In-person vs online coaching

How do you know if you should focus your efforts on in person or online training?

I get asked all the time about the pros and cons of each so I think it’s worthwhile to discuss each option, and how you can go about building your offerings around your strengths.

After six years of only in person training, when Covid hit in 2020, I went fully online. 

I have trained youth athletes periodically in person since then, but due to my online business success I didn’t ever need to fully go back in person.

I am not an expert, but have the experience in both arenas to share the lessons I’ve learned as well as the truths behind what you should consider when determining the best offering for you.

1. Coaching first 

Before I get started, I think it’s important to stress that your most important goal always should be growing your training education and becoming the best possible coach you can be. 

I’ve been training professionally for 12 years, and every year I invest hard earned money on getting better as a coach.
 
This will always be the foundation for which your business grows, and can’t be ignored.

If you want to get better business results, make your product better, always. 

2. What does this mean? 

My personal biased opinion is that you should create a product that is really good in real life before going online. 

I think there is a benefit to learning how the fitness industry works, and getting in the trenches to understand what it means to be a coach.

There are too many people these days trying to be online coaches with no experience, who want the upside of freedom and scalability, without putting in the work to earn it. 

3. When do you add online offerings?

With that said, it is almost a mistake to ignore building your online brand and opening up more doors for yourself down the road.

If you are fully in person, along the way I would be creating content to show off your clients wins and your skill set. This helps you build an organic brand and show the authenticity of what you do. 

If you are good at your craft, there will come a point when your time is maxed out on the gym floor, and you will be looking to reduce your time training. 

If you plant the seeds early, when you reach this point you will have options to add revenue streams in multiple ways. 

4. What do you do now?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and not know what steps to take right now to create the future you want.

Often I see trainers doing all of the things, exhausted, and confused if any of it is working. If you haven’t read last week's email about knowing your numbers, do so now, because this will give you the data to make the right decisions.

 Outside of that, the most important thing to do now is have an honest conversation with yourself to think about where you are now and where you want to go.

What is the most important thing for you to do right now to grow your business?

 Once you know that, put as much energy into that one thing as possible. More isn’t better. 

6. What are the options? 

There are so many options both in person and online to grow your business.

Selecting the right one largely comes down to what your strengths are. 

If you hate creating content and being behind a computer, then you should probably focus in person.

If you hate being in one place and not having freedom, then you should probably not only focus your efforts in person. 

 Conclusion

I love diving into this deeper with trainers, coaches, and PTs to figure out what works for them. 

This is what we do during our 16-week coaches certification.

If you want to do the work to craft the life and business that works for you, you should apply now.