Coaching Tools to help Coaches Get More Coaching Clients. Suzan Schmitt: The Coach Marketer

5 Things That Can Kill Your Coaching Business

November 29, 2008

1)     Not defining you niche

 I started out calling myself a "Life Coach" and found that did not define what I had to offer clearly enough for people to know how I could help them.  It is impossible to reach a market if you have not clearly defined who that market is and howyou can help them.  Many coaches shy away from defining a niche because they are afraid they will miss some clients if they do not try to appeal to everyone.  By defining your niche, you are better able to relate to potential clients by specifically identifying their needs and how you can help them.

 

2)     Not working to position yourself as an expert.

 I hesitated to present myself as an expert but then I thought who wants help from the average Joe, nobody.  People want to know that you understand them and their needs.  To position yourself as an expert list areas that you have worked in, areas that you are self-educated in, areas that you have experienced difficulty and triumphed, or areas that you have studied as a hobby.

 

3)     Not getting in front of people so they can get to know you    and what you can do for them.

I didn't like the idea of selling but I quickly figured out that

clients will not come to your door unless you present them with what you can do for them.  You   must get out and network, speak, write articles, do workshops, join groups, and get involved in social networking on the Internet.  It is also very helpful to develop an introduction that tells people who you are, what you do for people, who you work with and how that will benefit them.

 

                                           

4)  Not developing a marketing plan

 You must write out your marketing strategy complete with short and long-term goals.  What   are your goals for one month, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years?  Clearly lay out the strategies you will use to reach these goals and how you will measure your success.  You must be prepared to make some investment in your business including time and money.

 

5)     Not approaching your coaching business like a real job.

Many coaches have all sorts of great ideas and some even develop plans to utilize those ideas but they fail to put in the hard work and discipline it takes to execute and succeed in their coaching business.  Success comes with hard work, time management, planning, and measurement of results.  You must schedule you daily activities as if you had a boss you were accountable to. 

Learn more about starting and growing your coaching business "Coaching Business Blast Off" is my home study course that will guide you step by step.

 

What I Learned

1) Find a niche and define it.

2) Position yourself as an expert.

3) Get in front of people and tell them who you are, what you do, and how you can  help them.

4) Make a marketing plan.

5) Treat coaching like a real job and keep accountable to goals.

If you enjoyed this article then you will want to read "Today I Start a Blog".

 

 

Related posts:

1. Get Coaching Clients: Make People Crazy for an Introductory Session
2. Get Coaching Clients by Choosing the Right Target Coaching Niche
3. Business cards and website
4. Suzan Schmitt “Zee”: The Coach Marketer
5. Secret Reasons that Coaches Kill Their Own Coaching Businesses

Filed under: Basic business decisions

Tags: coaching, getting coaching clients, marketing coaching, starting a coaching business, suzan schmitt