The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
67% of clients saw an increase in self- awareness as a primary result of the coaching process, with 62% setting better goals, a more balanced life received by 60%, and lower stress levels in 57% of the clients.
52% of the clients used the opportunity as a means of self-discovery, and 52% to build self-confidence. 43% wanted to improve the quality of their life, 39% to improve communication skills, 35% to complete specific projects.
33% used a coach to improve their health and/or fitness level, 33% to improve aspects of their personal or professional relationships, and 31% use a coach to have more fun in life.
The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
Here are three possible sources for your initial testimonials:
Your Friends and Colleagues
Given you want to become a certified coach; chances are you have already helped people in your past. Obvious roles are where you have mentored someone, managed someone, counseled someone, or simply given a friend support, encouragement, or advice which really helped to move them forward. Don’t you think it’s likely this friend or colleague would be happy to support you by jotting down how you helped them? Even better, offer a coaching session so they become one of your very first coaching clients…
Your Very First Coaching Clients
This is not rocket science <smile>. Call a friend and say, “Hey — I need some testimonials. I’ll coach you for a month for free on XXXXX. All you need to do is give me an honest couple of paragraphs at the end on how it was for you”.
Past Clients
Financial planners, teachers, consultants, therapists and trainers are examples of people who may be able to get testimonials from their past or current client base. It will most likely not mention coaching, but “Thank you Jan, for helping me get my finances in order,” or “Thank you John, for your help with my relationship — you’ve certainly made a difference,” are very powerful statements.
The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
When we wear the hat of “coach”, we often feel like we’re supposed to be some kind of guru — all-knowing, all-wise, having all the answers to people’s problems. The biggest fear is usually: What if I don’t know what to say? What if I can’t help and I look silly? This is a common perspective we automatically create or come from.
So change it! Reframe your perspective to something that empowers you. How about: “We’re going to view this session as an exploration. I’m not here as some kind of guru to tell you what to do. The goal is to help YOU get clear on what you really want, and the best way forward.”
Now doesn’t that feel better?
The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
The simplest thing you can start with is a ‘bio’ or Biography. A simple Word or PDF document that you can hand, fax, mail, or e-mail to a speaker-seeker. Work out what will give you credibility when creating your bio. Include the topic of your talk and the key benefits to your audience — and a good headshot. If you have done other talks, list the groups and the topics.
You can start to expand this until you have quite a comprehensive promotional package. You may include articles that have been written by the speaker or about the speaker (i.e., media mentions), a couple of testimonial letters, and ultimately a short video. Many groups will request testimonials, even the ones that are not paying.
And of course — list your web site, which may eventually include several dynamic pics of you speaking, audio clips, and ultimately streaming video.
The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
One approach is to choose a domain which describes WHO you work with; e.g., www.babyboomers.com or www.highenergywomen.com.
Another is to choose a domain which describes WHAT problem you solve for them; e.g., www.careerdirection.com, or www.relationshipbliss.com.
You may even be able to fit in both; e.g., www.happymarriage4women.com.
It’s also important to have a name which is ‘search engine friendly’. For example, I chose www.life-coaching-resource.com and www.lifecoaching.com.au. Why? Because when people search for ‘life coaching’ in the search engines, the search engines see that I have ‘life coaching’ in the domain name, and decide my site should come up pretty high in the list. So work out your ‘target key words’ — the words people will use to search for you, and get a domain that contains those words.
But clearly you can’t always do all of the above in one domain name. Don’t let search engine traffic run you. A name you like, which is memorable, is key. And — it’s OK to have two domain names — one which will be attractive to the search engines and one which you really love to tell people.
The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
If you are not going for ICF accreditation, then any school/course which provides effective training may suit you.
However, if accreditation is or will be important to you, you are looking for one of two types of schools:
- A school, which the ICF calls an ACTP, which means it has the ICF official “stamp”, or
- A school whose training is “aligned with the ICF requirements” – also known as the “Portfolio Track” to accreditation. (To be “aligned” the training must be coaching specific, be aligned with the eight training competencies specified by the ICF, and provide at least 125 training hours, of which at least 100 are face-to-face or teleclass training.)
What is the difference? The ICF has made it clear that neither path is easier – you jump through the same amount of hoops, regardless of which path you choose. Choosing an ACTP means you have most of the hoops in the same place, although understandably it comes with a higher price tag.
A word of caution: if your school does not mention the ICF, or specifically that it either has an ACTP or that it meets the requirements of the Portfolio Track to ICF accreditation, there’s a 99% chance it doesn’t.
