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    Explore " coach training" with insightful episodes like "Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 2)", "Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 1)", "My client talks like a waterfall. How can I coach them?", "Is it better to coach clients in person than online or on the phone?" and "I think my coaching client might need therapy. What do I do?" from podcasts like ""Talking about Coaching", "Talking about Coaching", "Talking about Coaching", "Talking about Coaching" and "Talking about Coaching"" and more!

    Episodes (100)

    Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 2)

    Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 2)

    The current coronavirus pandemic has shook most of us. Some coaches are busier than ever as they help clients make sense of what’s happening and transition into a new way of life or business. Others struggle severely to keep their businesses and psychological wellbeing afloat.

    Over the past few weeks we’ve talked to a lot of coaches about what we can do to help our communities, how we can serve our clients in this time of need, tips and techniques for our businesses and a whole range of other topics to help coaches and clients navigate this crisis. 

    Join us for a special edition of Talking about Coaching in 3 parts. If you have anything to contribute please don’t hesitate to make your voice heard. And if you’ve got any follow up questions, we’re open to another special. 

    All our best wishes for you and your clients! 
    Yannick, Siawash and Nicki

    ______________
    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about coaching or generally support what we do: 

    Support the show

    Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 1)

    Coronavirus Special - How can coaches navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? (Part 1)

    The current coronavirus pandemic has shook most of us. Some coaches are busier than ever as they help clients make sense of what’s happening and transition into a new way of life or business. Others struggle severely to keep their businesses and psychological wellbeing afloat.

    Over the past few weeks we’ve talked to a lot of coaches about what we can do to help our communities, how we can serve our clients in this time of need, tips and techniques for our businesses and a whole range of other topics to help coaches and clients navigate this crisis. 

    Join us for a special edition of Talking about Coaching in 3 parts. If you have anything to contribute please don’t hesitate to make your voice heard. And if you’ve got any follow up questions, we’re open to another special. 

    All our best wishes for you and your clients! 
    Yannick, Siawash and Nicki

    ______________
    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about 
    coaching or generally support what we do: 

    Support the show

    My client talks like a waterfall. How can I coach them?

    My client talks like a waterfall. How can I coach them?

    An interesting challenge we come across in our work as coaches is when our client talks so much we barely get a word in. How can we coach them to keep them focused and on track without (rudely?) interrupting them or missing out on important information? 

    In this episode our resident coaches Yannick, Siawash and Nicki talk about ways in which we can contract to interrupt, how important it is to frame our coaching space and agree on how we work with out clients and how we can respectfully get a foot in the door of our clients' growth. 


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    Is it better to coach clients in person than online or on the phone?

    Is it better to coach clients in person than online or on the phone?

    Trainee coaches often ask: "Is it better to see coaching clients face-to-face as compared to video calls like Zoom or Skype or telephone coaching?".

    Even experienced coaches have, in my experience, often not really reflected on how and why they work the way they do. It just so happened that they do most of their coaching the way they do and it's worth zooming in on this interesting topic.

    Truth is all formats have their pros and cons and in today's episode we're discussing what some of these are. What are your preferences? 


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    Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkingaboutcoaching





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    I think my coaching client might need therapy. What do I do?

    I think my coaching client might need therapy. What do I do?

    You may have been in this scenario before: A client approaches you for coaching but along the way you get the feeling that they might be in need of a therapist. Maybe there's a past trauma, they want to delve deeper than you feel comfortable or perhaps you're at your wit's end and feel they need a different sort of intervention. How far can you go? Where's the line? How can we know? What to say? And who makes the rules anyway?

    In this episode our resident coaches Siawash, Nicki and Yannick discuss the topic of coaching vs. therapy. 

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    Is any coach worth $5000 per session?

    Is any coach worth $5000 per session?

    Some coaches charge tremendous amounts for a single session. We've heard various different versions of the above question over the years and wanted to address how in some instances this is justified while in others you're probably being scammed. 

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    How should I dress as a coach?

    How should I dress as a coach?

    In this episode Nicki, Siawash and Yannick are discussing what to wear as a coach and whether there are any rules or guidelines. We tell some entertaining anecdotes and talk about why it does and doesn't matter what you wear as a life or buiness coach. 

    _____
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    How much should you charge?

    How much should you charge?

    In this episode we're talking about a question we hear often from coaches who are starting out: How much should I charge for my coaching services? This is a complex question and there are many answers. We hope to provide some interesting angles on the question that can help you figure out the right amount and different pays to charge for your coaching. 

    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about coaching or generally support what we do: 

    • Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
    • Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://mailchi.mp/afc10fc74492/talkingaboutcoaching
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    Do you give your clients homework?

    Do you give your clients homework?

    In this episode we're discussing whether it's helpful to assign clients homework, growth actions or other exercises to do between sessions as to help them grow. 



    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about coaching or generally support what we do: 

    • Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
    • Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://mailchi.mp/afc10fc74492/talkingaboutcoaching
    • Listen to episodes: http://talkingaboutcoaching.buzzsprout.com/
    • Like our Facebook page: http://fb.me/TalkingAboutCoaching
    • Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3023068731067611/
    • Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkingaboutcoaching



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    How do I deal with a coaching client who comes to the session with no agenda?

    How do I deal with a coaching client who comes to the session with no agenda?

    In this episode we consider some different approaches for coaching a client who comes to their first coaching session with no agenda, no goal and perhaps no real hunger to work on themselves. 

    Especially when you're starting out as a coach and your fees are relatively low or perhaps you coach pro bono as part of your training, this is a common issue for life coaches.

    Coaches in organisations also face this issue often as the client in the room is not paying for the service and so they can be less committed to the process. 


    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about coaching or generally support what we do: 

    - Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
    - Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://mailchi.mp/afc10fc74492/talkingaboutcoaching
    - Listen to episodes: http://talkingaboutcoaching.buzzsprout.com/
    - Like our Facebook page: http://fb.me/TalkingAboutCoaching
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    How do I get more coaching clients?

    How do I get more coaching clients?

    This is probably the most asked question by coaches, certainly the one we see most often on forums, groups and when we coach other coaches who are trying to build their businesses. How do we get to help more people? How can we create conversations with prospects so that we get to work with them? How can we sign up enough clients so that we can live off of our coaching skills?

    The answer is complex and there's no one right way to do this. In this episode we start the conversation by opening up some ideas on how this could be done. Rest assured this question will come back often.

    Here's a helpful chapter from Yannick's book on how to get more clients. Completely free and direct download, no sign up necessary: http://www.coachingandmediation.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Yannick-Jacob-Establishing-an-existential-coaching-practice-Routledge-2018-Review-Copy.pdf
    Hope it helps!


    If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, would like to talk to us about coaching or generally support what we do: 

    - Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
    - Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://mailchi.mp/afc10fc74492/talkingaboutcoaching
    - Listen to episodes: http://talkingaboutcoaching.buzzsprout.com/
    - Like our Facebook page: http://fb.me/TalkingAboutCoaching
    - Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3023068731067611/
    - Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkingaboutcoaching

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    Introducing "Talking about Coaching" - The podcast for coaches by coaches

    Introducing "Talking about Coaching" - The podcast for coaches by coaches

    Here we are, talking about coaching. 

    We, that is Yannick Jacob, Positive Existential Coach, Supervisor and former Programme Leader of the MSc Coaching Psychology at the University of East London; Siawash Zahmat, 6-figure High Performance Coach and founder of the Muslim Coaching Academy, Nicki Drab, recently qualified life coach, professional photographer and representing all coaches new to the field. 

    In this episode we're introducing why we're doing this and who we are. 

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    32: Would YOU Buy Your Own Coaching Program?

    32: Would YOU Buy Your Own Coaching Program?

    This episode is part of the Smart Mindsets & Habits series. I hope it inspires you to make a shift in the way you're thinking about coaching that will help you attract more clients. The kind of clients who will invest more to work with you. 

    I'm all for less selling and more connecting authentically to attract clients.

    Let me ask you this ...

    ·      Have you ever felt weird trying to convince someone about the value of coaching?

    ·      Have you ever told someone about your coaching business and you can see their eyes glaze over?

    ·      Have you ever had an incredible sample coaching session with a prospect and they loved it but they didn't enroll in your ongoing coaching program?

    ·      And what about this ... have you ever gotten a single client from your coaching website?

    Well, that was me for the first 3 years of my coaching business. I know, that's crazy, right?

    When I came out of coach training school I was what I call a Pure Coach. Episode #12 is called What Coach Archetype Fits You? and it has a description of the Pure Coach archetype. You can find that at prosperouscoach.com/12.

    I thought that coaching was amazing and that everyone else would think so too.

    After struggling for too long to earn enough as a coach I began to realize something kind of shocking ... most people don't readily buy coaching. They don't know what it is. They mistake it for therapy. They assume they can't afford it.

    For me, it was a sort of loss of innocence about coaching. I just couldn't understand how something I loved so much could be the topic of such indifference to other people.

    It felt like my friends and family and potential clients were humoring me whenever I would talk about it. They didn't really GET the value of coaching.

    But then I realized that what's really going on is they haven't connected the dots between coaching and something they want or a problem they want to overcome.

    I had not connected the dots for them.

    And I see the same on most coaching websites, that they are brochures about coaching.

    I think we, as coaches, are unwittingly confusing people that we'd like to enroll as clients.

    If you haven't heard my episode called Why is Coaching a Hard Sell? I highly recommend it.

    It's an eye-opener. And if you can make the mindset shift I believe it will dramatically change your results -- how many clients hire you and at higher prices. They stay longer and refer more people to you.

    And it all comes down to one paradoxical thing.

    Do Coaching But Don't Sell It

    Here's what happens when you stop selling coaching and start offering a program that helps a unique target audience reach a specific outcome that audience truly wants: 

    ·      You become crystal clear about the value of your services.

    ·      That means you can easily articulate what you offer in a far more compelling and non-salesy way.

    ·      So it's far easier to enroll clients into longer programs at higher prices.

    It's really true. Shifting your mindset and actions away from selling coaching will boost your co

    20: How to Stop Saying Yes to Bright Shiny Objects

    20: How to Stop Saying Yes to Bright Shiny Objects

    Notes for this episode can be found here.

    This episode is part 1 about how to selectively and wisely decide where and when to invest your time, energy and money in opportunities that come your way as a coach. Opportunities such as:

    • more skills training
    • how-to programs that teach a marketing tactic 
    • offers to send you leads or promote you
    • offers to partner with another coach or expert

    Today, we'll dig into the bright shiny object syndrome. That's when you have a incredibly strong impulse to invest money in training, apps - all sorts of bells and whistles - for your coaching business.

    Have you ever taken expensive training or a mastermind and, though you enjoyed the experience, you didn't forward in your business? You couldn't apply what you learned.

    There's a simple reason for that ... you may not have been developmentally ready for that program yet.

    Spending like can quickly eat up your profits! So I have tips and mindset mastery coming your way here.


    Before we dive in, I want to thank you.

    With your support, Prosperous Coach Podcast has surpassed 4000 downloads with just our 20th episode. A shout out to Kate in Basel, Switzerland. Kate said:

    "I've really been enjoying your podcast and want to thank you for the really helpful, clear, and good vibes content that you are sharing. I always look forward to hearing your intro music!"

    Thank you, Kate!

    I put my heart into these episodes. And coaches need clear guidelines. Very soon I'm launching a Facebook group for subscribers of the podcast. All coaches are welcome. More on that next week.


    Okay let's breakthrough the bright shiny object pattern ...

    Why does this syndrome exist?

    When your coaching business is new and you've not yet filled your time serving clients, you're in a vulnerable place.

    You're vulnerable because you are yearning — for more coaching clients, for higher revenues, or simply for recognition that you're valuable — and you're looking outside yourself for answers.

    So you go surfing and get on a bunch of lists or click a bunch of ads.

    All manner of offers and opportunities are dangling like glittering diamonds in front of you.

    And your credit card is in hand. Maybe you've even memorized it.

    I've been there. Much less than I used to thanks to the tips I'm going to share, but it still snags me occasionally.

    I'm Not Skilled Enough

    As a coach, sometimes there's this voice saying "I'm not skilled enough yet" that has you reaching for more training to learn different types of coaching skills, get more certifications, to pile up credentials.

    There's a learned belief under that, that what you know now isn't enough for where you are now developmentally. And that's where the deepest wisdom is -- where you are now.

    Obviously, there are times when learning more skills will be right for your current situation. 

    But I wonder ... how many purchases for more skills training are driven by a rational decision?

    Think about it this way, if you are endlessly in student mode, how are you ever going to succeed in your coaching business?

    Learning is a lot like breathing. Th

    13: When Your 2nd Coaching Niche Choice is the Best Choice

    13: When Your 2nd Coaching Niche Choice is the Best Choice

    This episode is the second ON AIR COACHING session where you can listen in while I work with a coach to narrow her target audience and uncover clues about her coaching niche.

    Cynthia Brown recently graduated from Coach Training Alliance where she met one of my clients, Audra, who referred her to me. That and my podcast encouraged Cynthia to apply for On Air Coaching with me.

    Let me introduce Cynthia Brown ...

    Cynthia is the founder of New Lane Coaching. One of her main concerns is that women business owners often sell themselves short. She wants women to know that their small businesses can become more than they originally dreamed. All it takes is one small step each day.

    Cynthia is currently involved in Toastmasters International to learn to speak at women business own associations. She's a certified coach and member of the International Coach Federation.

    While Cynthia has initially targeted a broad audience — women small business owners, she wasn't certain about it, partially because she had another audience that was tugging on her heart strings:

    high school students to help them transition to college or a career

    When she thinks about that audience she feels sheer excitement!

    But she had big doubts about this choice for a coaching niche.

    We took some time to investigate whether that audience would be viable. In other words, would it pay off in income and clients.

    We ultimately agreed that audience wouldn't sustain her financially.

    Parents might invest in her help if her goal was to help those students get into a good college or university. But they might not be as excited about investing much to have Cynthia help their kids choose a vocation.

    In our conversation, Cynthia became certain that it was best to only serve the audience of high school kids as a "side gig" where she'll offer support for lower fees as she has time and inclination.

    Cynthia wants to have a thriving business and not be held up by struggling to convince parents.

    We talked about the old "follow your passion" adage and how important it is to look for an audience and niche that both feels joyful and will pay off.

    Sometimes that means going with your second choice unless earning a living isn't important to you.

    Next, I prompted Cynthia to share a personal story about a previous employee she helped to formulate his career path. Years later he wrote her a thank you note for how her support influenced him.

    It was a peak experience for Cynthia that touched her deeply. And I wanted to earmark that story as a potential clue for her niche.

    Then, we shifted to talking about the broad audience that she'd set for herself in New Lane Coaching, working with women small business owners.

    Cynthia felt it was too broad. And so did I.

    First, we looked at whether it was important to her to limit to women.

    Cynthia decided that, no, it's not..

    Many coaches are inclined to specify women as a way to narrow their niche. That's a good idea if it really matters to you, the coach.

    If you feel more of a solid affinity with one gender or another, go ahead and narrow that way. That alone won't help you stand out though.

    But there are other ways to narrow an audience t

    7: Why is Coaching a Hard Sell?

