35 Best Instagram Content Ideas For Coaches
As a coach, it can be tough to constantly have to come up with new and engaging content for your Instagram.
To make your life a bit easier, here's a list of 35 ideas (and some free templates) that you can use to come up with unique and engaging content for your Instagram account.
1. Write about your personal experience
People like to follow and engage with someone they feel a connection to, so don't be shy about sharing your personal story. For example, you could talk about how you became a coach and what motivates you in your work. Or talk about your mission and vision you have as a coach - this will help you attract people with similar world views that are more likely to engage with your content.
Another great content idea is to discuss your own struggle or transformation you went through. Talking about your personal experiences really helps to make yourself more relatable and also establishes you as an authority (people will want to know what you did to overcome your obstacle so they could do the same)
2. Share your client's story or transformation
Have you ever considered sharing testimonials on your Instagram page? Client testimonials are a great way to show your audience the kind of work you do and the difference you make in people's lives. They're also a great way to build social proof and show that you're an expert in your field. If you're not sure how to go about sharing a client testimonial, here are a few tips:
1. Choose a client whose story is truly inspiring and who is willing to be featured on your page.
2. Write a compelling caption that tells the client's story and highlights the transformation they experienced.
3. Have the client write a part of the testimonial in her/his own words.
4. Share the client testimonial on your page, and be sure to tag her/him in it so they can share it with their followers as well.
This will help you create instant social proof and lets your audience see how it is to work with you and that what you do actually works!
PS! If you don't yet have any testimonials, be your own case study (meaning, you should share your own story as an example)
3. Share a motivational quote or meme
Memes and quotes work. They just do:) The important part is to use them strategically and now to overdo it. How much is right? Well, it depends, but a brought rule of thumb is that these types of posts do not make up more than 20% of your feed.
Although there are coaching related accounts on Instagram with over 100k followers that post solely quotes and memes, I'm quite sure they don't convert very well into website visits and actual clients. That's because these types of posts are really top of the funnel that do generate views and likes, but they don't engage enough to take further action.
Still posting quotes and memes as a coach is a great (and simple) way to increase your reach and exposure. Just make sure you have more meaningful content on your Instagram feed as well, so the views will translate into followers and leads.
4. Talk to your ideal client
As a life coach, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure that you are speaking directly to your ideal client. This means being clear about who you want to work with and what kind of problem you can help them solve. Once you have a good understanding of your ideal client, you can start creating content that will speak directly to them. For example, if you work with clients who are struggling with anxiety, you could share posts about ways to manage anxiety. If you work with clients who are looking to make a career change, you could share tips about how to make the transition. By understanding your ideal client and creating content that speaks directly to them, you attract more of the right people that you want to work with and who want to work with you! Win-win!
You can read more about finding your ideal customer here
In addition, if you'd like to get more clarity about your ideal customer you can use our Interactive Marketing Worksheets - PS! If you're a business coach, you could use them with your clients as well!
5. Ask questions
As a coach, you probably already know the power of asking the right questions. So why not ask them your audience as well?
Not only will this help to engage your followers, but it will also give your audience some valuable insights into your process and how you can help them overcome obstacles
When it comes to posting this type of content on social media, it's important to tailor your questions to your audience.
For example, if you're focused on helping people find their dream career, you might ask: "What are you passionate about?" or "What makes you feel alive?" On the other hand, if your specialty is relationship coaching, you might ask: "What's one thing you'd like to change about your relationship with your significant other?" No matter what life coaching niche you're in, asking questions is a great way to start a conversation and get to know your audience better.
Extra Resource! If you're struggling to come up with the right questions, read “47 Powerful Coaching Questions to Ask as a Life Coach”
6. Problem-Agitate-Solution
As a coach, one of the best ways to get more engagement on Instagram is to share "problem-agitate-solution" posts. In these posts, you identify a problem that your followers are likely facing, agitate it by talking about how frustrating it can be, and then offer a solution. Instagram carousels are the perfect format to deliver these kinds of posts! You can start off with the daunting problem in the first slides and offer a step-by step solution in the last ones (people engaging with your posts will also help you get a better ranking in IG algorithm!)
For example, you could write a post about how difficult it is to stay motivated when working from home. You could talk about how easy it is to get distracted by household chores or to start snacking more often when there's no one around to see. Then, you could offer some tips for staying focused and avoiding temptation. These posts are highly shareable because they provide valuable information while also tapping into the emotional needs of your followers. By sharing problem-agitate-solution posts on a regular basis, you'll be able to increase your engagement and build a stronger connection with your audience.
Extra Resource! If you don't want to create Instagram carousels from scratch, you can use our Coaching Carousel Templates (with pre-written content) that you can easily edit in Canva
7. Share statistics
Who said numbers are not sexy? When using the ones with the right message, they totally can be!
The key is to find something that's surprising to your audience and get them to click to read more.
A great framework to use for extra engagement would be to 1. create a post with surprising statistics and 2. a call to action to learn more. Here's an example:
Here are some more examples:
1.Statistics: Did you know that we're statistically more likely to stick to a habit if we started on Monday? Call to Action: Here's why...
2. Statistics: 95% of people who start a diet will fail within the first year. Call to Action: Learn how to build habits that last
3. Statistics: 40% of our daily activities are subconscious. Call to Action: 5 Effective ways to be more mindful
8. Create a series of posts around the theme of “coaching tools I use every day”
One of the best ways to connect with your followers on Instagram is to share the tools and techniques that you use every day in your coaching practice. By sharing a series of posts around the theme of "coaching tools I use every day," you'll be able to show your followers that you're an expert in your field and give them a glimpse into the inner workings of your business.
In each post, share a different tool or technique that you rely on in your coaching practice. Talk about how the tool works and how it has helped you or your clients. If possible, include a short video or screenshot demonstrating the tool or technique in action. By sharing valuable information and giving your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business, you'll be able to build trust and connect with them on a deeper level.
Extra Resource! Coaching Toolkit Templates
9. Highlight something useful that other coaches in your niche have posted
As a life coach, it's important to stay up-to-date on what's going on in your industry. One of the best ways to do this is to follow other coaches in your niche and share their content with your followers.
By highlighting something useful that another coach has posted, you'll not only be providing valuable information to your followers, but you'll also be building relationships with other coaches in your field.
When sharing someone else's content, make sure to include a brief introduction explaining who the author is and why you think your followers will find their content helpful. You can also use this opportunity to ask your followers for feedback on the article or to share their own thoughts on the topic.
10. Share a lead magnet
A lead magnet is a force field that pulls in leads from far and wide. It's basically a bait for your ideal customers, and it's essential for any coaching business. But how do you share your lead magnet on social media without sounding like a slimy salesman? Here are a few tips:
Keep it short and sweet: No one wants to read a novel when they're scrolling through their feed. Get to the point and tell them what's in it for them.
Be creative: Be creative with your lead magnet and make sure it stands out from the rest. Use bright colors, compelling visuals, and an attention-grabbing headline.
Make it valuable: Your lead magnet should be valuable enough that people are willing to exchange their contact information for it. Offer something that will help them solve a problem or reach their goal.
Test, test, test: Try different lead magnets and see what works best for your audience. TEST TEST TEST! There's no magic formula, so you'll have to experiment to find what works best for you.
Looking to create your own lead magnet but don't want to start from scratch?
Use these eBook/Workbook Lead Magnet Templates
11. Give away free copies of one of your e-books or courses
This one is similar to the last one. If you have written a book or a booklet you might want to consider giving it away for free. At least to a certain number of people (create scarcity!).
If you haven't already written a book, I would highly encourage you to do so. It does not have to be that long, what's important is that the book helps to solve a clear problem and has a clear promise of what it will solve in the title.
For example:
1. “You Are What You Eat: The Mindset and Habits of a Healthy Eater”
2. “The 30-Day Challenge: How to Change Your Mindset and Form Healthy Habits”
3. “Thinking Outside the Box: How to Break Bad habits and Form Good ones”
4. “A New You: How to Reinvent Yourself with a Healthy Mindset and Habits”
5. “Bad to the Bone: How to Overcome Your Self-Sabotaging Mindset and Form Healthy Habits”
A well-written book can help you:
• Establish Expertise: A book is a perfect way to establish yourself as an expert in your field. When people see you as an expert, they are more likely to trust you and seek out your advice.
• Gain Credibility: Being published gives you instant credibility with clients, colleagues, and potential customers.
• Reach More People: A book can reach far more people than you could ever hope to connect with in person. Your message will be seen and heard by thousands (or even millions) of people who might never have had the opportunity to hear it from you otherwise.
• Build a Platform: A book provides a great platform from which to build a thriving coaching business. You can use it to attract new clients, promote your services, and connect with potential referral partners.
When giving away free copies of your e-books or courses, make sure to include a CTA (call to action) that encourages your followers to take the next step. For example, you could ask them to sign up for your mailing list or visit your website for more information.
12. Highlight a different client every week and share some insights on their journey
People love success stories like they do ice cream on a hot summer day! So why not give them the ice cream?
Each month, choose one of your clients and highlight their journey on Instagram (ask permission beforehand of course). Share some insights into what you've done together and how they've progressed. Talk about the challenges you've faced and what you've learned from working with them.
This is a great opportunity to show your followers the human side of your business and to share the success stories of your clients. It will also help you to build trust and connections with potential clients who are looking for a coach that they can relate to.
13. Do a takeover of another coach’s account for a day
As a coach, it's important to connect with peers in your niche to build relationships and establish yourself as an authority. What better way to do that than by taking over another coach's account for a day?
During your takeover, share some of your favorite tips and techniques, or post a case study of one of your successful clients. You could also interview another coach on their approach to coaching and share their insights with your followers.
Whatever you do, make sure to stay true to your own branding and voice. This is a great opportunity to learn from other coaches and to see what works well (and what doesn't) in terms of content strategy.
14. Take questions from Instagram followers about anything related to coaching
As a coach, you're no doubt constantly asked questions by your clients, followers, and peers. Why not take advantage of this and answer some of those questions on Instagram?
This can be a great opportunity to share your expertise with your followers and to help solve some of the most common problems that people face when trying to make changes in their lives. It can also help to build trust and connections with potential clients.
To get started, compile a list of common questions that you often get asked and then post one question and your answer each day. You could also do a weekly roundup of the best questions and answers from the week.
15. Share a tip or technique every day
One of the best ways to establish yourself as an expert in your field is to share tips and techniques with your followers on a regular basis. This could be anything from advice on how to set goals that you will stick to, to tips for overcoming procrastination.
Other example ideas you could post on social media:
How to set goals and work towards them
How to be mindful of your thoughts and actions
How to be more mindful and present in the moment
To make it easy for you, why not compile a list of tips and techniques that you can rotate through on a daily or weekly basis? That way, you'll always have something new to share with your followers. And don't forget to include a CTA (call to action) at the end of each post so that your followers can learn more about what you have to offer.
16. Share your noteworthy achievements
Are you an accredited coach? Do you have an official diploma from some school? Then why not share it with your audience?
But hold your horses! I don't mean that you should share your diploma or your status as an accredited coach as bragging rights.
Please don't do that!:)
What I mean is that you should post about it in a more low-key fashion. Something like "10 Things I learned in (Course Name Here)" or "5 Things They Don't Teach you About Growth Mindset (School or Course Name Here)"
To get started, compile a list of notable achievements that you have achieved in the past (or are currently working towards). Then, post about what you've learned in the process of achieving it (not the achievement itself!). This way you won't appear as a show-off and are actually sharing useful content that your audience will love!
