12 Actionable Tips to Attract Health Coaching Clients

Introduction

Attracting your first clients in the health and wellness industry can be a hard row to hoe. The competition is in an ever-fierce mode, and standing out in a crowded market is the key. But that requires strategic planning and execution.

However, winning over those initial clients is important for building a successful health coaching business. 

That’s why we’ve crafted this article to provide you with actionable tips and strategies to help you attract your first health coaching clients, establish your brand, and set a strong foundation for future growth.

How to Get There

We know bagging new clients and marketing yourself are tricky tasks but with the right approach, you will get there fast. Many certified health coaches like you also face the daunting reality of clients rarely coming to the doorstep.

However, there is more than just one way to approach this need. We’ll get into those approaches in 12 actionable tips in a while.

As a health coach, your primary focus will be on promoting wellness and preventing health issues before they arise. Your role centers on empowering clients to make positive lifestyle changes and adopt healthy behaviors that support overall well-being. 

Through education, motivation, and accountability, you’ll help clients achieve their wellness goals and maintain good health proactively.

But to lock in the clients, you need to find out what sets you apart from others in this crowded marketplace. In simple words – you need to hone your marketing skills.

Here is the list of 12 actionable tips you need to use to take your health coaching business to the next level by onboarding your dream clients.

12 Actionable Tips to Attract New Health Coaching Clients

#Tip 1: Focus on a specific niche

To stand out from the rest and amplify the value of your professional expertise, you must focus on a specific niche. For example, would a potential client with stomach issues prefer to see a “women’s health coach” or a “digestive health specialist for athletes”?

Picking a target market builds a healthy momentum in your coaching business, so you grow your audience and clients, faster.

But it’s important to understand that you don’t have to limit yourself to a single niche. Instead, think of your practice as a tree trunk with various niches as branches. 

Clearly communicate the benefits clients will gain from working with you and explain exactly how you can address their problems. This approach helps you attract the demographic you’re most interested in, allowing you to stand out from your competitors.

#Tip 2: Go offline

Let’s admit – offline marketing is underrated. The internet cannot substitute for the importance of building up your credibility and connections in real life. In-person meetings are one of the ingenious ways to bag clients quickly. 

During in-person meetings, you will be able to build credibility and connection with the client.

The places where your target clients might go are networking/community events, workshops, conferences, or expos that align with your niche. Call people in your network and ask for referrals. Strike up conversations with doctors or health practitioners in your area while keeping your business card handy!

For example, if you’re a women’s health coach, you could benefit from attending local pregnancy classes to connect with community members who might be interested in your services. 

Being approachable and discussing your practice openly in public can lead to surprising business opportunities.

#Tip 3: Your business is your brand

To thrive as a health coach, you must first market yourself effectively to clients. 

What should they first think of when you come to their mind? Your brand should highlight the passions and beliefs you bring to the table in a way that’s clear to the target clients. 

Add your personal story to your branding to maintain relatability. The goal here is to create an authentic and approachable brand that attracts others. 

We’ll share some valuable tips to self-market your health coaching business in the later section.

#Tip 4: Group workshops

If you want to boost awareness of your business in the community, host a group workshop! 

Rent out space at a local gym or wellness center and offer a class that aligns with your brand. 

For example, if you’re a nutrition coach, you can lecture about the benefits of probiotics and demonstrate how to make sauerkraut, while fitness experts could lead a session on starting an office yoga program. The aim is to generate excitement about your topic and establish yourself as an authority.

Use your public speaking skills to find the ideal clients.

Note: While offering your workshop for free may be tempting, charging for it can help convey its value more effectively. As an expert, you want to make sure that your expertise is properly valued.

#Tip 5: Offer a compelling free discovery call

If you have potential clients who are interested but hesitant to commit, consider offering them a free 15-minute discovery call—a brief, initial consultation where you discuss the client’s needs and how your coaching can help them achieve their goals.

This helps you to assist them in identifying how you can help, without requiring a significant time commitment upfront. 

It’s super handy to streamline these conversations with a prepared list of questions so that they are productive for both parties.

#Tip 6: Reach out to all your former clients to reconnect

Do you have past clients you haven’t been in touch with lately? 

It’s a good idea to give them a call and catch up!

Keep the conversation friendly and relaxed, and avoid emphasizing your desire to work with them again. One easy way to do this is to offer a free 15-minute call to see where they are, and if they could use further support.

The aim is to show genuine interest in their well-being, maintaining your reputation as a trusted expert they can reach out to when they need you.

#Tip 7: Network with other professionals to build referral relationships

Engage with professionals in the health and wellness community for referrals. 

Connect with health practitioners your clients regularly visit, such as chiropractors, nutritionists, physical therapists, personal trainers and holistic healers. 

