Many dream of becoming a coach – unfortunately, very few actually succeed in turning it into reality. But why is that?
Well, being a good coach is only one part of the equation. Skills like marketing, client relations, and the ability to manage employees and appointments successfully are far more important than one may initially think.
At Trafft, we understand these struggles firsthand, which is why we’ve developed a comprehensive booking system that acts as your business partner, empowering you to overcome obstacles and grow your coaching business.
In this blog post, we will go over just a few of Trafft’s features that can assist you with leveling up your coaching business.
Let’s see how!
Maximize the Efficiency of Appointment Booking
One of the biggest challenges coaches face is the need to hire extra staff to handle the booking and scheduling side of the business. This presents a huge burden on their finances, especially in the beginning when money is usually tight.
Whether you are a one-man show or need to manage appointments for all your employees, scheduling over the phone or back-and-forth emailing is a lengthy process. Your time is your most valuable resource, and spending so much of it on just creating the schedule that works will limit your coaching potential.
This is where Trafft comes to your rescue. It enables you to focus solely on perfecting your craft and growing your business, as the whole booking process is done online and by clients themselves.
Make your booking available 24/7
The booking website is essentially the page where your clients can see all your offerings, locations, available time slots, prices, etc. Virtually all the information needed before taking a leap and scheduling that session.
With Trafft, you can choose to create a booking website from scratch. This doesn’t require any particular skill set but only a couple of clicks and a few minutes. On the other hand, if you already have your own website, this booking form can be easily integrated into it, and all you need to do is copy and paste the code you get. Whichever option you choose, the whole process of creating your booking page is effortless and shouldn’t take much of your time.
Once that’s done, feel free to redesign it however you see fit so it represents your personal style. Even if you don’t consider yourself creative or can’t spare time to think about it, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our booking page design ideas that can inspire you.
Now, your clients can visit this page even outside your working hours, check your availability, and book an appointment in just a few minutes.
Reduce your no-show rate
We live in such a fast-paced world, so it’s no surprise that many people forget about the commitments they made. One missed appointment may seem like no big deal to a client, but it’s much more than that for you. You could’ve taken on someone new, had that extra long lunch break you’ve needed, or even gone home earlier. But how can you ensure the clients hold onto their end of the bargain? While it may not be possible to reduce no-shows to zero, maintaining them low may not be as complicated as you think.
Keep your calendars always in sync
Writing something down is a great way to guarantee you will remember it, so why not do the same for your clients? With integrations like Google and Apple Calendar as well as Outlook, Trafft allows you to add appointments to your and your client’s calendar. So, the chances of either of you forgetting will drop significantly.
You only need to connect the calendar of your choice, and once the session is booked, it will be automatically added. For your clients, the process is even more straightforward. Upon booking, they just need to select their preferred calendar, and the appointment will be added shortly.
We know life is unpredictable, so even if they can’t come, Trafft makes it easy to reschedule an appointment at their convenience. All without needing to call and check your availability. Clients just need to follow a link sent to them upon booking a session and choose a new time that works for them.
Don’t forget appointment reminders
Calendar integration certainly isn’t the only tool you should take advantage of if you want to lower the appointment cancelation rate. Sending an email or SMS reminder the day before the appointment will refresh your client’s memory and show them you care. You are essentially killing two birds with one stone, pointing out their upcoming sessions while making your business look even more professional.
These reminders may seem like a huge task to take on, but with this whole process being automated, it won’t take a minute of your time. You just need to choose the right channel (either SMS or Email or both if that’s what you prefer) and leave everything else to Trafft.
To help you further, here is a quick video tutorial showing you how to set up everything.
Minimize your losses with deposit fees
With no-shows being such a massive problem every coach faces, introducing more options to avoid them may be the way to go. One of the great tactics to lessen the financial burden is introducing a deposit fee.
Some clients may be hesitant to pay for your coaching session in full before the appointment, but introducing a small fee upon booking can help immensely not only you, but your clients as well. People tend to show up, especially if they paid for something. However, even if they don’t, you will have at least some financial gains.
With deposit payments, your clients pay a specified amount during booking, while the remainder of the price can be settled on the spot. Remember that this is also completely customizable, so you can either set a fixed fee or make it a percentage of the whole amount.
