Opulence Unleashed Podcast - Alfie Slade

Opulence Unleashed Podcast - Alfie Slade

Robin Waite shares how he built a scalable coaching business using group programmes, lead magnets, content strategy, and long-term partnerships.

Robin Waite, business coach and author, has built a thriving coaching business from the ground up. In this interview on the Opulence Unleashed Podcast with Alfie Slade, he shares how he evolved his approach to lead generation, community building, and content marketing — while maintaining a personal, impactful coaching experience.

Alfie Slade  is the CEO of Opulence Growth .AI, a company dedicated to accelerating business growth through cutting-edge AI solutions. As a strategic growth partner, Alfie leads a team that supports clients across the UAE, UK, and US markets, helping them implement AI-driven systems that streamline operations, reduce costs, and drive significant revenue increases. Under his leadership, Opulence Growth .AI goes beyond providing technology — it delivers full-scale AI transformation tailored to each business. Alfie is also the host of the Opulence Unleashed Podcast, where he interviews industry leaders and innovators to explore the evolving role of AI in solving business challenges and shaping the future of work.

What We Discussed on the Opulence Unleashed Podcast

  1. Start small and stay intentional: Robin began with simple, in-person workshops that naturally evolved into high-ticket group coaching programmes.
  2. Group coaching increases impact: Transitioning from one-to-one to a group model allowed Robin to scale while maintaining a strong client experience.
  3. Stick to the framework: Avoiding over-delivery and scope creep has helped him keep his programme lean, effective, and focused on what clients truly need.
  4. Books build authority and leads: Robin’s strategy of giving away thousands of books each year serves as a cost-effective lead generation tool with high conversion rates.
  5. Strategic partnerships outperform short-term tactics: Collaborating with high-profile creators and speaking at major events has brought better results than traditional ads.
  6. Repurposing content multiplies reach: A single piece of content is transformed into videos, blogs, and social posts, ensuring consistent visibility across platforms.
  7. Paid ads can be risky: Robin learned the hard way that relying on warm audiences for Facebook ads is unsustainable without a strong top-of-funnel strategy.
  8. Selective growth sustains quality: By limiting new clients, Robin ensures each member of his coaching community receives personal attention and high-value support.

From Humble Beginnings to High-Ticket Coaching

Robin’s journey into coaching wasn’t planned. After stepping back from his previous business, he found himself delivering workshops and strategy sessions. These organically transitioned into paid coaching offers, starting from small in-person sessions and evolving into a successful group coaching model.

Key Milestones:

  • Started with face-to-face coaching for local businesses.
  • Developed a 12-week group accelerator programme to serve more clients.
  • Realised the importance of shifting from “time-for-money” to leveraged models.

Building a Scalable Coaching Programme

Robin initially offered one-to-one coaching but recognised the limitations in terms of time and scalability. This led to the creation of his 12-week business accelerator.

Why a Group Model Works:

  • Efficient Use of Time: One call can serve multiple clients.
    Community-Driven Learning: Clients learn from each other.
  • Predictable Income: Recurring monthly revenue from programme participants.

He runs two calls per week and maintains a strong client experience by focusing on value delivery rather than overcomplicating the structure.

Avoiding Over-Delivery and Scope Creep

A common challenge for coaches is the temptation to over-deliver. Robin found that constantly adding more value — extra calls, templates, and videos — didn’t necessarily enhance the client experience.

Lessons Learned:

  • Stick to the core framework of the programme.
  • Value doesn’t mean volume — clients need clarity, not overwhelm.
  • Regular reviews of your offer are essential to keep it lean and effective.

Evolving the Offer Without Losing Focus

While Robin experiments with ideas like a year-long mastermind or new challenges, he keeps the accelerator as his core offer. He learned that most coaching models can be reduced to:

  • One group call per week.
  • One community platform for support.
  • A repeatable 12-week framework.

Everything else is a bonus — not a necessity.

The Power of Publishing: Books as Lead Magnets

Robin’s book Take Your Shot has played a significant role in attracting new clients. He aims to give away 3,000 copies annually, which typically translates into around 30 new clients per year.

How Books Support Lead Generation:

  • Cost-neutral marketing: Royalties offset the cost of free copies.
  • High conversion rate: About 1 in 100 readers becomes a client.
  • Credibility builder: Clients often read the book before joining the accelerator.

Leveraging Partnerships and Speaking Gigs

Robin no longer participates in small online summits. Instead, he focuses on high-impact speaking opportunities and strategic partnerships, particularly with YouTubers and influencers.

Notable Wins:

  • Spoke at events like Atomicon with 1,500+ attendees.
  • Featured on Ali Abdaal’s podcast, generating 3,000 leads.
  • Built long-term relationships with creators for workshops and shout-outs.

"People look for quick wins with ads and social media — but real partnerships take months, sometimes years, to build." – Robin Waite

A Cost-Effective, Multi-Channel Content Strategy

Although Robin currently focuses on appearing on other people’s podcasts, he’s now investing in his own YouTube presence. His team repurposes each piece of content across multiple platforms.

Content Repurposing Workflow:

  • Record a video for YouTube.
  • Repurpose audio into a podcast episode.
  • Transcribe the content into a blog article.
  • Share on LinkedIn, Medium, and LinkedIn newsletters.

This strategy ensures one piece of content serves multiple audiences across platforms.

Navigating the Pitfalls of Paid Ads

Robin shared a cautionary tale about his experience with Facebook ads. After initially seeing success, his cost per acquisition suddenly skyrocketed when he exhausted his warm audience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Don’t rely on one lead source.
  • Understand your funnel — especially top-of-funnel needs.
  • Be prepared for painful lessons — Robin lost £9,000 before uncovering the issue.

Looking Ahead: New Books and Bigger Goals

Robin is preparing to launch a new book as a lead magnet for Atomicon. Additionally, he has a book deal in progress, with 30,000 words already written and potential for international distribution.

Future Goals:

  • Release a new book in time for Atomicon.
  • Finalise and publish his book with a major publisher.
  • Continue growing his group coaching programme.
  • Scale without losing the personal touch.

Maintaining a High-Quality Coaching Community

Robin is selective about who joins his accelerator. He caps new intakes at around 4–6 clients per month to preserve the quality and intimacy of the community.

Why Smaller Is Sometimes Better:

  • Stronger peer-to-peer learning.
  • Higher client satisfaction.
  • Easier to personalise support.

He estimates the programme could take up to 30 clients per month, but prefers sustainable, meaningful growth over volume.

Final Thoughts: Stay Focused and Play the Long Game

Robin’s success isn’t rooted in hacks or overnight wins. It’s built on clarity, consistency, and commitment to serving his ideal client. Whether through books, partnerships, or group coaching, he focuses on scalable strategies that still feel personal and aligned.

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