If you’ve ever found yourself feeling drained by the idea of constantly showing up on Instagram or chasing trends on TikTok, you’re not alone. Many health and life coaches just don’t get along with social media – and that’s ok!

The good news is that building a successful coaching business doesn’t have to include reels, hashtags, or endless scrolling. You’re not necessarily missing out if you decide not to use social media at all as its effectiveness as a method for attracting clients can be hit and miss.

I’ve shared posts on how to market your coaching business without social media, that include using platforms that are more search based and tech heavy, such as YouTube, Blogging with SEO and Podcasting for example.

I also cover this in my free 4 Hour Marketing Workflow which you can get here:

But what if you want to get more clients without using social media – and you also want to minimise how much you use tech? Then I’ve got you covered, in this post I’ll be sharing 5 proven, low tech methods for attracting clients, without needing to be glued to your phone.

1. Leverage Your Existing Network

Your existing network of people – which might include former or current colleagues, family and friends – and their networks in turn – can be a great place to start when it comes to getting clients.

Start by simply letting friends, family members, former colleagues, and even fellow mums at the school gate know what you do and who you help. Don’t be afraid to ask them to spread the word if they know someone who might benefit from your coaching. This doesn’t need to feel salesy, it’s just sharing something you’re passionate about.

2. Host Local Workshops and Events

Another powerful strategy to grow your client base is to host a local workshop or event. Yes, we’re talking low-tech, in-person, back-to-basics connection here, and that’s exactly what makes it so effective.

I talk a lot about the power of connection in business. Because when we take the time to genuinely connect with people and build real relationships, that’s when the magic happens. That’s when people start to feel that sense of trust and familiarity with us, and that’s what ultimately leads to clients saying, “Yes, I want to work with you.”

You’ve probably heard the phrase “know, like, and trust” tossed around in marketing circles. It’s a bit of a cliché at this point, but it really does hold weight. And one of the best ways to build that know-like-trust factor is in person.

So, think about hosting a workshop or event in your local area. Choose a topic that naturally speaks to your ideal clients, something that makes them say, “I need to be in that room.” You can choose to run it for free to build goodwill or charge a small fee to position it as high-value.

It’s a brilliant way to expand your network, especially if you’re starting fresh or want to grow beyond your existing contacts. Events not only bring people together but also give them a chance to see you in action. They get to experience your expertise firsthand, ask questions, and see how you show up, and that builds trust faster than any sales page ever could.

And here’s the best bit, you can make an offer right then and there. If the event has been helpful and people are engaged, there’s no harm in saying, “If you’d like to go deeper with this, I offer one-to-one support, I’d love to chat if that’s something you’re interested in.”

You’ve already built the connection, now you’re simply extending the invitation. And that can be incredibly powerful.

3. Collaborate with Complementary Professionals

The next strategy is to collaborate with others. At its core, this is about finding people whose work complements yours. You’re looking for those who serve the same audience, but in a different way—so you’re not in direct competition, but you can support each other.

This could look like partnering with local practitioners who offer something slightly different from you but serve a similar group of clients. You might decide to run a workshop together, create a mutual referral agreement, or even explore a more formal affiliate relationship. There are lots of ways this can work.

You could also look for people who have a space you could use to host something, where you can offer value to their members. For example, I have a client right now who’s connecting with local CrossFit gyms. He’s offering to run seminars for their members. It adds value to the gym and, in return, he gets in front of an audience that’s ideal for him. It’s a win-win.

There are all sorts of low-tech ways to collaborate like this. Sure, you can take things online later—like virtual summits, bundles, or co-hosted events—but for now, we’re focusing on simple, human connection.

Start by asking yourself: who is operating in my local area? Who is already serving the people I want to help, but in a different way? If you want to dip into online spaces too, ask the same questions there. Who could I work with? Could we host something together? Share audiences? Support each other?

This kind of collaboration builds community, opens up new opportunities, and most importantly, gets you in front of new people.

And that’s the common thread running through all these strategies—visibility. Getting in front of people who don’t yet know you exist, and showing them clearly how you can help. There’s a whole other step around converting them into clients, but it all starts with connection. And collaboration is a brilliant way to make that happen.

4. Look for Press & PR Opportunities

Next up is to look for press and PR opportunities. This is such a fantastic strategy, and yet it’s one so many people forget about. There are so many different publications out there – local newspapers, national newspapers, radio stations, magazines, both online and printed – that are constantly looking for new and interesting stories.

Think about the work you do and the people you support. Is there an interesting angle you can share? Can you tie it into something seasonal, something trending, or something highly relevant right now? If so, that’s the perfect opportunity to pitch to the press and potentially get featured.

This is something I did a lot in my early days as a health coach. I’ve actually got a big stack of magazines, probably about the height of my forearm, where I was featured as a result of reaching out to the press. So it’s definitely worth thinking about where your ideal clients might be getting their content. Are there niche publications they’re reading? Or are there broader platforms you could still get value from?

You can start local, which I often recommend as it can be a more comfortable place to start. Search online for how to write a pitch or a press release, look up journalist email addresses, and send your pitch directly to them.

I know this can feel scary, but it doesn’t have to be. I had a client who ran beautiful retreat days in her back garden, using a bell tent as a cosy, unique space. I said to her, “This is such a great story, this should be in a magazine.” She pitched it to the press and ended up with a full magazine spread. It was amazing to see.

So think about the different angles you could use. Is there something quirky, seasonal, or newsworthy about what you do? Could you share your personal story or transformation? Once you’ve got that hook, craft a simple pitch or press release, identify a few publications, and send it off.

It really can be that simple, and incredibly effective for getting more eyes on what you do.

5. Flyers and Posters

And finally, another strategy that can work really well is simply having flyers and posters in popular locations where people can see them and learn about the work you do. You can use this alongside things like workshops or collaborations, or simply on its own as a way to raise awareness locally.

Yes, it’s super old school, but it worked back then for a reason and it can still be effective today. On their own, flyers might be a bit hit and miss, but they’re a great piece of the puzzle. You might want to combine them with a little social media, or use them to reinforce some of the other strategies we’ve talked about.

I’ve mentioned other episodes focused on social media-based marketing, and while those approaches are great, traditional tools like leaflets and flyers can still make a big impact. Think about your local area, libraries, cafes, health centres, leisure centres, doctor’s surgeries. Anywhere you’re allowed to leave a few flyers, do it. Sometimes, that physical presence is what helps someone find you.

You can include a discount code, a short bio, your contact info, or a clear call to action. Something that makes it easy for someone to take that next step. You could even pop them through doors locally if you’re up for it.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or high-tech. Just a simple, well-placed flyer can spark curiosity and lead to new clients. So don’t forget the power of these more traditional methods. They worked for a reason, and if you use them smartly, they still can.

Final Thoughts

If social media doesn’t feel aligned for you, you’re not missing anything by skipping it all together. These low tech options can all be very effective ways to increase your visibility, build connections and ultimately, attract more clients.

The strategies above have worked for many of the coaches I support through my programs. You absolutely can get clients in a way that feels spacious, grounded, and heart-led, without social media.

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