THE QUICK READ
The amount of information involved in interactions with clients within an online structure is huge , so systems and applications will be necessary to contain everything . This will range from where clients chat with you and how their programs are delivered to them , to what their formal check-in process looks like and how you provide them with feedback , among other things .
5 Set boundaries and expectations
While the speed and ease of communication enabled by apps and other online platforms is advantageous , it can also potentially be problematic . It is important to set boundaries and expectations with your clients so that you are able to provide a top-quality service without drowning in alerts and notifications .
While some day-to-day chat will be necessary and reasonable , it ’ s a good idea to create a structured check-in process with deadlines for your clients , so that they know when and how they are supposed to provide certain pieces of information to you . This helps them to organise their thoughts and prompts them to prioritise the details that you actually need to know about the most . It also creates predictability around the influx of information , so that you are able to organise your workload across your working week .
6 Grow your base of online clients
If you plan to expand your online services , you will need to look beyond your existing face-to-face clients . Just like on the gym floor , word of mouth goes a very long way , but outside of this you will need to look at online ads and social media . It is worth mentioning that a massive social media following is largely unnecessary to succeed as an online coach . If you focus on doing a great job , delivering a high-quality service and nurturing your existing client relationships , you will minimise drop-off , which largely reduces the need to go looking for new clients in the first place .
Realistically , if you are training more than 50 or so clients , you are probably stretching yourself too thin and not providing your best possible service . It goes without saying , therefore , why you might not need 100K followers on Instagram in order to fill your books . On your social media , focus on providing value : quality information leads to quality engagement , which sparks quality relationships with potential clients . Heaps of Likes might make you look cool , but do extraordinarily little for your business or reputation .
7 Strive to train your ideal clients
Online coaching opens you up to the option to work with almost anybody , anywhere on the planet – but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s a good idea to do so . For the benefit of everyone concerned , you should always aim to work with a clientele of ‘ ideal clients ’. Your skills as a trainer will already somewhat guide this , but who you are as a person will largely dictate who your ideal clients are . As a personal trainer or coach you work very closely with your clients , so the greatest successes will always arise when the interaction is genuinely enjoyable for everybody and imbued with mutual trust .
The more of yourself that you put into your content – your story and your value system – the more you will attract people who see the world in a similar way . This matters just as much as your ability to coach movement patterns , because the art of coaching is to be in a client ’ s corner and to serve as guide and support through their decisions and discoveries around self-care . Clients who feel that they are in a safe and trustworthy partnership with their coach , therefore , will always obtain the best results and have the most rewarding and fulfilling experience .
• Start small and start with some of your existing face-to-face clients who already know and trust you
• While online services do not have you physically present , the communication can work in your favour as you are able to be more involved in the lifestyle factors around health , ‘ the other 23 hours ’ as they are known in the fitness industry
• Set up systems and apps to manage your services straight away
• Be proactive with creating structure and with setting boundaries and expectations with your clients around communication and timelines .
• Quality saves you from drowning in the numbers game : a quality service will minimise attrition and quality social media content will nurture quality engagement and lay the foundation for relationships with potential new clients who value your knowledge .
Susy Natal Susy is an online fitness coach , wellness writer and performance coach . She has previously studied a Bachelors in Psychology and a Diploma in Coaching , and typically addresses health and wellness goals with an integrated approach . Working online with training clients from around the world , she focuses on lifestyle factors to nurture deeper and long-term change . She also works with fitness professionals in general business coaching and on branding , communication and writing skills .
28 | NETWORK SPRING 2021