In Part 1 of this post, I addressed some common questions about online counseling/coaching. Now, I’d like to give you some practical ideas of how you might use these services to increase your exposure in the market and bring in more money!
Online services are no different than face-to-face services in that one of the keys to being successful is to be able to have a solid answer to the “Big Question”. If you know me, you know the question to which I refer — “Why should I, given all options (including doing nothing at all), do business with you?”
Here is a Four Step strategy to guide you…
Step One is to clearly define your target market.
Start out with a market who would likely be attracted to online services:
-People who don’t have access to face-to-face services
-People who don’t have time for face-to-face services
-People who are tech savvy and spend a lot of time online
-People who really value the convenience of online opportunities
-People whose perception is that “online” is their only option (those with agoraphobia, phobia, need for daily contact or follow up, a belief they are too busy to do anything else)
Step Two is to create services that meet the needs of your target market (niche services)
Survey your target market or study your market. Find out:
– Where they hang out (that’s where you will try to find them)
-What they need
-What they want badly
-How you can best help them in their desperation or need
STEP THREE is to have a definitive answer to the “Big Question”
Are your online counseling, coaching, supervision, niche services, training, workshops etc:
-Unique?
-The answer to a burning need for your target market?
-A convenience that your clients/customers will be willing to pay for?
-A value for the money?
Step Four is to pull it all together and come up with a marketing strategy to make online services a lucrative part of your business. If marketing is not your forte, find a coach who can guide you through the process. Once you do it the first time, you’ll be able to use these strategies each time you add another service to your business offerings.
