As a retired salesperson, I’ve spent decades honing my skills in the art of persuasion and building relationships. But when I decided to dip my toes into the world of online business, I quickly realized I was in uncharted waters. The digital landscape was vast and ever-changing, and I found myself yearning for the guidance of a seasoned navigator.
That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of online business coaches. These modern-day mentors promised to bridge the gap between my old-school sales experience and the new-age digital marketplace. Intrigued and admittedly a bit skeptical, I embarked on a journey to find the best of the best.
After months of research, trial and error, and some invaluable lessons learned, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best online business coaches who I believe can truly make a difference in your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re a fellow retiree looking for a new challenge or a young go-getter ready to make your mark, these coaches offer the expertise, strategies, and support needed to thrive in the digital business world.
1. Steli Efti
Steli Efti is a renowned figure in the world of startup sales and business development. As the co-founder and CEO of Close, a sales communication platform, Efti has established himself as Silicon Valley’s most prominent sales leader. His journey began with a series of entrepreneurial ventures in Europe before he made his way to Silicon Valley with nothing but a one-way ticket and a burning desire to succeed.
Efti’s expertise in sales and business development stems from his hands-on experience in helping hundreds of venture-backed startups scale their sales efforts. His approach to sales is refreshingly straightforward, emphasizing that it’s not about being outgoing or overly communicative, but rather about result-driven communication. Efti strongly believes that founders should be deeply involved in the sales process during the early stages of a startup, as it provides invaluable insights and data that can make the difference between success and failure.
Throughout his career, Efti has shared his knowledge through various mediums. He has written nine books on startup sales and actively advises high-growth companies. His talks at business conferences, such as Business of Software, are highly regarded for their practical, honest approach to software sales. Efti’s success story and his ability to build Close into a fully profitable, globally distributed team of 40 people showcase his prowess in not just sales, but also in building and scaling successful businesses.
2. Affiliate Marketing Coaching by Jack Davis
Jack Davis is a prominent figure in the world of affiliate marketing and SEO. With over a decade of experience, Davis has built multiple authority sites that consistently generate six-figure incomes. As the founder of Affiliate Marketing Masterclass, he shares his expertise through a comprehensive free course and personalized coaching services. Davis’s approach to affiliate marketing emphasizes finding profitable niches, leveraging AI for content creation, and building white-hat links at scale. His coaching program offers tailored solutions for beginners, intermediates, and advanced marketers, covering everything from keyword research and content strategy to technical SEO and scaling operations. Davis’s students praise his step-by-step approach and actionable insights, with many reporting significant increases in their affiliate sales and overall business growth.
3. Online Business Coaching by Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith is an experienced online business coach and the founder of High Income Source. With over 15 years of experience in internet marketing, Smith has helped thousands of students build successful online businesses. His expertise spans various areas of digital marketing, including affiliate marketing, email marketing, and social media marketing.
Smith’s coaching philosophy centers on providing practical, actionable strategies that students can implement immediately to see results. His Online Business Coaching Program is designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of creating and scaling their online ventures. The program covers crucial aspects such as niche selection, product creation, traffic generation, and conversion optimization.
One of the key features of Smith’s coaching is his emphasis on personalized guidance. He offers one-on-one coaching sessions, allowing students to receive tailored advice for their specific business challenges. Smith also provides group coaching calls and access to a private community where students can network and share insights.
Smith’s approach is results-oriented, focusing on helping his students achieve tangible outcomes. He shares case studies and success stories on his website, showcasing how his strategies have helped individuals generate significant income through their online businesses. His coaching program is particularly suited for those looking to create multiple income streams and achieve financial freedom through online entrepreneurship.
High Income Source also offers a range of free resources, including blog posts and videos, which provide valuable insights into various aspects of online business. This commitment to sharing knowledge demonstrates Smith’s dedication to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed in the digital marketplace.
4. Dropshipping Coaching by James Johnson
James Johnson is a seasoned expert in the dropshipping industry, with a track record of building multiple six-figure dropshipping stores since 2008. As the founder of DropshippingCourse.org, Johnson offers a free comprehensive course and personalized coaching services to aspiring and established dropshippers. His expertise spans various aspects of the dropshipping business model, including choosing profitable niches, finding reliable suppliers, building online stores, and developing effective marketing strategies. Johnson’s coaching program is designed to address common challenges in dropshipping, such as inventory management, brand building, and scaling operations. His students commend his hands-on approach and industry knowledge, with many reporting significant improvements in their businesses, including increased sales and enhanced customer satisfaction.
