Help Your Clients Thrive Through the Holidays

The holiday season brings excitement, joy—and often, a fair share of stress and overwhelm. Many people find themselves feeling out of balance as they juggle extra obligations, manage heightened expectations, and navigate a flood of tempting treats and disrupted routines. For health coaches, the holidays offer a unique opportunity to step in, provide support, and help clients stay grounded while building lasting habits that will carry them into the New Year.

As a coach, you have the power to transform these weeks into a season of growth, health, and connection with a Healthy Holidays group program. Here’s how you can create a memorable holiday experience for your clients, while also setting the stage for a strong start in January.

Why Run a Healthy Holidays Group Program?

Years ago, I began an annual tradition of hosting a holiday program with friends, family, and clients. We set small, realistic goals, practiced gratitude, and celebrated each success along the way. What began as a simple gathering grew into something transformational—a space for spiritual growth, resilience, and physical wellness. Eventually, I created a formalized Facebook group program that health coaches could use to guide their own clients through the holiday season. Not only was it a hit with clients, but it also gave many coaches’ businesses a natural boost.

This group program isn’t like your usual health coaching offerings. Rather than focusing on strict nutrition or weight loss plans, the Healthy Holidays program is all about introspection, goal setting, accountability, and mutual support. It’s designed to empower clients to find joy and fulfillment in the season, without feeling weighed down by unrealistic expectations or guilt.

How the Healthy Holidays Program Works

Your clients will be encouraged to set achievable goals across key areas:

• Nutrition: Add one new healthy food each week to maintain balance without restriction.
• Exercise: Commit to 30 minutes of activity at least six days a week.
• Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on three things they’re thankful for.
• Giving: Encourage acts of kindness and generosity, inviting clients to give freely each day, with no expectation of anything in return.

This program is flexible, allowing participants to focus on their personal goals and share progress weekly. You’ll be there to support, motivate, and guide them each step of the way. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating space for growth and well-being in the midst of the holiday hustle.

What’s Included in the Healthy Holidays Program Package

To make setup easy, the Healthy Holidays program package includes everything you need to launch and manage your group. Here’s what’s included:

• Social Media Advertisements: Ready-made ads for Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to spread the word.
• Welcome Email Template: Start clients off right with a warm welcome and a clear program overview.
• Group Setup Tutorial: Step-by-step video guidance for setting up your Facebook group, plus a custom cover graphic.
• Goal-Setting Tools: Provide clients with a goal-setting worksheet and examples to make getting started simple.
• Weekly Motivational Graphics: Inspire your group with beautiful, ready-to-post graphics each week.
• Discussion Questions: Pre-written questions to foster camaraderie, trust, and connection within your group.
• Weekly Content Calendar: A planning tool to track your posts, themes, and engagement activities, helping you stay organized and consistent.

The group also includes faith-based inspiration options for clients who celebrate Jewish or Christian holidays, allowing you to customize the program in ways that resonate with your unique audience.

Building Your Client Base: Healthy Holidays as a Lead Generator

The holiday season is an ideal time to grow your list and attract new clients who are motivated to make positive changes. This program is more than just a supportive holiday experience—it’s a powerful list-building tool for your business.

1. Create an Irresistible Opt-In Offer: Frame the Healthy Holidays program as a limited-time, exclusive offer to encourage sign-ups. Use it to grow your email list with a strong call to action on your website and social media.
2. Set Up an Opt-In Form and Squeeze Page: Use your email marketing software to create an opt-in form. Then, set up a dedicated landing or squeeze page on your website or use LeadPages to capture interest.
3. Promote the Program: Announce your Healthy Holidays group on Facebook and other social media channels. Reach out to your email list, current clients, and past participants. The more you spread the word, the better!
4. Engage with a Follow-Up Series: Send a series of six automated follow-up emails to keep your new leads engaged and ready to dive into your January programs.
5. Provide Exceptional Value: Treat each person who joins as if they just made a million-dollar investment in your program. Build trust by offering genuine support, and they’ll be far more likely to invest in your services in the future.

This holiday program is a golden opportunity to attract new clients, engage your existing audience, and start your January programs fully booked.

Why Clients Love the Healthy Holidays Group Program

This program is special because it gives clients a break from rigid holiday dieting or weight-loss goals. Instead, it promotes balance, self-awareness, and connection, helping clients approach the season with a sense of calm and confidence. The group format fosters a supportive atmosphere that keeps clients engaged and motivated. For health coaches, this program is an easy-to-implement offering that adds real value to clients’ lives and builds loyalty, trust, and community.

So, as the holidays approach, remember: this is your chance to make a meaningful impact. Bring your clients together in a safe, supportive space where they can thrive and grow—while you lay the groundwork for a successful, vibrant new year.

Here are strategies to quickly maximize membership in your Facebook Holiday group, engaging your target audience and enticing them to join.

This doesn’t look very easy.  The truth is, with the Healthy Holidays program, you have everything you need.  Use the provided art and promote your program via Facebook and Email if you have a following.  If you don’t have a following, you need to get creative and invite everyone you can and ask them to add as many of their friends as they can.  You can use this program to build your list and funne them into a program that is paid and larger by January 1.   You must get your list-building busy so you do have a following and they are on your LIST.  This gives you interested people to email.

1. Leverage Your Existing Audience

• Email Blast: Email your list with an enticing subject line like, “Join Our Holiday Wellness Group for Tips, Challenges, and Support!” Highlight the benefits and exclusivity of joining.
• Social Media Posts: Share posts across all your social media platforms, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, emphasizing the unique holiday support and resources your group offers.
• Pin Posts & Profile Links: Pin a post on your Facebook Page and add the group link in your social media bios to capture new visitors.

2. Use Facebook Ads with an Engaging Hook

• Targeted Ads: Run ads targeting interests like holiday stress, health, wellness, and relaxation. Make the ad compelling by highlighting “Holiday Support” or “Stress-Free Holidays” themes.
• Group Ad Copy: Focus on the benefits of the group, like exclusive holiday tips, stress-management hacks, healthy recipes, or community support.
• Incentivize Joining: Offer an incentive, like a free “Holiday Health Toolkit” for joining the group, and deliver it to new members through the welcome message or pinned post.

3. Launch a Free Challenge

• Challenge Theme: Host a “5-Day Healthy Holiday Challenge” or “7 Days to Stress-Free Holidays.” Announce this through email, social media, and any Facebook ads.
• Daily Engagement: Post daily prompts, tips, or small tasks in the group. Make the challenge engaging with visuals, polls, and questions to increase participation.
• Group-Only Access: Structure the challenge so that joining the group is required to participate. Promote that the group is the place for resources, check-ins, and community support.

4. Cross-Promote in Other Groups and Communities

• Join Relevant Groups: In health, wellness, and holiday preparation groups, share a valuable tip and mention your group as a resource for more advice. Make sure it follows the group’s posting guidelines.
• Collaboration with Group Admins: Partner with admins of complementary Facebook groups to let their members know about your group and its value, perhaps offering a “guest” post in their group to provide unique holiday tips.

5. Invite Friends, Family, and Existing Members to Refer Others

• Referral Incentives: Offer an incentive for referrals, such as a holiday-themed worksheet, checklist, or entry into a prize drawing for everyone who invites a friend.
• Welcome Post for New Members: Encourage new members to tag friends who might benefit. Many people join groups when personally invited, so encourage a community feel from the start.

6. Daily Social Media Stories and Lives

• Story Highlights: Post a countdown to the holiday in your stories along with reasons to join the group, like exclusive recipes, stress-management sessions, and community challenges.
• Facebook Live Previews: Host short Facebook Lives teasing what members will get in the group, such as a sneak peek of content or a live Q&A on holiday topics.
• Include the Group Link in Every Post: Share the link to join in your live session descriptions and any stories or reels.

7. Collaborate with Influencers or Peers in Health & Wellness

• Influencer Invitations: Partner with influencers or complementary health coaches who could recommend your group to their followers, either via a post or story.
• Guest Expert Events: Host an event where an influencer or expert leads a session on a holiday topic in your group. Announce the collaboration on both of your platforms, inviting their followers to join for access.

8. Create Limited-Time Value Posts in Your Feed

• Holiday Tips Countdown: Post daily holiday wellness tips in your main feed with a call to action to join the group for the “full experience.”
• Exclusive “In Group” Content Teasers: Mention that specific guides, tips, or videos will only be shared within the group, creating urgency to join.

9. Optimize Group Settings and Welcome Experience

• Engaging Group Name: Use a name that is descriptive and searchable, like “Healthy & Happy Holidays Support Group.”
• Clear Group Description: Explain the benefits and unique aspects of the group, from holiday stress relief to healthful tips, so it’s instantly appealing to anyone who sees it.
• Welcome Post and Onboarding: Set up a warm welcome post or video that outlines what members can expect, making them feel like they’re part of a special community.

10. Leverage Holiday-Themed Content and Messaging

• Urgency Messaging: Emphasize the “limited time” nature of the holiday group so that people feel encouraged to join sooner rather than later.
• Festive Visuals: Use holiday-themed visuals in all your promotions, which create a feeling of seasonal excitement and relevance.

11. Run a Countdown with a Daily Hook

• Daily Countdown Post: Post each day with a reason to join the group, such as “5 Days Left to Join for our Healthy Holiday Recipe Swap!” to drive last-minute sign-ups.
• Build Anticipation: Use posts and stories to build anticipation each day, teasing upcoming events or unique benefits the group provides.

Combining these steps will help you quickly build an engaged group that’s excited about a healthier holiday season! If you need specific post ideas or visuals, let me know, and we can create a few eye-catching options.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a Healthy Holidays Facebook group to foster community, share resources, and support members throughout the season.

Facebook has directions to set up your group and it’s very intuitive.  I suggest Googling “how to set up a Facebook group.”  You will get current step-by-step instruction.

1. Define Your Group Purpose and Goals

• Purpose: Clarify the group’s purpose, such as offering wellness tips, holiday support, or stress management techniques specifically for the holiday season.
• Goals: Define goals like providing valuable resources, hosting weekly challenges, and building a supportive community.

2. Choose the Group Type

• Type: Facebook offers options such as “General,” “Buy and Sell,” and “Social Learning.” Select “General” if the group will mainly be for discussions, tips, and support. If you plan to use structured learning units (like weekly topics), you can choose “Social Learning” to organize content into “Units.”
• Privacy Setting: Choose between “Public” and “Private.” For a supportive environment, most health-focused groups are “Private,” allowing members to share openly without concerns about non-members seeing posts. Only members will see posts and activities in a Private group.

3. Set Up Basic Group Information

• Group Name: Name it something like “Healthy Holidays Support Group” or “Healthy & Happy Holidays 2024.”
• Cover Photo: Use an inviting holiday-themed image or graphic that conveys warmth and well-being. Canva is great for creating customized Facebook covers.
• Description: Write a description that clearly outlines the group’s purpose, who it’s for, and what members can expect, such as “A supportive space for staying healthy, calm, and balanced through the holiday season. Get recipes, tips, challenges, and community support!”

4. Customize Group Settings

• Location: Set this if your group is targeted to a specific location. Otherwise, leave it blank.
• Tags: Add relevant tags like “wellness,” “holiday stress,” “health tips,” and “stress management” to make the group easier to find.
• Membership Approval: Set to “Admins and Moderators” to control who joins and maintain a safe space.
• Posting Permissions: Decide whether only admins can post, or if members can post. To encourage engagement, you might allow all members to post, but consider turning on “Post Approval” for a more moderated environment.

