George B. Thomas
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You're here because you want to be a HubSpot trainer. Not just any ol' HubSpot trainer, though. You're not here to "check the box." Quite the contrary! Your goal is to stand apart as an authentic, human, helpful, trustworthy HubSpot trainer your clients can count on to empower them with the HubSpot education they need to be successful.
But do you have what it takes?
Do you have the talent to kill it as a HubSpot trainer?
Do you have the experience to rock it as a HubSpot trainer?
That nagging little voice inside your head—you know the one; the one that likes to hold you back—might be telling you that no, you don't. You don't have enough talent or experience to make this HubSpot trainer dream a reality. But I'm here to tell you that voice is wrong.
You're an All-Star HubSpot Trainer on the Rise
You already have what it takes. You have more than enough talent and experience to be an out-of-this-world HubSpot trainer; the precise Hubhero, if you will, that your clients need in this very moment. You see, the true essence of being a HubSpot trainer lies not just in the technical HubSpot know-how or the years of experience, but in the passion and dedication you bring to the table.
It's about the way you connect with your clients, inspire them, and empower them to reach their full potential with HubSpot. And let me tell you, the talent and experience you possess go far beyond what you may realize. Just by virtue of the fact that you're here, with this dream, I'm willing to bet you have a unique ability to understand the intricacies of HubSpot, to simplify complex concepts, and to guide others on their journey to success.
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So, don't underestimate yourself—you are more than capable of being the exceptional HubSpot trainer your clients need. And your journey begins here in this article, in which we're going to talk about the essential mindsets you need to possess as a helpful, human HubSpot trainer.
Mindset #1: You're an Unbiased Educator
Do HubSpot trainers love HubSpot? Absolutely, we do. However, one of the magical things that the truly great HubSpot trainers do is they're facilitators of an unbiased conversation about HubSpot with their students. That is why your first step to unlocking your gifts as a HubSpot trainer is to understand the importance of being an unbiased educator as a means to truly empower others. That means you should:
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Openly encourage questions, discussions, and exploration on every topic
- Champion your clients when they form their own opinions and make informed decisions
By remaining neutral and unbiased as a HubSpot trainer about the tool, you will create a safe and welcoming environment for learning, where your clients feel empowered to explore HubSpot's capabilities and features without feeling pressured or influenced. This approach not only builds trust and credibility but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the platform.
Mindset #2: You Connect the Dots
The journey you'll take your clients on as a HubSpot trainer will be extensive and sprawling. You'll explore different hubs, tools, and features, and frequently embark on interesting side quests to help them address their unique questions and challenges with HubSpot. That's why part of your job is to be the connective tissue that brings all of these seemingly disparate and disjointed aspects of your HubSpot training journey all together.
Think of yourself as the architect of their HubSpot experience, drawing connections between each lesson, each tool, and each strategy to create a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the platform. You are the bridge that spans the gaps, the thread that ties everything together, and the key that unlocks the full power of HubSpot for your clients.
Mindset #3: You're the Guide with the Map
For each session, prepare a roadmap of where you think you want to go, but don't be afraid to throw it out or say upfront, "Hey, we're not going to get through a lot of this today, but this is where we're headed. This is the journey we're taking together. Is it a lot? Yes, but thankfully you have me as your HubSpot guide!"
When I prepare for training sessions with our HubSpot training clients, I always have three or four different tabs open in their HubSpot portal that map out where I want to go. That means when I'm presenting, I don't need to waste time clicking around—our clients feel confident I know we're we're going because the map is already laid out.
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They can trust in my direction and clarity on where we are headed and how we will reach our destination, ensuring that the training session is both efficient and effective. This high level of preparedness not only boosts our clients' confidence but also guarantees they receive a thorough and valuable learning experience.
Mindset #4: You Know When to 'Break' the Journey
Yes, you've meticulously planned out the roadmap for your clients' HubSpot training journey, whether it's focused on marketing, sales, service, or any other aspect of the HubSpot platform. However, as a skilled and adaptable HubSpot trainer, you must be prepared to pivot and embrace unexpected opportunities that arise during your training sessions.
When a client poses a critical question or brings up a point that may veer off course from your carefully laid plans, it's essential to know how to seize these moments and adjust your agenda on the fly. Flexibility is key in these situations, as it shows your clients that you value their input and are willing to address their concerns in real-time.
