Top Ten List: Let’s Create a Thriving Coaching Business!
How’s business? Thriving - just hanging on - somewhere in between?
A coaching blog I read today talked about how important “networking” is in creating and building your coaching biz. Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard THAT before. You get out there, tell people who you are, convince them you can help them achieve their goals, pass out your cards, and BOOM…the word spreads and you get a client or two?
How about marketing? Do coaches market themselves well to their target audience? If so, how? Where? When?
I’m all for starting a Top Ten List of fresh ideas to help coaches lasso in great droves of clients! Why? Because I believe that coaching, in all its many forms, can transform the planet. Really.
So, let’s build our Top Ten List! Bring on the ideas……
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Comment by Patty Tolar, Momentum Maven on 25 June 2008:
Linda,
I think it would take a rather long article (oops, did I just volunteer) to teach all the networking tips I learned but here are the top five:
1. You must be clear on what problems your business solves and identify your target market (this is imperative). You need to be precise and be able to explain to others in about 30 seconds. The focus needs to be on what you do for the prospect and be very specific on who your ideal client is. This is extremely important for coaches because many people are not clear about what we do!
2. You need to be able to identify who you want to connect with. There will be two levels: with someone who is in your actual target market and also someone who can connect you to your target market.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask about a contact in a specific business or contacts in a particular industry or type of business (see #1)
4. Be a good listener and learn to ask questions to gain a better understanding of what their needs are.
5. You must give back – always be ready to help others connect with their target market. People are always more inclined to help you if they know that you will return the favor.
Comment by Linda Ballew on 25 June 2008:
Great idea, Patty!
Please do share your networking tips so everyone can benefit from your experience. We’ll compile and include the list in our upcoming newsletter.
Thanks!
Comment by Patty Tolar, Momentum Maven on 25 June 2008:
Linda,
I think it is a great idea to share this list in your newsletter!
I also had another thought (which can be dangerous!) – It might be fun to take each suggestion on the list and ask for everyone’s two best ideas on how to accomplish them. For example, networking; what really works to build your business?
I just returned from the Washington D.C. metro area and while I was there I networked more in a week than I could here (Montana) in a year. I was amazed at how much I learned on effective networking! We can waste a lot of time networking if we aren’t focused and understand how to introduce ourselves and what we do. We might also ask for information on any free resources that can help a coach develop a deeper understanding of how to market their business.
I have attended many excellent free teleclasses and I have learned a lot of valuable information which has helped my business grow. I would be happy to pass on information on the teleclasses I found that had the most valuable content and I am sure others would love to as well.