I talk to coaches a lot. In fact, I usually talk to 6 or 7 coaches a day, 5 days a week. If we work on a 20 day working month, that means I talk to well over 1000 coaches a year. What I’m trying to say I suppose, is that I understand the issues that coaches have both in terms of business struggles and mind monkeys (those horrible little thoughts that keep you exactly where you are, both personally and professionally).
I’m writing this article to dispel some myths around a) creating a coaching business and b) working with The Coaching Revolution.
Coaching Directories
I’ve spoken to coaches who have paid ££$$ to register on coaching directories, only to fail to find clients. Occasionally, I speak to someone who did pick up a client or two, but certainly not enough to justify the price, or indeed create a sustainable business.
Let me make something clear – people don’t buy coaches from directories. People buy people and that relationship isn’t formed by having a client gaze at your photo and read your marketing blurb.
I can hear one or two of you yelling ‘but I found a client(s) via a directory!’. Good for you. However, I’m prepared to wager that you didn’t go on to build a financially viable business from that method of gaining clients.
The Coaching Industry Is Saturated!
No. It’s not. IT’S NOT.
I’ve written enough about this for you to know why I believe this, but if you’ve not read anything else that I’ve written, and you’re wondering why I’m so adamant, book a time to talk to me and I’ll tell you why it’s not. (My diary is here).
I Don’t Know Who My Ideal Client Is
Sometimes, coaches think that they have to know who they want to work with in order to start a mentoring programme with us. Let me scotch that one right here. You don’t need to know who your ideal client is, or in fact even have a clue about it.
Our mentoring process will support you to work out which clients are most likely to work with you. We’ll help you to identify who will get the most benefit from your coaching.
All you need (as a qualified coach) in order to start our programme is an open mind and a willingness to take the actions you agree with your mentor.
I Can’t Sell
Fortunately, this doesn’t matter.
Not only do we show you how to create a marketing system that leads to people actually coming to you to ask you how they can work with you, but we teach you how to have those conversations too.
Selling coaching doesn’t have to be some pushy, uncomfortable, nausea-inducing process. It can be as simple as having a conversation that’s initiated by the person who wants you to coach them. What’s not to love?
I’m Not Qualified Enough
Sometimes, coaches feel inauthentic if they don’t have LOADS of qualifications. They are perpetual learners who think that once they get the next qualification, then they’ll be ready to build a coaching business. They believe that having lots of coaching qualifications means that they will be even more in demand by clients.
Sadly, this isn’t true. The sad truth is that no one other than you cares about your coaching qualifications. Potential coaching clients care about one thing only; they care about is what’s in it for them.
Interestingly, the only people who have ever asked me about my coaching qualifications are other coaches.
Have I Touched A Nerve?
If you’re reading this and thinking ‘she’s talking about me!’, why don’t you book a time to talk to me? I’d be delighted to have a chat about you and your coaching business.