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New
Coaches - How to Survive and Thrive as a New Coach
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Congratulations! You have completed your coach training and can hardly wait to get started in your new career. Running a coaching business can be hugely rewarding and you want a piece of the action. Here, to help get you started are the Seven Don'ts for new coaches who want to survive and thrive in their coaching business.
1. Don't give up your day job too soon
Though you're excited at the prospect of making your fortune using your new coaching skills, building a sustainable business takes time and planning. Your current job gives you your 'bread-and-butter' income: don't give it up till you've proved to yourself you can attract new clients on an ongoing basis
2. Don't throw money at your coaching business
I am certainly not saying you mustn't invest in the right equipment for the job. It's just that leather chairs, gold-edged business brochures and the latest head-set will not give you a good return on your investment. Coaches are fortunate to be able to do business with a modicum of accessories -- usually a telephone, a computer and some respectable-looking business cards. These will be enough until you start making decent money
3. Don't get put off at the thought of marketing
Marketing -- or lack of -- is the biggest barrier to success for a coach. Don't assume it means engaging in lots of selling you feel uncomfortable with. There are many ways to attract new business to you -- which is all 'marketing' is. Identify the ways you feel most comfortable promoting your business. Focus on two or three methods and success will be yours for the taking
4. Don't forget to switch off
Most coaches work from home -- it makes a lot of sense as coaching doesn't require large or fancy premises. The downside is it takes discipline to switch off from your work especially when you're juggling a day job with trying to build a profitable business. Time away to relax though is essential. 'White space' replenishes your energy, creativity and motivation making you a far more effective coach than when you consistently burn the midnight oil
5. Don't expect people to buy coaching -- that's not what they're looking for
When you're first trained, it's tempting to answer people's "What do you do?" with "I'm a life coach." Potential clients are usually not looking for a coach but a solution to some pressing problem they have. For example:
· They're struggling to pick up the pieces after a painful divorce
· They are desperately unhappy in their job but are daunted at the thought of a mid-life career change
· They are disorganized and always late, it's affecting their work and their relationships
Saying "I help unhappy wage slaves find their dream career" is far more likely to arouse interest and more questions than simply telling people you're a coach
6. Don't Think You're Responsible for Your Clients' Results
Coaches are naturally 'people' people with an urge to make the world a better place. It can be disheartening when your clients procrastinate and put obstacles in the way of their success. It's all too easy to think this must mean you are lacking as a coach. Remember though that you are only with your client for an hour or two each month and their actions - or lack of - are their own responsibility.
7. Don't Worry!
As my wise father always reminds me "You die if you worry and you die if you don't." Worrying about losing your coaching skills or not being business-savvy enough won't help your confidence or bank balance.
You are fortunate to be part of an exciting new business that makes people feel great about themselves. There are many groups out there and online communities and forums are especially popular. Use them to meet up with like-minded others, many of whom will have had the same questions and issues you have. These are a truly invaluable resource for new and experienced coaches alike.
If
you are a new (or not-so-new!) coach looking to grow your business why
not join our friendly community of like-minded life, business and executive
coaches who support each other and share their personal experiences of
developing coaching skills and creating and marketing a profitable and
sustainable coaching business.
Visit http://www.NewCoachBusinessNetwork.com
for further details.
Marion Ryan is an experienced business coach who manages the lively New Coach Business Network community. She also runs The Abundant Coach programme, a 14-week affordable group coaching programme for new and somewhat experienced coaches who want to become confident, professional coaches with thriving practices.