5. Create Membership Questions

• Use membership questions to filter requests and get insights into new members:
  1. Ask for Reason to Join: e.g., “What interests you about a healthy holiday season?”
  2. Gauge Interests: e.g., “What holiday topics interest you most? (e.g., recipes, stress management, family balance)”
  3. Email Opt-In (Optional): Collect emails for those interested in additional resources. Clearly mention that this is optional and voluntary.

6. Develop Group Rules and Guidelines

• Group Rules: Set clear rules that encourage respect, positivity, and a supportive environment. Examples:
  • “Be respectful and supportive.”
  • “No spamming or promotional posts.”
  • “Focus on health and wellness in a holiday context.”
• Pin the Rules: Make sure they are visible by pinning them in a post or using Facebook’s Group Rules feature.

7. Set Up a Welcome Post

• Welcome Message: Create a welcoming post that outlines the group’s purpose and sets a warm, friendly tone. Mention what members can expect, such as weekly wellness tips, live Q&A sessions, or recipe sharing.
• Introduce Yourself: Add a brief bio and photo so members can connect with you personally as the group leader.
• Encourage Introductions: Ask new members to comment on the welcome post with a quick introduction, such as their name, location, and holiday wellness goal. This builds community and encourages engagement from the start.

8. Plan Your Content and Engagement Strategy

• Weekly Themes: Plan weekly topics such as “Managing Holiday Stress,” “Healthy Holiday Recipes,” and “Staying Active in Winter.” Share resources, tips, or prompts each week to keep discussions going.
• Daily Engagement Prompts: Use prompts like “Motivation Monday” or “Wellness Wednesday” to encourage members to share or discuss.
• Polls and Questions: Create polls and questions that members can easily respond to, making the group interactive and inviting more contributions.
• Facebook Live Events: Schedule live sessions for Q&A, holiday tips, or guided stress-relief activities like breathing exercises. Announce these in advance and add to the Events tab.

9. Invite Initial Members and Promote the Group

• Invite Current Contacts: Start by inviting your email list, current clients, and followers on social media.
• Cross-Promotion: Share the group in relevant Facebook communities, your social media channels, and your website or blog. In your promotional posts, offer a sneak peek of group benefits.
• Incentivize Joining: Offer a freebie, like a “Healthy Holiday Checklist,” to those who join and stay active in the group.

10. Maintain Active Engagement and Moderate Content

• Welcome New Members: Use the “Write Welcome Post” button regularly to tag and welcome new members weekly.
• Daily Check-Ins: Post at least once daily, encouraging members to share and engage. This keeps the group lively and supportive.
• Monitor and Moderate: Keep an eye on posts and comments to ensure members follow the group’s guidelines. Remove any promotional or irrelevant posts that detract from the group’s purpose.

11. Monitor Analytics and Adjust Strategies

• Facebook Insights: Use group insights to see which posts are performing well, what days are most active, and which members are engaging the most.
• Adjust Content: If certain types of posts (like recipes or wellness tips) perform better, focus more on that type of content to keep engagement high.

Following these steps will ensure your Healthy Holidays Facebook group is welcoming, organized, and engaging. Let me know if you’d like additional guidance on specific content ideas or need help designing a group cover image!

Resources and Further Reading

1. Facebook Groups: Building, Growing, and Engaging Communities

Books & eBooks

• “Building Brand Communities” by Carrie Melissa Jones and Charles Vogl
  A practical guide to building active, engaged communities that foster brand loyalty and value.

• “Fanocracy: Turning Fans into Customers and Customers into Fans” by David Meerman Scott
  While not specific to Facebook groups, this book provides valuable insights on fostering a community where people feel connected and eager to participate.

• “Ultimate Guide to Facebook Advertising” by Perry Marshall and Bob Regnerus
  Covers how to leverage Facebook ads to grow your group, retarget group members, and keep your audience engaged with paid reach.

