It’s no secret that marketing is one of the most important aspects of any business, but it can also be one of the most time-consuming and expensive (depending on the tactics you use).

But marketing your coaching or online business can feel overwhelming. Between all the platforms, tools, and endless “you should be doing this” advice… it’s easy to think success requires a big budget and even bigger time commitment.

But what if that’s not true?

What if you could build visibility, grow your audience, and attract aligned clients without relying on complicated funnels or spending hours on social media?

If you’ve ever wondered how to market your online coaching business without spending a lot of money, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Start with the Basics: Optimize Your Online Presence

Before we jump into getting seen by more people, let’s talk about something most business owners overlook: Is your current online presence working for you… or against you?

Because here’s the truth: 57% of a potential client’s decision is made before they ever reach out. And if your website, social media profiles, or digital “breadcrumbs” are unclear, inconsistent, or outdated—it’s easy to miss out on leads who were already interested.

This is where I teach clients to apply the 3 C’s:

• Clear: Can a first-time visitor instantly tell what you offer and who it’s for?

• Consistent: Is your messaging aligned across platforms (Instagram bio, website, LinkedIn, etc.)?

• Connectable: Are there working links? Obvious next steps? A call to action that invites people to stay in your world?

It might sound basic, but I’ve done enough visibility audits to tell you—this is the first place most people are leaking leads.

🛠️ ACTION STEP:

Block off 30 minutes to audit your digital storefront. Start with your website homepage, social media bios, and most recent posts. Update your value statement, fix broken links, and make sure your messaging still reflects what you actually do (and who it’s for). These quick tweaks can unlock big opportunities.

2. Reach a Wider Audience with the Right Content (Not Just More of It)

Let’s get one thing straight: showing up on every single platform isn’t the flex it used to be. 

If you’re trying to be everywhere at once, posting daily, and still wondering why nothing’s converting—you’re not alone. What actually works is showing up where your ideal client is already spending time, with the right message for their stage of the buying journey.

The key? Understanding content strategy across three awareness levels:

• Unaware: They don’t know they have a problem yet.

• Problem-Aware: They know something’s not working but don’t know what they need.

• Solution-Aware: They’re actively looking for support or offers like yours.

When your content speaks to all three stages, you stay relevant and helpful—no matter where someone is on their journey.

And yes, you can keep it simple. Start with one platform (Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest—wherever your people hang out). Focus on 2–3 core content themes, and show up consistently with helpful, actionable content.

🛠️ Pro Tip:

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective and powerful platforms you can use. Unlike social, it’s not beholden to an algorithm. And unlike DMs, it’s scalable. Whether you have 20 or 2,000 subscribers, email is where connection deepens and sales happen.

3. Get Involved in the Right Online Communities

Want a marketing strategy that costs zero dollars, builds real relationships, and helps you land more visibility opportunities?

Start commenting where your ideal audience is already gathering.

This one gets overlooked all the time because people confuse it with spammy promotion. But when done right, it’s one of the most effective ways to build trust and authority—especially if you’re still growing your list or refining your niche.

Here’s how to do it in 10 minutes a day:

1. Search for 2–3 Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, or online communities where your ideal client is active.

2. Observe what kinds of questions are being asked.

3. Leave thoughtful, helpful comments (no pitching).

4. Repeat consistently.

That’s it. You’ll be surprised how many DMs, profile clicks, and opportunities come from simply being helpful.

🛠️ Bonus Tip:

Once you’ve built confidence and consistency inside other people’s communities, you might consider creating your own—whether that’s a private Facebook group, a simple email newsletter, or even a Slack channel for your niche.

4. Use Blogging (or Podcasting) to Build Authority

I’ll be honest—I used to avoid blogging like the plague.

I thought it was too time-consuming, too hard to stay consistent, and didn’t get the instant validation that social media gave. But then I discovered the magic of repurposing—and tools like ChatGPT Pro that make the content creation process 10x easier.

Now? Blogging is one of my favorite ways to grow visibility without having to show up every single day.

A good blog post:

• Positions you as an expert (especially when you answer questions your audience is Googling)

• Gives you a long-form content asset to repurpose into social posts, emails, reels, or video scripts

• Helps your SEO over time so more people can discover you organically

🛠️ ACTION STEP:

Pick one question your audience always asks. Use a ChatGPT prompt to outline a blog post on that topic. Write it (or have ChatGPT do a first draft), publish it, and then slice it up into at least 5 smaller content pieces.

That’s visibility with staying power.

5. Collaborate to Grow Faster (Without Ads)

If I had to start over from scratch, this is the strategy I’d focus on first.

Collaborations—like bundles, summits, freebie swaps, and guest expert trainings—are the fastest, most cost-effective way to get in front of new, aligned audiences. Instead of slowly building your own audience post by post, you get to borrow someone else’s.

When I first dipped my toe into collaborations, one bundle added 54 paying subscribers to my list. That was exciting. But now that I’ve refined my micro-offer strategy and figured out the formula?

👉 I add an average of 200 new subscribers every time I participate in a collaborative bundle.

That’s 200 people willing to invest in their business. People who are warmer, more qualified, and more likely to buy again—especially when you nurture them well.

This is exactly what I teach inside the Visibility Builders Society—how to package your expertise into micro-offers that are perfect for bundles and summits, and how to use those collaborations to build your list fast (without relying on Instagram reels or cold DMs).

🛠️ ACTION STEP:

Don’t wait until your list is “big enough.” Start small. Pitch yourself for a guest spot in someone’s group. Contribute a bonus to a small bundle. These small steps stack up—and before you know it, you’ll have a thriving list full of ideal clients.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a big team, fancy tools, or a massive following to grow your business online.

You just need a strategy that works with your time, your stage of business, and your strengths. That’s where these five low-cost marketing strategies shine:

• Optimize your online presence so you’re not leaking leads.

• Create content that speaks to where your audience actually is.

• Engage in online communities strategically.

• Use blogging to position yourself as the go-to expert.

• Leverage collaborations to grow your audience—fast.

And if you want help putting it all into action…

Ready to Build a Visibility Strategy That Actually Works?

Join the Visibility Builders Society—my LESS THAN $1 A DAY membership designed for online coaches and entrepreneurs who want to grow their audience and email list without relying on social media or expensive ads.

Inside the Society, you’ll get:

✅ Step-by-step training on how to create simple, high-converting micro-offers
✅ Monthly visibility strategies (think bundles, collabs, and email list building)
✅ Canva templates, ChatGPT prompts, and systems to save you time
✅ A supportive community that gets what it’s like to build a business with limited time and a big vision

Whether you’re just getting started or coming back after a break, this is your roadmap to showing up, getting seen, and becoming known by the right people.

👉 Join here and get immediate access…

.YES, I WANT THE SOCIETY!