Still worried about missed appointments? Here are seven proven ways to reduce no-shows even further.
Offer a variety of payment options
Why not adapt to your clients’ payment preferences? Many people prefer not to carry cash, so offering a range of payment options beyond traditional on-site payment allows them to choose the method that suits them best.
This also goes hand in hand with deposit fees. Clients are more likely to agree and pay them if they find their favorite payment option on the list.
With Trafft, you can do it all. From setting up your preferred currency to connecting PayPal, Stripe, Mollie, and Authorize.Net, so your clients will never lack options.
Introduce different coaching formats
If you are one of those coaches who only offers one-on-one sessions, you may be limiting your potential. Trafft’s flexibility in scheduling options may be a perfect opportunity for you to diversify your portfolio and gain new clients.
Launch group classes
Many people gravitate towards group sessions. They give them a sense of community and support while allowing them to share their experiences. For those hesitant about coaching, this will open up an opportunity to bring a friend along, ultimately expanding your clientele.
With Trafft, organizing these sessions couldn’t be easier. In just a few clicks, you can set the minimum and maximum available slots for each one, ensuring smooth appointment management.
Lastly, see if you can include some seminars and workshops. They are a great way to attract new people who may be reluctant to start coaching or cannot afford it right now.
Go online with your sessions
Are you struggling to reach the right people for your coaching? Consider offering online classes to get the desired audience and expand your business further.
Integrations with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams make Trafftt your perfect partner for conquering video conferencing platforms. All this while simultaneously leaving your clients the choice of using the one they like the most.
Upon booking, the meeting link is generated automatically. Shortly after, you and the client will be notified.
Turn one-time customers into loyal clients
One of the easiest ways to ensure your clients stay consistent with your coaching sessions is to offer them the simplicity of booking repeating appointments. People are creatures of habit. So, allowing them to book in advance and create their schedule will make them more likely to return.
Trafft’s recurring appointments feature lets clients select the time and date of the first appointment and then choose daily, weekly, or monthly sessions and the number of repeats. The best thing is that this is all done in a single booking process.
Manage your team
Now that you have the appointments under control, you may wonder how to streamline and grow your coaching business further. The next page in our book would be managing your employees. Whether you have one, five, or twenty-five people working with you, managing them all takes a lot of work.
How many times have you experienced scheduling conflicts? Which therefore showed you and your business as far less professional than desired. The reality is that a person sitting behind a desk juggling it all can’t do it as efficiently as software can.
In coaching, reputation is everything, so avoiding booking errors is crucial. With Trafft, you can now keep track of your employees’ working hours, daily schedules, and days off. This makes Trafft a perfect addition for coaching businesses with more team members. The best thing is that your employees can now even self-manage their bookings. Additional tools like the pricing customization let them set the price (or you can do so for them). Here is a video to demonstrate it all:
Finally, with a synced team calendar, you can now officially say goodbye to double bookings and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Improve your business with client feedback
Many coaches overlook the importance of client management, not knowing how much valuable information they lose this way.
Building and maintaining client relationships helps address any concerns and ensure client satisfaction. It is also one of the best ways to gain new clientele. Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing channel. But how can you be sure you are coming across as someone knowledgeable and worth the money?
Trafft offers a ratings & reviews feature so your clients can provide feedback for their session and the employee who provided it. This is typically done through an email link. For your convenience, the whole process is automated so you won’t miss any of that valuable insight.
Ask the right questions
Why not utilize some questions when people are booking the sessions? Setting up specific ones will give you a sneak peek into your client’s life, problems, and goals. This will help you prepare to face their needs head-on. Introducing a questionnaire can also show you where you can further improve your craft, which is always a plus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trafft offers a comprehensive solution for numerous challenges coaches face on a daily basis. It streamlines appointment booking and enhances client satisfaction.
Trafft’s array of features empowers coaches to focus on what truly matters — perfecting their craft and growing their businesses. By utilizing its functions, coaches can efficiently manage their schedules, reduce no-show rates, and introduce innovative coaching formats. Trafft also facilitates team management, ensuring smooth coordination and resolving scheduling conflicts.
Ready to grow your coaching business to the next level? Visit Trafft’s sign-up page today to access the tools needed for success!
