Are you thinking about starting out as a self-employed trainer or coach, but don’t know exactly where to begin? Your concept is ready and the legal and financial aspects have been clarified. Now you can actually get started. But how? The path to self-employment can be challenging, but with the right strategies and a clear focus, it is possible to successfully set up your own training business. Here are five valuable tips to help you get started.
1. Build a Strong Network
A well-developed network is the basis for your success as an self-employed trainer. The more contacts you have in your target group, the easier it is to attract potential clients. Use your existing network and think about how you can expand it further. Do you already have a network of contacts from your previous professional career that fit into your target group and that you can activate? Congratulations, then you are ideally placed. If you don’t have a network yet, invest in building one. Attending relevant events or network meetings can also help you to position yourself as an expert in your niche.
Tips for network expansion:
- Platforms such as LinkedIn are ideal for making new contacts. Update your LinkedIn profile (e.g. further training, description of your positioning) and actively network with people from your industry.
- Attending relevant events or networking meetings can help you to position yourself as an expert in your niche. You can make new contacts at specialist trade fairs, congresses or workshops.
- Be open to personal discussions and introduce yourself as an expert.
2. Increase Your Visibility
Without visibility, there are no customers. You need to be present as an expert for your target group in order to be noticed. Publish valuable content that interests your target group. To do this, you can use various online and social media platforms that are also relevant to your target group. A simple website helps you to present your offer in a professional and easily accessible way.
Increase visibility:
- Start by regularly updating your LinkedIn profile and becoming more active. Regularly write your own posts on LinkedIn on topics that are relevant to your target group and demonstrate your expertise in your subject area. Comment on relevant posts by others to increase your reach.
- Create a website (e.g. with an easy-to-use modular system such as Onepage) that presents your offer clearly and attractively.
- If you are certified with persolog, use our list of certified trainers to get linked.
3. Rely on Recommendations
Recommendations are the key to building trust in your offering. As soon as you have gained your first customers, you should actively ask for recommendations and make them visible. Customer testimonials increase credibility and show potential new customers that you are already working successfully. In this way, you show that you are not the only one who thinks your services are good, but that you actually offer others real added value.
How to use recommendations profitably:
- Actively ask your customers for recommendations on LinkedIn using the recommendation function.
- Place testimonials in the form of short statements with names and pictures of your customers on your website.
- Use platforms such as ProvenExpert to collect reviews.
4. Acquisition: Get Active and Talk to People
Acquisition not only takes place online, but also in real life. Network meetings in particular give you the chance to speak to potential customers in person. Don’t waste any time and use every opportunity to talk about your offer and arouse interest. People buy from people – personal contacts are often the direct route to success.
Tips for acquisition:
- Take every opportunity at events to introduce yourself and your business.
- Develop a clear “elevator pitch” to get to the heart of your offer in just a few sentences.
5. Build an E-mail Distribution List
An email distribution list is a great way to stay in touch with your contacts on a regular basis. Send out newsletters in which you provide information about your training offers or share valuable tips. This will help you stay in the memory of your target group and build trust in the long term.
E-mail marketing tips:
- Start building your mailing list early. Tools such as HubSpot help you to send GDPR-compliant emails and manage your contacts efficiently.
- Offer incentives to get people to sign up for your newsletter (e.g. free downloads or webinars).
- Make sure that your emails offer relevant content that interests your target group. The rule is: quality over quantity.
Just Get Started!
The most important tip at the end: Just get started! Don’t lose yourself in perfectionism or overthinking. You will learn from feedback and improve your offers step by step. Every experience will take you further and help you to build your training business sustainably. With a strong network, clear visibility and communication, positive recommendations and targeted acquisition, you will lay the foundation for your success.
