Have you ever been asked: "Are health coaches legit?"

On face value this may seem like a forward and uninformed question, but it is a valid question to ask.

Are health coaches legit?

And until I started my own career as a health coach, this profession was new to me too. Fast forward 6 years, and I’m proud to say that I’m the founder and head coach of my own flourishing health and fitness business. So to answer this question of what a health coach does, I thought I would share with you the story of how I started my own health and fitness business.

But first, let me introduce myself. I’m Sarah, a specialist women’s health and fitness coach, and blog writer for PHCI. Like many health coaches, my coaching career started after a life-changing health journey of my own. This post won’t delve too deeply into my personal health journey. Instead, I’ll share with you:

• Why I decided to become a health coach
• How I transitioned from my old career as a scientist to a successful business owner
• My top 5 tips to help you kick start your own thriving health coaching business

What Is a Health Coach?

Before we dive straight into what’s like to be a health coach, let’s start by defining what exactly is a health coach. A health coach is a health and wellness advocate. They often take a holistic approach when working with clients towards sustainable lifestyle change. A health coach will assess a client’s overall health by investigating any imbalances in the following lifestyle factors:

1. Nutrition
2. Sleep
3. Physical activity
4. Stress
5. Play

Usually if one (or more) of these lifestyle factors is out of balance for a sustained period of time, this can lead to health issues including chronic medical conditions. A health coach will help their clients identify if any of these lifestyle factors are skewed using a variety of strategies and techniques to lead their clients towards better health, including:

1. Goal setting
2. Healthy habit formation
3. Implementing accountability strategies
4. Health education
5. Motivational strategies
6. Positive psychology processes

Health coaches can either work independently or as part of an allied healthcare team which can include:

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Registered Dietitians
• Chiropractors
• Personal Trainers

What Does a Health Coach Do?

A health coach is in the business of helping their clients live healthier lives. A successful health coach makes a living out of it.

Health coaches can find work in:

• Private practice – that’s what I do and you’ll learn more about what this is like in this post
• Fitness centers
• Wellness centers
• Insurance companies
• Corporate wellness
• Health clubs

Health coaches can work with clients 1:1 or in groups, face-to-face or remotely. Most health coaches offer programs that are at least 3 months in length. Over this time, coaches are able to build a unique rapport with their clients, which helps with the collaborative nature of the coach:client relationship.

The most successful health coaches niche down in a specialize area of health and wellness. Some common health coaching niche fields include:

1. Stress management
2. Weight loss
3. Mental health
4. Improving elite performance in athletes
5. Seniors health

Health Coach Qualifications

Despite there being no requirement for a health coach to be certified, if you’re committed to pursuing a career as a health and wellness coach, then gaining a credential in the field is highly advantageous. The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) is an organization that is leading the way in the standardization of health coaching curricula in the United States and around the globe. Only graduates from NBHWC-approved health coaching programs are given the opportunity to sit the NBHWC- certification exam.

It’s important to do your research when it comes to selecting your health coach school, as not all programs are created equally. If you’re passionate about ancestral health, then you should consider enrolling into a PHCI program. PHCI offers an NBHWC-approved program through its Master Coach Certification.

Do Health Coaches Hold Other Credentials?

Most health coaching certification programs don’t require prerequisites to enroll. But it’s common for people interested in health coaching to already hold qualifications in a related field such as:

• Nursing
• Fitness
• Counseling
• Nutrition

Holding additional qualifications can be beneficial when it comes to applying for health coaching jobs and attracting clients.

Sarah’s Educational Background

Before I enrolled in the PHCI health coach certification program, I held a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology (Hons) and a PhD in Cell Biology, and I worked for 11 years as a research scientist. I’m often asked whether I feel that I’m “wasting” my skills, education and knowledge from my former career as a scientist. My answer to this is a resounding no. I use my research skills on a daily basis as a coach and a business owner.

Ongoing education is a no-brainer for me and I’m constantly adding new credentials to my skillset. As well as being a PHCI-certified health coach, I am also a qualified personal trainer and a licensed weightlifting coach. I am currently studying to be a licensed Strength and Conditioning coach and I hold a CrossFit Level 1.

The Tipping Point: Why I Decided to Become a Health Coach

Having a dream is great. Turning your dream into reality is the tricky part and can become a roadblock for many people. As someone who has taken that leap of faith, I understand how scary (yet exhilarating) it can be to transition into a career as a health coach.

Up until 2015, I had invested my adult life towards my career as a research scientist. It wasn’t until after the birth of my daughter that I considered changing careers, as my research career was taking up more time, energy and focus than I wanted it too. I wanted more time to pursue the aspects of my life that brought me the most joy: my family and my fitness. The tipping point came when my health deteriorated in 2016 (I contracted mono and become very ill for over a year) and I realized that I wasn’t being the healthiest role model for my daughter. I was overworked and suffering from burnout. Something had to give.

Ultimately, my driving force to become a health coach was so I could take charge my life. I had no previous business experience. I had minimal coaching experience but was ready to invest my time and finances into building something I felt passionate about. 

I was ready to take a risk. Are you?

Kickstart Your Health Coaching Business With Sarah’s Top 5 Tips

I’m proud of how far my business Nourish & Lift has grown since its inception in 2016. Setting up my private practice wasn’t easy, but it has been hugely rewarding. When you sign your first client you will feel an absolute burst of joy. Truth be told, I still feel that buzz when I sign a new client, 6 years on! I mean, it’s pretty special when someone chooses you to help them towards a healthier, happier life.

Ready to feel that first client high? Here are my top 5 tips to help you kickstart your own thriving coaching business. 

1. Have a Plan

Changing careers takes patience and planning. My advice is to write your business plan earlier than you think you will need to. It did wonders for me, and even changed the trajectory of my health and fitness business. Think of your business plan as an ever-evolving document. As your business grows you can revisit your plan and adjust it accordingly.

2. Find a Mentor

The best business mentor is someone you feel comfortable sharing ideas with, and that has time to guide and support you. Your mentor doesn’t have to be the CEO of a multi-million dollar business, and they don’t necessarily need to be a coach. Rather, your mentor could be someone who shares a similar business philosophy to you, and they may only be a few steps ahead of you in terms of their own business. Your ideal mentor will be someone who can provide advice and direction when you come to a crossroad, as they are likely to have already faced a similar situation themselves.

I approached my business mentor when my health and fitness business was still a daydream. My mentor gave me the support and direction I needed to take my first steps towards creating my own business. Now, 7 years on, and my mentor has become a dear friend who inspires me as a person, a coach and a business owner.

3. Invest in Your Education

The world of health, nutrition, fitness and wellness is constantly evolving, and as a coach, it’s important to be aware of the latest research, passing health fads, and cutting-edge coaching strategies. Staying on the pulse with your education will help your development as a coach, and it will pay off financially as well. I’ve never regretted investing in my education.

Investing in your education is an essential part of running a successful business. Whether you’re looking to upskill your coaching, streamline your bookkeeping, or learn how to improve your marketing strategy, making your education a priority will pay off.

