Melissa Shevchenko, a former corporate employee turned thriving online fitness coach, shares her inspiring journey from in-person training to generating nearly $500,000 annually with just 1,400 followers. She reveals how she transformed her income from $8,000 a month to an impressive $70,000 online. Melissa discusses the significance of mentorship, developing premium offers, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. She emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and client care while encouraging listeners to take imperfect action towards their goals.
Melissa's transition from in-person training to online coaching highlights the necessity of adaptability in business during challenging times.
By fostering a strong community and engaging with clients through personalized communication, Melissa enhances retention and loyalty in her coaching program.
Melissa emphasizes the importance of educating clients on sustainable lifestyle changes, enhancing the perceived value of her premium services.
Deep dives
Transitioning from In-Person to Online Training
Melissa transitioned her business from in-person personal training to a fully online model, originally starting in 2014 within a local gym. After opening her own gym in 2015, she began exploring online training in 2016 but embraced it out of necessity due to COVID-19 in 2020. Faced with a complete shutdown and zero income, she began training clients over Zoom, which led to enrolling in a mentorship program to enhance her knowledge. By mid-2020, she completely shifted to online coaching, achieving significant financial success, with her business reaching annual profits between $400,000 to $500,000.
Client Acquisition Strategies
Melissa successfully attracts clients primarily through Facebook, where she maintains an active personal and business page along with a free Facebook community. Despite having only about 1,400 followers on Instagram, she effectively nurtures potential clients through her long-standing Facebook presence, which includes a group of 2,500 people. Melissa's approach to content is intentional and strategic, focusing on relatable posts that resonate with her target audience of women looking for lasting lifestyle changes. Engaging with her community is crucial, as her husband manages outreach and they regularly interact through live sessions and personal messages.
The Importance of Education and Mindset
Melissa emphasizes educating her clients about sustainable lifestyle changes rather than short-term results, a philosophy integrated into her six-week coaching program. This program combines mindset coaching, nutrition education, and fitness training, delivered via a streamlined platform, allowing her to provide extensive support without overwhelming client interaction. The critical focus on fostering a healthy relationship with food and encouraging accountability aids clients in their long-term success. Her method shows that investing in proper education significantly increases the perceived value of her services, helping her charge premium prices.
Building Community and Client Retention
Melissa has established a strong sense of community among her clients, which plays a pivotal role in client retention. The camaraderie and support fostered in her coaching environment encourage clients to stay committed and further their journey beyond the initial six-week program. Personalized communication, understanding clients' personal stories, and facilitating group coaching calls help strengthen these relationships. As a result, many clients remain with her long-term, enhancing her business's stability and success while solidifying her reputation as a trusted coach.
Finding a Balance and Future Aspirations
Although currently satisfied with the scale and profitability of her business, Melissa is exploring potential growth opportunities while valuing her lifestyle. After transitioning into a more balanced routine post-COVID, she is contemplating whether to expand her business or maintain its current state. Melissa acknowledges the importance of being adaptable, having experienced substantial growth, and she is taking time to decide on her future direction. She recognizes that while growth may be appealing, the priority remains on maintaining the quality of her service and life balance.
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Melissa is the online fitness coach everyone wants to be when they grow up.
Learn how she shifted from making $8k/month in-person to $70k/month online with just under 1,500 Instagram followers - and how you can get started on your journey to do it, too.
Find the marketing strategy that works for you
What a premium offer includes and is priced like (without spending every waking hour working on it)
Three pieces of advice that'll give you the kick in the trousers you need to get started today
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