When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), we often associate it with blogging and ranking on Google. However, there’s way more to it! Let’s talk about SEO for online coaches: how to use search engine optimization for a coaching business.
Search Engine Optimization is an important part of online presence and it is required for close to any type of online content.
Through this post, I want to give you some overall idea and practical tips on ow to improve your SEO as an online coach and what to keep in mind along the way.
What is a Search Engine Optimization?
SEO or Search Engine Optimization means optimizing your content so it can be found online.
Typically, the first association is with the keywords in blog posts and being ranked on Google.
So your content has to be rich with relevant keywords to be found my others and, potentially, rank on the very first page of Google Search results (because whoever scrolls further than that…)
However, these days SEO reaches way beyond blog posts and Google. All of your content should be keyword optimized as most online platforms work, based on the keyword searches.
SEO for online coaches
To keep it short and sweet – all of your content should always be keyword optimized.
It might seem like a scary and overcomplicated thought but you’re probably halfway there already.
As an online coach, you want your content to be easily found. Either someone Googles a relevant keyword, searches for something on Instagram or Pinterest.
Everything is searchable! And everything has the potential to be found. You just have to make sure that you’re optimizing your content as much as possible.
How to use search engine optimization for a coaching business?
Have a clear niche
One of the most important reasons why everyone is always suggesting to niche down is the CLARITY. The clear, straightforward way of knowing WHAT do you do. You have to find your unique value!
See, if someone is a “lifestyle coach” the are about trillion versions on how that could play out. A lifestyle coach for divorced women, a lifestyle coach for millennials, a lifestyle coach for those who live in Arizona.
If someone is JUST a lifestyle coach, this says absolutely nothing. What can you get from this person? How they can help? Do they have a relevant background of any kind?
However, once you go more niche, you’re already speaking to a more clear audience that will be ready to relate to you more easily.
Clarify your content pillars
The next step is to clarify your content pillars.
What are the content categories that are the most relevant to your chosen niche?
For example, a lifestyle coach for divorced women would have the following pillars:
Getting over a divorce
Personal growth
Relationships
My content pillars as an online course creator are course content, design and marketing.
Once you’ve clarified your content pillars, each piece of the content you create should fall into one of these categories so, again, there’s more clarity on what exactly you’re providing.
There can be a lifestyle coach for divorced women who’s focusing on getting over divorce and healing trauma, there can also be one focusing on dating and finding real love.
Content pillars will help you to clarify YOUR OWN direction.
(Getting into too many topics at once can be VERY tempting…)
Research the keywords to use in each content material you post
Then, the most important entity comes into play – the keywords!
Finding the best and most effective keywords definitely is a whole another discussion but here are a few key suggestions to keep in mind!
- Choose 2-3 keywords/per content. Depending on how long is your content – whether it’s a blog post or an Instagram post – choose around 2-3 various keyword phrases to use.
- Choose keyword phrases vs single words. For example, instead of “SEO”, I’ve used “SEO for online coaches”. Or instead of “course”, I’d use “online course for first-time course creators”.
- Don’t keyword stuff. Any type of content that you’re creating should be EASY TO READ. So instead of writing “SEO for online coaches is very important. SEO for online coaches should be used all the time.” you’d go for a more natural combo like “How to use search engine optimization for a coaching business? Learn more in this guide of SEO for online coaches”
The keywords have to feel seamless and must be an organic part of the content.
Use the keyword-rich text in all of your content
Instagram posts, blog posts, email marketing, Facebook group posts, podcast descriptions, etc.
While not all of this might be directly searchable, seeing the keywords help algorithms to figure out what you’re talking about and, therefore, suggest your content more, whenever relevant.
Make sure to use search engine optimization for your coaching business to make it more searchable and easier to find for those who you can truly help!
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