I get a lot of emails from people trying to “make it” in Internet Marketing. They ask me all sorts of questions — but one topic that shows up again and again in the questions is internet marketing coaching. I am a big believer in the value of coaching, so I thought that I would answer the two most important important questions that I hear:
- Should I get some coaching, and if so, why?
- What should I look for in an internet marketing coach?
But before I do that, I wanted to deal with question #3 — what coach do you recommend? I do know some great coaches, but I do not plan to recommend any coaching in this post. You will notice that there are no affiliate links anywhere in this discussion.
There are two reasons for this omission. First, I do not want the cynical among you to think I am recommending coaching as a way to line my own pockets. The second reason is that “the right coach” depends on what it is that you are trying to accomplish and what you really need. So, no affiliate links in this post. I do plan to do a couple of reviews in the coming weeks — but not today. If you need a recommendation now, contact me and I will try to help you.
Should You Get Internet Marketing Coaching?
So, in general the answer to this question is yes. In my opinion the very best thing that you can do in life is decide what you want to do (important but often ignored) and then find someone to teach you how to do it. From my point of view, there are at least three important benefits to getting formal coaching from an expert:
- First, the immediate benefits of coaching are obvious. A person that is already successful doing what you want to do can show you how to be successful while avoiding their mistakes. Don't worry — you are going to make your own unique mistakes anyway. So why spend months or years repeating mistakes that have already been made?
- Coaching can obliterate “analysis paralysis.” One of the killer problems with solo internet marketers is that they get stuck trying to “decide stuff.” If you have someone that you trust to help you decide stuff, you can get unstuck quickly. Not sure about something? Ask your coach, take (or leave) their advice and move forward. Simple as that.
- Paying for coaching creates a new stakeholder in your business. If you pay someone to help you be successful, that person should be invested in your success. If you fail, it is a reflection on their coaching. Now, I am not saying that they are going to build your business for you, but great coaches will “care” if you succeed, and that can make a big difference.
How To Select An Internet Marketing Coach
Clearly, I think coaching is a great idea. Maybe you have already decided to get one. But the next question is “how do I decide whom to hire”? This is a pretty tough question, but here are some guidelines that I know will help.
- Only hire someone that you trust. OK, that sounds obvious — but hang on. I am not saying “avoid hiring someone you distrust.” I am specifically saying that you should only hire someone that you know well enough to trust. This means that you need to spend time researching the person to get a feel for them. If you don't trust your coach, you will spend time second-guessing all of their advice and hesitating. Know who you are dealing with, and only deal with people you trust.
- Only hire someone you can afford. Sometimes I see people plunk down $5000 that they cannot afford on coaching. This creates a really bad relationship dynamic between you and your coach. You feel pressure to “make your money back quickly” and may have unrealistic expectations of your coaching outcome. You may also start to associate the negative feelings that come with spending money that you cannot afford with your coach. Either way, don't spend money that you don't have (good life advice).
- Here is the key thing — write down what you expect to get out of the coaching and ask the coach if your expectations are reasonable before you join. This will help you clarify your expectations, and will help your coach understand what you are looking for. Can't get your coach to reply to your email? Run away.
- Make sure you understand the refund policy. Many coaches do not offer refunds since they cannot get their time back. I think this is fine as long as both parties understand the refund policy clearly.
- Make sure you understand the teaching methods. Some coaching is 1:1, some coaching is forum-based, some coaching is via eCourses, etc. Make sure that you know what you are buying. If unsure, ask to “see” what you'll be getting. If your candidate coach will not help you understand what you are buying, run away.
So, there are eight hundred words about that talk about coaching, but it all boils down to these two things:
- Coaching is valuable — you should get some.
- Make a careful decision when you hire.
I hope this has been helpful to you, and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Thanks,
Mark
Hey Mark,
Good question and it is likely to have many answers.
Many of the coaching programs offered are surely by guys that have been there, done that, and if you could become a clone of them it would probably make you successful also. There’s the rub.
No two people think alike and it is very hard to follow a step by step set of instructions, just too many distractions and somewhere along the line you will break the chain letter, so to speak.
The type of coaching that I like best is small scale. The reason you are buying is because the teacher sold you on “him” or “her.” Once the program gets started and then your questions and comments have to go through a submit a ticket message system and you may or may not get an answer from some third world country, well then that program just plain sucks in my opinion.
If the teacher can be trusted to be there to answer the questions directly and to give personal feedback in a timely manner I would not suggest anyone subscribes.
One on one, fine, sign me up!
Rich Hill
Hello Mark,
First, let me say that I subscribed to your blog recently – after sending countless numbers of people to your “article directories” list. Thank you for being here!
About coaching:
I have worked as a freelance ghostwriter for more than 50 years and have been writing on-line since 1993 (the Internet Paleolithic era).
I have written for many of the self-professed GURUs and, as a result, have become somewhat cynical about the value of some of their programs.
I recently “outed myself” and started coaching new writers. I am currently working with about 350 people and love every minute of it.
During the time I was writing for others, I found one, 1, uno, marketer whom I believe delivers a total package for beginners, taking them from ground zero through every step of Internet marketing, in words they can understand. He offers a membership site at a cost of $27 per month and that includes free, unlimited hosting, “See Spot Run” how-to articles and more than 250 videos on virtually everything you need to know about marketing.