From my experience, studying has:

• Opened new career opportunities
• Broadened my networking circles
• Helped define my coaching niche

4. Get Marketing

It’s never too early to start your business marketing. What do I mean by marketing? It’s any process that involves attracting potential clients or customers to your products or services.  Here are 9 key marketing tips that I found useful when I started my business:

1. Write your personal health story
2. Identify your pain points
3. Develop your client avatar (be specific)
4. Build your business brand
5. Create business social media accounts on platforms your clients frequent (Instagram, Tiktok, Meta, LinkedIn, Twitter)
6. Create marketing content (take photos, record videos, write blog articles)
7. Manage your business social media accounts using tools such as Hootsuite, MeetEdgar or Loomly
8. Build a website
9. Consider outsourcing content creation, social media management and website design to a freelancer

5. Start Coaching

There’s no need to wait until you’ve graduated to start coaching. You can start by coaching family, friends or fellow students. After obtaining my CrossFit Level 1, I shadowed the coaches at my local CrossFit box for 6 months to gain experience coaching group fitness classes. And my very first health coaching client was a friend that I went to high school with. In these early days, I learnt how to best prepare and structure a session, and I soon gained more confidence as I gained more coaching hours under my belt.

Final Thoughts

In this post, we have established that a health coach inspires, educates and guides their clients towards healthier, happier lives. Health coaches can work in a variety of settings, depending on your preferences. Taking the leap from your current 9-5 to pursue a career as a health coach can be a little scary, but it’s exciting and rewarding. I’m grateful that I took a risk and trusted my instincts, as I now earn a living pursing a career that I love. Most importantly, I have found a work:life balance that supports what’s most precious to me; my family and my health and fitness.

If you’re ready to take charge of your life and your career, enroll to become a Primal Health Coach today.

What’s one of the first things you look for when deciding on a purchase? Reviews and testimonials, of course!

People are skeptical in the world of health and dieting—as they should be—but a relatable testimonial can validate you and your services as a health coach, softening that apprehension as you build the know, like, and trust factors that lead to eager new clients. 

Below we’re sharing with you 30 ways to capture and utilize raving testimonials from your clients and followers, so you can build your reputation as a health coach and inspire others to work with you.

18 Ways to Capture Testimonials

= perfect for new coaches

1. Ask family and friends

“Tell me in a few sentences, ‘How would you describe my passion for health and wellness? How has my advice and support helped to improve your life?‘”

2. Feedback from workshops

Hosting a workshop or webinar? Use Zoom’s post-webinar survey, or provide a feedback form (see #5-10 for tips) for attendees to share comments and praise about your presentation.

3. Professional testimonials

Think: colleagues, mentors, even something like a guest blog post, or podcast interview. Help busy professionals put this together by providing an example version, AKA swipe copy, which also ensures you get what you’re looking for.

4. Happy clients? Just ask.

When a client or follower expresses gratitude for your work, that’s the perfect time to ask for a testimonial. “Wow, thank you! It would be a big help if you’d be willing to put that in a testimonial! I can send you a form so it’s quick and easy.” Have a form ready (see the next tips), and send it right over.

5. Provide questions with survey software

When a client agrees to provide a testimonial, try a free service (Google Forms, JotForm, Survey Monkey, or TypeForm) to send and collect answers in a professional, organized way.

Capture Testimonials With These Questions:

1. 1. Describe what your health/wellness/mindset was like before we started working together.
   2. Describe what you liked or loved most about working with me as your coach.
   3. What are the 3 most significant outcomes/results you’ve experienced since working with me? (include specific details like how your feel, before and after weight, measurements, etc…)
   4. Describe the most eye-opening realizations or breakthrough moments you had. (e.g. patterns you noticed, what you learned about yourself, nutrition insights, etc…)

Tips: Keep it simple and limit the number of questions. Send the form immediately after they agree to help.

6. Embed the form on your website

Check your website for a form-builder, content block, or plugin to embed a feedback form into a page on your site. The tools listed in #5 usually offer an embed code to capture and paste it on your site, too. Make the page “unlisted” (with a “noindex” tag—hidden from Google/public, see more SEO best practices here), and share the link when you ask for a testimonial. How professional!

7. Scheduled email template

Does your coaching program have a certain end-date? Schedule a testimonial/feedback request email to go out near the end of your program. Using Gmail business email, you can create and store custom-email templates, and with one click you can auto-populate the message. Schedule it when you start a new client, and you’ll have plenty of testimonials in no time.

8. Automated feedback form

Similar to #7, here you’d combine the testimonial request into a feedback form. This is highly recommended near the end of your coaching program because it helps you learn what you can improve upon, from the client’s perspective, while getting testimonials, too.

9. Fill in the blank

Share a fill-in-the-blank option, like this:

“Before I came to Marisa I was ______[feeling, struggling with].

__________ [continue to describe what life was like before we started working together].

Marisa helped me by _________, and I really appreciated _________.

Now I can say I __________ [feel, think, look, know ____] thanks to her guidance.

I __________ [describe the transformation and changes you now experience after working together].

I highly recommend her for anyone who_________.”

10. Give deadlines and details

It’s common for clients to unintentionally forget to reply or submit the form. Try providing them with more specifics when you send the message, like, “I’m creating a new coaching page on my site, so, your testimonial comes at the perfect time! I can’t wait to share your amazing story this week. Thank you!”

11. Entice clients with a “Celebration Pack”

Coach Angie Brazzale came up with this idea that incentivizes the feedback form. “Once they submit the form, they’re redirected to a ‘Celebration’ page containing an E-Book, a completion certificate, a discount for their next program, plus, a summary of all they’ve learned.”

12. Video requests

Videos are the most impactful form of testimonials! Ask your extroverted clients if they’d be willing to record a short video, answering 3 questions you’ve provided, to help share their success story.

13. Interview format

The client might feel more comfortable if you ask for a short interview. You can use Zoom, record it on your podcast, or use any audio recorder as you interview the client about their triumphant experience and outcome.

14. Screenshot candid client messages

When clients praise you via text or tag you on social media, take a screenshot and get their permission to share it (with or without their name shown). These can be a powerful form of social proof because it’s the real deal.

15. Before-and-after photos

People love the side-by-side comparison, and it doesn’t have to be weight loss to represent a transformation!

16. Offer anonymity

Even photos can be shared anonymously if you add a smiley emoji or your logo to cover the client’s face. Always offer an option to remain anonymous, especially in before/after photos, but don’t hesitate to emphasize the value of sharing their name.

17. HIPAA-compliant testimonial release form

Coaches who operate under HIPAA privacy laws can create a testimonial release form, like this one, where you’d state their privacy rights, gain their consent, and ask for the testimonial, all in one form.

18. Ask for platform-specific reviews

When your client expresses gratitude, ask, “Would you mind putting that into a review on my Facebook page? That would be a big help!” Many coaching directories have reviews, too, because reviews help to build trust between strangers.

