, or what you think is the biggest opportunity is inarguably a mistake that our entire community makes, that sets them down the wrong path and gets them frustrated.” — Jonathan Goodman

Getting to Grips with The Problem

We are aware that it can sometimes feel like the market is flat or that people are not responding to you. But this checklist can help clear up where the issue is, and in our experience, it is usually something you can do something about! This feeling of powerlessness can be crippling for you and your business, so it is best to get ahead of it and move forward. The foundation, as with many of the things we teach at the OTA, is knowing your audience and how you help them. Once you are aware of this, you can begin to build relationships and grow your client pool. An important aspect of that is shedding light on your human side, to balance out the professional and business-focused content you are posting.

The Fundamentals of Communication

You need to be creating solutions that are suited to your ideal clients, and this means a higher level of focus on them, instead of yourself. Learn and then speak their language! Another thing we have touched on many times before is the constant message that you have to send about being open for business and what exactly you offer. If you do not explain this to people, they will not know to come to you. Communicating your value in a meaningful and benefit-focused way will also help you make the most impact on prospective clients, and you need to be talking to people and building relationships consistently.

Showing Up and Branching Out 

A lot of what we do as online trainers is about the growing network that you nurture. One of the best ways to do this is to spend time in spaces and on platforms where you would find your ideal client. In these types of spaces, you need to show up authentically and consistently and work hard at letting people know what you do. The last piece of this puzzle ties it all together; collect testimonials and referrals from your past and present clients in order to keep the fire burning and the circle growing!

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS 

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our panel sits down to chat about the importance of sharing your personal story and getting over the fear of opening up.

The Episode: Why You Should Definitely Share Your Story

You may be forgiven for feeling like you always have to show your best side on social media and when interacting with clients. We are here to remind you that showing flaws, vulnerability, and failures can actually positively impact your coaching business and gain you more clients. When you humanize yourself through personal details about your journey and struggles, it makes you more relatable and approachable. In fact, you may say that it is hard to truly respect someone with that sort of perspective of them. It will take some time and practice, but the sooner you can get comfortable opening up to the public, the sooner you will reap the rewards.

In This Episode 

• The fear that exists of sharing personal things [0:11:02]
• Natural progress in getting comfortable on different platforms [0:17:01]
• The humanizing power of details specific to your circumstance [0:20:49]
• How personal information impacts getting hired by clients [0:23:32]
• An exercise in sharing something sensitive on social media [0:27:29]
• Human connection is often missing from coaching businesses [0:32:47]

“That's what we mean when say share your story, share how your current life circumstances shape the decisions that you make with your health.” — Carolina Belmares

Getting Past the Fear of Sharing

There is a noticeable hump that we have to get over in order to properly share our true story. Doing this will become easier after every time, but the bottom line is you need to get comfortable telling people about the different parts of yourself. Doing this can definitely leave you feeling exposed, but it is also the best way to connect with others, so get accustomed to letting your guard down.

Avoiding Comparisons and Humanizing Yourself

No matter your line of work, honesty makes you more approachable, and the sharing of your story can make you less intimidating to clients. You need to be talking about how your current circumstances are impacting decisions to do with your health, this coupled with a less than perfect picture of yourself will build rapport. There are reasons that people choose coaches, and trust and connection are usually high up on that list.

Authenticity and Vulnerability

Do not be afraid of vulnerability, it can really count in your favor. Getting hired is reliant on respect, respect is reliant on understanding, and your story is the quickest route to understanding. You can test all of this out very easily by posting something vulnerable on social media, and using it as a means to start a conversation. You may be surprised just how much engagement you receive on this kind of content. We all share insecurities, so why not use them to connect?

Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?

Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2

SPONSORS

Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055

Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC