The Obvious Choice

The team shares some of the lessons learned and the challenges posed by the process of launching a program.    The Episode: What You Can Learn From Our Past Launches   The launch cycle makes up a large chunk of the work of any online trainer and there are unavoidable learning curves and hurdles that everyone will encounter in the process. That being said, we wanted to share some of the biggest lessons we have learned, and hopefully avoid extra unnecessary strife in your business, if possible! Remember, learning comes from encountering challenges and the knowledge you take forward will serve you in the long run, so don't be afraid to make a misstep. In this discussion, we cover the wrong kind of marketing, avoiding apathy in relation to your offer, confidence and selling yourself, payment mistakes, and more! We also dive into tactics to keep you visible between your launches and why you need to minimize potential pitfalls early on in the enrollment process.    In This Episode  The roots of knowledge lie in challenges and mistakes [0:13:37] Avoiding over-the-top and misleading marketing [0:14:43] The impact of self-doubt on selling yourself and your offer [0:18:11] Lasting effects of early issues present in the enrollment period [0:21:04] Taking payment up front, no matter what [0:25:01] Creating excitement and energy for your launch [0:28:46] The power of identity and appealing to certain sectors or demographics [0:35:01] Staying visible between launches and looking for feedback [0:36:12]   “The thing about lying is that once you start to lie, it starts to spin out of control very, very quickly. And then you have to lie to cover up your lies, and then lie again to cover up those lies. And all of sudden your entire business is just a lie.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Growth Opportunities Offered by Mistakes Launches present a multitude of challenges for online trainers and these, in turn, offer many opportunities for learning! The first thing to keep in mind is that problems that are present in the early stage of a launch can linger, so best to keep a handle on things from the start. As we often say, you want the right kind of clients to work with you, so appeal to your ideal audience, get people excited, sharing your offer, and wanting to sign up!   Honesty and Self-Belief  Honesty is always the best policy and this is true with marketing too. As soon as you start lying or even stretching the truth, you are setting yourself up for unnecessary and unwanted stress. Leading with transparency from the start will have direct results in your program and the experience of those that sign up, so make this a priority! Honesty will also force you to be a better and more accurate communicator, serving your business in the long run. The next point relates to your confidence and how you are able to present and sell yourself. If you are clear on your offer, it is that much easier to be proud of what you doing and launch in an impactful way!   Payment and Excitement Generation We have seen many times how deferring payment in some way can lead to a number of issues. We highly recommend taking full payment upfront, as this will set the tone for a professional relationship, which is what you want. One of the most important things about any launch is the creation of excitement and energy, so you want to try and enhance this as much as possible. Get your things in order and organized, and then see the process through. You want to be hosting the party that everyone wants to go to, so double down on the celebratory aspects of your launch to get people interested.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC  

Today our panel talk about adherence and what to do when your clients want to go off an agreed training plan.   The Episode: When Clients Want To Go Off Plan   From time to time, clients will come to you with a question or request regarding something they saw or heard about elsewhere. This can be a new fitness fad or a recommendation from a magazine or celebrity trainer, but it might not fit in with your current plan. What should you do in these situations? There are two broad ways to respond to these scenarios, the first is around sticking strictly to the plan and asserting your authority as the coach. The other way you can tackle this issue is to adopt a more supportive and explorative tact. You can allow your client to try something, with your guidance, and perhaps you can both learn something! The main thing is to use the advantage you have, which is the personal credibility you have as their trainer.   In This Episode The question that sparked today's topic about adherence [0:17:01] What a distracted client shows about your training [0:22:30] Ways to deal with requests to go off plan [0:26:02] Supportive versus strict coaching [0:30:52] The inevitable occurrence of these kinds of interactions [0:33:54] Lessons we can learn from client requests and questioning [0:35:01] The strengths of a personalized approach to fitness programs [0:38:20]   “Part of coaching women is remembering and understanding that women have complete and full autonomy over their body. They can do and not do, with their body, whatever the heck that they want.” — Carolina Belmares   The Ups and Downs of Fitness Trends It can be quite tricky to deal with the influence of current trends and changes in the fitness landscape. Clients can get shiny object syndrome very easily, so it is important to stay focused on the personal connection you have as a personal trainer! Questions and doubts do not have to lead to losing a client and can actually lead to learning and present opportunities to grow and assist someone in new ways.   Responses to Client Requests A small tip that can be very helpful is to always celebrate a client's engagement and interest in their fitness and health. You should let the nature of your relationship with them lead the way in terms of how you deal with things too, certain people can be pushed a little harder while others might need a more gentle approach. Being present in the process of a client's learning is a plus, so if you can keep them safe while staying within your scope and expertise, that is usually a good thing.   The Two Methodologies Dealing with these scenarios is somewhat inevitable at some point, so having your responses in order is advised. Whichever way to you chose to go, taking your ego out of it and making their health and fitness journey the priority will always be best! There is also the added dimension of what these kinds of queries can signify, and if you can keep in mind the idea of helping them in ways you might have been missing, you can strengthen your coaching relationship rather than undermine it.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we unpack some helpful thoughts on the onboarding process and how to welcome in new clients in the best way.    The Episode: Onboarding New Clients The Right Way   The process of onboarding new clients has a big impact on customer retention, commitment, and the growth of your coaching business going forward. Eliminating gaps and confusion for the client, and making the path ahead crystal clear, will increase the likelihood of their buy-in and resultant success. An important piece of this project lies in understanding each client and their particular needs and then making the necessary adjustments accordingly to usher them along the first part of their journey. What do they need early on? A quick win? Reassurance? Understanding these dynamics is vital and the better you are at mapping out potential hurdles on the way to their goals, the more they will value your service!   In This Episode Mapping out the onboarding touchpoints [0:11:50] Optimizing the client experience at each juncture [0:17:23] The needs of different clients [0:19:32] Reacting to each client and keeping the focus on them [0:23:46] The importance of check-ins and continuity in the process towards goals [0:26:54] Accountability through community [0:30:01] Keeping the onboarding process simple and easy [0:31:47]   “Great trainers recognize this kind of stuff in their clients and build it into their program.” — Jonathan Goodman   Making Use of Important Opportunities Going into relationships with new clients means being aware of the important touchpoints in your customer journey. Each step in the early parts of the process, from messaging and receipts to check-ins, are opportunities for better communication and to show your value. If you pay attention and respond accordingly, you can easily differentiate yourself from other trainers, and stand out in a crowded field! We recommend putting yourself in their shoes and trying as much as possible to meet them where they are.   Stand Out from the Start The onboarding process is the first real opportunity to show your clients who you are and what you have to offer. And when you couple this sort of communication with an understanding of the different sectors that you serve and how any particular client fits into this framework, you are able to tailor very strong messaging that connects with people! People might have similar goals, but generally, there are different ways to get there. Another area that seems to often be neglected is the continuity related to progress; if you have laid out a plan, then let them know how far along they are at any given time. You want to build buy-in and enthusiasm!   The Role of a Helpful Trainer As we have said before, keep the focus on the client and put yourself and your goals second. If you can prioritize building trust and confidence, it is that much easier to maximize positives and minimize negatives! All of this important stuff is accessible as early as the onboarding process, and should not be left for a later stage of a relationship. In fact, if pieces of this are missing from the start, a client's journey might come to an early end.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

The panel discusses some opinions about the best lead generation methods for your online coaching business.   The Episode: What's The Best Lead Generation Method?   There are plenty of avenues that can be effective ways to generate leads for your coaching business. The foundation of all of these, however, comes back to a message we often underline: knowing your story, your audience, and how to communicate it to them. We recommend that whichever method or methods you choose, that you occupy spaces that you will find your ideal clients in, and then allow opportunities to present themselves as a result of showing up. It is somewhat irrelevant how exactly you generate the leads or which platform you utilize. It is possible to do a small amount of actual work on this, but if it is smartly positioned and timed, your leads can blow up! In the game of lead generation, timing and patience trump force every time so if you can exercise these virtues you will be well-positioned to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.   