12 Ways to Use Testimonials in Your Biz

19. Showcase industry proof

Waiting to gain more clients and testimonials? Display images of you speaking at an event. Think: screenshot a zoom interview, event promo pages/flyers, guest blog posts you’ve written, etc.

20. Edit, then confirm

In most cases, you’ll want to edit the client’s testimonial. You’re writing it using their words, of course, but you’ll tweak the grammar, combine their answers into flowing statements, or rearrange things so it reads more clearly. Send the completed version back for their approval.

21. Quote graphics

Take one glowing statement from your client and turn it into a testimonial graphic. Try quote templates in a free app like Canva, and customize it to match your brand.

22. Consider supporting details

Opt for images or video, and the client’s full name, whenever possible. Consider adding more relevant details if it makes sense for your niche, like their age or job title.

23. Key pages on your website

The 2-3 essential places for testimonials on your website include:

1. 1. A dedicated page—Success Stories or Testimonials
   2. Discovery Call and/or Coaching Services Page
   3. Product Sales Page

24. Add one below your email signature

Add this after your name and contact info, and keep it fresh by changing it whenever you get a new testimonial.

25. Rotate them into your content

Sprinkle one into your weekly content. Think: email newsletters, social media posts, blogs, wherever.

26. Interview on Facebook or Instagram Live

A standard testimonial is great, but an amazing transformation might be begging for a larger reach. Ask if you can interview this client, live, like a podcast, as you talk together about their riveting experience.

27. Infuse a sales sequence with your coach POV

If you send out automated emails, known as sales-sequences, it’s a great idea to share a client success story from your point of view. Drive it home with a quote from their testimonial, and your reader will naturally associate their life with the success of your client.

28. Enhance a webinar

When hosting a webinar, be sure to share a client’s before/after photo or testimonial in your presentation because it helps validate your work and build more trust.

29. Podcast intros

Do you host a podcast? Share some testimonials and shoutouts on the air, or in your intro or closing message, to help turn listeners into clients.

30. Boost client motivation

Refer back to your success stories whenever a client needs a boost of inspiration. When you choose a relatable example, it can be a powerful motivator that helps your client see themselves succeeding, too.

You can never have too many testimonials in your health coaching business. The next one could be the single factor that moves a dedicated follower into your current clientele. 

]]> https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/blog/discovery-calls-26-mindset-tips-for-health-coaches/ Mon, 14 Dec 2020 20:14:06 +0000 https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/?p=8282

Without a doubt, discovery calls are one of the most nerve-racking experiences for new coaches. This is due in part to it being seen as a sales call. Even without a financial commitment attached to the outcome, discovery calls still invoke apprehension or desperation, because all the new coach wants to do is coach.

Let’s flip the switch on this intimidating perspective and see the discovery call for what it truly is: an opportunity to learn how you can support this person in reaching their wellness goals.

Here are 26 ways to help you face discovery calls with a useful mindset. These will come in handy before, during, and after the call has ended.

Before the Call

Confidence Boosters

1. Leave yourself ample time to review the discovery form. Schedule an automatic 15-30 minute buffer before each session by modifying the settings in your online scheduler (our favorites are Acuity and Calendly).
2. What are your strengths as a coach and as a person? Boost yourself up with a quick pep talk between you and that voice in your head.
3. Where can you best help this person? While reviewing the form, ask yourself, “In which areas am I most fit to support them?”
4. Do you see any red flags? While reviewing the form, do you see any signs that this person requires guidance outside of your scope-of-practice as a coach? If yes, think, “How will I initiate the conversation? If necessary, am I able to offer them a referral to find the appropriate practitioner who can meet their needs?”
5. Is this person a good candidate for you? Why or Why Not? Ask yourself (and your gut), “If money wasn’t a concern, would I think we’re a good match?”
6. Prepare open-ended questions. If you have time left, jot down one or more open questions to ask based on the most moving elements shared on their discovery form.
7. What’s your segue out of a long-winded story? Some clients can get off track during the call, venting and getting in the weeds regarding a certain experience in their lives. Come prepared with a question to transition, like, “I can tell this is very frustrating, and I want to thank you for sharing it with me. Would it be okay if we shift focus for a minute to also discuss ____? Tell me your thoughts on that.”

Mindfulness and Coaching Presence

8. Take a moment to center yourself by closing your eyes and taking a few diaphragmatic breaths. This helps to set aside current emotional distractions and shift gears into the call.
9. Set your intention for the call. An effective, trustworthy coach approaches conversations with genuine curiosity and compassion for the client.
10. Active listening and mindful engagement. By reminding yourself that these are two of the most important keys to a successful discovery call, you can relax knowing your job is primarily to listen and provide non-judgmental reflections as your client shares their reasons for seeking change.
11. Drown out distractions by getting your workspace ready for the session. Close extra tabs on your computer, clear clutter off of your desk, close the door and try wearing headphones to stay even more focused on the call.

During the Call

Passion First, Sales Second

12. Practice an abundance mindset by believing that you can get enough clients who are right for you, and you do not have to settle for clients who are a poor fit.
13. Seek a mutually fulfilling experience. Think, “I don’t just want clients. I want happy clients with whom I can develop mutually fulfilling coach-client relationships that foster my confidence and effectiveness as a health coach.”
14. Take the pressure off selling by reframing your mindset. Instead of “I have to book this client,” think, “I get the chance to do what I love and further my mission to help those I’m best aligned to support.” 
15. Under-promise and over-deliver. It’s tempting to offer everything and anything in an effort to close the sale or prove your worth. Instead, it’s best to establish realistic expectations and prepare to continuously delight your client throughout the relationship, thus surpassing their expectations by over-delivering on your promises.

Coaching Confidence

16. Seek rapport and connection. Instead of thinking about what you’ll say next as the client speaks, try to suspend any analysis or motivation to fix things, and instead, focus on connecting with the prospective client by displaying empathy and acceptance.
17. Is now the time? Ask yourself, “Is this person truly ready for change at this time?” Sometimes, new clients are in an apprehensive stage of change where contemplation remains chronic and limits their ability to imagine their lives any differently. Is this client ready to take action with the help of your guidance?
18. Voice your sincere confidence and passion. When it’s your turn to talk about coaching, channel your passion and show them that you care about what you do and have the tools to help them. Your confidence is contagious.
19. Feeling unsure about this match? Sometimes you need a moment to reflect before taking on a client you’re unsure about. Do they need a referral? Are your instincts telling you to retreat?

Try this: “I’d love to support you in pursuit of your goals, however, it’s important that we’re sure I’m the right professional for you. Let’s take a couple of days to both reflect on our conversation and determine the next best course of action. Does that sound okay?” After the call, you can sit with your intuition, ask a mentor for advice if needed, and come to a final decision that you’ll relay back to the client in a timely manner and agreed-upon fashion.

After the Call

Acceptance and Self-Compassion

20. Practice low attachment when calls don’t go your way. Recognize that although you want to be successful and take on new clients, the outcome of any discovery call does not make or break you. It is not a reflection on your ability to be an exceptional coach.
21. Challenge your ANTs (automatic negative thoughts). Are you being hard on yourself after a call? Try to first acknowledge your feelings of disappointment or uncertainty, then take a calming breath. Challenge your negative inner dialogue by reframing it into something more empowering, such as, “I’m learning as I go, and soon enough I will have the skills to improve and succeed.”
22. What if the client ghosts you? The call ends in a maybe—or even a yes—and the next thing you know, your client doesn’t return your email or call, and it feels like you’ve been ditched on a first date. Rest assured that there is a myriad of reasons this can happen, and there’s no need to take it personally. This client knows where to reach you if they decide to move forward and if it’s meant to be.

Growth Mindset

23. See each discovery call as a chance to learn and develop your skills, regardless of whether you end up with the client or not. Focus on the process and zoom out to see how this might be useful in the bigger picture.
24. Take a moment for reflection. What went well? What made you feel uneasy? What would you like to remember for next time, and where would you like to improve or ask your peers for feedback?

New Client Jitters

25. Did you find a match and book the client? Celebrate! Jump up and down, and smile real big. You did it! Now, tell your most supportive friend because it sure feels good to say, “Guess what! I booked a new client!” Our new PHCI grads love posting this in our alumni Facebook group, and everyone celebrates with them.
26. Give yourself a pep talk to affirm your intentions for the new coaching relationship. “I will help my client identify and fully engage their strengths on the path to a better future in alignment with their personal vision.”

When it comes to discovery calls, I like to remind new health coaches of this quote by Canadian writer Robin Sharma,

“We grow fearless by walking into our fears.”

Bookmark this list of tips so you can wear them as armor during your next exciting discovery call. Best of luck, Coach!

]]> https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/blog/how-do-i-decide-between-one-on-one-and-group-health-coaching/ Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:19:29 +0000 https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/?p=7615

It’s tempting, as a new coach, to offer all sorts of programs to your audience. You’ve got plenty of ideas and you want to try them all!

So what’s wrong with offering too many programs?

The first thing to consider is: There’s only one of you. It’s not easy to simultaneously work with clients while you’re developing new programs and marketing them.

The second consideration is: As a new coach, it’s recommended that you first gain experience coaching clients before you broaden your offerings. “Once you’ve worked with a lot of clients, you’ll have a much better idea of what questions and roadblocks come up consistently, where people struggle, what they’re looking for, and what works best,” says health coach marketing expert Amy Lippman.

The third consideration is: Your audience can get overwhelmed if you promote too many options. Two options are a great goal to strive for while you’re still new; this gives people different prices and levels of commitment to consider.

The following sections will help you decide between focusing on one-on-one coaching or group coaching for your new health coaching business.

What Worked for You?

If you’ve ever hired a coach before or participated in group coaching, think about what worked best for you. Maybe you liked the personal attention of working with someone one-on-one. Or maybe you liked the community aspect of a group class. The way you learned might be the most effective way for you to coach others.

Are They Asking for What You Want to Offer?

Another sign that you should consider is if your audience is literally asking for what you’re offering. This happened to me twice this year, where a potential client requested group coaching. These clients even asked other people if they’d be interested in the arrangement before they approached me with the idea! So, if they’re coming to you and telling you what they want, then you know there’s a demand for it.

Let’s dig deeper into the many pros and cons of each type of coaching: One-on-One Coaching vs. Group Coaching.

One-on-One Coaching

Pros:

• Better relationship building and behavior change. In a personal one-on-one setting, you have more time with each client. There’s more room to explore emotional blocks and thought patterns in a private session compared to the capabilities you have in a group setting. Together you can more adequately address obstacles and optimize behavior to achieve desired results.

• More Experience and Insights Regarding Ideal-Client Trends. The experience of personal coaching is important for new coaches. You’ll learn common pain points that your clients share, and you’ll get an idea of the type of clients you attract. Once you learn this, you’re more equipped to create a group program that’s speaking to the needs of your future clients.

• Your pricing and programming can change to fit client needs. When you’re coaching clients individually, you can craft more tailored programs and pricing to better fit individuals’ needs. You can even coach individuals through a pre-built 12-week Primal Health Coach program flow (in the Primal Health Coach Business Resource Center for graduates).

• More opportunities to surprise your clients and over-deliver. More time spent with your individual clients means more time listening to the things they need. Imagine that your client says they’re bored of the same lunch every week. You can give them a few ideas on how to change it up. Then, outside of the session, pull together a few recipes and send them over to your client as a surprise. This bonus makes them feel heard and supported.

Cons:

• The price can be out of reach for some people. Depending on your client demographic, you may find that the price of private coaching is not affordable for many. This is another reason group coaching business models tend to do well.

• It’s not very scalable. As a business model, one-on-one coaching isn’t as scalable as group coaching. You can only take on so many clients at a time, and there’s a limit to how much your target audience is willing to pay.

• Simultaneous marketing and coaching skills are needed. It’s great if you start filling up your client roster, but while all the coaching itself is going on, you’ll need automated systems in place to create consistent income.

• Clients lack a sense of community or peer support usually experienced during group coaching (though you can make up for this somewhat if you have a fairly engaged Facebook group or other online community with a similar message).

Group Coaching

Pros:

• It’s more cost-effective. Group coaching is a great way to offer your coaching services at a lower price point. The price range can be determined by the number of people you’ll allow in the group, and how much time you’ll devote to the group on a weekly basis.

• It’s easier to stay within your scope-of-practice. No matter the state you live in, and the coaching parameters, you can create group coaching programs that fall within the legal guidelines. Generalized meal plans and exercise programs are a smart way to offer actionable advice to your clients while staying within your scope-of-practice.

• Allows a sense of community and peer support. This is an important element that personal coaching lacks. The built-in accountability and support provided by the group creates a sense of belonging. When a person witnesses other individuals making positive changes, it can empower them to face their own obstacles and strive for change.

• Built-in accountability. In a 2013 study on group health coaching, they discovered that “when individuals make commitments toward their goals in front of the group, they feel a greater sense of responsibility to follow through.” The members feel accountable to their fellow group members and to their coach.

• A more scalable business model. There are many more growth opportunities for your business when you offer group coaching because the price point is lower, it requires less of a time investment from you, and you can coach more clients at once. You can eventually scale to online courses, corporate coaching, and memberships.

• It’s an easier “Yes.” A typical customer-attraction journey first involves drawing in your potential clients, then offering them a free resource to get them on your email list. Once they get to know and value you as an expert, the next step is to have them progress into a paying client. Group coaching gives you a chance to get people in the door with a low-cost offer.

Cons:

• Availability obstacles. Group coaching requires all members to have a mutually available time to meet. That can make it more difficult to fill a group. One plus side is that group sessions can be recorded and shared with members who miss meetings. 

• Additional coaching skills required. Managing a group will often require some extra skills to handle particular challenges that are group driven. One example is to cheer on members who progress while being supportive to members who are stuck. Another coaching challenge would be to moderate any disruptive behavior before it negatively impacts others.

