Selling Coaching and Courses as well as Coaching with Melissa Bolton -

How does branding can play a role to help creators sell more effectively and with more success? After many years of running successful businesses and working with dozens of other people, Melissa Bolton had a hunch: To sell successfully the first step is to understand what you're about and what your target market is. It's then a matter of aligning the message with both. Turns out she was right and her vast network of accomplished clients can attest. She explains what creators must learn about branding, as well as how she helped her coach and training up a notch.

 By age 23 you were producing 7-figure sales. At 27, you achieved Vice President status in the Fortune 500 financial company. You're now a sought-after Brand Therapist - a specialty you've trademarked and made your unique. We'd love to hear how your incredible adventure began and you've learned from it to date.

I've never treated customers like a prospect or viewed them as an possibility. They're real people with actual needs, objectives and desires. It's up to you what you do to help people. It's like this answer should be longer, however, it's really just that simple be kind to people, treat them as you would want to be treated, listen, and then help.

 Could you tell us an explanation of the importance of branding as a therapy and the archetypal approach?

I've always been interested in behavioral science and psychology, but I never wanted to work as a traditional psychotherapist. While I was at home, I did a lot of reading about the psychology of behavior and its principles and decision making, particularly. I started applying these concepts in my branding and the result was nothing short of magical. Being a person who is a believer in individuality, I'm passionate about creating 'titles' to represent your professional identity. "Brand Therapist" seemed like a perfect title.

I constructed the brand archetype course back in the year 2010. The time was when there wasn't a similar course available. People were using archetypes to promote brands, but an actual course was not out there. The idea is to take the proven scientific principles and apply them to purchasing behavior. There is no way to prove that behaviors are true but the patterns are impossible to disprove. Archetypes show patterns of behaviour and allow you to cater your words as well as your style services to the people who require the most.

 In your research it was clear that many entrepreneurs and creators failed because they ignored branding, and instead focused on advertising. What are some simple steps creators can take to create a brand that is authentic?

Well, you can't very effectively market something if don't know who you are, what it is you're selling and who your most ideal clients are, or what you're actually selling. What I mean is, we're never really selling products or services. The only thing we're selling is solutions. selling people a higher version of their own. Understanding and being able to articulate the essence of your brand and carry it into all that you do is essential to the success of any company.

Your website provides a variety of insightful, free resources to potential customers including your free brand archetype quiz and analysis. How have these sources had on your business and how can creators integrate freebies into their marketing efforts?

The test for free has made tremendous influence. It took me a long time to learn not only what to ask and how to get the most appropriate answers. More than a million people took the test throughout the years. It's still awe-inspiring to me. But it's highly insightful and deep. I understand the allure. I'm happy to see it has been useful to so many. It has helped me expand my mailing list and expand services to the people I want to reach also.

I suggest creating the freebies you want to distribute that match the style you prefer. As the teacher, I am a Luminary (archetype) teacher, I like taking my time and learning, and then sharing the information, therefore for me, taking a test is a good idea. The quiz might be another thing. It may be a template, a white document, an ebook or some other downloadable information. Be sure to get some kind of reward, with one of the most sought-after is your email address. It is possible to unsubscribe anytime the content doesn't suit them.

 With a few years of experience in consulting What advice do you offer to creators who consider offering coach services?

Ah, I've got lots of advice on this one:

• Don't give your time away for free. It's fine to have a free consultation to see if you're a fit, but make sure you don't divulge excessively. You should have a handful of questions you want to ask before making the call. Be sure to adhere to the allotted time. Keep them interested and wanting more.
• Make boundaries, and follow them. People will always try to take advantage of you. If they want or need more then they will be willing to pay for your time. If not, they're not respecting your time, so you need to move on. That's it.
• I'm focused on working with clients you would like to work with. Be a good judge of your own. If you feel a potential client isn't a good fit the first time you speak to them, then they most likely aren't. Never try to convince people of your costs or attempt to persuade people to cooperate with you. The right people will be happy to work with you and excited to exchange their money in exchange for their time.

 When it comes to branding, what is the role social media be playing and what types of content have been the most effective for you as a creative?

Social media is as more of a marketing tool rather than a way to build brand. Personally, I like Pinterest to the other platforms. There's less chatter , and there's more focused. The people take time to sort and arrange. This is very deliberate. I love that. Plus, I can find out what other things people are saving. Those are unique features as compared to Facebook as well as Instagram. I would suggest logging onto an account on which you've got the most followers, and looking at your statistics on visitors to your website to determine the source of your traffic from, and then spending your time and energy in these places.

 Which tools have been most effective in developing and marketing your services?

One of the most helpful tools is actually a feature and not a device.

Reviews can be very beneficial when it comes to selling. Social proof has immense importance: People want to know exactly what they're getting before investing their money in an item. The ability to get authentic feedback from someone else that you (the vendor) is pretty impressive.

In addition, I make use of coupons all the time to satisfy various needs. The possibility of customizing coupons has been a huge benefit. People love it that I can create them an individual code with their name or their business name. It's enjoyable, as well as it has a sense professional look to it.

I can't get enough of's 'Courses' feature more. It's one of my top online tools and it makes it simple to create and develop courses. I've not even made use of all the features yet, like quizzes or video and can't wait to get them. I launched my courses just last month and am already surrounded by happy students.

 What has been the most helpful way to advertise and sell your product online?

I sold digital downloads regularly on my website until GDPR went into effect. Since I am a U.S.-based business, I felt it was frustrating, confusing, overwhelming, and time consuming to try to understand the newly adopted tax law which is why I stopped selling downloads altogether. When I discovered that they handled all things VAT taxes for me. I was instantly intrigued. This has helped me sell thousands of dollars of digital products without losing a wink of sleep over VAT issues.

The name itself has been growing in recognition and the amount of attention it receives. Because their name instills trust, customers know that they are able to buy with confidence.