| It's hard to imagine coaching before the web! Yes... | | | | blog providers and autoresponders offer RSS feed to |
| coaching existed before web-based services, but it is | | | | subscribers. |
| unlikely that the profession would have grown so | | | | Contact management system -iContact and |
| quickly without internet tools. Most coaches are | | | | ConstantContact are two popular examples of |
| aware of the benefits of having a website, if only to | | | | autoresponder sites that also provide contact |
| create an electronic brochure of their services. But | | | | management. A contact management system will |
| savvy coaches are learning how to use internet tools | | | | track what you send to who when, allow you to |
| to promote their services, keep in touch with clients | | | | program campaigns, and provide opt-in subscription |
| and prospects, and to actually do coaching. This list is | | | | services. Send Out Cards is a unique contact |
| just a beginning... I'd love to hear from you on e-tools | | | | management system that gives you the ability to |
| you use to promote your coaching practice. | | | | send cards, postcards and giftcards via snail mail. |
| Blog - | | | | Social Networking sites - |
| An electronic web-log or journal often used by | | | | Coaches have begun using social networking sites |
| coaches to showcase brief articles and promotional | | | | such as Myspace, Facebook and others to build their |
| material. Example of blog hosting web sites: Blogger, | | | | subscriber lists and promote their services |
| Typepad, Wordpress and Xanga | | | | Teleconference - |
| Blog Carnival - | | | | Coaches are making use of free conference calling |
| A collection of blog articles submitted by a variety of | | | | services (i.e. FreeConferenceCall, Instantconference, |
| authors and compiled by an editor in an ezine type | | | | Freeconference) to host teleconferences. One |
| format. Take a look at Ezine - | | | | session conferences are often used to promote new |
| An ezine is a periodic publication distributed by email | | | | products or services. Multiple session tele-conferences |
| or posted on a website. Ezines are typically tightly | | | | allow coaches to conduct trainings in a virtual |
| focused on a subject area but can contain blog | | | | environment and establish their expertise. |
| postings, articles, announcements, advertisements, | | | | Webinar - |
| etc. Ezines are generally sent to subscribers through | | | | A web-based seminar that accomplishes what a |
| the use of an autoresponder. | | | | teleconference accomplishes with the added benefit |
| Ebook - | | | | of visual aids (i.e. PowerPoint presentations or video). |
| An e-book is a short book or collection of articles in a | | | | (Xiosoft.com/instantteleseminar, WebEx, |
| PDF format and provided to clients or prospects for | | | | GoToWebinar) Many teleconference companies also |
| free or for purchase. Links to ebooks can be found | | | | offer webinar products. |
| on web sites and/or promoted in blogs, ezines, etc. | | | | Podcasting - |
| Autoresponder - | | | | Is an automated system that makes multimedia |
| This is a web based system that forwards blogs or | | | | computer files (video, music, etc.) available through |
| ezines to an owner's list of subscribers. | | | | RSS or other feed mechanisms. Podcasts allow |
| Autoresponders are useful as they set up opt-in | | | | coaches to distribute something like a radio show, |
| subscription screens to collect new subscriber info. | | | | training materials, and other multimedia presentations. |
| Autoresponders are often used as e-mail marketing | | | | A blogcast is a blog combined with media files made |
| tools, to immediately provide information to their | | | | available for download. |
| prospective customers and then follow-up with them | | | | VoIP - |
| at preset time intervals. Examples of autoresponders | | | | Voice over Internet Protocol is the term used for |
| include Aweber, Feedblitz, Getresponse | | | | using the internet to provide telephone service. |
| RSS feed - | | | | Vonage, AT&T, and other vendors promote this |
| Stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS makes it | | | | tool as a way to save cost on long distance and |
| possible for people to keep up with their favorite | | | | international calls. Skype is not exactly VoIP, but |
| web sites in an automated manner rather than | | | | essentially accomplishes the same thing (OK... I admit |
| checking them manually. Blog posts can be sent to a | | | | it... I don't really understand how Skype works!! |
| subscribers e-mail box when a blog is updated. Most | | | | |