Ask nearly anyone who runs an online business what their biggest struggle is, and chances are they’ll say “more traffic.”
You need traffic to build your email list.
You need traffic to fill your coaching programs.
You need traffic to sell products.
So the big question is, where do you get all that traffic?
Sure, you could buy ads, but if you aren’t careful, you might just fill your list with less-than-ideal audience members and that will do nothing for your sales. You could focus your time and energy on search engine optimization but unless you have years to build your business (and who does?) then SEO should not be your top choice.
The good thing is you do have other options.
Be a Guest
Everyone needs content. It’s the one thing that remains consistent among all content creators—there is never enough. That’s where you can help.
By guest posting on other coaches’ blogs, you can “borrow” some of their traffic.
You can’t simply regurgitate old content and send it out in a dozen directions though. To get the best results, you’ll want to:
- Create custom content designed with your host’s unique audience in mind.
- Provide stellar value with actionable ideas and strategies not found everywhere else.
- Inject your personality so those new to you will instantly connect with you.
- Offer a compelling reason to click through to your website or blog for more information.
Listiller has a Directory of 3000 blogs that are accepting guest posts. A quick Google search for blogs accepting guest posts will usually yield plenty of results as well. Just make sure you target the ones that are the best fit for your content and will allow an author link back to your site.
You can also reach out on Facebook and LinkedIn groups that you are part of to see if anyone would like a guest post or two on their blog.
Partner Up
No list? Here’s a quick way to “borrow” someone else’s list to kickstart your own: Schedule a free event or special offer with someone you’d like to partner with.
Here’s how it works.
- You (as the one with the small list) create a compelling, free training or special offer which leads naturally to a low-cost, no-brainer product.
- Install an affiliate tracking system
- Offer your best affiliates a higher percentage of profits in exchange for co-hosting your webinar or promoting your special offer and bringing their traffic along for the ride.
This is a win/win for both of you, as you gain the traffic while your affiliate/potential partner gets a bigger payday. Just be sure you have a good funnel in place so that your new list members can benefit from all that you have to offer.
Get Interviewed
Want to really show off your expert status and bring traffic back to your site, too? The easiest way is to get on the interview circuit. Just like authors with new books and actors with new movies, coaches and service providers can get in front of new audiences simply by answering questions about what they know.
Chances are you’re probably not going to appear on the Today Show or in USA Today, but there are still plenty of opportunities out there for coaches and consultants in every niche.
Look for interview and speaking opportunities on:
- Podcasts
- Blogs
- YouTube
- Facebook Live
- Periscope
- Local events
- Industry conferences
- Telesummits
Start by reaching out to your colleagues and to podcast and blog hosts you most admire. Get the word out with your friends and your list that you’re looking for opportunities.
Even if you don’t yet have a list of your own, it’s easy (and fun) to kickstart your audience growth simply by making yourself available for these and other opportunities. Each guest post, podcast interview and webinar is another chance to get in front of a whole new market, so take advantage of it!
There is no secret formula to this. You (or your virtual assistant) really just need to take the time to put yourself out there and establish relationships with people you’d like to work with. Not all of them will bite, but you can open a lot of doors and opportunities by simply asking.
Good luck!
You may also like:
- Getting More Visitors to Your Blog with Tailwind Tribes
- Business Resources for Coaches and Virtual Assistants
- Write Your Book in 30 Days
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