Talented coaches pour their hearts into client work. They transform lives in their sessions. But their personal brands stay small because they’re too busy helping others. They neglect the practice of building their own presence.
Most coaches know they need to show up online to attract premium clients. But after back-to-back calls, admin and delivery, there’s no energy left for content creation and brand building.
Building a strong personal brand attracts perfect clients who pay premium prices. But many coaches sabotage their success before they start. Here are the big mistakes to avoid.
The personal brand mistakes that hold coaches back
Making it about you
Your Instagram grid looks amazing. Your website tells your whole life story. Your mission statement sparkles. But no one cares. Coaching isn’t about you, it’s about your clients’ results.
Show the wins of people you’ve helped. Share their testimonials. Tell their stories. Focus on what changes when someone works with you. Make your clients the hero of every story you tell.
Missing the transformation
“I help people reach their full potential” doesn’t cut it. Vague promises won’t win you clients. People buy specific results, not wishy-washy words.
State exactly what changes when someone works with you. Map the journey from where they start to where they finish. Tell them what life looks like after your work together. Paint that picture bright and clear.
Using multiple calls to action
Buy my course! Book a call! Join my membership! Download my freebie! Your followers feel overwhelmed and your brand comes across as too much, so you don’t move people along the funnel. Too many choices mean no action at all.
Pick one clear next step for your audience. Push them towards it with everything you post. Make it simple. Make it obvious. Watch your conversion rates soar.
Selling to everyone
When your bills need paying and your calendar looks empty, you badly need clients. So you cast the net, appeal to the masses, and follow up the hint of a lead, regardless of the fit. Stop right there. Being a generalist gets you nowhere.
Pick your perfect customer and speak directly to them. Get specific about who needs your help. Say no to projects that don’t align and clients you know you can’t help. Clear the space for those you can.
Playing it safe
You water down your opinions. You copy what other coaches post. You stay professional and polished. But bland doesn’t build a brand. Safe won’t secure you clients. Your future clients want to know your strong beliefs.
Share your real thoughts. Take a stand. Tell stories that matter. Be happy to split opinions and post content that starts conversations. Don’t sit on the proverbial fence, let your personality shine through. The coaches who stand out get booked up.
Holding back value
You keep your best stuff for paying clients. You drip-feed basic tips hoping people will pay for more. But that strategy backfires hard. If you don’t give away value, your audience can’t experience your methods and grasp your generosity. They don’t know what you’re about.
Share your knowledge freely. Teach what you know. Help people get results before they pay you. Build trust through openness and knowledge. The more you give, the more you get back.
Ghosting your audience
You post three times one week then vanish for a month. Your newsletter sends randomly. Your podcast drops whenever you feel inspired. But inconsistency kills brands fast.
Pick your platforms. Choose your schedule. Show up religiously. Your audience needs to know when they’ll hear from you next. Build the habit of consistent content and start right now. A personal brand takes a long time to build, but the returns are exponential.
Build your brand the smart way: avoid these mistakes coaches often make
Strong personal brands bring coaches clients on repeat. But only when built right. Start fixing these mistakes today. Your business will thank you tomorrow.
Your coaching gets results. Your methods work wonders. Now let’s make sure everyone knows it. Build your brand with intention and watch your practice grow. The world needs what you’ve got.