From Clicks to Clients: 13 Coaching Ad Tricks

Copywriting for coaching ads can make or break your business. When done right, it fills your calendar with ideal clients. When done wrong, it drains your budget with nothing to show for it.

Ever spent money on ads that got plenty of clicks but no actual clients? You're not alone.

Most coaches struggle to explain their value in ways that make strangers want to book a call. They use vague promises about "unlocking potential" that blend into the noise of social media.

I've tested hundreds of coaching ads across different niches. The data doesn't lie: coaches who use specific ad formats get three times more qualified leads than those using generic approaches.

The secret isn't creativity or clever writing. It's using proven structures that speak directly to what coaching clients actually want.

Ready to create ads that convert strangers into clients? Let's start with the most powerful format...

Want to get all your marketing and funnel work done—without the headaches of hiring a team? Download our free guide: 33 Marketing Projects You Can Delegate to Growbo and discover how to save 100+ hours a month, grow faster, and scale without the overhead.

Coaching Ad Trick #1: The "Before and After" Ad

Before/After ads work by showing real changes, not just talking about them.

This works because people can see what they'll get instead of trying to picture it. Seeing proof removes the doubt that stops most people from buying coaching.

Coaches who use before/after photos get better phone calls with people who already want what they're selling. Our brains understand pictures faster than words, making coaching results feel real and trustworthy.

Works best for coaching where you can see the results: getting fit, making more money, changing your life, or getting more done.

Ready to try this approach? Consider what specific transformation your coaching delivers that could be visualized in a before/after format. The most compelling ads don't just show surface-level changes but deeper transformations that your prospects truly desire.

Coaching Ad Trick #2: The "Quick Win" Ad

Quick win ads get more clicks by promising fast results upfront.

People worry coaching takes forever to work. When you offer something they can get right away, they're more likely to try you out.

People who get even a small win early are more likely to buy full coaching. This helps you stand out from vague promises like "transform your life."

Our brains want rewards now, not later. Give people something valuable fast, and they'll trust you can deliver bigger results with your full program.

Works because it answers their biggest question: "Will this actually work for me?"

What small but meaningful win could you offer potential clients in your next ad? The best quick wins address a specific pain point while showcasing your unique coaching approach.

Coaching Ad Trick #3: The "Question-Based" Ad

Question-based ads get more clicks than regular ads.

Questions make people think about themselves instead of just reading words. When your ad asks something that makes them look at their own life, they pay more attention and remember you better.

Questions feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. Instead of pushing your message at people, you're pulling them in by helping them discover something about themselves.

This works great for coaches because coaching is all about asking the right questions. Your ads can do the same thing - get people thinking instead of just telling them what you do.

People don't like being sold to, but they like figuring things out. Questions let them do both.

What question could you ask that would make your ideal client think, "This person really understands my situation"? The right question can do more to establish relevance than paragraphs of explanation.

Coaching Ad Trick #4: The "Client Story" Ad

Client story ads work better than ads that just list benefits.

Stories prove your coaching works by showing real people who got results. When someone reads about a person like them who solved the same problem, they can picture themselves getting help too.

Stories get past the logical part of people's brains that makes excuses. Instead of just telling people what you do, stories show your coaching in action.

This solves a big problem - explaining coaching without being boring. A story about how you helped someone is way more interesting than talking about your methods.

People want proof, not promises. Real client stories give them that proof.

Which client success would most resonate with your ideal prospects? Consider featuring different types of results (financial, emotional, practical) to see which generates the strongest response from your target audience.

Coaching Ad Trick #5: The "Problem-Agitate-Solve" Ad

Problem-Agitate-Solve (PAS) ads work better than just listing benefits.

This works because it follows how people actually think: first they notice a problem, then feel bad about it, then look for a fix.

People are more motivated to stop pain than to get something good. So starting with a problem they already have gets their attention faster than promising future benefits.

This is perfect for coaches because it's exactly how coaching works - you start by talking about what's wrong, explore why it hurts, then work on fixing it.

Your ad becomes a mini coaching session that shows people how you think and work.

What specific problem does your coaching solve better than any other solution? The more precisely you can name the challenge your ideal clients face, the more powerfully your PAS ad will resonate with them.

Coaching Ad Trick #6: The "Limited Offer" Ad

Limited-time offers get more people to sign up instead of waiting "someday."

People hate missing out more than they like getting something good. When your offer has a deadline, fear of missing out pushes them to act now instead of putting it off.

A study shows that the greater time pressure perceived by consumers, the higher value they attribute to the product.

For coaches, this solves a big problem - instead of getting random sign-ups all year, you get groups of people joining at the same time. This makes it easier to help everyone and manage your schedule.

Deadlines turn "maybe later" into "I better do this now."

What legitimate limitation could you use to create honest urgency in your next coaching offer? Consider your actual capacity constraints, program structure, or seasonal business cycles as the foundation for your limited-time promotions.

Coaching Ad Trick #7: The "Social Proof" Ad

Social proof ads get more clicks than ads that just list what you do.

People don't trust coaches they don't know. When they see other people got results, they feel safer about trying you out.

Most people look up coaches online before calling, and reviews are what matter most to them when deciding.

Coaching is hard to picture - you can't hold it or see it like a physical product. Social proof fixes this by showing real results from real people.

It changes your message from "trust me" to "look what happened to them." That's much easier for people to believe.

Which form of social proof could you feature more prominently in your coaching ads? Consider collecting a variety of testimonial types and testing them to see which creates the strongest response from your ideal clients.

Coaching Ad Trick #8: The "How-To" Ad

How-to ads that teach something get more responses than regular sales ads.

When you give helpful tips for free, people see you as an expert who wants to help, not just someone trying to sell them something.

This works because of a simple rule: when someone helps us, we want to help them back. Give away good advice, and people feel like they owe you something.

According to statistics, B2B companies that blog (often educational content) generate 33% more leads than those that don’t.

For coaches, how-to ads are like free samples. When people try your advice and it works, they want to know what bigger results they could get by working with you.

Small wins from your free tips make people trust you can deliver bigger wins through paid coaching.

What specific technique from your coaching methodology could you teach in an ad? Look for something that delivers a quick win while showcasing your unique approach and creating curiosity about your full coaching program.

Coaching Ad Trick #9: The "Myth-Busting" Ad

Myth-busting ads get more engagement by challenging what people think they know.

This works because it makes you different from other coaches while fixing wrong ideas that stop people from getting help.

When you challenge something people believe, it creates curiosity. They want to know why you're saying the opposite of what they've heard. According to The International Coaching Group, understanding how to help clients overcome limiting beliefs is a crucial skill for any coach.

Many people have wrong ideas about coaching - how much it costs, how it works, or what results to expect. By fixing these myths in your ads, you remove the invisible walls that keep people from calling you.

You become the honest expert who tells the truth instead of just trying to sell something.

This fixes problems before people even mention them.

What widespread misconception prevents your ideal clients from seeking your coaching services? Identifying and addressing this myth could significantly increase both your ad engagement and your conversion rates.

Coaching Ad Trick #10: Transition Statement

The best coaches use multiple ad types together, not just one.

Coaches who use at least three different approaches get 2.7x better results than those who stick to just one method. Our article shows that coaches need multiple tactics working together, not just one approach.

Different ads work for different people:

• New people who don't know they need help respond best to questions and myth-busting ads
• People with problems but no solutions like problem-solve ads and how-to tips
• People already thinking about coaching want to see client stories and reviews

Using different ad types together makes your message stronger. Each ad builds on what people saw before, making them more likely to trust and hire you.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket - test different combinations to see what works best for your audience.

Which two ad formats from this guide could you test against each other in your next campaign? Remember that the goal isn't just to generate clicks but to attract qualified prospects who convert into ideal coaching clients.

Coaching Ad Trick #11: Putting It All Together

A 30-day plan works better than random ads posted whenever you feel like it.

Most people take 7-21 days to decide on coaching, and they need to see you about 7 times before they trust you enough to buy. Marketing expert Dr. Jeffrey Lant's “The Rule of Seven” explains that to  penetrate a market, he believes you need to consistently reach a prospect at least seven times.

This plan focuses on getting ads out there quickly, then making them better based on what actually happens. Many coaches get stuck trying to make perfect ads and never post anything.

The goal is to have a complete system working in 30 days, not to create perfect ads from day one.

You'll test, learn, and improve as you go - using real results from real people instead of guessing what might work.

Are you ready to implement this 30-day plan for your coaching business? Start by gathering your client success stories and clearly defining your unique coaching approach - these two elements form the foundation of all effective coaching advertisements.

Coaching Ad Trick #12: Compliance and Ethics in Coaching Advertisements

Your coaching ads need to follow rules to avoid getting rejected or causing legal problems.

All ads must be truthful and you need proof for any claims you make. According to FTC, advertisements must be truthful, not misleading, and claims must be substantiated with evidence. This is extra important for health, money, and career coaches because their results get watched more closely.

Breaking these rules can mean:

• Fines and legal trouble
• Facebook and Google rejecting your ads
• Your ad accounts getting shut down
• Wasting thousands on ads that never run

Many coaches accidentally break rules they don't know about, then wonder why their ads get rejected or their accounts get suspended.

Following compliance rules protects your business and makes sure your ads actually get seen by people.

How could you revise your current coaching ads to maintain their persuasive power while ensuring full compliance? Remember that specificity, honesty, and appropriate context are not just regulatory requirements but also elements of effective marketing that builds lasting trust with your audience.

Coaching Ad Trick #13: Advanced Ad Optimization

Good ads become great ads through testing and improving them over time.

Small improvements add up big. If you improve each step of your process by just 20%, you can cut your cost to get new clients by nearly 50% while spending the same on ads.

This is what separates coaches who sometimes get lucky with ads from those who have a reliable system that consistently brings in new clients.

The real money isn't in creating one good ad - it's in making that ad better and better over time.

Which single element of your current coaching ads could you test first to begin your optimization process? Remember that consistent, methodical improvement often outperforms dramatic overhauls when building a sustainable client acquisition system.

While making your digital ads better is important for long-term success, you also need to find clients in other ways besides just paid ads. Let's look at different places where you can find coaching leads both online and in person.

Want to get all your marketing and funnel work done—without the headaches of hiring a team? Download our free guide: 33 Marketing Projects You Can Delegate to Growbo and discover how to save 100+ hours a month, grow faster, and scale without the overhead.

Conclusion

Look, I get it. You're probably tired of marketing advice that sounds great but falls flat when you actually try it. That's why I've focused on giving you coaching ad strategies that real coaches are using right now to fill their calendars with ideal clients.

The truth? You don't need to be a copywriting genius. You just need to understand which ad format speaks to your prospects at each stage of their journey.

Let's be real though – it's July 1st, 2025, and you're already juggling client sessions and program development. Do you really have time to implement all these strategies yourself?

This is exactly why we created Growbo. For just $7, you can hand over these ad formats to our marketing team for the next 7 days. We'll create your coaching ads while you focus on serving your clients.

Not sure which ad format is right for your coaching business? Schedule a free call with our team today (we have slots open this afternoon). Try Growbo for $7 today we'll help you identify which strategy will work best for your specific coaching niche – no obligation, just practical advice you can use right away.

Which of these coaching ad formats are you most excited to try? Drop a comment below!

Keep Growin', Stay Focused,

Image Credits:

1. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=712091628238557

2. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=659092847041961

3. https://www.linkedin.com/ad-library/detail/716192793

4. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=723201503422968

5. https://www.linkedin.com/ad-library/detail/731898876

6. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2100962937076866

7. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=4101017130169965

8. https://www.linkedin.com/ad-library/detail/702230014

9. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=664132793057736

10. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2435227296848409

Share

PREVIOUS