5. Matt Clark
Matt Clark is a self-made millionaire and a leading expert in Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and e-commerce scaling. As the co-founder of Amazing.com and co-creator of the Amazing Selling Machine (ASM), Clark has helped countless entrepreneurs build successful online businesses. His journey to e-commerce success began when he quit his banking job just seven months in to launch a health supplements website, which he later expanded to Amazon.
Clark’s expertise lies in his ability to rapidly scale e-commerce businesses. He managed to grow his own venture from selling 10 products to 11,000 products on Amazon, demonstrating the potential of the platform. However, his early experiences also taught him valuable lessons about the importance of tracking expenses and profit margins, not just focusing on top-line revenue.
One of Clark’s key strategies for e-commerce success is diversification. He advises Amazon sellers to expand beyond the platform by setting up their own Shopify stores, which serve as brand websites and crucial assets for capturing customer information. Clark also emphasizes the importance of leveraging advertising, particularly Google PPC ads and Facebook ads, using data from Amazon to target potential customers effectively.
Clark’s expertise extends to increasing average order value through complementary products and subscriptions. His approach to e-commerce is holistic, focusing not just on sales but on building sustainable, profitable businesses. Through Amazing.com and ASM, Clark continues to share his knowledge, helping aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of e-commerce and build their own successful online businesses.
6. Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and advocate for unconventional living and side hustles. Born on April 4, 1978, Guillebeau has made a name for himself by challenging traditional notions of work and success. He is best known for his New York Times bestselling books, including “The $100 Startup,” “Side Hustle,” and “The Art of Non-Conformity,” which have inspired countless individuals to pursue alternative career paths and create additional income streams.
Guillebeau’s expertise lies in helping people start side hustles and unconventional businesses without quitting their day jobs. He believes that everyone can benefit from having a side hustle, not just for financial reasons but also for personal fulfillment and skill development. Through his daily podcast, “Side Hustle School,” which is downloaded more than 2 million times a month, Guillebeau shares stories of regular people who have successfully launched side projects while maintaining their primary careers.
One of Guillebeau’s most significant achievements is visiting every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday, a feat that demonstrates his commitment to unconventional living. He is also the founder of the World Domination Summit, an annual event in Portland, Oregon, that brings together thousands of cultural creatives and entrepreneurs. Guillebeau’s approach to business and life emphasizes the importance of pursuing one’s passions, creating value for others, and embracing non-conformity as a path to success and fulfillment.
7. Victor Antonio
Victor Antonio is a prominent figure in the world of sales training and influence techniques. Born on January 13, 1963, in Chicago, Antonio has established himself as a leading expert in sales strategies, business development, and persuasion. With a background in electrical engineering and an MBA, Antonio combines his technical knowledge with his sales expertise to deliver cutting-edge training programs and consultancy services.
Antonio’s approach to sales training focuses on understanding the psychology of buying rather than just teaching traditional selling techniques. He emphasizes the importance of influence and persuasion in the sales process, arguing that conventional closing techniques are often ineffective in today’s market. Through his company, Sellinger Group, and his numerous books on sales, Antonio provides valuable insights into how salespeople can adapt to changing consumer behaviors and leverage modern technologies to improve their performance.
One of Antonio’s key contributions to the field is his emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence in sales. In his book “Sales Ex Machina: How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the World of Selling,” he explores how AI is transforming various aspects of the sales process, from lead generation to customer relationship management. Antonio’s work in this area has positioned him as a thought leader in the intersection of technology and sales, helping professionals prepare for the future of the industry.
Antonio is also known for his dynamic speaking style and has shared the stage with notable business figures such as Daymond John and Rudy Giuliani. His practical, results-driven approach to sales training has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant for organizations looking to improve their sales performance and adapt to the changing landscape of business.