17. Showcase your signature coaching package
If you're a coach or consultant, posting about your signature program is a great way to reach potential clients. First, it helps people understand what you do and how you can help them. Second, it reinforces your brand and makes you more recognizable. And third, it keeps you top of your mind when people are ready to take the plunge and invest in coaching.
Now, you don't want to overdo this! If you post about what you offer all the time, then it's just the same as yelling "Looking for new clients!" in the middle of a random street. It simply doesn't work. So make sure you attract the right kind of people to your IG account first, by posting other types of educational and useful content.
18. Host a free e-course or event
If you're looking to attract more people to your life coaching business, then hosting a free e-course or event is a great way to do it. Not only does it give potential clients a taste of what it's like working with you, but it also helps you build connections and trust with them.
To get started, come up with a topic for your e-course or event. It could be anything from " How to Be a Successful Procrastinator - the Secrets to Get Things Done" to "How I Overcame Procrastination and Built a 6-Figure Business."
Once you've settled on a topic, create a landing page where people can sign up for the event or course. This page should include all the details about the event or course, most importantly, who is it meant for and how it will help those who sign up.
What's more, if you're gonna go that route, you can record the whole event or course and make it available to watch later on. That way you'll have a great top-of-the-funnel marketing asset that will get you new leads for years to come!
Extra Resource!
If you're looking to create a slideshow for your event or ecourse, why not use our premade Canva slide deck templates
19. Share your ideal client's biggest mistake
One of the most effective things you can do is share your ideal client's biggest mistake. It helps people see that you understand their struggles and that you are their solution to overcome whatever is holding them back.
But before you do that, you need to know your ideal client inside and out. What are their struggles? What keeps them up at night? How do they feel about themselves?
Once you have a good understanding of who your ideal client is, start brainstorming their biggest mistake. It could be anything from not setting realistic goals to following through with their plans.
Once you have it, create a post about it and show how you can help!
20. Share a strategy, exercise, or coaching tool that has helped you the most
By sharing your own personal experience, you'll speak from a place of authority (and trust me, it will show!). If you have a tool or exercise that has helped you the most then chances are, it will work for other people as well!
Not only does it help you connect with your audience on a deeper level, but it also shows them that you're always learning and evolving as a coach, which is very inspirational by itself!
It doesn't have to be anything complex! Actually, simple is better! It could be anything like a S.M.A.R.T Goal Map or The Wheel of Life, the important part is to explain how it has helped you and how it could help your audience as well!
And I you really want to put in the effort, you can write a longer blog post explaining the tool/exercise in more detail and offer it as a free download to capture leads!
Free Resource! If you don't want to create your S.M.A.R.T Goal Map or The Wheel of Life from scratch, why not use our free and editable (in Canva) coaching templates?
21. Overcome your prospect's objections
Whatever you're offering to your clients, it's more than likely that they will have some questions or doubts about your promises.
And that's totally normal! Your job as a coach and private practitioner (read: business) is to put them at ease and create a trust that you are the best option for your prospect's problems!
Why?
Because it shows that you're knowledgeable about your prospect's problems and that you're invested in their success. Not to mention, it helps build trust and credibility, which are both essential for a successful coaching relationship.
Some of the most common objections to coaching are:
1. "I can't afford it."
2. "I don't have time for that."
3. "I'm not sure if coaching is right for me."
4. "Isn't coaching just for people who are really struggling?"
5. "What if I don't like it?"
6. "Can you guarantee that coaching will help me achieve my goals?"
7. "Coaching is too risky."
You can take each one and make it into a separate post that first, acknowledges the objection and then gently helps to overcome it with some in-depth explanation or questions.
22. Answer a common question you get
People often have a lot of questions about coaching, and that's totally normal! It can be a daunting process to finally take the first steps and invest in yourself.
By paying attention to what your audience is asking you, you can get a better understanding of what's important to them. That in turn helps you craft posts that people actually care about and engage with!
