Choosing the Right Online Coaching Model

Whilst this makes it more accessible it also means that it will be more competitive, and audience loyalty will be an issue, with a high turnover of customers as people look for the cheapest product.

Due to the nature of the high volume model you would usually be required to work via templated or structured pre-written coaching programmes that will allow you to work with the high number of people engaging with your offering.  

Positives

• Allows you to reach a large audience
• Unlimited potential to scale up

Negatives

• Highly competitive
• High turnover of customers
• Lots of administration time required
• May lose the personal touch of coaching
• Large marketing budget required to gain and maintain your audience

You will find that there is less turnover on this model than the high volume option, however this does have to be reflected in your level of service if you are charging a higher price point. 

This model allows you to sculpt your own programming style and you can create a bespoke personalised service for your clients or participants. You may still wish to use third party software to help you with the delivery of your coaching, however this model allows for more flexibility with software requirements and you may wish to tailor the deliverable based on the individual needs of your clients/participants. 

Positives

• Doesn’t require reach – utilise your existing audience
• Low turnover of customers
• Keep a level of personalisation with clients/participants
• Minimal marketing spend needed

Negatives

• Limited opportunity to scale your business
• Takes time to build a loyal audience 
• The same time constraints as when programming 1:1 coaching 

With this model there is minimal turnover due to the bespoke nature of the service and close relationship you will have your clients/participants. Although this model yields minimal turnover if the service and delivery is implemented correctly, if you do lose a client/participant that will equate to you losing a large percentage of your business. You may find it difficult to replace a client/participant in this model as you need to have access to high net worth individuals that are bought in to your services. 

Positives

• Minimal customer turnover
• Financially rewarding
• The same personal relationship with clients/participants as 1:1 coaching

Negatives

• Extremely time consuming
• Difficult to find customers
• Reliant on outstanding levels of service 

Just because you are making the transition to online coaching doesn’t mean that you have to lose the personalised approach you use when coaching in person. 

When delivering 1:1 online coaching you will be giving the client/participant a coaching programme to follow along with support and regular accountability check-ins. You are simply taking your current in-person coaching business and transferring the same services online with personal contact being replaced by a digital alternative.

One of the great benefits of this method is that you are no longer restricted by location. This method can be delivered anywhere in the world at a time that suits you, giving you flexibility within your coaching practice. This method of delivery allows you to work with a higher number of people than you would be able to do so in person, especially if you create automated systems that allow you to streamline processes, such as check-ins and assessments. 

This method is usually more cost effective for the client/participant compared to in person 1:1 coaching, depending on the level of service that you provide. 

If your clients/participants are team based, this method would be best suited to your coaching practice. Online group coaching is also a great method of delivery if building and growing a community is important to your practice. 

One of the key benefits to group coaching is that you can create templated programming that the entire group follows, creating efficiency in time whilst still making minor individualised adjustments as needed.  

Online group coaching is usually based on volume and, due to a lower level of individualised service compared to the 1:1 online coaching model, it is also usually more cost effective to the client/participant. 

It is a great way to build a thriving community of like-minded individuals that are working towards a unified goal. 

The LIVE online coaching model bares the most resemblance to traditional in person coaching. This model can be used for both 1:1 online coaching and online group coaching. 

LIVE online coaching is more accessible than ever thanks to cutting edge software development that can be used to host LIVE coaching sessions. 

This method is highly suitable to an audience new to coaching as it allows you to both assess and correct your client/participants’ practice. 

If you are using LIVE online coaching in a group setting it allows you to create a team or class environment and will help you to build a sense of community within your practice.

As with the two previous methodologies, LIVE online coaching doesn’t restrict you to a location and you can coach people from all over the world, however be aware that this can be restrictive dependant on where your client/participant is located and the relevant time zones.

One drawback to the LIVE online coaching method is that it is highly competitive and many large companies, including retail and commercial entities, are using LIVE coaching methodologies to reach their audience and they are dominating the market in this realm, with more LIVE coaching products being readily available than ever before.