3 Actionable Local Online Marketing Strategies for Coaches

As a professional coach, your expertise can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

But how can you make that difference if those seeking your services can’t find you?

Often, they may be looking for someone locally, typing into their search bars phrases like

“life coach near me” or “life coach in [City]”

The question is, will your name appear in those search results?

If not, it’s time to rethink your local online marketing strategy.

In this post, we will explore effective methods to bolster your local online presence, ensuring that when a potential client in your area searches for a life coach, your name is at the top of the list.

3 Actionable Tips on Local Online Marketing for Coaches

Tip #1 – Create a City Page on Your Website for SEO

Creating city-specific pages on your website can help improve your local SEO and attract clients in your targeted locations.

Here’s a brief guide on creating a city page, for instance, a “Life Coach in Atlanta” page.

1. Choose the City: Decide on the city you want to target. In this case, it’s Atlanta.
2. Create a New Page: Add a new page on your website. The URL could be something like ‘www.yourwebsite.com/atlanta-life-coach’.
3. Optimize Page Title, Meta Description, and Headers: The page title might be ‘Life Coach in Atlanta | Your Business Name’. The meta description should summarize services in Atlanta, including keywords like ‘Atlanta Life Coach’.
4. Add High-quality Content: Write unique and engaging content about your coaching services in Atlanta. Mention the benefits of choosing you as a life coach in Atlanta, client testimonials from the area, etc.
5. Use Local Keywords: Sprinkle local keywords throughout the content, but avoid keyword stuffing.
6. Add Local Contact Information: Include your Atlanta-based contact information, if available. If you serve multiple locations from a single office, specify that you offer life coaching services in Atlanta.
7. Add a Google Map: Embed a Google Map of your location in Atlanta (if applicable).
8. Linking Strategy: Internally link to this page from relevant places in your website and externally link to pertinent Atlanta resources.

Remember, each city page should be unique. If you’re targeting multiple cities, avoid duplicating content across different city pages.

Tip #2 – Claim Your Google My Business Listing

Claiming your Google My Business listing is critical for local businesses to become more visible on Google search results.

Google My Business is a free tool from Google that allows business owners and organizations to manage their online presence across the Google platform.

When you create and verify your business listing, you can help potential clients discover your services, see your operating hours, read reviews, and find your location on Google Maps.

Google My Business is crucial for local businesses, as it enhances visibility in search results, especially for queries with local intent such as “life coach in [City].”

Ensuring your Google My Business listing is accurate and fully optimized is a key part of an effective local online marketing strategy.

Here are some simple steps to claim your listing:

1. Visit Google My Business: Go to the Google My Business website.
2. Sign In or Create a Google Account: If you already have a Google account, sign in. If not, you will need to create one.
3. Enter Your Business Name: Start typing your business name. If it appears in the drop-down menu, select it. If not, click on “Add your business”.
4. Enter Your Business Information: Fill in all the necessary information, including business name, address, and phone number. Make sure the details are accurate and consistent with the information on your website and other online listings.
5. Business Category: Choose the category that best fits your business. If you’re a coach, you might select “Professional Training & Coaching”.
6. Verify Your Business: Google will want to verify that your business is legitimate and that you are its owner. This is usually done by sending a postcard with a verification code to the business address you provided. Once you receive the postcard, you can enter the code into your Google My Business account to complete the verification process.

Remember, having a Google My Business listing is a key element of local SEO. It can significantly increase your business’s visibility on Google and help attract more local clients. Make sure to keep your listing up-to-date with accurate information, high-quality images, and regular posts about your coaching services.

Tips to Rank Higher on Google My Business

Boosting your ranking on Google My Business is crucial for attracting local clients. Here are several strategic ways to improve your ranking:

1. Complete Your Profile: Make sure every section of your Google My Business profile is filled out, including hours of operation, attributes, and services. Don’t forget to add high-quality images of your coaching sessions, your workspace, or any other relevant visual content.
2. Use Keywords: Include keywords that potential clients might use when looking for your coaching services. Place them naturally in your business description and in the posts you share on your profile.
3. Collect Reviews: Encourage your clients to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile. Positive reviews not only improve your listing’s visibility but also build trust with prospective clients. Remember to respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, as this shows that you value client feedback.
4. Regular Updates: Keep your profile fresh with regular updates and posts. You can share updates about your business, upcoming events, or useful resources. This will keep your audience engaged and improve your visibility on Google.
5. Use Google My Business Features: Take full advantage of the features offered by Google My Business. For example, the ‘Book an Appointment’ feature can allow potential clients to schedule a coaching session directly from your listing.
6. Local Citations: Ensure your business information is consistent across all online directories and platforms. This includes your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Consistent NAP information can improve your local SEO and consequently, your Google My Business ranking.

By following these tips, you can optimize your Google My Business profile and increase your chances of being found by potential local clients.

Tip #3 – Sign Up with the Top Online Directories

A significant part of local online marketing involves getting listed in online business directories.

These platforms can increase your online visibility, improve your Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and help prospective clients find your coaching services.

Here are the top online directories for life coaches.

1. Google My Business: As mentioned earlier, Google My Business is a vital platform for local businesses. Your profile can appear in local search results and Google Maps, providing potential clients with essential information about your coaching services. Google My Business
2. LinkedIn: While LinkedIn is primarily a professional networking site, it can also serve as a directory. Create a detailed profile showcasing your coaching skills and experience. LinkedIn can help you connect with potential clients and other professionals in your field. List your city and state on your profile. A local LinkedIn page with local coaches appears in search results based on the user’s location. LinkedIn
3. Yelp: Yelp is an online directory where people can review local businesses. It’s a popular platform for service providers, including life coaches. Positive reviews on your Yelp listing can help attract new clients. Yelp
4. Noomii: Noomii is an online directory specifically for life coaches. It lets you create a detailed profile and connects you with potential clients seeking coaching services. Noomii
5. Life Coach Hub: Another dedicated life coaching directory, Life Coach Hub allows coaches to list their specializations, write articles, and even offer online coaching through their platform. Life Coach Hub
6. Coach.me: This platform not only lists coaches but also offers digital coaching tools. It’s a great place to list your services and potentially gain access to clients who prefer digital coaching sessions. Coach.me
7. Betterfly: Betterfly is an online directory that lists service providers ranging from tutors and personal trainers to life coaches. Create an account to expand your reach to potential clients. Betterfly
8. Thumbtack: Thumbtack is a popular directory where clients can find and book local professionals for various services, including life coaching. Be sure to set up a comprehensive profile with your coaching specialty, experience, and pricing details. Thumbtack
9. Bark: Bark is a global online marketplace where people can find, contact, and hire local service providers, including life coaches. It’s an excellent platform to connect with potential clients in your locality. Bark

By creating and optimizing listings on these directories, life coaches can improve their online visibility and attract more clients.

Remember to keep your listings consistent and up-to-date, and encourage clients to leave reviews wherever possible.

Takeaway

Being a successful life coach in the digital age requires more than just having the right skills and passion. It involves leveraging online platforms to increase your visibility, especially on a local scale. From claiming your Google My Business listing, creating unique city pages for your website, to getting listed in online directories, each step contributes to your online presence and credibility. Furthermore, remember to keep your information consistent across all platforms and encourage reviews to bolster your reliability. By doing so, you’ll not only enhance your online reputation but also increase the chances of attracting more clients who are in need of your coaching services.