As the new year approaches I thought it would be fun to share my 3 predictions for what’s in and what’s out for coaches in the coming year.

Webinars Overtake Teleseminars

I’m not saying that teleseminars are out, but webinars are certainly IN! Have you noticed there’s more webinars being offered than ever before? One reason is that social media has raised the desire for visual cues. When I browse through my Facebook news feed, I tend to focus faster on posts with photos, graphics and videos. What about you?

Another reason webinars are gaining popularity is that attendance rates are higher and people enjoy the chat function. When there’s something to follow along and a way to connect, attendees stay longer on calls and multi-task less. And if you’re promoting through webinars, that means more clients and higher income.

A well-done set of power point slides delivered as a pdf handout may accomplish the same thing for a teleseminar. In either case, the quality of the visuals and timing will affect results.

Also, there are new systems for webinars, such as Evergreen Business Systems, which makes distributing webinars so much easier. The replays are more interesting that audio alone.

Of course, the big downside to webinars is the cost of the webinar recording systems like GotoWebinar and the potential for technical difficulties. But, like any 3rd party system, invest in it with intention to use it frequently, which justifies the cost while you get more technically savvy.

Continue reading What’s Hot and What’s Not for Coaching Businesses in 2012

Thank you for following my blog. In gratitude for your big heart, your big goals, your courageous actions – I’m sharing some of the tools and support systems that have made this past year so much easier, more joyful and more profitable for me.

#1 My Fabulous Online Business Manager

An online business manager is much, much more than a Virtual Assistant. She keeps me on task, on track and manages all my promotions and projects. She’s always hip to what’s hot and new in marketing, online tools and trends. She streamlines my email, takes care of customer service and keeps all Prosperous Coach web pages, documents and processes up to date. Sorry to say my OBM is booked but you can find a good one too at the link above.

#2 My Ace Webmaster – Nichole Betterley

There are web designers and then the more rare, web MASTER. Nichole is bar none the finest designer/coder. Not only did Nichole make my website beautiful, clean and easy to navigate, she keeps it that way. And when I want to add some new fangled system like Digital Access Pass for my membership programs, or Evergreen Business Systems so I can get webinars out there big time to my market, she digs in and finds the most elegant way to code it so it works like a charm.

#3 Erika Ruggiero Graphic Designer Extraordinaire

It used to take so long and cost so much to get a little thumbnail graphic done for a new product, program or bonus, but Erika is lightening fast, has great sense of style and keeps her prices so affordable. Yay Erika!

Continue reading My Favorite Things for My Coaching Biz

This is a guest post by my friend and colleague, Nancy Marmolejo, the Online Visibility Expert for Heart Based Entrepreneurs…

Click the play button to listen to the audio of this article directly from Nancy!

If you’re a coach, consultant, speaker, author, trainer, or other service professional, then you have a powerful message to share with the world and your business is how you get it out there.

What good is that message is it’s hidden in the shadows and no one can find you?
It’s time to get your business out of the shadows and into the spotlight so more people can know about your message, your business, and your expertise.

These 5 tips will get you started so more people know about you, connect with your offers, and buy from you!

1. Claim Your Expertise, Claim Your Medicine

Your expertise is more than what you know; it’s medicine for the world. Don’t be reluctant to claim your expertise. In fact, it’s really not about you; it’s about the transformation your work activates. Let your message and your “medicine” lead you to step up into a bigger arena and get your name out to the people who want and need what you have.

2. Use Your “Spotlight Style” for Maximum Marketing Impact

There are 3 distinct “Spotlight Styles”, which is how we’re wired for marketing success. They’re based on personality traits and comfort level with certain actions. Knowing your Spotlight Style keeps you from making the marketing mistakes that trap your business in the shadows.

Continue reading 5 Tips to Get Your Business OUT of the Shadows and INTO the Spotlight – by Nancy Marmolejo

A secret to enjoying your coaching business is staying organized. There are so many great tools available online to help you. Most are no cost and easy to use. Here are ten of my recent favorites.

Free Conferencing
Want to do your own teleclasses or meet with a client on a bridgeline so you can easily record the call? There are lots of free bridgelines now, but this one is the best because you can have up to 1000 people on your call without a reservation, and it shows you who dialed in!

Oovoo Video Conferencing
If you’d like to look your clients in the eye, then this video conferencing solution is for you. Send your clients the link and the two of you can chat virtually while face-to-face.

Time Zone Converter
Do you have international coaching clients? Find out the time anywhere in the world with this time zone converter so you can coordinate schedules.

Survey Gizmo
Find out exactly what’s important to your target market. Create quizzes and surveys for your coaching clients and prospects. This online app is sleeker and more user friendly than Survey Monkey. It has nifty options for responses to your questions, including drag and drop ordering.

Continue reading Ten Handy No-Cost Online Tools for Your Coaching Business