If you're a life coach, picking the right marketing agency is crucial to grow your business and connect with the right audience. A good agency understands your unique needs, builds trust with potential clients, and delivers measurable results. Here’s a quick guide to help you make the best choice:
Before you look for a marketing agency, stop and think about what you need. Begin by setting clear marketing goals and figuring out where you need help. Without set goals, you may waste time, money, and confuse any potential partners.
Knowing your goals makes it much simpler to find an agency that fits your vision. Plus, a clear plan helps keep your marketing strong and on track.
Your coaching area is key to your marketing plan. Be clear about who you help - whether it's top women in business, fresh grads, or business owners - and the key problems you solve for them.
For example, instead of saying, “I help people be more sure of themselves,” try, “I aid tech workers in the middle of their careers beat feeling like frauds and take on leader roles.” This detail helps agencies make ads that hit home with the right people.
Next, look closely at your perfect client. What job do they have? How much do they make? Where are they online? What issues trouble them? The more you know, the better you can target your marketing.
Also, think about what sets you apart. It could be your past in business, a unique way of coaching, or special training. These are your strong points in marketing. Check out results you’ve gotten for your clients - what patterns do you see? This can sharpen your focus and guide your marketing moves.
Once you know your area and what your ideal client looks like, it’s time to set clear goals for getting new leads.
Set clear goals that fit with what your business needs. For example, you may want 20 new calls a month, 500 more email readers each quarter, or 10 new paying clients by year's end.
Think about your client journey - how people come to know, trust, and choose to work with you. This might mean getting more social media followers, growing an email list, or getting featured on podcasts and blogs. Each goal needs a different marketing approach, so choose what matters most based on your aims.
For instance, if you spend $3,000 a month on marketing and each client brings in $2,500, you should aim for at least two new clients a month to justify your spend.
Set goals for both the short and long term. Short-term goals might be to get 50 new calls in the next three months, while a long-term goal could be to become a known leader in your field in two years. Remember, some agencies are great for quick wins, while others are better for long-term plans.
First, think about how you'll know if you're doing well. Will you look at how many visit your website, how many open your emails, how much people talk on social media, or how many set up meetings? Clear goals let you check if the agency is doing a good job and shares your important numbers.
Next, pick which ways to market do not match your brand. When you have these goals set out clear, you are more ready to find an agency that can bring you the results you want.
Not all groups know what coaching folks need. Coaches must build trust and real ties, and only the teams that know this can really help. You need a team that gets how coaches get people, build trust, and make them stay loyal.
Coaching is not just quick sales. It is about making links. Your people are putting in both money and heart, so they must trust a lot before they buy your help.
When judging groups, first ask for case studies that show their work with life coaches or like jobs. Look for clear, real results. Like, a team might tell how they helped a job coach go from 5 to 25 calls a month in just 90 days.
Look at numbers that touch your work, like call bookings, list size, social talks, and client changes. Watch out for teams that only talk about site hits or likes but don’t link it to real work growth.
Client words are key too. Search for words that talk about real gains, like "helped me get $15,000 more each month" or "filled my coach slots for three months." Just nice words like "good to work with" won't help you know if they are good.
Don’t be shy to ask for people to talk to, to check the results. This move makes sure the team has a true history of aiding coaches to grow.
The right team will have help just for coaches, like landing pages, funnels, draw-ins, and being seen as top through PR. Coaches must be seen as pros, and your team should know how to do that.
Key help to look for are making content, talk chances, spots on podcasts, and digital PR to set you as a top name in your area. For example, if you’re a job coach, they should help you make tools like tests or guides that fit your ideal folks. A health coach’s draw-in might be about health tips or mind calm steps. The team should get these needs and shape their work to fit.
Teams that give both all-done-for-you and work-with-you are best. You might want them to do it all, but at times you might want to work together to keep your own style and voice clear.
For example, teams like Humble Help are good for coaches. They give help like making landing pages and funnels, making draw-in plans, digital PR, and growing LinkedIn. Their way mixes human know-how with smart automatic steps, helping coaches pull and keep their ideal people.
Also, the group needs to be good at LinkedIn marketing. Many coaches grow their work by meeting folks and posting smart ideas on LinkedIn. The agency should show you how to meet likely clients and grow your network in a smart way, not just by adding folks you don't know.