Online Articles & Guides

• Facebook’s Own Resources:

  • Facebook’s Community Learning Hub offers tutorials, case studies, and tools to help you get the most out of your Facebook group.
  • Meta Business Help Center – Facebook Groups includes group setup, best practices, and growth techniques.

• “The Complete Guide to Growing a Facebook Group” on HubSpot
  Covers essential growth techniques, how to create engaging content, and insights into monetizing Facebook groups.

• “Facebook Group Engagement Tips” on Social Media Examiner
  This article is a go-to for tips on boosting engagement, driving conversation, and creating content that keeps members active.

Courses & Training

• Facebook Groups Mastery Course by Vanessa Lau
  A comprehensive training course focused on how to build, grow, and monetize Facebook groups. Vanessa specializes in organic growth and engagement strategies.

• “Group Funnels Academy” by Group Funnels
  Teaches strategies for converting Facebook group members into paying customers. It also includes a software tool for collecting new members’ information when they join.

2. Sales Funnels: Creating Converting Funnels for Facebook and Beyond

Books

• “DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online” by Russell Brunson
  A classic that covers the fundamental stages of a sales funnel and actionable techniques for driving conversions.

• “Funnels & Facebook Ads: The Beginner’s Guide to Selling Your Courses & Products Online” by Trish Leto
  This book walks you through building funnels and using Facebook ads for effective lead generation and sales.

• “Invisible Selling Machine” by Ryan Deiss
  Focuses on automating your sales funnel with email marketing, which is often integrated with Facebook funnels for better retention and upsell potential.

• “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller
  This book isn’t specifically about funnels but is fantastic for understanding how to create clear messaging that guides customers through a journey—a foundational element of any successful funnel.

Online Articles & Guides

• “Sales Funnel Basics: How to Build a Sales Funnel that Converts” on ClickFunnels Blog
  Offers detailed explanations and examples of each step in a funnel, from awareness to conversion. It’s tailored to people using ClickFunnels but is valuable for any platform.

• “The Ultimate Guide to Sales Funnels” on HubSpot
  Provides a comprehensive overview of sales funnel stages and includes case studies and practical advice on crafting each stage.

• “Facebook Ad Funnel Guide: Build Funnels to Scale Your Business” on AdEspresso by Hootsuite
  This guide is particularly useful for learning how to leverage Facebook ads at different funnel stages—from lead generation to retargeting.

• “How to Create a Facebook Sales Funnel” on Neil Patel’s Blog
  Neil Patel’s step-by-step guide explains how to map out and optimize a sales funnel specifically for Facebook.

Courses & Training

• Funnels 101 Course by DigitalMarketer
  A foundational course on creating and optimizing funnels that convert. Covers the essentials of nurturing leads through each funnel stage.

• Facebook Ads and Funnels Masterclass by Foundr
  Focuses on building sales funnels specifically for Facebook, including retargeting strategies, custom audiences, and optimized ad content.

• “Sales Funnel Blueprint” by Udemy
  This is a beginner-friendly course that covers funnel creation, content marketing, and Facebook ad integration.

Templates & Tools

• ClickFunnels Templates: ClickFunnels offers a variety of pre-designed templates for lead generation, sales, and upselling that can be integrated with Facebook ads and groups.
• Group Funnels: An automation tool that helps you collect and manage new Facebook group members and their details.
• Funnel Scripts by Russell Brunson: This tool helps with writing copy for every part of your funnel, from ad copy to landing pages, all the way to email sequences.

3. Additional Recommended Tools

• Canva: For creating attractive graphics for Facebook group posts, cover photos, and ads.
• ManyChat: An excellent tool for using Facebook Messenger bots to engage group members, answer FAQs, and nurture leads.
• Email Marketing Platforms (e.g., ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign): Essential for integrating email marketing with your funnels, allowing you to continue nurturing leads acquired through Facebook.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA