5 quick tips to help you start a successful coaching blog

You are probably already aware that blogs are a great way of sharing your knowledge and expertise to a wider audience, not to mention it’s also an important way of establishing yourself in the coaching industry. However if you’re just starting out or haven’t blogged before sometimes it’s easier said than done to start a coaching blog…

How do you know what to write about? How often do you need to post? What if nobody reads it? What if you don’t have the time to write a blog? What if writing just isn’t your “thing”?

Hopefully the quick tips below may help 🙂

What do you write about?

  • Questions asked by clients. The chances are if one person has asked the question then there will be others wanting to know the answer!
  • Share examples of how you’ve helped clients / use a case study. You can still keep client confidentiality by using aliases & tweaking the circumstances surrounding the issue(s).
  • Ask your followers on social media what they would like to read about or what they may need help with. Don’t neglect your social media following; it’s another way to connect with potential clients.
  • “How to” posts, for example: How to choose the best coach for me / How to achieve work-life balance / How to be more productive / How to gain self-confidence…
  • Use lists, for example: Your favourite tools you use in your coaching practice / Your favourite self-improvement or personal development websites…
  • Share a story, people love stories! Tell them why you do what you do… what makes you passionate about your coaching practice, why you help that specific person etc.

How often should you post?

Personally I don’t think it really matters how often you post as long as you’re consistent – if you want to post once a month then make sure you post every month. If can do it weekly, then make sure it’s every week. Once you start building up a following they get to know when to expect a post and will keep an eye out for it.

Also remember posting regularly (even once a month) helps with your ranking on Google as you’re creating new content on your website.

“By having a blog, you can make yourself very accessible to your target audience. You can leave comments open on your blog so you can learn exactly what your audience likes about what you’re doing with your business and about what they think you should change.”

FABRIZIO MOREIRA

What if nobody reads it?

You won’t know until you try 🙂 But remember it may take time to get a following to your blog. You have to shout about it and share your posts EVERYWHERE! Share them on your social media platforms, in your newsletters, in your email signature, publish them on LinkedIn Publisher. Encourage your readers to comment on them, and make sure you respond to all comments, good or bad.

Take the time to get to know your target audience… who they are, where they hang out, how they want your help. Use that knowledge to write blog posts specifically for them.

Be genuine in your writing style – you will have a unique way of writing, we all do, so use it!

Don’t try to be like someone else, your readers will know this isn’t the real you and you may start to lose credibility.  Be authentic, open & honest. Share stories from your own life, use your experience to connect with your audience. They will get to know you & trust you.

What if you don’t have the time to write a blog?

  • Keep a notebook with you at all times specifically for blog post ideas, or use an app on your phone, something like Evernote – you’ll be amazed at when & where inspiration hits!
  • Try to put aside an hour a week to draft a blog post – once you get started with one you might find yourself on a roll & continue straight into the next one.
  • Once written, if your post is actually too big you could split it into 2 parts so that’s 2 blog posts done already!
  • If you still find yourself struggling to find the time, maybe look at outsourcing the task. You could record your post and send the audio file to someone like me who will type it up & post it for you, and do all the necessary SEO, tags, categories, source images etc.

What if writing just isn’t your “thing”?

If you don’t like writing, or realise that writing isn’t for you, don’t write a blog! There are other ways around it, stay true to who you are, know your strengths and do something else instead.

Try creating a series of podcasts or videos instead. That way you are still sharing your stories, your knowledge, and you’re doing it using a method that you are comfortable with.

Remember blogging is a way of connecting with your potential clients; if you share good, helpful content and be yourself, you’ll soon have a loyal following 🙂