• Nailing the right social dynamic. In the aforementioned 2013 study on group health coaching, the researchers explained that “as with any group, coaching groups typically involve a mixture of quieter, more introverted individuals and more extroverted individuals. Well-trained coaches can manage this mix by drawing out quieter clients and redirecting talkative ones.”

• Simultaneous marketing, coaching skills, and strategic programming needed. You’ll need automated systems and consistent marketing to ensure that there are clients ready to book with you. For instance, you might launch groups that start and end on a certain date so that you know you’ll have consistent income for that time period. You might also have an evergreen group that allows members to come and go as they please. The latter allows you to always attract new clients without the pressure of a launch.

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to both types of coaching. As a new health coach, it’s only natural to feel inspired to try new things with your business, but remember to master the basics first. Your programs will constantly evolve as you learn along the way.

]]> https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/blog/the-first-ancestral-health-coaching-program-just-got-better-again/ Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:45:07 +0000 https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/?p=7293

When Mark Sisson and Aaron Fox formed the first ancestral health coaching school back in 2014, they had a mission to create a global network of expertly trained health coaches not only skilled in Primal health, but also in proven coaching and business-building techniques. Their goal was to help 100 million people who were needlessly suffering reclaim their health and wellness through education and coaching.

Today, thousands of you who have graduated from Primal Health Coach Institute’s certification course are making a huge impact on the world—and thousands more aspiring health entrepreneurs are on the verge of turning their passion for ancestral health into a career they love.

Over the years, we’ve been actively improving and updating the already robust course, adding new chapters on coaching, marketing, onboarding, and scaling your business, plus an ever-growing collection of webinars, and valuable resources for students and grads.

And 2019 was no exception. This year, there are more updates than ever before, giving prospective health coaches and PHCI grads a strong competitive edge in the ever-growing health coaching industry.

Enroll in the Primal Health Coach Institute today and be one of the first to take advantage of these course updates, including:

A Fresh Look, Feel, and Sound

The course itself has received a huge makeover. We’ve listened closely to student and graduate feedback and divided some of our larger curriculum pieces into smaller, more digestible sections. The course player has a fresh look too, with more white space, making it easier on the eyes while you’re reading. For those who prefer to learn by listening, there’s also an accompanying audio file for each chapter of the course.

New Introductory Lesson—Why Primal?

If you’ve ever had to explain the benefits of working with a Primal Health Coach, or you’re not sure what makes a Primal Health Coach stand out, this new section is for you. At the beginning of the curriculum you’ll see a lesson that dives into the Primal approach to diet, movement, and lifestyle. It’s the foundation of our health coaching school, and can help improve your clients’ lives in a unique and transformative way.

Tasks to Help You Get Out There

One of the most common questions we get at Primal Health Coach Institute is: How do I find clients? In this new business-building task, we teach you the fundamentals of content marketing so you can begin to craft messages that consistently reach and resonate with your ideal client. It’s all designed to get you comfortable with stepping into your true calling, and letting the world see you as the expert health coach you’ll soon be.

A Deeper Dive Into Coaching

Where other health coaching programs focus exclusively on nutrition and lifestyle, one of the key differentiators of Primal Health Coach Institute is our in-depth coaching chapters. With our latest update, we’ve added sections on different coaching theories including Motivational Interviewing, the Transtheoretical Model, Self-Determination Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory, plus valuable information about the Illness-Wellness Continuum—a paradigm that suggests your clients are either on their way to developing disease or developing optimal health.

Practical, Hands-on Curriculum

Getting hands-on experience is a big part of what will make you a successful health coach. That’s why we’ve introduced three new coaching practicum assignments you must submit for a pass/fail grade in order to complete the Primal Health Coach Institute program. Within these assignments, you’ll be tasked with:

• Reframing Imposter Syndrome—crafting new language to replace the limiting beliefs about your coaching abilities that may be rolling around in your head.
• Having a Peer-to-Peer Coaching Role-Play Session—you’ll take turns playing the role of coach, client, and neutral observer. One of the best ways to get experience as a coach.
• Answering Real Life FAQs—you’ll be challenged to answer some of the most frequently shared concerns from health coaching clients in different case studies.

Business Development Projects

Last year we added 12 new business building tasks to get you thinking about your health coaching practice right from the start. This year, three brand new chapters (Programming, Marketing, and Sales & Enrollment) have been added to the end of the course, each with a business development project that lets you hit the ground running as soon as you graduate. You’ll craft your signature coaching program, establish a 90-day marketing strategy, and architect your very own sales and enrollment script allowing you to sign clients on without hesitation!

A Comprehensive Final Exam

To prepare you for life as a Primal Health Coach, the course culminates with an 84-question final exam, which tests your knowledge about Primal principles, nutrition science, lifestyle, exercise, scope of practice, coaching mastery, and business development. You’ll need to score 75% or better in order to pass and earn your Primal Health Coach Institute certificate.

Real Life Coaching Demos

Brand new to the curriculum is a full 12-week coaching demo, where you’ll observe a real Primal Health Coaching relationship in action from start to finish, including all intake and check-in forms, and audio recordings of all coaching calls. Led by veteran PHC, Erin Power, this content will help you fully understand what specific questions your coaching clients might ask during a session, as well as enable you to envision how to strategically navigate a client through 12 weeks of lifestyle changes.

In Summary…

Primal Health Coach Institute is the first and preeminent ancestral health coaching program out there, and with our newest updates—it’s now even better. If you’ve been thinking about turning your interest in ancestral health into a career you’re passionate about, learn more about becoming a certified Primal Health Coach, and join the thousands of others who are helping people reclaim their health and wellness around the world.

When you’re just starting out as a health coach, it might be tempting to work with anyone whose goal it is to get healthy. But not every client you come across will be the right one for you. Here’s why:

• Not everyone is going to fit within your niche
• Some may not be serious about making changes
• They might not be available to meet when you are
• Coaching styles or personalities may not mesh
• They might be chronically late or cancel at the last minute

Even if you’re the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and accommodating health coach on the planet, by honing in on the right clients and weeding out (or referring out) the others, you’ll have a much more fulfilling and successful health coaching practice.

How do you find the right clients?

Know Your Niche

In the Primal Health Coaching Institute curriculum, we help you figure out your niche early on, so you can start visualizing what types of people you’ll be serving, what kinds of services you’ll be offering, and what you’ll name your health coaching business once you graduate.

Often times, your niche is something you connect with on a personal level. It could be based on your own health struggles or transformation. Or maybe it’s inspired by a close friend or family member’s situation. By having a niche (and knowing it inside and out), you’ll be able to target more people who are more interested in what you have to say. That doesn’t mean you can’t work with someone outside of your niche, but if you focus on athletic endurance for teens and you have a client who’s struggling with infertility, it might be better to refer them to someone who specializes in hormone imbalances.

Pro Tip: Create a list of health coaches and their niches so you can easily refer someone. You can also search the Primal Health Coach Institute directory by specialty to find coaches who focuses on everything from autoimmunity to eating disorders to mental health.

