New service business, any tips to help me grow?

[CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark]

Hi there

I set up a new business in July. It’s a coaching service.
To begin i have set up a social media presence on Instagram. I spend a lot of time putting up useful posts and stories. My ethos is to show up no matter every single day.
I also do lots of free advice, Q&A’s, private message people etc. Daily interactions with my audience.
I’m getting great feedback, people are really starting to like what they are seeing.
My problem is, I’m not converting my new following into sales for my coaching. I’m not massively pushy admittedly.
I’m here to ask for any tips or advice to grow my following on Instagram to then start to turn my followers into paying customers. I have a website too.
Any ideas. It’s so much slower than I could have ever expected.
Any advice welcome.

A lot of competition in the coaching market. What is it that you have to offer that others don't?

Instagram isn't where I would go to look for a coach - but that may depend on who your market is. Have you got the analytics to know whether your Instagram posts are driving people to your website for more information?

LinkedIn is probably where I would expect to buy/sell coaching - but that may be because I am thinking career rather than life coaching.

You probably need to be quite explicit about what you are offering as your coaching service if you are to get people to buy. Are you getting people to a first meeting? If not, what are you doing to invite them to have that first meeting - will it cost, or will it be free? what will they get from a first meeting? etc.

Three successful coaches I know might provide you with some pointers if you study their sites and social media (a mix of LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Podcasts etc.)
Carol Riley: coachingbystillwaters.com
David Lancefield: davidlancefield.com
Helena Bailey: phoenixcoaching.me.uk

I'm having the same problem!

Without giving too much away, as you would find me Instantly, it’s a very specific market, with a very specific audience which are heavy social media users. Which is why it’s a good place to start for people to get to know me.
There aren’t many at all offering what I do, so it is again quite niche. It’s almost like my challenge is, how do you convince someone to invest in themselves when the results are not tangible. Coaching is mindset, problem solving etc. Generally that’s the area people won’t put money into.

I do a free 15 minute consultation, to determine fit. But I don’t get much bite for that even. I’m still very fresh, so I know these things take time. But Is there anything more I can do?

I think that’s it - you’re unable to articulate your tangible benefit.

David is Very clear in how he helps, Carol also details the benefits - I’m struggling with Helena tbh - far too vague IMO.

Too many coaches think the answer lies in social media marketing. It doesn’t. Buyers use google and do their due diligence. Browsers and people who don’t make decisions use sm!

You need to build a strong presence away from Instagram. Happy to do a quick audit on your site/funnel if you PM me a link.

@CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark I have found people are very happy to take all the free advice on Instagram but getting them to pay is way more difficult.

It is good you have a very clear target audience.

Have you done promoted posts on Insta?

These would need to communicate a clear benefit in a given time frame ideally.

Without promotion, it is hard to get traction from organic social media as a new business.

And are you clear about:

What the coaching product is
What the cost is
What the duration is
Benefits

Can you do any case studies?

You could even reach out on social media to people who would act as case studies and receive free or discounted coaching?

Hi all, sorry for the delay, I had my booster and oh my the headaches. But I'm feeling better now.

Thanks for all your posts, you are all giving me a new perspective for sure. @RunningInTheWind that is actually such a kind offer which I would love to take you up on. My fear is, you will think I'm an idiot when you see how much I could be doing better. Are you still keen?

I have promoted posts on insta, but have been tactful to build up my following before I start bombarding with conversion posts. So I've promoted more helpful posts, that will attract people to my page, rather than here pay for me (so far!). I want to show them before that they want to go to me and become likeable in that sense. I've just reached 1000 followers, even with a nice competition under my belt. It's just so much slower than I ever expected. I'm hoping this 1k is the tipping point for people to start paying more attention.

I have the cost, benefits and duration all outlined on my website. However, not so much on Insta, as I am trying to build up my 'loyal' following. But I'm feeling more confident to start conversion posts now. It's an important season let's say in my industry so I've been prepping posts for that to start sending and promoting to attract new people in my target market.

Cast studies, I've not considered. How would that work?
I've not done anything with discounts yet, as I'm waiting for more bites, I feel like I'll educate what I do, then offer a discount when I have some real interest.

The truth is - I'm ooooozing with ideas, I've so much to give, but need to be more patient and kinder to myself for not succeeding yet. So I'm trying to take it slow and focus on that following.

I do need to think more outside of Social Media. It is something I haven't put too much thought into. Novice! I use WIX as my website builder, I've created the entire thing myself, so I'm sure there are means to improve my chances by using ad words better etc.
I've not really asked for help or paid anyone specialist to guide me. I wouldn't know where to start tbh.

I love your posts so far, thank you.

Bumping

Saw your bump. I already commented and your response was you wanted to do your own thing.

If you want to grow your business then stop thinking the number of instagram followers is televantband frankly either take expert advice or stop bumping a thread where you ignore it.

I'm paid good money to help start ups fly. You're not interested. So stop bumping and start actually listening.

You’re expecting way too much if you think you’d make it after just 5 months.
Do your potential clients hang out on Instagram? Are you following and interacting with them?
Do you have an email list? If not, start getting people onto one so you can target people who are genuinely interested in your service.
You get them on to your email list with a lead magnet - usually a free download of super-valuable info. Then you create a funnel on your email list to try and convert them.
That’s just for starters!

When I've looked for a coach before I looked local to me so getting SEO for your website or using local Facebook may be better ?
If on insta a free online taster course may help to market your service

How's it going @CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark