The other day someone, let’s call her Sandra, told me about a coaching program she was considering investing in to help grow her coaching business. She wanted my advice about whether this was a good fit for her.
She told me that the coach spent 90 minutes with her on a free coaching call, and she showed me the email about the coaching program. I took a look at that email and the coach’s website, and I quickly saw that this wouldn’t be a good fit for Sandra.
Why?
Because the coach wasn’t modeling the right way to build your coaching business.
- She did a free 90 minute coaching call – giving away your coaching is NOT the way to get clients
- The coach’s website didn’t have a giveaway so she isn’t building a list – BIG mistake
- The coaching program focused on how much time they would spend together, rather than the steps they would take and the outcomes they would achieve- sell results, not your time
There are 3 important lessons to learn from this story.
1) Are you modeling the right behaviors for your prospective clients?
I remember listening to a business coach who told me that you should put at least 10-15 follow up emails people get after they opt in to your list. So I went and opted in to his list, and guess what. There were only 2 follow up emails!
If you’re a health coach who helps people eat well and exercise, are you eating well and exercising?
If you’re a communications consultant, are your communications clear and effective?
You need to walk the talk or you lose all credibility.
2) If you’re a coach or consultant, be sure you’re not making these mistakes with your business!
Do NOT:
- Give away your coaching for free – you have to know how to do a strategy session that converts!
- Have a website that doesn’t offer a valuable giveaway – you have to know how to build your list
- Sell your time vs. results – you have to know how to present your coaching program with a clear Signature System that makes what you offer tangible with clear steps and results.
3) Before you invest in a coach to help you build your business, look at how they market themselves.
- Are they building a business that is aligned with what you want to create?
- Are they marketing themselves with integrity?
- Is it clear that they CAN help you and that they CARE about helping you?
If you’re looking for help growing your business and want to explore how I can best support you, I invite you to apply for a complementary Business Explosion Discover Session (I have to jokingly ask if you want to go to BED with me:)
This is a hype-free call where I will take the time to get to know you and we’ll explore the different ways I can best help you build a profitable business you love!
Just go to www.TalkWithCindy.com to get started!
Spot on Cindy! Just wish you had written this particular post more than a year ago when I was following the old school of free sample sessions where the there was lots of coaching and fewer conversions. I realized that sampler coaching was not my thing and reworked my model including my Signature Programs. I admit there is still an element of coaching in the half hour complimentary session but more focus on a good fit. Owning one’s worth makes a big difference in the message that one sends out. When you mean business, the qualified prospect too steps up to the plate and the sessions are amazing.
Thank you Vatsala! I appreciate you sharing that. And congratulations on creating your Signature Program! I need to read your post about receiving compliments – off to do that! (it’s not my greatest strength:)
warm wishes,
Cindy