The Ultimate Guide (And Tips) For Successful Virtual Coaching

In light of the current virtual-forward way of living, digital health services are becoming more popular, as a means of helping people to live healthier lives. From health information technologies and wearable devices to personalized telemedicine, the realm of digital health and telecommunication continues to be one of the most dynamic forces molding and driving today's health care revolution. 

If you are looking to be a part of this ever-evolving global health shift or are curious about boosting your existing coaching practice, here are a few expert tips to guide you through the exciting world of virtual health coaching:

As evident as it may sound, getting dressed is a fundamental step to priming your brain (and attitude) for the task ahead. Besides affecting your mood and productivity levels, clothes can significantly alter how you feel physically, energetically, and emotionally. "While it can be tempting to stay in your workout clothes or even your pajamas, I strongly recommend dressing as you would if you were meeting your client in person. The energy you bring to the session will reflect that," says Cording.

From helping you prioritize and stay on task to acting as a virtual personal assistant, having a digital calendar should be a nonnegotiable instrument for any virtual wellness professional. And the best part is that online calendar services abound! "Make sure you sync it to your personal calendar or other calendars you need to keep track of, so you don't overbook," says Cording. "This is something I wish I had known to do when I was starting."

From coaching platforms and software to digital tools, options might seem limitless when it comes to the online coaching marketplace, which is why determining the most appropriate communication method for you and your clients is vital. "One of the struggles is to decide if you prefer audio or visual conversations, depending on your ease and the best way to serve your clients," says Tania Marchand, entrepreneur and mindbodygreen functional nutritional coach. "Some prefer to see you. Others are reluctant and even suffer from high anxiety to show themselves."

Establishing transparent, open, and effective communication channels is critical for any thriving digital health coaching practice. "Tell your clients when they can expect you to respond to communications. For example, maybe you reply within 24 hours Monday to Friday, and have set work hours," advises Cording. "It's important to honor those office hours you set for yourself, to maintain healthy boundaries. If you're burnt out, you won't be at your best for your clients."

Reaching out to your clients before your sessions together can be helpful for determining the best schedule and understanding each other's time constraints. "I would advise coaches to survey and learn the best hours of availability for their clients. Depending on your niche, prime time can vary a lot," says Tania. 

Healthy working relationships require boundaries, and that goes for virtual health coaches, too. As Cording notes, it's essential to "figure out your boundaries with social media so it feels clear to you what you want to share, how frequently, how it's promoting your business, etc. You also want to be clear on whether you follow clients back or not." And from a privacy viewpoint, using a platform that allows for secure messaging and record-keeping is critical. "Privacy is an important issue, so this can be an excellent protective measure. It can also help you set boundaries with your time so you're not seeing client communications in your email or text messages."

Ultimately, being intentional about your goals, needs, and limits as a health coach is an essential factor in fostering a healthy, sustainable virtual practice. If you are eager to become a functional nutrition coach and support others in transforming their wellness journeys along the way, check out mbg's Functional Nutrition Coaching program.