Some of the most common questions people have about coaching are:
1. What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
2. What if I don't know what I want?
3. How do I know if coaching is right for me?
4. Can you guarantee that coaching will help me achieve my goals?
5. What if I don't like it?
6. How often do we meet?
7. What happens in a typical coaching session?
8. Is coaching expensive?
9. Can you help me set goals?
10. I'm not sure what my goals are, can you help me figure them out?"
Now, these are just sample questions. Use whatever you're getting asked the most because chances are that every one person who actually asks the question, there are ten others wanting to know the same thing, but just not taking action.
23. Tag other accounts in your posts to start a dialogue with other coaches and professionals in your field.
This is similar to point number 13 but with a crucial difference that you don't actually have to know the other person! You can just comment and offer some more insight on what they have posted (tag them in your own post) and add some value to the conversation.
Another way to add value would be to actually post something relevant and insightful as a comment under their post that will stand in the sea of 🔥"fire emojis" and 👏"clapping hand emojis". Plus, this will help drive traffic back to your own Instagram page as well!
As a side bonus, this strategy will help you build relationships with peers in your field! Win for you, win for your peers, win for your audience.
24. Show what your day looks like
As a coach, you are your own brand! So why not show some behind-the-scenes of what your daily life looks like?
By posting pictures and videos of your daily routine, you're giving your audience a chance to connect with you on a more personal level.
Here are some ideas you can post:
What my typical day looks like as a life coach
How I start my day to stay organized and focused
What do I do when I'm feeling blocked or uninspired
A day in the life of a coach: client meetings, working from home, etc.
The tools and resources I use to help me coach effectively
5 things that inspire me and keep me going in my work
My top tips for staying motivated and productive throughout the day
How I deal with stress and overwhelm during the workday
Taking a break: how I recharge and refuel throughout the day
25. Create a challenge
A great way to keep your audience engaged is by running a challenge! This could be anything from a self-care challenge to a meditation or mindfulness challenge
By hosting a challenge, you're giving your followers a chance to participate and engage with your content. Not only that, but you're also providing them with valuable information and helping them to achieve their goals!
Plus, challenges are a lot of fun and provide a sense of community and support for your followers. So why not give it a try?
Some ideas for challenges:
30 Mindfulness Challenge
7-Day Gratitude Challenge
30 Days of Taking Action Challenge (where you have them set a goal and then do certain steps/actions every day to get closer to that goal)
30-Day Journaling Challenge (great way to build a habit of journaling)
BONUS! To sweeten the deal, why not give away a good book that has helped you in your life as a prize? Or if you're an author yourself, you could give away your own book!
26. Share some insight about a publication/article related to your field
When you're a life coach, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest research in your field. And what better way to do that than by reading articles and publications related to coaching?
But don't just stop at reading! Share your insights about the article or publication in the caption of your post. This will help start a dialogue with other coaches and professionals in your field, and also provide valuable information to your audience.
Some ideas for posts:
My thoughts on the latest article on coaching research
An overview of an interesting new study on coaching
How to effectively use a particular coaching technique that was featured in an article
Coaching tips inspired by an article or publication
27. Share some outtakes from a TED talk or other presentation
Sometimes curating other people's content is as effective as creating your own from scratch. You can share some outtakes from the most insightful talks, presentations, and podcasts that you think will add value to your audience.
Just make sure you just post an outtake and credit the original source. Bonus points for adding your own commentary in video form and in the post description.
28. Share your own article
If you haven't written any books, then writing articles about your niche is a must to get traction and build your audience. It's a great format to show your expertise and establish yourself as a professional in your field.
What's also great about writing is that you can reuse the content in other formats as well. For example, you can cut up an article into Instagram carousels with key points and then link back to your own blog for the longer version if someone wants to get more in-depth.
29. Share a step-by-step guide
One of the best ways to share your expertise with your followers is by sharing a step-by-step guide that will help your ideal client solve one of their core problems.
Not only will this be helpful for your followers, but it'll also help you establish yourself as a go-to person in your field. Plus, it's a great way to show off your writing skills!
