As the owner of a successful online fitness and nutrition coaching business, my experience has been that word of mouth and organic social media are the most effective marketing channels.
The majority of my new clients come through referrals and word of mouth from existing happy customers. Building a reputation for quality coaching and results leads to a steady stream of new sign-ups.
I’d estimate my sales split is:
Word of mouth referrals: 60%
Organic Instagram: 30%
Other social media: 5%
Google SEO: 5%
Paid ads and influencer collaborations have not been worthwhile for my niche. Instagram is great for organic content that establishes trust and authority. High-quality before and after photos really help convert followers into coaching clients.