    7: Why is Coaching a Hard Sell?

    This episode might blow your mind. But I hope it OPENS your mind.

    You've probably suspected the truth of this already. It's been nagging at you but you haven't known what to do about it.

    Coaching is a hard sell.

    You don't want to have to sell at all, but you definitely don't want to do a hard sell on people!

    And, I hear you thinking ...

    "What the fork, Rhonda!

    I'm a coach and you're telling me

    it's not a good idea to sell coaching?

    What else am I supposed to do?"

    Bear with me, because there is an important mindset shift wanting to happen here.

    Yes, it is a super valuable skill. It absolutely does help people transform. And we — you and I — are completely sold on the idea of it.

    But most people are not.

    To help you understand the disconnect between what we know and what our prospects don't know, I'll share what I call my origin story. 

    See if you recognize you're own origin story in any of this.

    I remember when the idea of coaching sparked in my mind and started burning like wildfire.

    I was a Marketing Director of a small corporation. From the outside, it seemed like a perfect job. Great salary, good benefits, weekends off. My boss was the President and an engaging leader. I had authority and a lot of freedom.

    Still, each day I came home from work feeling soul-less.

    I felt sick on Sundays and dreaded the coming week. When I got home from conferences, I'd cry in the airport parking lot. I was so spent.

    I decided I had to break free and deep down I knew that just getting another job wasn't going to do it for me.

    I summoned the courage to go my boss and I told her I'd be gone in 6 months and that, in the meantime, I'd like to shift from employee to consultant, train my replacement and work from home 4 days a week.

    To my surprise, she agreed to everything I asked. I think she valued me but knew somehow that I was a short termer.

    I had more bandwidth then to consider what my next steps were.

    During coffee with friends I asked what they thought my strengths were and we brainstormed entrepreneurial possibilities.

    One friend said: "You'd be a good coach, Rhonda."

    A tingle zipped up my spine and in days I was immersed into a year long training program.

    My life flipped over in the most exciting way.

    I became coaching's best advocate. I became obsessed. 

    So you can imagine how confused I was when I talked to people about it their eyes would glaze over and they'd slip away from the conversation.

    In a not very subtle way I was trying to convert them. To convince them that coaching was wonderful and that they wanted it.

    In reality the only people who really wanted to hear about it were people who were thinking of becoming one themselves.

    I'd argue that it is an even harder sell now because there is exponentially more marketing for services out there than there ever was.

    And people don't pay attention unless messaging hits every hot spot for them.

    I wrote about topics like limiting beliefs and how to find confidence. There are sooo many articles out there on those topics so it wasn't surprising those topics didn't get read. I gave talks on similar topics at Cham

    6: 4 Mistakes I Made in Coaching Business Startup

    6: 4 Mistakes I Made in Coaching Business Startup

    This episode covers 4 big mistakes I made during the start up of my coaching business. Maybe you can relate.

    Yes, I made all of these mistakes and more and I lived to tell the tale.

    But I've experienced multiple magical turning points in my business as well. Wonderful things I never could have imagined came my way because I did not let my mistakes stop me.

    And that's the key, right?

    My guess is that, as I talk about these pitfalls, you'll recognize yourself in some but also realize that you're much more savvy than I was at startup. Coaches seem to get smarter every year.

    Mistakes are still the best way to learn. It's a time honored tradition. And growing a coaching business, like any business, is a total experiment. It's a long term gamble.

    When I was able to see my business in that light it became easier to power through mistakes by making small adjustments instead of over reacting.

    If you can teach yourself to think like a scientist or an innovator and play the long game, you'll be golden. That gumption and grit will pay you back many fold.

    Okay ... enough preamble ... now to dish the dirt. 

    Mistake #1 — Holding High Expectations

    There are schools of thought about expectations.

    Me? I'm with Shakespeare who purportedly said: "Expectation is the root of all heartache."