Some ideas for guides:
How to start a meditation practice - A Guide For Beginners
How to become more self-aware
How to set and achieve any goals - A 5-Step Guide
How to deal with stress and anxiety
Step-by-step guide for being more productive
30. Share lists that solve a specific problem
The list format really works! And not only on Instagram ( hint: this article:). For example, try to put together a list of resources that your audience can use to 1) Be more productive 2) Set goals 3) Overcome mental blocks, etc. Your own lists will depend on your niche.
For example, you could do a list of:
10 Ways To Deal With Stress and Anxiety
7 Foods That Help Improve Sleep Quality
5 Everyday Tools I Use to Be More Productive
By sharing lists like this, you're creating easily digestible information that your audience can use to benefit their day-to-day.
31. Identify the obstacles your client is facing.
From time to time, all of u get stuck in negative patterns that are keeping us from living up to our full potential. As a life coach, your job is to identify what's holding people back and help them break through.
Why not identify the main obstacle your ideal client is having and make it into a post? The obstacle can be 1) Not having enough time for themselves 2) Making excuses about why not to start a business 3) Being afraid to make a new career decision or anything else that you have identified previously (if you haven't yet, then now is the time!).
Once you've identified the obstacle, share a simple step-by-step process or tips on how to overcome it. Why not even share how you've helped some of your other clients overcome the same issue? This will show your followers that you know what you're talking about and that you genuinely want to help them.
32. Interview someone you respect
Why not interview someone you respect and share their story with your audience?
This someone can be another coach that you look up to or someone who has gone through a similar struggle like your ideal client. In any case, use it as an opportunity to teach your audience about how to overcome certain obstacles. Make sure to prepare the questions in advance so you control the flow of the interview and get to the point!
Not only will this be an interesting read for your followers, but it'll also help you build a relationship with the person you interviewed. Who knows, maybe this one interview will be a start to your own podcast!
33. Celebrate your followers
Be on the lookout for what your followers and posting. Are they openly struggling with something? Are they posting about something they achieved? Or have they shared an inspiring story? In any case, you can tag them in your post to celebrate their bravery and/or success.
This is a great way to build a tight know community and make the whole social media experience much more personal.
It also shows your audience that you're really listening and do care, which goes a long way in building long-term relationships.
34. Create polls
Polls are a great way to get people's opinions on a variety of topics, and they can also be used to generate discussion. As a life coach, you can use polls to get feedback on your advice or to start a conversation about a particular issue.
Here are some ideas for polls:
What's your biggest struggle right now?
What's been your biggest accomplishment this week?
Who or what inspires you?
What are your thoughts on "X" topic?
What are your goals for the month/year?
35. Do an unfinished question post
You know the type of post, where you say "Today I wish that..." or "I'm feeling grateful for..." and then let your audience leave their answer in the comments.
It's a great engagement booster and a really simple post type to do if you have not had time to work on something more substantial.
Just make sure you don't overdo them!:)
Some examples of unfinished questions you can use:
My biggest fear is...
My deepest desire is to...
The main thing holding me back from my dreams is...
I want to be the kind of person who...
I want my life to be about...
My purpose in life is...
My biggest motivation in life is...
I found that the best way for me to relax is...
I feel most fulfilled by...
My wildest dream I'm working on is...
Your turn!
If you’re a coach, Instagram can be a powerful platform to help you attract your ideal clients and customers. By sharing content that is helpful, inspiring, or educational, you can build relationships with the people who need what you have to offer. And when they’re ready to take the next step, they’ll think of you first.
If you're feeling stuck, then these 35 ideas should give you a good starting point. But remember, the best way to find out what works for you is to experiment and see what gets the best response from your audience. So go out there and post some amazing content!
Bonus! (If you read this far you deserve it!:)
If you don't want to create all of your Instagram Posts from scratch, use our free "Elegant Social Media Kit for Coaches". It has 210 ready-made templates that you can edit in Canva and not have to worry about designing everything yourself!
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