In This Episode The recent PTDC issue on Instagram and the lesson it contains [0:12:20] Confusing traffic numbers on Facebook and online communities [0:17:32] Independence from specific funnels for your business and leads [0:22:05] The power of Facebook Groups for generating new leads [0:27:04] Doubling down on whichever avenue you pursue [0:27:04] Building from a foundation of understanding and strong communication [0:36:48] Rounding up some general tips for effective action [0:39:55]   “All of these things work, what probably won't work is trying to do all of them.” — Jonathan Goodman   Get Involved in Communities Connecting on platforms such as Facebook Groups can build a powerful bond and then an opportunity to pitch to your ideal clients. The trust that grows from showing up authentically and sharing with people online, should be valued and built over time, and the benefits that can result might be surprising to you! A great way to connect is by sharing knowledge and telling your story in the right spaces, this can lead to all types of chances to turn casual interactions into business.   Choosing a Route to Pursue  Whichever route you decide on, whether it is through forums, email newsletters, or even ethical bribes, make sure you have your method down. You do not necessarily even have to use social media, it is up to you and the needs of your business. More important than where is how; if you can communicate well with the right people, you will reap the rewards and harvest the fruits of your labor.   Tips For Effective Lead Generation Not every interaction has to be about business, so showing up and sharing naturally, with lowered open expectations, will lead to better relationships and immersion within a community. In fact, we believe that this kind of approach will have better results from a strictly business perspective too, as people will be more in tune with exactly who you are and what you do.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   How Online Personal Trainers Should Be Mastering and Profiting from Their Niche (the Right Way): https://www.theptdc.com/how-to-market-your-online-personal-training-niche   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our team gives an overview of the necessary pieces you need to put in place to take care of the legal side of your coaching business.   The Episode: The Boring Legal Stuff You Must Know When Training Clients Online   You cannot escape the realities of running a business, and this means that there are inevitable legal hoops you have to jump through at certain points. We are here to tell you that the sooner you do this, the better. Clearing your mind of any concerns will help you sleep better at night and will also make sure you are securer in your work going forward. You do not want to pay the price for avoiding necessary work that you can do now and put it to rest. If you run a growing business, which most of are or at least want to, the chances are that you will encounter some legal issues at some point. This does not have to be a train smash if you have the right things in place, so let's get these out of the way and move on to more fun stuff!   In This Episode Taking responsibility for a coaching business and its expenses [0:11:25] The importance of financial literacy and realistic expectations [0:15:12] Four essential components to a legally functioning business [0:16:28] The situations that arise that can derail you [0:22:20] A proactive approach and how it will serve you down the line [0:25:03]   “When you become an online trainer, even if it's a side hustle, you are operating a business. You should act like you are operating a business. Most people do not.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Expenses of Running a Business If you are not clear on this already, here is a reminder: it will cost some money to run a business. That is just part of what it means to start something and keep it afloat, and expenses are to be expected. Unfortunately, this part of financial literacy seems to be frequently missing from many businesses and is a basic building block for becoming a functional entity.   Four Legal Components of Business The four legal areas we want to highlight as most foundational to coaching are insurance, terms of service, privacy policies, and a PAR-Q. If you are able to cover these bases, making sure the way you are set up in relation to your clients and their information, your relationship with our insurance company, your records, and so on, you are well on your way to moving past these administrative hurdles. Getting the help of a professional for any task is advised, as this will make the ins and outs a bit more comprehensible to the average person.    Reasons to Stay Proactive It is not possible to be in control of when an issue or difficult legal situation might arise for you. Most often these things happen when you least expect them, or worse, when you are least able to deal with them. For these reasons you want to be ahead of the game, and putting things in place while your business is still small, will mean that it will be that much more simple. It will also give you time to learn the ropes and get used to the particulars of the legal side of your business, so there is no good reason to delay!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Today we examine the validity of the common complaint that 'people just aren't buying right now'.   The Episode: People Just Aren't Buying Right Now   At the OTA we regularly hear from students and coaches that it feels like people are not buying at a certain time. While there may be hills and valleys across the seasons, we believe that mostly this is a false perception and is much more to do with your side of things than external forces. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by believing you cannot sell at any given time. With that in mind, we have compiled a checklist that you can run through in order to better assess your prospects and figure out where you need to improve.    In This Episode Assessing the perception that people seem to not be buying right now [0:15:40] Getting clear on who you help and how you do that [0:18:58] Sharing your human side along with your profession [0:22:39] Creating an appropriate solution to your clients' problems [0:23:30] Sending a clear and consistent message about being open for business [0:27:50] Communicating your value in the correct way for your audience [0:32:50] Focussing on the mission of building relationships with people [0:33:57] Growing a network by engaging in spaces you would find your ideal client [0:33:57] Making sure people know about you! [0:40:50] Collecting testimonials and referrals from past and current clients [0:41:06]   “Saying what you think is right, or what you think is the biggest opportunity is inarguably a mistake that our entire community makes, that sets them down the wrong path and gets them frustrated.” — Jonathan Goodman   Getting to Grips with The Problem We are aware that it can sometimes feel like the market is flat or that people are not responding to you. But this checklist can help clear up where the issue is, and in our experience, it is usually something you can do something about! This feeling of powerlessness can be crippling for you and your business, so it is best to get ahead of it and move forward. The foundation, as with many of the things we teach at the OTA, is knowing your audience and how you help them. Once you are aware of this, you can begin to build relationships and grow your client pool. An important aspect of that is shedding light on your human side, to balance out the professional and business-focused content you are posting.   The Fundamentals of Communication You need to be creating solutions that are suited to your ideal clients, and this means a higher level of focus on them, instead of yourself. Learn and then speak their language! Another thing we have touched on many times before is the constant message that you have to send about being open for business and what exactly you offer. If you do not explain this to people, they will not know to come to you. Communicating your value in a meaningful and benefit-focused way will also help you make the most impact on prospective clients, and you need to be talking to people and building relationships consistently.   Showing Up and Branching Out  A lot of what we do as online trainers is about the growing network that you nurture. One of the best ways to do this is to spend time in spaces and on platforms where you would find your ideal client. In these types of spaces, you need to show up authentically and consistently and work hard at letting people know what you do. The last piece of this puzzle ties it all together; collect testimonials and referrals from your past and present clients in order to keep the fire burning and the circle growing!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our panel sits down to chat about the importance of sharing your personal story and getting over the fear of opening up.   The Episode: Why You Should Definitely Share Your Story   You may be forgiven for feeling like you always have to show your best side on social media and when interacting with clients. We are here to remind you that showing flaws, vulnerability, and failures can actually positively impact your coaching business and gain you more clients. When you humanize yourself through personal details about your journey and struggles, it makes you more relatable and approachable. In fact, you may say that it is hard to truly respect someone with that sort of perspective of them. It will take some time and practice, but the sooner you can get comfortable opening up to the public, the sooner you will reap the rewards.   In This Episode  The fear that exists of sharing personal things [0:11:02] Natural progress in getting comfortable on different platforms [0:17:01] The humanizing power of details specific to your circumstance [0:20:49] How personal information impacts getting hired by clients [0:23:32] An exercise in sharing something sensitive on social media [0:27:29] Human connection is often missing from coaching businesses [0:32:47]   “That's what we mean when say share your story, share how your current life circumstances shape the decisions that you make with your health.” — Carolina Belmares   Getting Past the Fear of Sharing There is a noticeable hump that we have to get over in order to properly share our true story. Doing this will become easier after every time, but the bottom line is you need to get comfortable telling people about the different parts of yourself. Doing this can definitely leave you feeling exposed, but it is also the best way to connect with others, so get accustomed to letting your guard down.   Avoiding Comparisons and Humanizing Yourself No matter your line of work, honesty makes you more approachable, and the sharing of your story can make you less intimidating to clients. You need to be talking about how your current circumstances are impacting decisions to do with your health, this coupled with a less than perfect picture of yourself will build rapport. There are reasons that people choose coaches, and trust and connection are usually high up on that list.   Authenticity and Vulnerability Do not be afraid of vulnerability, it can really count in your favor. Getting hired is reliant on respect, respect is reliant on understanding, and your story is the quickest route to understanding. You can test all of this out very easily by posting something vulnerable on social media, and using it as a means to start a conversation. You may be surprised just how much engagement you receive on this kind of content. We all share insecurities, so why not use them to connect?   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our team shares some thoughts on building a package based on nutrition and how these lessons apply to fitness and diet.   The Episode: How To Build Packages As A Nutrition Coach   Today we look at how the lessons from the OTA can be applied specifically to the role of a nutrition coach. Despite some outward differences, fitness and nutrition coaching have many fundamental similarities and as far as the lessons we teach here, they can be viewed in the same way. The same foundational principles apply when you are helping clients improve their diet and relationship with food. You need to understand your clients and your ideal avatar really well, there needs to be some tailoring and individual attention spent on each case, and you have to ask yourself and your clients the right questions. It all ties back into the issue of knowing your business, the service you provide, and who you are providing it to!   In This Episode Introducing the conjunction fallacy and what it teaches us about probability [0:12:25] Focussing on selling the results of your service [0:17:20] How a wider view of benefits applies to nutrition coaching [0:22:13] Food and nutrition can be a sensitive subject for many people [0:25:06] Increasing the individualization of programs across different tiers [0:29:40] Staying clear on the problem each package solves [0:31:10]   “If you try to sell what you do, you're going to have a hell of a hard time. If you effectively sell the results of what you do, you're going to have a really easy time.” — Jonathan Goodman   Applying The Model to Nutrition There is a large amount of overlap between fitness and nutrition coaching, and we offer the same approach to improving each business. The first lesson is to take the focus away from the nuts and bolts of what you do and shine a light on the results you are offering. So do not get caught up in the details that nobody cares about! You want to take your clients to the top floor and show them the view, not tell them how the skyscraper was built.     Sell Results, Not Technical Details When it comes to food, avoid getting too specific about the technical side of the diet. It is so much more effective to share reassuring messages about what they will be eating and how it is achievable. You definitely do not want to scare them off by over-emphasizing how difficult it will be to give up certain parts of their usual diet. So you have to find a way to transition their current habits into something healthier without upending their whole life. A further dimension to this relates to the sensitivity many of us have around food; it can be tied to identity, culture, and heritage, and thus should be respected and considered properly.   Tailoring A Plan To Suit Your Ideal Clients Like fitness coaching, work in nutrition is all about the articulation of the benefits. You have to find a way to make your approach work for your different clients, and this takes some individual care. You may want to implement a tiered model of different packages, with increasingly tailored plans across the options. Whatever you decide, there is a level of clear communication needed, and you want to be sharing exactly how your service will solve a specific problem.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our panel of trainers discusses the importance of asking for sales, gaining more clients, and how often to put your offer out there.   The Episode: How to Ask for the Sale (And Why You Should Do It Way More Often Than You Are Right Now)   Running an online training business means creating calls to action in order to make sales. The catch is that most people do not do this nearly enough! We may fear many things around self-promotion and sounding 'salesy' but the reality is that if people are not aware of what you are selling and when, they will not give you their money. You need to build towards an understanding with your audience as well as grow that community, and this means regularly putting your offers out there, and ideally building a sales cadence into your content. Another great point to keep in mind is to persist when things slow down, as these are the times that you need to make sales more than ever.     In This Episode  You can't get new clients if you do not promote yourself regularly [0:02:38] How to build a simple sales cadence across a four-week period [0:07:01] Developing a sense of expectancy amongst clients [0:09:04] The time it takes for a community to gain awareness about a business [0:15:16] Utilizing persuasion and 'presuasion' to empower client decisions [0:18:24] The psychology of your business strategy [0:25:29] Leaning into your offers when things get quiet [0:30:03]   “If you build a cadence into your content, it makes everything easier because promotions go into that.” — Jonathan Goodman   Getting Your Offer Out There Think about when last you did an enrollment period and told the public that they can pay you to be their coach. How long ago was it? Chances are, you are due for another one, as you cannot do too much of this. It is obviously important to pitch to the correct people too, as this will boost your numbers. A great way to make promotion easier and more natural is to build your sales cadence into your content, and we suggest laying out a schedule of about four weeks in which you create a customer journey leading to a sale.   The Priorities of Your Business As entrepreneurs, we all have to avoid procrastination, and this applies to the formulation of your business too. Steer away from perfectionism and extras, focus on selling first! Once you have started to generate some sales you can begin to add new layers and features that might benefit you and your clients. It takes time to gain the attention of an audience or community, so get out there and message people to start that fire. You will most likely find that people are really receptive to you reaching out, so plant those seeds for the short and long term.   Breaking Down Your Strategy  As we have said before, you needn't worry about the reactions of people who are not going to hire you. Focus on those you can and will work with! The other element to keep in mind is that the contemporary attention span is very short and we all find it hard to remember stuff on the internet. It takes multiple repetitions to create an impression, so why not start the party, show people why they should get involved, and stay committed to making it happen!   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale? Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   Quintin Smalls Rap Video: https://www.facebook.com/quintin.smalls.1/posts/10208130392215772   SPONSORS  Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy: http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC

Our panel of expert trainers discusses ways to take control of self-sabotaging behaviors and operate your business in healthier ways.    The Episode: Taking Control Of Self-Sabotaging Behaviors   This episode is all about mindset. Being an entrepreneur means taking on a certain set of challenges and there are commons ones that crop up in the business of online training that we can address. A large portion of this relates to expectations and the standards we set for ourselves, which far too often are imported from what we see elsewhere, in other businesses. In a small operation, such as many of us have, it is so vital to maintain a good level of positivity, which can easily be dampened by too much comparison and over-thinking. We are here to remind you to stay patient and see things through, non-immediate rewards are the worthwhile ones! This also means practicing mindfulness and awareness of your feelings and moods, so we do not fall into reactive and unhealthy patterns.   In This Episode Common topics and questions that arise for coaches around mindset [0:13:17] Different types of self-sabotaging behaviors in the coaching industry [0:18:24] Silencing the inner critic that we all carry [0:20:52] Play your own game and set your own goals! [0:24:02] Separating goals and measurements for better results [0:29:03] Understanding where inner criticisms come from [0:33:29]   “If you are a long term investor, you don't take investment advice from a day-trader.” — Jonathan Goodman   The Mindset of an Online Trainer Online trainers are a particular kind of entrepreneur, with a particular set of hurdles and dynamics. One of the most common pitfalls in the industry comes about through too much comparison, and this kind of exercise can lead you to serious meltdowns and feelings of inadequacy. This bad cycle is what you have to escape! It is thus necessary to take control of our inner voice, which can so easily become overly critical, and keep it in check.   Success Should Be Judged According Your Own Needs You never know the game that others are playing, so stick to what you know and what applies to you. You will only encounter problems by copy-pasting external things on to yourself and your business. Take the time to get in touch with your strengths and aspirations, and that way you can make meaningful progress according to your own situation. Remember, anything worthwhile takes time, so patience is key.   Focussing on Your Purpose  Something helpful and healthful to keep in mind: goals and measurements are not the same thing! If you can concentrate on your purpose rather than reaching certain numbers, you will be better prepared for long-term success on many levels. We all have so many different contributing factors in our work; we start at different points, have different talents, and require different outcomes. So do your thing, and lean into what you are good at.   Already at $1,000/month online and want to scale?   Apply for OTA 2 here: www.thePTDC.com/OTA2   SPONSORS Get started TODAY with the world leading certification and business development program for personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and gym owners – The Online Trainer Academy:http://onlinetrainer.com/ota   Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id1468193055 Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jon-goodman/its-possible-conversations-with-successful-online-trainers Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/20veRnzFOvUn6fTy9ud8jm?si=zMWTLmtISMm1XrU-4Q8oxA YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JonGoodmanPTDC