8. Jeanine Blackwell
Jeanine Blackwell is a leading authority in the field of online course creation and expert-based businesses. As the creator of the “Expert Experience Method,” she has helped countless entrepreneurs transform their expertise into profitable and impactful online courses. Blackwell’s approach focuses on addressing key challenges that course creators face, such as narrowing down their niche and targeting the right audience. Her methodology emphasizes solving specific problems for a well-defined audience, ensuring that courses stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Blackwell is also the author of The Expert Called You, where she outlines her proven strategies for building successful courses. Her five-step method includes identifying unique value propositions, refining content based on market feedback, and structuring offers to maximize impact and income. Beyond online courses, she encourages creators to expand their offerings through options like retreats or virtual coaching programs, allowing them to build deeper connections with their audience.
In addition to her work with individual entrepreneurs, Blackwell serves as the CEO of 4MAT 4Business, offering certification programs in instructional design and leadership development. Her clients include major organizations like Aveda Corporation and The Center for Creative Leadership. Through her books, consulting, and frameworks, Jeanine Blackwell empowers experts to share their knowledge effectively while creating sustainable businesses.
9. Brock Johnson
Brock Johnson is a highly successful entrepreneur and educator specializing in Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and e-commerce product launches. With over a decade of experience in e-commerce and having sold more than 5,000 products to over one million customers, Johnson has become a trusted figure in the Amazon seller community. He is best known for creating The Last Amazon Course, a comprehensive program that teaches aspiring sellers everything from product research to scaling their businesses to six or seven figures.
Johnson’s journey began with a $100 investment in 2014, which he turned into a $6 million solar eclipse brand within just six months. His expertise lies in identifying profitable product niches, sourcing high-quality goods from manufacturers, and optimizing listings for maximum visibility on Amazon. His course covers essential topics such as negotiating with suppliers, avoiding common pitfalls, launching products successfully, and maintaining top rankings on Amazon search results.
What sets Johnson apart is his commitment to making high-quality education accessible. While many similar programs charge thousands of dollars, Johnson offers his course at an affordable rate, prioritizing helping beginners achieve financial freedom. His teaching style combines practical strategies with insights from his own successes and failures, making his lessons relatable and actionable.
Beyond his course, Johnson has consulted for seven- and eight-figure brands and collaborated with industry experts to provide students with diverse perspectives. His dedication to empowering entrepreneurs has made him a sought-after mentor for those looking to thrive in the competitive world of e-commerce.
10. Ezra Firestone
Ezra Firestone is a renowned e-commerce entrepreneur and educator who has made a significant impact in the world of online business. As the founder and CEO of Smart Marketer, Firestone has established himself as a leading authority on e-commerce growth strategies and brand building. His journey began with the creation of BOOM! by Cindy Joseph, a pro-age cosmetic line that he grew from $0 to over $40 million in annual revenue.
Firestone’s approach to e-commerce is holistic and value-driven. He emphasizes the importance of email marketing, which consistently accounts for 25-40% of his businesses’ revenue. His strategies include creating gated content to grow email lists, running targeted ads, and developing engaging pre-sell content. Firestone also advocates for diversifying revenue streams and adapting to new platforms and technologies to stay ahead in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
One of Firestone’s key philosophies is the importance of building a brand rather than just selling products. He encourages entrepreneurs to focus on creating value for their customers and community, emphasizing integrity in product development and customer relationships. His success is not just measured in financial terms but also in the positive impact his businesses have on the world. Firestone’s balanced approach to business, which prioritizes enjoyment, quality products, and profitability, has resonated with many aspiring entrepreneurs.
11. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, widely known as Gary Vee, is a dynamic entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and influential personal branding specialist. His journey began with transforming his family’s wine business into a multi-million dollar e-commerce success through innovative use of social media and content marketing. Vaynerchuk’s expertise extends beyond his business ventures; he has become a thought leader in social media marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal branding.
Vaynerchuk’s approach to personal branding is characterized by authenticity, consistency, and multi-platform presence. He advocates for “documenting, not creating,” encouraging entrepreneurs to share their journey in real-time across various social media platforms. His content strategy involves tailoring messages to suit different platforms while maintaining a consistent brand voice. Vaynerchuk is known for his high-energy, no-nonsense communication style, which has helped him build a massive following across social media.
As the chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia, Vaynerchuk has applied his digital marketing expertise to help Fortune 500 companies adapt to the changing media landscape. His influence extends beyond marketing; he is a prolific author, speaker, and angel investor, having invested in companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Uber. Vaynerchuk’s philosophy centers on the value of attention in the digital age, and he consistently emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and platforms to stay relevant in business.