Schedule a Discovery Call

In a discovery call, you’re getting to know your potential client as much as they’re getting to know you. And it’s a great way to figure out if someone will be a good fit right up front. Ask questions about their motivation for making changes, what they’ve done in the past, including what worked and what didn’t work, and what they expect from their health coach sessions. You’ll want to cover logistics as well, like when you’re both available to meet.

Even those kind of details are important, because if you sign a client who’s only available weekday afternoons and you have a full-time job, you’re going to drive yourself crazy trying to find the time to have a session with them. Discovery calls are also the time to get a feel for a potential client’s personality and communication style. After a 20-30 minute call, you should be able to tell if it’s a good fit.

Pro Tip: Ask potential clients if they’ve worked with a health coach or nutritionist in the past, and how that experience went. Their answers will reveal a lot about their expectations, their concerns, and how they prefer (or don’t prefer) to work with someone.

Gauge Their Commitment

Even if a prospect is within your niche, the discovery call goes well, and it seems like a good match, they may not be fully committed to doing what it takes to reach their health goals. According to the book Motivational Interviewing in Health Care, clients who start their sentences with “I should” or “I wish I could” aren’t ready to make changes. They also won’t be as receptive to what you have to say, and may even act defensive.

Understanding your clients’ motivations can help trigger changes in their diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle. For instance, they may want to lose weight, but it’s not until you get them to reveal how embarrassing it is to buy two seats on an airplane or that they don’t want to get diabetes like their dad and grandfather that they start getting serious about their commitment to working with you. Showing up on time is also a sign of their commitment, so be sure to express your policies on late arrivals and last-minute cancellations.

Pro Tip: When you hear your clients go from “I should” or “I wish I could” to “I am,” “I will,” or “I’m ready to,” it indicates that a behavior change is on the verge of happening. It means they’ve turned the corner on their commitment to making real change.

Be Yourself

You got into health coaching for a reason and the world needs exactly what you have. So don’t pretend to be someone that you’re not, or focus on what someone else thinks you should do or be. Or sacrifice your values just to get more clients. Even if you have prospects that you could work with if you changed your coaching style, were available other hours, or focused on a different niche, don’t change who you are or what you do just to please other people.

You’re more than enough, and that authenticity will come through loud and clear for the right clients.

Pro Tip: Accepting and owning who you are as a health coach is not only empowering, it actually attracts like-minded clients to your practice. 

Conclusion

Not every prospect you meet will be the right client for you. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. Confidently knowing who you are, who you serve, and what’s important to you in regards to commitment levels, schedules, and even personalities will help you build a health coaching business that feels effortless. Plus, it eliminates a lot of the struggles and sacrifices that can come up when you don’t take these factors into account.

How do you know if a client is right for you? Get started by following these tips. And check out this post for more resources on attracting your ideal client.

• Know your niche
• Schedule a discovery call
• Gauge their commitment
• Be yourself

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your niche audience, even more so than social media. So, if you’re not using emails to nurture your relationship with potential clients and grow your health coaching business, there’s no better time to start than right now.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about creating a freebie your audience will love and how to grow your email list once they’ve opted-in. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 14 types of emails successful health coaches send their subscribers to keep them engaged—and take them from prospect to paying client.

Sign Up for an Email Marketing Service

Before sitting down to craft your welcome email or brainstorm subject lines, you’ll need to sign up for an email marketing service. This service makes your life easier by letting you build your campaign, automatically send your emails, and manage your subscriber lists (in addition to a whole lot of other things) all in one place. Many are free, and even the paid ones usually have a free trial so you can check them out before committing.

Create Your Strategy

Think of your email marketing campaign like starting a new relationship. You’ll want to tell your subscribers about yourself, ask them about themselves and their health challenges, and talk about some of your favorite things. The first few emails of the campaign are about relationship-building. Then, once you’ve built trust, you can feel good about promoting your health coaching services. Why? Because people are more likely to buy from someone they know, or at least feel like they know.

If you’re a student or graduate of the Primal Health Coach Institute, you’ve likely seen the specific email sequence we recommend in the curriculum. We even provide pre-written email templates that make it extremely easy to create your own campaign. Not enrolled yet? Our guide to the types of emails you should be sending your subscribers will get you on the right path.

1. Welcome Email

This is the first point of contact with your new subscribers, so take this time to thank them for joining your community and tell them a little about yourself. If you haven’t already provided a link for them to grab their freebie in your opt-in form, do it here. Also, be sure to send this email right away. It should automatically hit their inbox as soon as they subscribe.

2. “What to Expect” Email

You want to let your subscribers know what to expect from you. That means telling them how often you’ll be emailing them, what kinds of content you’ll be sending, and any other information that builds anticipation so they look forward to opening your emails down the road.

3. Tools & Tips Email

Is there an app you use to track macros? Do you have expert advice on pantry purging? Or maybe you have a meditation practice you start every morning with. This email is the place to share the tools and tips you use on a daily basis to stay healthy.

4. “How Can I Help?” Email

You might have good ideas about how to help your audience from your Discovery Calls and social media pages. But this kind of email gives you the opportunity to directly ask your subscribers what they think they need the most help with—just ask them to reply to your email with their answers.

5. Myth-Busting Email

There’s so much confusion in the nutrition and fitness space—and there’s a good chance your subscribers are overwhelmed by all the info. Use this email to dispel common myths within your niche. Not only will it help your audience get clarity on how to get healthy, it establishes you as an expert in your field.

6. Client Success Story Email

Instead of telling your subscribers what you do—show them. It’s a great way to build trust and prove you’re great at what you do. In the Client Success Story Email, you’ll highlight a client you’ve worked with who’s made huge progress under your care. Make sure to connect it back to how you can help your audience, like “You can do it too, just sign up for a session with me,” or “enroll in my upcoming workshop for results like these.” Of course, don’t forget to ask your client if it’s okay to feature them.

7. “Free Discovery Call” Email

You’ve just wowed your subscribers with the amazing results of one of your clients, now get them to take action! This email offers a free Discovery Call with you, and describes what’s included in that call. Add urgency by putting an “offer ends” date in the email, or let them know you’re only accepting a limited number of clients right now.

8. “Behind the Scenes” Email

Now that you’ve built trust with your subscribers, take the relationship to the next level by showing them what it’s like behind the scenes. Maybe it’s a video of you flipping tires in your backyard to show the benefits of lifting heavy. Or a detailed story about how you get your kids to help make primally-inspired dinners every night. While you don’t want to overshare up front, it’s great to peel back the curtain a little later on.

9. Exclusive Content Email

Reward your subscribers’ loyalty with exclusive content you’re not posting in other places like your Instagram, Facebook, or blog. And make sure they know it, too! This could be another eBook or guide you’ve created (that you haven’t shared elsewhere), or news about an upcoming class you’ll be holding with a special offer or discount for subscribers only.

10. Seasonal Email

Keep your content relevant by writing about things that are important during particular time frames. If it’s summer, share tips on eating primally on vacation or your favorite natural sunscreen. If the holidays are around the corner, talk about the best cold-weather workouts or a new Keto cookie recipe you’ve got on rotation at your place.

11. “Resend It” Email

Your email marketing service can show you which subscribers have opened which emails and what your campaign’s open rates are (that’s the percentage of folks who’ve opened an email). Got one or two emails that didn’t perform well? Consider changing the subject line and pre-header copy, but keep the meat of the email the same. This approach can help you see what works for your audience without having to come up with new content.

12. Repurposed Content Email

Speaking of reusing content, this email lets you showcase things you’ve written about in the past that would be valuable to your niche. Take a look at your recent Instagram and Facebook posts, or dig up a blog post you wrote last year. There’s a good chance many of your subscribers haven’t seen this content yet, and even though it might be old news to you, it’s new (and valuable) to them.

13. Testimonials Email

Whether it’s on your website, your blog, or in your emails, testimonials provide social proof, and position you as an expert. As you start to get more Discovery Calls and inquires, this kind of email can make the difference between your lead putting off their health goals longer, or booking a 6-month package with you on the spot. Just like in the Client Success Story email, make sure you tie it back to what’s in it for them (i.e. “You can feel 20 years younger, too”) to inspire them to take action.

14. My Favorite Things Email

Your email campaign provides tons of valuable content, and a list of your favorite things is no exception. You could share the grain-free recipes you love to make, your go-to brand of protein powder, or even your top playlist on Spotify. Sharing your favorite things deepens your connection with subscribers, plus it gives them genuine recommendations to add to their own lists of things they love.

Keep Best Practices in Mind

Now that you know the types of emails you should be sending, it’s important to keep these best practices in mind as you write them.

• Keep it simple. You’ll want to have one single message that offers something of value, and takes less than a minute or two to read.
• Make it personal. Don’t be afraid to share personal details about yourself so future clients feel like they’re getting to know you.
• Stay on brand. The personality you’ve created for your health coaching business (and that you use on your website and social media posts) needs to come through here, too.
• Include one CTA. While you might want your leads to schedule a Discovery Call, sign up for your next class, and download your Keto guide, you’re better off having just one clear call-to-action per email.
• Write a compelling subject line. Keep it conversational, relevant, and short. Asking a question works great, too.
• Make sure it works on mobile devices. Always preview your emails on different devices first to make sure they look as good on a phone as they do on your desktop.
• Proofread. After you’ve written your email, proofread it. Be on the lookout for typos, missing words, and missing images.
• Double-check links. There’s nothing more frustrating than broken links (just ask my editor). So it’s important to click through to the source you’re linking to after you’ve linked it.

Conclusion

Your email marketing campaign is a lot like a relationship, so use these examples and as a guide to establish and grow your connection with subscribers. Once they feel like they know you and your story, they’ll be more inclined to work with you. 

Be sure to send your content regularly, too: weekly, bi-weekly, or however often you told your audience you’d be reaching out to them in your “What to Expect” Email. And, don’t forget to make it shareable by adding a Forward to a Friend link in every email.

Did you see last week’s post? If so, you learned how to create a freebie your niche audience will love. You also learned why that’s important.

The goal is to offer something valuable (like a niche-specific eBook, checklist, or guide) in exchange for your audience’s email addresses so you can start nurturing your relationship with them.

The more people you get to opt-in to your freebie, the bigger your email marketing list will be. And that’s essential for your health coaching business, because email marketing is one of the most effective ways to turn leads into paying clients.

In today’s post, I’ll show you 11 ways to grow your email list. But first, here’s more proof that email marketing works.

Did You Know?

• An email campaign is 6x more likely to get a click-through than a tweet
• Emails have a 66% conversion rate—way higher than social media or traditional direct mail
• Your message is 5x more likely to be seen in an email versus a Facebook post
• Email subscribers are nearly 4x more likely to share your content
• 24% of subscribers will make a purchase via email marketing compared to 0.59% from social media
• Email is 40x more effective at getting new customers than Facebook or Twitter
• Unlike a Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter page that can be taken down without warning, you always own your email marketing list

So How Do You Grow Your List?

Now you know that email marketing is a smart way to grow your health coaching business, but how do you grow your email list? It starts by putting your freebie where your niche audience will see it. You’ll also need to make sure it’s linked to an autoresponder platform like MailChimp, Constant Contact, or Keap (formerly called Infusionsoft), so you can collect email addresses once your audience has opted-in.

1. Design it Into Your Home Page

Once your leads hit your website, you don’t want them to have to search around for your freebie, so make sure it’s front and center. Add a sign up form right on your home page—and be sure it’s above the fold (that’s the area you see without having to scroll down). Or better yet, use a pop-up form, which tends to get better results. Remember, you can’t increase opt-ins if no one can figure out how to subscribe.

2. Put it in the Main Navigation

Take advantage of your website’s main navigation to promote your freebie. This area is prime real estate and it’s always present, whether or not your leads are on your Home page, About page, or browsing your health coaching services.

3. Place it at the End of Your Blog Posts

Anywhere you have an online presence is a good place to put your lead magnet. And your blog posts are no exception, especially if you’ve just written about a topic that ties directly into your freebie’s subject matter.

4. Add it to Your Social Media Bio

Like a lot of people, I was using the bio section on my Instagram page to describe myself and my health coaching business, followed by a link to my website. But this is also a perfect spot to put your freebie. Why? Because if you link to your website, someone might click through to see what you do, but if you link to your opt-in and they subscribe, they’re automatically placed into your sales funnel.

5. Use it in a Facebook or Instagram Post or Story

Whether it’s on your own pages or in a closed group or community, social media is a great place to share your insights on eating keto, training primally, or whatever your specialty is. It’s also a fantastic place to talk about and link to your freebie.

6. Include it in Your Email Signature

The average person sends out 200 emails every week. Just think how many people you could be reaching by adding your lead magnet to your email signature. If you use Mailchimp, you can learn how to create a URL for your freebie here, though most autoresponder platforms will have a tutorial. Once you have your URL, just add that link to your email signature.

7. Link to it in Your Online Scheduler

But what if your leads don’t sign up for your freebie on your website, on your posts, or in your email signature? You can still get them to subscribe by adding an opt-in box when they schedule an appointment with you. Even if they’re an existing client—and have used your online scheduler before, this puts them in your sales funnel so they can stay informed on any new products, services, or promotions you’re offering.

8. Offer it During a Webinar or In-Person Talk

Your freebie should relate to what you’re teaching your niche audience, so it makes perfect sense to offer it while you’re teaching. During your webinar, mention your incentive and how leads can download it within the webinar itself or in the comments section. For in-person talks, assuming your audience didn’t sign up for it online (which is also an ideal spot for your freebie), collect email addresses at the beginning or end of the presentation so you can send your audience their free gift.

9. Create a Freebie Library

Not every topic is going to resonate with everyone in your niche audience, even if it’s 100% on target, so consider creating a few different lead magnets. Do you have a cheat sheet on how to ditch sugar? Make a printable, primal-friendly grocery list or keto quick-start guide. And don’t stop at 2 or 3 options. Having library of freebies ready to roll is a smart way to keep your content fresh and continually grow your email list.

10. Make it Sharable

With all the amazing content you’re writing, your subscribers will want to share what they’re reading. Make it easy for them by including a “Forward to a Friend” link in your email campaigns. Most platforms have this feature built-in. If not, check out the tool AddThis, which lets subscribers share your email through social media. And don’t forget to include a subscribe call-to-action in your emails, so new leads can opt-in right away.

11. Test What Works and What Doesn’t

The best way to see what’s working is to test it out. Sites like Google Content Experiments and Visual Website Optimizer let you compare different lead magnets, headlines, where you’re placing your opt-ins and who’s seeing them.

Summary

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a health coach for a few months or several years—email marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. Once you’ve created a freebie your audience will love, use these 11 tips to share it everywhere you can. And stay tuned for next week’s post, where I’ll discuss the types of emails you should be sending your subscribers, starting with the most important one—your welcome email.

Have you heard the term freebie? How about opt-in or lead magnet? They all mean essentially the same thing—and that thing is a free incentive that you offer on your health coaching website or social media page in exchange for someone’s email address.

If you’ve ever seen a pop-up form suddenly appear as you’re scrolling through someone else’s website (health coach or not) offering a free e-book, guide, or discount, you know what I’m talking about. They want to collect your information so they can send you emails and nurture their relationship with you. Why? So that you’ll become a paying customer or client.

That’s why you want to have an incentive on your website.

By “opting-in” and downloading your freebie, your audience agrees to get email marketing from you. But how do you know what kind of incentive they want?

In today’s post, I’ll share types of freebies you can offer on your website right now, and show you inspiring examples of what other health coaches are doing for theirs.

 10 Proven Types of Freebies

• eBook
• Checklist or cheat sheet
• Guide
• Starter Kit
• Quiz
• Invitation to a webinar or event
• Recipes or a meal plan
• Healthy food list
• Videos
• Discount for products or services

What you offer is important, but so is how you describe what you’re offering. When creating your freebie, think about what you specialize in as a health coach and what’s important to your niche audience, plus what catchy title will make people want to download it.

Consider quantifying your opt-in with a number, like 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Ditching Sugar or Steal My 20-Minute Fat Burning Routine. Your freebie could reveal something valuable to your audience, such as How to Sneak More Veggies into Your Kids’ Lunchbox or How to Survive Vacation Without Derailing Your Diet. Or it could act as a teaser, with a title like Get a Sneak Peek of My First 3 Chapters.

What Are Other Health Coaches Offering?

Now that you’ve seen some options for what you can do, here’s what other health coaches are using for their free incentives.

Amie Tollesfrud

What’s the Freebie: A Guide to Niche-ing Down Cheat Sheet (although she swaps out her her freebies regularly, as you’ll see if you click on her link)

Who it’s For: Health coaches, nutritionists, wellness enthusiasts, and NTPS who feel stuck when it comes to figuring out their niche and standing out in the crowd.

Why it Works: Amie regularly asks her subscribers and followers what aspects of their business they’re struggling with the most. She knows it’s a pain point for others because she asked them and got direct feedback. Amie’s Niche-ing Down Cheat Sheet solves a real problem for her audience. And this is just one of her freebies. Have a look around her home page to find even more.

Holly Higgins

What’s the Freebie: A Food & Mood Sensitivity Quiz

Who it’s For: People who’ve been told that their depression and anxiety stem from chemical imbalances, but are curious if something they’re eating is messing with their mood.

Why it Works: Holly knows her niche because she has a long-time history of battling depression herself. She’s used nutrition to reverse her own health challenges as well as those of her constant stream of clients. Holly’s Food & Mood Sensitivity Quiz demonstrates her expertise and unique value proposition.

Darryl Edwards

What’s the Freebie: An eBook on The Importance of Play, plus bonus downloads

Who it’s For: Sedentary folks (like he used to be) who want to learn more about primal movement and why it’s crucial for good health.

Why it Works: Darryl’s freebie is chock full of value. He doesn’t just send you the eBook when you subscribe. The Primal Play expert, Primal Health Coach Institute Board of Advisors member, and TEDx speaker also sends you a printable infographic and a link to a recent article he wrote that was published in the Journal of Evolution and Health. Darryl gets additional bonus points for including a fun call-to-action.

Abel James

What’s the Freebie: A Quick Start Guide to Fat Burning & 7-Day Meal Plan

Who it’s For: Men and women who are sick of wasting money on programs that don’t work and want to start burning fat right away.

Why it Works: Abel knows his audience is busy. And his freebie promises one quick win—burning fat. He knows that with his Quick Start Guide, 7-Day Meal Plan, and a complete grocery shopping list, his clients will be set up to easily achieve that win.

Christine Hassler

What’s the Freebie: A customized Expectation Hangover® treatment plan (delivered in a video and worksheet)

Who it’s for: People ready to move past their limiting beliefs and make an action plan to live the life they’ve always wanted.

Why it works: Not only is Christine the Master Coach here at the Primal Health Coach Institute, she’s also a world-renowned life coach. Her Expectation Hangover treatment plan works because it’s consistent with her overall message—helping people reach their goals by removing the self-imposed obstacles standing in their way. Consistency is key when building your brand, and your incentive is no exception.

Jillian Guerin

What’s the Freebie: A downloadable PDF with 4 Steps to More Energy

Who it’s for: Busy professionals who are battling burnout (like Jillian did) and want to rediscover their zest for life.

Why it works: Jillian’s freebie is instantly accessible. Instead of digging through your spam folder for an email with a link buried somewhere on the page, you can download her guide the second you enter your email address.

Jess Baumgardner

What’s the Freebie: A 3-Day Guide to Realistic Self-Care

Who it’s For: New moms who are craving confidence and looking to add more balance to their lives.

Why it Works: The more specific you can get about the benefits of your freebie, the better. Jess is an expert in helping new moms make self-care a priority, and her 3-Day Guide reflects that by offering something specific. In this case, it’s easy ways to add more self-care to your routine as a busy mom.

Nicole Jardim

What’s the Freebie: A Period Quiz to help women get to the root cause of their PMS symptoms

Who it’s For: Women with painful or confusing symptoms who dread that time of the month.

Why it Works: It’s like getting a free session with one of the leading experts in hormonal health. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll get a custom report based on your unique answers. Plus, Nicole includes a free 3-part course on how to fix your period when she sends your results.

Conclusion

I opted-in to these health coaches’ freebies to see what the experience was like, but you don’t necessarily have to. Use their lead magnets as a guide as you think about what appeals to your niche and what your audience (or friends and family) is always asking you about, and pick one of the formats listed above.

You want to offer something valuable to your niche so they feel like it’s worthwhile to submit their email address. And, of course, you want to collect their email address to start nurturing your relationship with them to take them from curious prospect to paying client.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more helpful tips on email marketing, including what kinds of emails you should be writing and how to properly curate your list.