Thanks to changes in the U.S. healthcare system that have emphasized prevention, the profession of wellness coaching is poised to grow rapidly in popularity and profitability.
The Boston Globe correspondent Jan Brogan reported on a 2011 study that showed people who worked with their primary care physicians and a wellness coach on weight control have achieved better results than those who did not.
What’s more, Brogan reported that Medicare would begin paying for up to 20 sessions of behavioral intervention for obese patients. This news was heralded as a “foot in the door” by a leading wellness coach Brogan interviewed.
“Much the same way that personal trainers made their way from the elite celebrity studio to a staple of the gym, wellness coaches are becoming increasingly accessible,” says Brogan.
Of course, with any industry growth comes increased competition. Now more than ever, it’s important for aspiring wellness coaches, as well as those with established practices, to have the marketing savvy to make their business successful.
Here are some tips to make sure your practice stays as healthy as your clientele:
Get certified.
Credentials are always a way to set yourself apart, and training for wellness coaches is quickly moving in that direction. The Maryland-based Tai Sophia Institute began offering the first Master’s program in the field last year.
“The Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees a growing need for health and wellness workers in workplaces and estimates that more than half of all workers will have access to a wellness program at their worksites,” says their press release.
Find a niche specialty.
Wellness coaches often have backgrounds outside of medical professions that they can draw on as a differentiator. Joanne Stewart Kloker of Simply Thrive Wellness has used her background as a wildlife biologist to help people suffering form adrenal disorders. “A lot of people think humans aren’t animals,” says Kloker.
“I use free workshops to teach people how to get in touch with their instincts. Then if they choose to work with me we focus on connecting them back to nature and their own healing processes.”
Seek out partnerships.
A natural byproduct of developing a specialty is the necessity to work with other providers in order to offer a complete wellness package. But instead of collaboration, too many wellness coaches fear competition, says WellnessCoach.com founder Erica Ross-Krieger.
“There is more than enough business for everyone who wants it,” she says. “Do a joint live presentation or teleclass and each take a different aspect of the topic.” Working with other professional coaches can is also a cost-savings opportunity for many cash-strapped startups.
Get wired.
Online technology plays a dual role for wellness coaches, serving both as a low-cost marketing vehicle and a way to deliver services remotely. Keep an active presence on blogs and social media channels to leverage the work you’re doing with current clients in order to entice prospective customers who might be searching for your services.
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Chris Lenois is a freelance writer for Vistaprint Deals, Vistaprint’s official coupon site serving solo professionals — like wellness coaches — all across the globe. Chris has contributed articles to many newspapers and publications, including Wired and the New Orleans Times-Picayune.