    That's wisdom similar to the Buddhist belief that craving is what causes suffering. Sounds right to me.

    See, I expected:

    • to replace my income before I quit my job.
    • to immediately get dozens of referrals from friends and family.
    • for everyone to get the value of coaching with a single free session.

    The weight of those expectations and others crushed me. Because when things didn't work exactly as I'd hoped, disappointment set in. I was certain that it meant I wasn't good enough.

    It didn't mean that. It never means that. It only meant that the experiment was still alive. And, I needed to chill out emotionally while still taking action on behalf of my business.

    Then, I realized pretty quickly that exchanging high expectations for low expectations was just another type of self sabotage. It's totally de-motivating.

    So it's best to check expectations entirely. The winning attitude turns out to be another buddhist principle. Live in the present moment. Let love drive you in your business and show up as a professional. More about that in a minute ...

    I know now that for my first 2 years of coaching, I had been holding my breath until I arrived at an imagined destination.

    Where did my high expectations come from? Well some was arrogance. Some was ignorance. And the rest was because ... 

    Mistake #2 — I Drank the KoolAid

    At the time, when I launched my coaching business there was a lot of hyperbolic messaging about coaches earning high 6 or 7 figures coming from rock star coaches.

    As if that was the norm.

    I'm glad to see that rhetoric has toned down. And several people who are earning high revenues these days are more transparent about the significant investment of time, sweat and seed money it takes to get there.

    I was just listening to Natalie Eckdahl of Biz Chix, one of my favorite podcasts. She genero

    5: The Simplest Coaching Business Model

    5: The Simplest Coaching Business Model

    This episode is part of my Start Smart Series. A listener asked me to talk about the simplest and least expensive way to get a coaching business off the ground. Great question!

    I love it when listeners tell me what they want to hear on the show. If you have a specific request, go to my contact page on —ProsperousCoachBlog.com — and get in touch.

    High Profit, Low Tech and High Touch

    The answer to the easiest coaching business model is ultra simple! It's 1:1.

    If you're charging enough and enroll your clients into a longer term package, you won't need many clients each year to make a good income. I only work with 20 - 30 clients each year.

    Your marketing could be minimal if you have ready access to your chosen target audience. And because expenses are incredibly low for this business model, 1:1 is the most profitable option.

    Think about it ... You don't have to have a website (although you may want to.) You won't need a team or even a Virtual Assistant to help you with all the tasks because admin is minimal. You don't need big coordinated marketing campaigns, a strong presence on social media or a bunch of apps with monthly fees.

    Literally all you need is a phone and a private place in your home to take client calls. And maybe an inexpensive business card for networking.

    You know what I'm describing, don't you?

    It's the way every service entrepreneur did business before the internet. Don't roll your eyes. It's still the way a lot of service entrepreneurs operate.

    Sometimes I wonder if it isn't easier than all the online stuff everyone, including me, does now. But an online business model does allow you to have an international audience, and I love that.

    For that analog way of business, you have to be an active networker, go where your clients are, be a good conversationalist and a non-salesy enroller.

    When I started, I only offered private coaching. I found all of my clients through networking and speaking.

    It was only in my second year that I added in face to face group coaching. Then started doing VIP days - that's 3 to 8 hours of working with one person in one day.

    It was only in year 6 that I shifted to online. I created a Membership Program. Honestly, a huge amount of work for poor returns. Then, I added a high ticket online Mastermind with two yearly retreats. And I sold two self-study online training programs. For one of them, I took a group of 20 - 50 through it quarterly as well with a closed Facebook group.

    It was fun doing all of that stuff and I made good money. But it was soooo much work keeping it all rolling. And so much of my income was going to expenses!

    That's often overlooked when coaches choose a business model. The more complicated or technical you go, the harder you work, and sometimes the less money you keep.

    There really is no passive revenue except royalties. I was lucky to have the opportunity to co-write Coach Training curriculum for a royalty and that curriculum is still being used.

    Market Less, Serve Clients Longer

    But you know what I like the most? Getting to know my clien

    4: How to Feel Less Isolated in Your Coaching Business

    4: How to Feel Less Isolated in Your Coaching Business

    There are so many upsides to having your own business. But the biggest downside to operating as a solopreneur is that you're ... well, solo.

    That is, unless you do something intentional to change that. And I'm hoping that after this podcast you will take some action so you don't feel lonely in your business.

    Being an entrepreneur is different than any job you've ever had. At first you're slogging through tasks without a team, a sounding board or even a water cooler connection.

    Soon, you will have a steady flow of coaching clients and that will energize you.

    But as you're building to that, the isolation you're experiencing now not only feels bad, but it also isn't good for you.

    Isolation is a contracting force. The longer you go without support, the more your momentum is quashed. It might have you questioning your decision to become a coach.

    And, prolonged loneliness can turn into depression.

    Look, everyone feels like this at first. But don't ignore it. Take some conscious actions until you feel sustainable relief.

    It's time to reach out.

    Community is the solution and you have choices.

    When I emerged as a life coach in 1998, I immediately joined the Denver chapter of the ICF. That helped a lot. It's especially meaningful to be in the company of other coaches.

    Now if you're not near a city with an ICF chapter, join some Facebook or LinkedIn groups.

    Think about it. What professional groups of peers could you join?

    Peers will keep you inspired.

    Once you've joined a bigger group, take it a step further by creating or joining a smaller sub-group of peers. Keep your eye out for kindred spirits. Reach out to people you connect to energetically or philosophically.

    You could even form a support group with some or all of the coaches you trained with.

    I'm an introvert, so while the professional groups were helpful, I knew I needed a more intimate group. So, I co-created a peer community with 5 other local new coaches. 

    We kept each other on a professional path, laughed and learned in a co-facilitated arrangement.

    Mostly it was a social scene — a potluck and some wine plus a discussion topic.

    For a while we studied a business book together — still a favorite of mine — called The Power Path: The Shaman's Way to Success in Business and Life by Lena & Jose Stevens. Once or twice we played Robert Kiyosaki's Cash Flow board game.

    I know this for sure ... if I hadn't had that group, I would have given up on my coaching business.

    If you do start your own group you'll be able to set the ground rules and the tone of the group. You can pass the leadership role around. The idea is to be equals and help each other.

    One of my clients told me recently that she joined a Meetup group but stopped going because the coaches weren't being real. Everyone acted as if they didn't need anyone else to succeed.

    Well, success largely comes from helping hands.

    And here's the thing ... if you've chosen a smart coaching niche to stand out in the crowd, you won't have to compete. Instead you can be generous and refer ideal clients to each other.

    Imagine how much more enjoyable that would be than having to pretend to be an island.

    So let's be good to each other! It's a fellowship.

    By the way ... I'll be talking in my next

    3: Do You Really Need to Be Certified?

    3: Do You Really Need to Be Certified?

    This short episode explores the sticky question about whether you need to certify to be successful as a coach. Sticky because there are 2 camps — the yeas and the nays — and each has good reasons for their position.

    I explain the 2 types of certification and generally how it works. Independent certification, such as what the International Coach Federation (ICF) offers, helps to firmly establish and professionalize the coaching industry across the globe. Certifying bodies provide ethics, core competencies and best practices for coaches to follow.

    There have been complaints and law suits against coaches from time to time. It's important for you to exhibit integrity in all you say and do to attract and serve clients for 3 main reasons: to do no harm, to maintain the health of your own coaching business, and for the good of the entire industry. 

    But, it's worth questioning ... Will all clients require you to have it? Are you really a better coach if you're certified? Is certification the only way to earn more and gain respect in the industry?

    I cover the 6 main reasons that proponents of independent certification give about why you should earn and maintain certification.

    Find more Show Notes here.