Best Networking Strategies for Coaches in 2025

Hosting 2 exec dinners back to back reminded me that you don’t need a DJ booth and branded tumblers to build pipeline. You need proximity. It's 2025 and there's still this lingering belief that the bigger the event, the bigger the impact. The logo wall, the glitzy booth, the team dinner that cost more than a quarter’s marketing budget. IMO conferences are great for visibility, but they’re terrible for real conversations. You scan 300 badges. You remember 3 faces. And the best interaction you had? A random intro in the hotel bar. That’s not so much a strategy as it is simply gambling with your marketing budget. IMO the best way to do this is to go small, which ironically, will allow you to win big. We’re talking: 1. Executive roundtables with 20-30 handpicked guests (like the ones Sales Assembly does every month). 2. Working sessions tailored to a real, shared problem. 3. Dinners where the customer does 90% of the talking. 4. Field events where every attendee is pre-qualified and mapped to pipeline. Why it works: - You control the guest list. No wasted conversations. - You control the environment. No distractions. - You control the follow up. No getting buried in a sea of booth emails. These aren’t “networking events.” They’re high-trust conversion machines. Because when the room is small, the stakes get higher, the conversations get deeper, and the pipeline gets real. If you want to win business, don’t just go where everyone is. Go where real conversations happen. Or create those environments yourself. Thanks as always to Nooks, Capchase, and TigerEye for their continued partnership in creating these types of environments, including this one last night in Salt Lake City!

I'm surprised more people don't start their own coaching or consulting business using LinkedIn. So many of my corporate friends have incredible expertise. They solve complex problems daily, lead teams, drive results. But when I suggest they could turn that into a coaching or consulting business, the response is always the same: "Who would pay me for what I already know?" And then there are the coaches I know who already started their business but are stuck in feast-or-famine mode. Great at what they do, but struggling to get clients consistently. Here's what I've learned after working with both groups: Your expertise isn't the problem. The challenge is that most of us were never taught how to package our knowledge or consistently find the people who need it. That's where LinkedIn comes in. I used to think LinkedIn was just for job hunting. Turns out, it's the best place to connect with people who have the exact problems you've been solving for years. It is THE best place to build a coaching business organically (no ads required). A few months ago, I teamed up with other successful 6/7-figure coaches Adam Broda, Daniel Botero and launched something called the LinkedIn Coaches Accelerator - a 12-week program to help people turn their expertise into a thriving coaching business using LinkedIn. Some highlights from our first cohort blew us away: -Someone landed 25 clients -Another client made $30K while in the program -Several people landed their first $5K-$25K clients within weeks One person 2x’d their followers and increased their LinkedIn reach by 18,279% (yes, this number is correct) On average, people in our first cohort got an average of 4 high-ticket clients while working with us. The common thread? They all started where you might be right now…either thinking about coaching or struggling to get consistent clients. We're now accepting applications for our second cohort. It's designed for two types of people: → Corporate professionals ready to monetize their expertise → Existing coaches who want consistent client flow (no more feast or famine) What we cover: → How to package your experience into something people will pay for  → LinkedIn strategies that feel authentic (no sales-y tactics)  → How to have sales conversations that don't make you cringe  → Building a business that works around your life, not the other way around Our promise: Help you land 3 clients in 12 weeks, or we keep working with you until you do. If you've been thinking about this transition or you're tired of the client rollercoaster, now might be the time. Application here → https://lnkd.in/gzY6-yYj P.S. I'm dropping my LinkedIn strategy guide below.  Use what helps, ignore what doesn't. Just wanted to share what's been working! ⬇️

7 ways to attract coaching clients- (No ads. Just real connection + value.) If you're a coach, consultant, or service-based expert, LinkedIn can be your most powerful platform... If you use it right. Clients don’t just hire coaches. They hire people they trust. Here are 7 ways to attract coaching clients without being pushy: 1️⃣ Position Yourself Clearly Make your profile crystal clear: who you help, how you help, and why it works. Confused people don’t convert. 2️⃣ Share Valuable, Relatable Content Post tips, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes stories your ideal clients can see themselves in. 3️⃣ Speak to Specific Problems General advice gets ignored. Show you understand their real struggles and have a proven way forward. 4️⃣ Post Client Wins and Transformations Social proof sells. Highlight results, not just testimonials. What changed? How did it happen? 5️⃣ Engage with Your Ideal Audience Don’t just post: comment, message, and connect with people who match your niche. Build real relationships. 6️⃣ Host Free Trainings or Live Sessions Give a taste of your coaching style. When people see the value before they buy, trust skyrockets. 7️⃣ Include Clear, Low-Pressure Calls to Action End posts with, “Message me if this sounds like you” or “Let’s chat if you’re ready for support.” No hard sell needed. You don’t need to chase clients. If you show up consistently, serve generously, and communicate clearly, they’ll find you. Which strategy are you going to try next? Let me know! 💫Repost to help out others 🌻Follow Cassie Lincoln for more insights P.S. If you find it challenging to close new coaching clients, feel free to send me a DM. Happy to help you troubleshoot and provide some free resources.