If you want to run a real business online and make money, coaching or consulting is one of the best business models there is. I should know. 
That’s what I do here. But if you’re just getting started, you have a dilemma: how do you get clients when you’ve never had clients before? You have no social proof in the form of testimonials, like this one:
“Before hiring Michael Martine, my plan for increasing revenue with my blog was going no-where. Reading several of the most recommended blog business reports helped very little, simply because I didn’t have the internet marketing experience needed to apply this knowledge in a way that fit the unique challenges of my business. After the consulting call with Michael, I can now see why my subscribers weren’t buying. Additionally, I now have a specific plan of action to patch things up so that my blog starts bringing in more cash. We have now monthly consulting calls.”
John Haydon
CorporateDollar.org
It’s All in Trade
If you can get testimonials like that, you will have no trouble getting consulting clients. How to get them when you’re new to the game? Simple: you trade. Here’s how it works:
- Use search or social media to find someone in your target market. Take a look at their situation by reading their blog or their social media posts. Make sure you know you can help them acheive success with your consulting.
- Interact with them a little and get to know them, so that you’re sure they’re not some weirdo (unless you want weirdos) and so they get to know you, too. A few days’ time should suffice.
- Make them an offer: you’ll help them in exchange for their permission to allow their case to be used to promote your business.
That’s the rough outline. What I do is collect testimonials, but even better, I record my phone coaching sessions with the client and use them as promotions for my business.
When I first switched my business model over from “design technician” style consulting to blog strategy coaching by phone, I needed a way to show people what it was like to have this kind of help. I found a couple people who were willing to help me promote my services in exchange for reduced rates.
A Little Secret
Now I’ll tell you a little secret: even though I now have clients regularly, I still do this from time to time, because I want the business to remain steady. You have to continuously promote, not just in a down period. If you want to get clients with your blog, you have to show people what it’s like to be your client. The easier it is for someone to imagine the success of your client as their own success, the easier it is for them to do business with you. Tell their stories, not yours. Better yet, let them tell their own stories to your readers for you, via testimonials.
Putting it all Together
Here’s how it breaks down: create promotional materials from clients via pre-arrangement, then use those promotional materials on your blog by:
- Creating a testimonials page
- Using the promotional materials (such as audio) on your blog in posts or as incentives to join an email list
If you need help “putting it all together”, like how I helped Vicki and many others, I’m here.