David Wood | Inner Firewalking

About David Wood

For 20 years David has helped entrepreneurs around the globe to grow their results, by growing themselves. A former consulting actuary to Fortune 50 companies in New York, David quit corporate life to pursue his inner journey, which now deeply influences his work. A digital nomad, David is currently dancing salsa, paragliding, and coaching his rock star entrepreneur clients from Colombia. His specialty is doubling your productivity and profits, while halving your stress. If you become a highly authentic and inspirational leader in the process, well….that can’t be helped.

Philip Cohen on Charging Clients

The following is taken from David’s interview with Philip Cohen in 10 Super Coaches.

What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?

Often new coaches undervalue their services. I believe in charging clients what you are worth. However, when starting a coaching business, there are two reasons to have clients: to make money and to have someone who can help you expand your skills. I like the idea of having a set fee and being willing to reduce it for a period of time to make it easy for someone to become a client. As they work with you, they will see your value and be willing to pay more.

Michael O. Cooper on Finding Clients

The following is taken from David’s interview with Michael O. Cooper in 10 Super Coaches.

What method did you find most effective in getting your initial clients?

I asked friends and colleagues at my employer to try it out. I didn’t have a structure to master the complimentary session then, so it often turned out that the client was uncoachable or just doing me a favor. I did attract a few clients this way, but with a structure, I would have spent less time working too hard for little return.

Did you coach your friends and colleagues? If so, what invitation did you use that worked best and felt good for you?

I have coached friends and I’ve had incredible experiences – both good and bad. My recommendation is to refer your friends to other coaches you trust. Even though I had a few positive experiences, the relationship changed in a way that I was not prepared to accept at times. I also did not establish sufficient boundaries when working with a few friend clients – they would call me at all hours for coaching – one even asked me to coach him through a situation at a party while he was intoxicated.

Ernest F. Oriente on Charging Clients

The following is taken from David’s interview with Ernest F. Oriente in 10 Super Coaches.

What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?

A couple of pieces, number one: my observation, pricing is in your mind in terms of what you’re comfortable with or not in terms of your fees, so there’s a hurdle for coaches to understand about what their value is that they bring to an organization.

Number two, it is important to raise fees on a consistent and regular basis, although I make the distinction that I still have clients from 1995 and 1996 that I have never increased their fees. I only increase the fees to the new clients who are coming in.

Ginger Cockerham on Discovering Your Niche

The following is taken from David’s interview with Ginger Cockerham in 10 Super Coaches.

How would you suggest coaches find their niche?

I think that the secret is in the connection. By showing up in as many arenas as possible, coaching and speaking about coaching and allowing your niche to develop, you will attract the people who are your ideal clients.

If you have been a player in an industry in a previous life, use your advocates and start with that community. Experiment in several communities by speaking, networking, and writing in journals or newsletters that they read. You have the opportunity for your ideal clients to show up, be attracted to you and create magic together.

Cut Your Expenses, Improve Your Life

The following is an excerpt of David’s interview in Top Coaching Techniques.

David: A lot of things we spend money on are not adding to our life -cigarettes, for instance. If you quit those you would be adding to your health too.

Ingrid: I think that’s a whole other topic.

David: Instead of a gym, get into a training program with a friend. Ditch your cell phone for a few months until you are able to save. If you own a car, really consider writing a paragraph on how you could get around without a car. They drain money like nobody’s business. You can ride your bike or share a ride. When you can actually put a number on that and say, ‘Oh, look, I could save $5,000 this year.’ and that could go towards your goal, then you have the motivations to get rid of that expense.

Growing as a Coach

Excellence in coaching comes down to excellence in the coach.

A coach’s life doesn’t have to be perfect. Boy – you should see some of the stuff that happens in my life! But what’s your attitude around it? Is it: ‘What a powerful ride! What’s next?’ Or ‘Why does this always happen to me?’

Do you learn from your experiences? It’s the growing and expanding that leads to understanding for ourselves and for those we coach. I just had a session today where my courage in coming through a difficult time was fuel and inspiration for my client. It wasn’t so much my ‘technique’ in coaching her; it was her being able to see someone who had been there and faced the tough decisions and come through it with a smile (eventually!).It’s wonderful how our clients call us to live greater lives than we might on our own.

Even in our imperfect lives, are you excited about your life? Do you wake up feeling that something wonderful will happen today? This passion brings enthusiasm to your clients as well. You can create light, when you are lit up yourself.

Posts by David Wood