At the end, check if the agency gives design services that fit with coaching work. Your ads should look neat and safe since people see them when they choose to pay a coach.
Choosing the right service model starts with a clear understanding of your coaching goals. How an agency collaborates with you can directly impact your marketing success. Some coaches prefer to delegate everything and focus solely on their clients, while others like to stay hands-on throughout the process. By understanding these approaches, you can find a model that suits your style and budget. Take a moment to consider how different service models align with your schedule and financial resources.
With a done-for-you model, the agency takes full control. You provide your goals and brand guidelines, and they handle everything from strategy to execution. This option is ideal if you'd rather dedicate your time to coaching and let the agency manage your marketing efforts.
On the other hand, a done-with-you model involves collaboration. The agency offers guidance, but you remain actively involved in tasks like content creation and decision-making. For example, you might draft a blog post while they refine and publish it, or they could design a funnel template that you customize with your messaging.
Many agencies offer a mix of both approaches, adapting to your needs. You might start with a done-with-you setup to learn the ropes and later transition to done-for-you as your schedule becomes more demanding. Hybrid models, like those provided by agencies such as Humble Help, can give you the best of both worlds.
Cost and time commitment differ between these models. Done-with-you often has a lower upfront cost, but it requires more of your time and effort. Done-for-you, while more expensive, frees you to concentrate on your coaching sessions and clients.
Consider your current workload. If you're juggling 20+ coaching calls a week, investing in a done-for-you model might save you valuable time. But if you're just starting out and have more time than money, done-with-you could be the smarter choice.
Service models aside, communication is key. Clear, consistent reporting ensures you're on track to meet your lead generation goals. Ask agencies how they keep clients updated and how often. Some provide weekly email summaries, others prefer monthly video calls or shared dashboards.
Reporting frequency is crucial. For long-term brand-building efforts, monthly updates might suffice. But if you're running paid ads, you’ll need more frequent updates - weekly or even daily - to catch and address issues before they drain your budget.
Focus on agencies that report business outcomes, not just marketing metrics. While website traffic can be interesting, what you really need to know is how many discovery calls are being booked and how many of those are turning into paying clients. A great agency will track your entire funnel, from the first interaction to signed contracts.
Pay attention to response times too. Will they reply to emails within 24 hours? Are they available on weekends? If you're running a time-sensitive campaign, you need assurance that someone can make quick adjustments when necessary.
Agencies may use tools like project management software or email for updates. Choose a method that fits your comfort level. If you're not tech-savvy, avoid agencies that require you to navigate complex systems just to access your campaign data.
Finally, ask about their emergency protocols. What happens if your website crashes or your ads are rejected? A reliable agency will have contingency plans to address urgent issues quickly and effectively.
Once you've reviewed an agency's experience and service model, it's time to evaluate costs and contract terms to ensure you're getting a deal that aligns with your coaching business's goals. While sticking to your budget is important, choosing the cheapest option might not always be the smartest move. The real focus should be on what you're receiving for your investment. The goal is to find an agency that delivers measurable results that justify the price. Once you've clarified pricing, the next step is to calculate your expected return on investment (ROI).
Start by requesting clear, detailed quotes that break down costs for strategy, content creation, ad spend, and management fees. Make sure there are no hidden charges for things like revisions, rush jobs, or premium services. Be cautious of agencies that offer vague estimates or refuse to provide upfront pricing.
For life coaches, monthly retainers typically range from $2,500 to $15,000, while project-based work can cost anywhere from $5,000 for a basic funnel to $25,000 for a full-scale marketing system. Some agencies even offer starter packages. For example, Humble Help provides a Brand Boost Package that includes a website check-up, updated design, three press features, and three blog posts - all at no cost to help coaches kick things off.
When evaluating payment options, think about what works best for your cash flow. Some agencies require full payment upfront, while others offer monthly billing. A few might even link their fees to your results, though this is less common in the coaching industry. Be sure to understand when payments are due and what the terms are if you need to pause or cancel services.
When comparing quotes, look beyond the numbers. For instance, one agency may charge $5,000 for a landing page, while another charges $8,000. If the higher-priced option includes copywriting, A/B testing, and months of optimization, it could end up being the better deal in the long run.
Focus on the revenue potential an agency can help you unlock. For example, if an agency charges $5,000 per month and generates 20 additional discovery calls, with 25% of those converting into clients at $3,000 each, that's an extra $15,000 in monthly revenue.
Ask agencies for case studies or data from similar coaching businesses. A reliable agency should provide examples that detail key metrics like cost per lead, conversion rates, and the typical timeline for results. These insights can help you gauge whether their services are worth the investment.
It's also important to measure success using the right metrics. While increases in website traffic or social media followers might look impressive, the real value lies in generating qualified leads and paying clients. For example, gaining 5,000 Instagram followers is meaningless if it doesn't result in discovery calls or new clients.
Another factor to consider is the lifetime value of the clients the agency helps you attract. If their efforts lead to clients staying with your coaching program for 12 months instead of 6, the value of each new client essentially doubles. The best agencies focus on bringing in high-quality leads that align with your ideal client profile.
Lastly, think about time savings as part of your ROI. If the agency takes over tasks that would normally take you 20 hours a week, and you value your time at $100 per hour, you're saving $2,000 per week. That freed-up time can be reinvested into coaching sessions or growing your business.
Once you've analyzed costs and potential returns, take a close look at the contract terms to ensure they offer both protection and flexibility. Contract lengths can vary widely - some agencies require 12-month commitments, while others work on a month-to-month basis. While longer contracts might come with discounted rates, they can also lock you in if the partnership doesn't meet your expectations. If you're working with a new agency, consider starting with a shorter-term agreement to test the waters.
Check the cancellation policies carefully. Avoid contracts that require more than 90 days' notice or impose steep cancellation fees. A 30-day notice period is generally fair and should give both parties enough time to adjust.
Some agencies offer performance guarantees or trial periods. For instance, they might promise a money-back guarantee if they fail to deliver specific results within a set timeframe. Others might offer a discounted trial project, allowing you to evaluate their work before committing to a larger investment.
Make sure the scope of work is clearly defined in the contract to avoid unexpected charges. If additional services or revisions are needed, the pricing for those should be transparent and agreed upon upfront.
Think about scalability, too. As your coaching business grows, you might need more advanced marketing support. A good agency should be able to scale its services to meet your evolving needs, whether that means adjusting service levels quarterly or semi-annually.
Finally, ensure that intellectual property rights are addressed in the contract. It should clearly state that you own all marketing materials, content, and data created during the collaboration. This includes email lists, social media content, website assets, and any proprietary processes developed specifically for your business.
After evaluating costs and service models, the next step is ensuring the agency’s brand and working style align with your coaching philosophy. This step is crucial for creating a partnership that reflects your vision and maintains consistency across all marketing channels.
Your brand voice is essentially your personality in words - it’s how your identity, values, and offerings come across in your messaging [1]. Whether your style is bold and energetic, calm and reflective, or professional and insightful, this voice needs to be evident in everything you share with your audience [1].
Unfortunately, many agencies use a cookie-cutter approach that might not capture your unique essence. For instance, an agency skilled at crafting high-energy content for motivational coaches might struggle to convey the thoughtful tone of a mindfulness coach. This disconnect can confuse your audience and even damage the trust you’ve worked hard to build [2].
To avoid this, define your coaching philosophy with clear descriptors like “analytical,” “energetic,” or “nontraditional.” Just as importantly, identify what you’re not - perhaps you’re not corporate, overly formal, or traditional [2]. This clarity will help you gauge whether an agency can authentically represent your brand.
During discussions with agencies, ask them to share examples of work that align with your desired voice. For instance, have they created LinkedIn posts for leadership coaches or nurturing email campaigns for wellness professionals? Their ability to adapt to different coaching styles can be a strong indicator of their fit for your needs.
Pay attention to how they communicate with you during this process. Are their emails, proposals, and conversations aligned with your professional tone? If their style feels overly sales-driven or too casual compared to your consultative approach, it could signal a mismatch.
It’s also worth noting that while your brand voice remains consistent, the tone can vary depending on the platform or message [2]. A skilled agency will maintain your core voice while adapting the tone - for example, being playful on social media but serious and professional in a case study.
Once you’ve clarified brand voice alignment, it’s time to test the agency’s practical capabilities.
Before committing to a long-term partnership, consider starting with a small project or audit. This allows you to assess their work quality, communication style, and understanding of your brand without a significant financial investment.
Many agencies offer audits as an entry point. These might include a website review, social media analysis, or lead generation assessment. Not only can these audits provide insights into your current marketing performance, but they also reveal the agency’s analytical skills and approach.
Alternatively, a trial project could involve creating a landing page, designing a lead magnet, or running a small ad campaign. Choose a project that aligns with your priorities. For example, if lead generation is your focus, you might test them with a discovery call landing page.
Throughout the trial, observe how the agency operates. Do they ask thoughtful questions about your coaching style and target audience? Are they open to feedback and willing to make adjustments? How do they handle unexpected challenges?
Working with a marketing agency is often more transactional than coaching. You provide the direction, and they execute. However, the best agencies go beyond this - they offer strategic advice and challenge your ideas when necessary. During the trial, look for this balance. An agency that agrees to everything without offering constructive input may not provide the critical perspective you need.
Document the trial results, such as conversion rates, lead quality, timeliness, and how they manage revisions or scope changes. These details will be invaluable when deciding whether to move forward with a larger project.
If you’re exploring agencies that specialize in working with life coaches, consider options like Humble Help (https://humblehelp.studio). They offer tailored marketing solutions designed to capture the unique voices of coaches while combining human expertise with automation.
Selecting the right marketing agency as a life coach requires more than just comparing price tags or skimming through portfolios. It’s about finding a partner who aligns with your coaching philosophy and can genuinely represent your brand in a way that resonates with your audience.
The foundation of a successful partnership starts with clearly defining your niche and setting measurable lead generation goals. Agencies familiar with the unique challenges of the coaching industry - like building trust with potential clients, showcasing expertise without overwhelming them, and managing the longer sales cycles common in coaching - are better equipped to deliver meaningful results.
Consider a service model that suits your schedule and goals. If your time is limited, a done-for-you approach might be ideal. However, if you want to develop in-house skills, a done-with-you model could be a better fit.
Pay attention to how the agency communicates during your initial interactions. Their ability to reflect your brand voice and values early on is often a good indicator of how they’ll represent you to your audience.
Before committing fully, try starting with a smaller project or audit. This allows you to evaluate their responsiveness, quality of work, and compatibility with your style without a significant financial commitment.
Finally, resist the temptation to go with the cheapest option. Agencies that provide evidence of clear ROI through case studies and testimonials are often worth the investment. Spending more upfront on a skilled agency can save you from the costly cycle of switching between less effective, lower-cost options down the road.
When searching for a marketing agency that genuinely understands the needs of life coaches, start by outlining your specific goals, target audience, and challenges during your initial discussions. Be upfront about your niche, the services you provide, and the outcomes you want to achieve. This clarity allows the agency to develop strategies that are tailored to your needs.
Prioritize agencies with experience in the coaching industry or other service-oriented fields. Consistent communication and regular progress updates are essential to ensure their strategies remain aligned with your goals as they evolve. Building a collaborative relationship can help you effectively attract and connect with your ideal clients.
The key distinction between done-for-you and done-with-you services comes down to how much you're involved in the process. With done-for-you services, the agency takes care of everything - from planning to execution. This means you can focus entirely on your coaching work while they handle all the marketing tasks. It's a great choice if you prefer a hands-off approach or simply don’t have the time to dedicate to marketing.
In contrast, done-with-you services are more collaborative. The agency works closely with you, offering guidance and support while keeping you actively involved in the process. This is a good fit if you want to learn marketing techniques, stay in control, or play a more direct role in growing your business.
When deciding which option works best for you, think about your schedule, budget, and how involved you want to be in your marketing efforts. If you’re still on the fence, some agencies - like Humble Help - offer a blend of both approaches, giving you the flexibility to tailor the service to your needs.
When evaluating ROI for a marketing agency, it's all about focusing on measurable outcomes. Look for tangible results like more client inquiries, better conversion rates, and increased revenue. A good benchmark? Aim for a 5:1 return - earning $5 for every $1 you invest.
Keep an eye on key metrics such as the quality of leads, audience engagement levels, and how many new clients you're bringing in. It's also crucial that the agency's strategies align with your business goals and consistently drive growth for your coaching practice.
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