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By being open to detours and willing to deviate from your initial plan, you demonstrate your adaptability and responsiveness as a HubSpot trainer. This willingness to "break" from the predetermined path can lead to deeper, more meaningful discussions and insights for your clients, ultimately enriching their learning experience and solidifying your role as a trusted guide on their HubSpot journey.
Mindset #5: You're Not a HubSpot Implementor
Sometimes training requests can accidentally turn into HubSpot implementation requests, which is an entirely different type of engagement. For example, "Can I watch you build a workflow for me for the next 30 minutes?"
You need to be wary of leaning into these requests, as it's is not how folks will get the best out of you as an educator. While it may be tempting to showcase your expertise by diving into hands-on HubSpot implementation tasks, it's important to remember that your primary objective is to empower your clients through education and knowledge sharing.
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By staying true to this purpose and guiding your clients on how to navigate and utilize HubSpot themselves, you can ensure that they derive the maximum benefit from your training sessions. Remember, your role is to teach and guide, not to simply perform tasks for them.
Now, if you're concerned your clients may have implementation challenges with what you're teaching them in HubSpot, encourage them to have whomever is handling their implementation join in your training sessions—whether that's someone internal or a specialist from another agency. That way everybody wins!
Mindset #6: You're Smart About Time vs. Value
"Can you teach us as much as you can in 30 minutes?"
Naturally, your clients want to squeeze as much value as they can out of every session they have with you, and it's your role to collaborate with them in accomplishing this objective. A true win-win is for everyone to leave a training session with you feeling satisfied, knowing that time was well-utilized, and they're now armed with actionable insights they can immediately implement.
But there's a difference between strategically maximizing the value you bring to each session as a HubSpot trainer for your clients and overloading your training agenda for the sake of "showcasing lots of value." While it's important to cover important concepts and provide valuable insights, it's equally essential to ensure that your clients can digest and apply the information effectively.
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Overloading your training agenda with too much content can lead to confusion, frustration, and ultimately a lack of real learning and understanding. By being smart about how you use your time during training sessions, you can prioritize the most critical information, engage your clients in meaningful discussions, and empower them with practical skills and strategies they can implement right away.
Remember, quality always trumps quantity as a HubSpot trainer.
Mindset #7: You Artfully Blend of Tactics + Strategy
As a dope HubSpot trainer, you have to effortlessly embody a happy mix of HubSpot tactics ("Here's what to click and how to do the thing!") and high-level HubSpot and inbound strategy ("This is the 80,000-foot-view of why we do what we do!"). This artful blend of practical know-how and overarching vision is what sets you apart as a truly exceptional trainer.
On one hand, you can dive into the nitty-gritty details of HubSpot's features and functionalities, guiding your clients through the step-by-step processes and showing them exactly where to click and what buttons to press. This hands-on approach ensures that they have a solid grasp of the technical aspects and can navigate the platform with confidence.
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On the other hand, you can zoom out to the strategic level, painting a big-picture view of why certain actions are taken in HubSpot and how they align with broader business objectives. By connecting the dots between tactics and strategy, you empower your clients to not only execute tasks effectively but also understand the rationale behind their actions and make informed decisions.
In short, yes, you provide them with the practical skills they need to succeed in the day-to-day operations of HubSpot, while also equipping them with the strategic insights to drive long-term growth and success.
Mindset #8: You Always Encourage Questions
"Before I go on, are there any questions?"
As HubSpot trainers, we're paid talkers and teachers. But we're not here to lecture or preach at a silent audience. We're here to engage and educate, which means we need to go out of our way to ensure our students are still with us at strategic points in the training journey.
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This moment of pausing to ask for questions not only allows your clients to clarify any uncertainties or seek further explanations but also demonstrates your commitment to their understanding and engagement. It creates a space for active participation and dialogue, fostering a collaborative learning environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
By encouraging questions and feedback throughout your training sessions, you invite your clients to actively participate in their learning process, empowering them to take ownership of their education and truly absorb the knowledge you're sharing.
Are You Ready to Become a HubSpot Trainer?
If you've gotten to the end of this article and you're ready to learn more, that fills my heart with joy in ways you cannot possibly imagine. I was just like you once—a HubSpotter who was passionate about helping others achieve their wildest dreams, hungry for education on how I could best go about achieving that mission. Am I still a student in many ways today? Heck yes, we all are!
But now, I'm ready to help you with a hand-up as you embark on your own journey as a HubSpot trainer. If there are any questions you have or a way I can be of assistance to you, please schedule a time to talk with me. The inbound world needs you, fearless HubSpot trainer. So, let's help you answer their call.