I won’t mention this marketer by name because I am sure that it would be viewed (rightfully so) as blatant SPAM. I just want to point out to people who are considering a mentor that, although caution should be the byword, there are reputable mentors and coaches out there who can actually help you to build a successful business on-line.
Hmmm…
Did my email the other day break the camel’s back LOL
The reason I haven’t responded to your reply is that you asked one simple question, and I couldn’t answer it.
You outline that question above – ‘what do you want to do’.
And I honestly couldn’t answer the question.
It is easy to tell you what I don’t want to do. ‘What I Want to Do’ – not so much.
I know I want to network, I want to help people with (to me) basic technical and beginning IM techniques, and I want to help myself and my family in the process. I’ve not been able to isolate it into one easily categorized hairball. Information paralysis strikes again.
Here’s my opinion. IM coaching is valuable if the fee includes reviewing what the trainee has done, offering constructive criticism and specifics as to how to improve the site, product, etc., AND to be there for follow-up.
IMO 90% of coaching is a joke because it just involves superficial ideas and generalities, and so often never even gets down to a 1 on 1 basis.
@Robert
Well, I did consider your email when I wrote this — thanks!
I usually recommend a “dual approach” for people like you.
First — find something that you care about and build a niche IM business around that. Teaching topics are best (how to catch bass in Texas, how to play guitar), but you can also be successful with a product based approach (home gym expert, etc). Hone your IM skills on REAL internet marketing. Selling IM products to IM people is not real IM (IMHO) — LOL (enough IMs in there for you)?
Second — if you like IM (I personally love it) — document your journey. Be 100% honest and 100% transparent all of the time. Help people by sharing the things that you know, and admitting the things that you don’t know.
There are lots of other valid approaches, but the above is what I would consider.
Great post, Mark. But then again, I’m a coach (not an Internet marketing coach), so I know the power of coaching. Everything you say is right on.
I’ve been studying Internet marketing since February and have been involved in two group coaching programs: the first was less than $50/month and was 100% online. I participated for four months and got a good grasp of the basics. I’m now writing a book that will launch initially as an ebook, so I joined a book coaching program with a guy who has several best-sellers, many of which were launch online initially. He’s a maste Internet marketer. With a big gulp, I paid a substantial upfront fee for this program, which included a ton of information online. Now I pay $97/month. (I talked with two people who were in the program before I decided to make the initial investment.) I get on a weekly group call where we all can ask specific questions about our books, websites, marketing plans, etc., and get the answers that will put us on the right path.
I’ve found in the world of Internet marketing, coaching is part coaching, and a lot of consulting. Working with a coach/consultant saves a lot of time, effort and money in the long run.
Hi Mark
I apologise that this comment/question is somewhat unrelated. I was reading your latest post and would love to know what plugin you are using to place the animated social bookmarks bar at the bottom of your posts. Again, sorry for being so unrelated. Love your blog and hopefully you will be good enough to respond. Thanks again for an interesting blog, and the useful lists of directories etc that you have provided. Much appreciated.
@Kent — great point. There is definately a difference between Training, Coaching, and Masterminding. That is why it is so important to communicate your expectations to your coach and get on the same page before you begin.
@Valerie — Thanks! Sound like you found a really valuable solution.
@David — As my buddy Andrew Hansen would say — “No worries, mate.”
It is the sexybookmarks plugin. Glad you like it.
Hi Mark
I just sent a really long comment and got an error message and hadn’t saved it doh! 🙂 If you find it floating around in the ether of you system … do let me know 🙂
Upshot … it was a great post …
Jane
Mark,
Thank you for an excellent take on whether to invest in an Internet Marketing Coach and how to go about selecting one.
In my opinion, there definitely is merit in having an IM Coach…actually even a coach for other areas, too. (Think “track and field,” “swimming,” “football.”) As of yet, I’ve not used an IM Coach. However, I had an opportunity to work with a “life coach” — it helped me immensely. I was able to hone in and focus on what I wanted, how best to do it, and I had someone to go to if I had questions or just needed reassurance.
When choosing an IM Coach, one might also consider “word of mouth” options. And maybe you could even try a session or two with the IM coach you choose before committing to a specific length of time.
And, of course, the outcome for one individual may not be the same as for another because of how much time and effort is put into one’s Internet marketing. Or because of the field/area chosen.
A good post. It caused me to think. I agree with the “analysis paralysis” comment. I am suffering somewhat from that myself right now. Fortunately, I have extensive organizational training so I am working through it. IMO I think coaching would be a good idea, as long as it is specific, hands on, and linked to verifiable results. The problem with almost all the “how to” online marketing products is that they deal mainly with the “Why and “What” aspects of marketing, rather than the “How to”. Coaching for the most part should address the latter.
Thanks Mark for the insight on coaching. I know my problem with hiring a coach is it cost too much. I understand the value in it, but the reason I am running a bum marketing is I dont have money to sink into my business. I started this because I need money, not because I have money to spend so I can make more. found some good places to get information, I just keep trying to learn from my mistakes, and learn what I can. Perhaps I will make enough to pay for coaching soon, and maybe I will even still need it by then.
JP