Marketing and networking are difficult for new coaches because they are not familiar with marketing and they are fearful of questions that people are likely to ask them about their business. People are going to ask, What does a coach do, How long have you been coaching, How many clients do you have, and How much do you charge.
All of these are challenging questions for a new coach if they have not constructed good answers to the potentially embarrassing questions. These are all valid questions have an answer that will draw people to try coaching.
What do you do?
This is a common first question many people will ask at a networking event. You probably ask the same question of others. Your reply to this question should never be I am a coach. That statement can be included in your answer but your answer must be far more complete because many people do not know what coaching is. Include four key elements in your answer. Describe what you do, as a coach by stating whom you are, whom you help, how you help them, and what they get from your help. Who you are is your name and niche catch phrase. For example,I am Suzan Schmitt the coach marketer. Whom you help describes the challenges you help your niche market overcome. What they get details the benefits received by your clients when they overcome their challenges.
How many clients do you have?
The person asking this question may not have heard of coaching and may be surprised that there are coaching businesses that help people in this way. This question is easy to answer if you have a full schedule of clients but if you are a new coach with few clients, this is a tough question. There are two ways to answer this question. You can tell them the limit on the number of clients you see per week, I choose to see fifteen clients per week maximum or you can ask a question that addresses their underlying question. Most people, who ask this question, really want to know if you are a good coach and if you can help them. Tell them that is a great question and I find that most people that ask that question really want to know if I am a good coach or if I can help them. That is why I offer an introductory coaching session. My introductory coaching session is a great way for people to experience what coaching is like so they can determine if coaching can help them. Now you have answered their question next you want to ask if they are interested in finding out more about your introductory coaching session.
How long have you been coaching?
This question will ruffle the feathers of the most confident new coaches. Coaching is just like many other professions there are people who have been coaching for a long time who are not very good coaches and there are newcomers who help people transform clients lives. The amount of time you have been coaching does not directly correlate to you ability and skill. The answer to this question also depends on how you define coaching. Most coaches have been coaching family and friends their whole lives. The coaching business attracts people who like to serve and help others with or without pay. The truth is you have been coaching for years but you may have only recently become a professional. If this is the case answer by saying, I have been coaching for many years but I recently began calling it my profession, which is one of the reasons I offer an introductory coaching session. Would you be interested in hearing more about my introductory session?
View all of these questions and other questions as an opportunity to invite potential coaching clients to hear more about an introductory coaching session. Be sure to design you introductory coaching session as a tool to show clients how they will benefit from coaching with you rather than just a mini coaching session.
About the Author:
Suzan Schmitt is a Coach that has over 20 years experience in advertising, marketing and sales. She helps coaches market their coaching businesses and get more coaching clients. Suzan Schmitt: The Coach
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Date Published :
Jan 28 2009