Refine your elevator pitch to convey why these professionals should recommend you.

Ask if you can leave your business cards in visible locations. 

Consider offering a referral fee for each new client these health practitioners send your way to boost your networking efforts.

Tip: You can also reach out to your existing contact database for referrals. They may know someone who needs your help and will likely recommend you, praising you for your sweetness and care.

#Tip 8: Identify online platforms where your ideal clients are active

There are many benefits to establishing your business online.

List your coaching services on platforms like Simply.Coach and maintain an updated LinkedIn profile, and participate in relevant Facebook groups within your niche.

Additionally, it’s smart to develop and upkeep a professional website featuring ample opt-in email sign-up forms. 

Prospective clients often form an impression of your service within seconds of visiting your site, making it worthwhile to invest in a compelling first impression!

Make sure that your website is optimized for mobile devices, as many clients will likely discover you while browsing on their phones.

Tip: Put your phone number on your website and business cards for potential clients to easily contact you.

#Tip 9: Boost your local professional visibility

Is your practice the go-to choice in your community? If not, focus on boosting your visibility through local media channels. 

Explore opportunities such as niche-specific podcasts, interviews, guest blogging on popular platforms, or writing letters to the editor advocating for holistic health practices in your local newspaper. 

The goal is to increase your business’s presence so that it naturally pops in people’s minds when they think about pursuing health coaching services.

Tip: Place your cards in a local coffee shop, farmers market, health food shop, or wellness clinic (where bulletin boards are often available). Also, give a talk at a local health food shop, grocery store, or wellness center.

#Tip 10: Host a free health challenge to engage potential clients

Social media makes it simple to organize virtual contests. 

Share a free challenge on your Facebook page or newsletter, with rewards for successful participants. 

Examples include a 30-day sugar detox or a “power pushup” week where participants post-exercise photos for a chance to win coaching sessions. 

The goal here is to boost excitement about health, encourage interaction among participants, and build loyalty to your practice. Get creative—there are endless possibilities for challenges!

#Tip 11: Clarify and simplify your service offerings

You want to avoid any confusion for potential clients about what you provide, so find ways to make your advertising materials straightforward. 

Clearly outline what they can expect, such as learning to cook healthier dinners, and improving gut health, and specify the amount of time included in the price. 

Make your package details and pricing transparent, and make it easy for clients to reach out if they have questions.

#Tip 12: Sell your transformation to attract clients

In health coaching, it’s important to remember that the ultimate goal is to create a transformation for each client.

Your goal isn’t just to sell sessions or courses, but to empower individuals to achieve optimal health. Connect with potential clients through your journey and story, sharing experiences to build trust. 

Highlight the real-life outcomes and benefits of your coaching service to potential clients by sharing success stories, case studies, and testimonials on your website, social media, and other marketing channels. 

You want prospective clients to visualize themselves undergoing a similar transformation and enjoying an improved quality of life as a result.

Additional Tips to Win Health Coaching Clients

• Join online forums or Facebook groups related to your specialty and provide useful advice to establish credibility.
• Increase your rates! When services are too cheap, clients often doubt their quality.
• Confidently discuss your work regularly without being overtly salesy—be open about what you do!
• Record yourself delivering your ‘elevator pitch’ or conducting a free session with a client. Then, listen to the playback. Would you hire yourself? If the answer is no, keep refining and improving until you do!
• Bundle your services with another professional who has a complementary offering to boost your network and potential client base via shared referrals and joint marketing efforts.
• Socialize with people everywhere—while waiting in line, in waiting rooms, or at restaurants. Be friendly and curious, ask about their lives, and share what you do.
• Update your social media profiles, especially Linkedin, to state your niche and the value you provide.
• Ask five people in your target market about their biggest current health frustration, and simply listen. Can you incorporate their language into your marketing and sales materials?
• Always surround yourself with successful health coaches. You’d be surprised at how much this can positively impact your own growth and success!

Conclusion

This article offers a basic guide to attracting clients for your health coaching business. And it requires a combination of strategic planning, effective marketing, and exceptional service.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, you can use various tips and tools to succeed. 

By crafting a unique value proposition, building a strong online presence, using networking opportunities, and trying direct outreach strategies, you can successfully attract and retain clients.

Authenticity and consistent messaging are key to establishing trust and credibility. You must continuously evaluate and adjust your strategies based on results and feedback for healthy ongoing growth and success in your health coaching business.

If you want to streamline your coaching business, try Simply.Coach – an all-in-one digital coaching management software that manages, simplifies, automates and elevates individual and team coaching, making it easier for you to streamline your business.

Be bold, creative, and enjoy your journey to becoming a successful health coach!