3 Ways to Increase Visibility for Your Coaching Business Using Instagram
Since launching 10 years ago, Instagram has become one of the world’s most popular social media channels. A staggering 1 billion monthly active users access the platform for an average of 28 minutes per day, giving businesses with Instagram accounts a unique advantage. More than 200 million Instagram users visit at least one business profile per day, and 70% of Instagram users use the platform to discover new businesses and products.
These data demonstrate Instagram’s broad influence and reach, making the platform an important acquisition resource for coaches looking for ways to increase visibility, promote the benefits of coaching and gain new clients.
Here are three actions to help build awareness around your coaching services and grow your business on Instagram.
1. Post Engaging Visuals
Instagram is all about the visual. Pictures and videos have the power to convey your coaching narrative in an instant, engaging way. When you plan your social media calendar, consider what will visually resonate with your target demographic. Posting original materials from your coaching sessions (with permission, of course) will allow potential clients to gain sense of your coaching style and what differentiates your business from others. If you don’t have original images to showcase, you can use stock photos; however, these should be used sparingly and include diverse groups of people.
If you’re new to the platform, consider introducing yourself with a photo and caption or a video informing your followers what kind of content they can see on your account. While your approach should be casual, it should also be professional. Always remember to explicitly demonstrate the unique value of your services to increase engagement among your followers with the hope of developing a client-coach relationship.
Keep in mind, there are multiple ways to highlight your content on the platform from native posts, IG stories, IG live and IG reels. Be creative and experiment with these different avenues to determine which tactic will give your brand the highest return on investment.
2. Use Relevant Hashtags and Locations
Tagging is key to growing your presence. Similar to other social media channels, hashtags on Instagram can dramatically increase your account’s visibility. Hashtags are words or short phrases that people can search on the platform and discover which individuals or organizations are posting relevant content. Currently, #lifecoach, #lifecoaching and #professionalcoach are some of the most popular coaching-related hashtags, used in more than 13 million posts on Instagram. Using these hashtags in your posts can introduce your brand to millions of prospective coaching clients and potentially increase revenue for your business.
To discover which hashtags are gaining the most traction at any given time, search relevant coaching words and phrases in the Instagram search bar and peruse the results for tags that align with your brand, business and audience.
In addition to hashtags, using location tags in your native posts can help put your content in front of users who are in the same regions, providing your brand with a different discovery avenue. You can also tag locations where you hope to grow your business to widen your reach.
3. Follow Relevant Accounts
Relationship building is a two-way street. Even if you post visually appealing content and use the best hashtags, you still need to be actively engaged on the platform to find and follow users who may be interested in utilizing a professional coach to achieve their personal or professional goals. Researching hashtags and the relevant accounts they’re attached to is a great way to determine what users find engaging and would like to see more of in your content and services in the future.
Although this can be a time-consuming process, following accounts will give you the opportunity to learn more about the industry’s landscape and key influencers. It will also give potential clients the chance to discover your services, engage with you and hopefully become a client.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change business operations around the world, virtual events and social media are becoming increasingly crucial for businesses to showcase their products and services. Ranked fourth out of the seven most popular social media platforms, Instagram is a key tool to help you take your business to the next level. Implementing the above tactics will help you increase your brand’s awareness and develop relationships and partnership to help you accomplish your coaching business’ long-term goals.
Dziko Crews
Dziko Crews has a background in digital strategy, content development, management and public relations with a master’s degree in strategic marketing and communications. She is a Senior Account Executive at Stanton Communications, ICF’s public relations agency of record.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.
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