The following is taken from David’s interview with Andrea Molloy in 10 Super Coaches.
What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?
Don’t undervalue your services, do your market research. Find out what other coaches are charging locally and position yourself well. Don’t apologize for your rates either, be confident in stating your fees so the client appreciates your worth – they need to feel they are getting good value for their investment.
Do you recommend offering free coaching?
We offer potential clients the opportunity to chat with a coach for half an hour, to answer any queries they may have about the coaching process and so the coach can learn more about the client’s specific requirements.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Mike Turner in 10 Super Coaches.
What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?
Set a fee rate that reflects the most value you can deliver. Be very clear with clients that this rate reflects the value you deliver. If the client can’t afford this rate, find trade-offs you can make which reduce the amount you charge. For example, you might suggest that if the client commits to a certain number of sessions that you will reduce your rate by, say, 10%. But be clear that the value of your coaching has not been reduced.
Do you recommend offering free coaching?
Generally not, unless their hunger for coaching is very high. If someone is paying, even if only a nominal amount, they are more likely to value and get value out of the coaching.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Robert Cornish in 10 Super Coaches.
What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?
Ultimately charge them what you feel good about receiving, charging more ore less than that will hamper how you are serving them in your coaching. (You will likely have very little success in attracting clients who will pay more than what you are comfortable receiving anyway).
How did you deal with the coaching/charging friends issue?
I coached a couple friends when I was in the certification process, I charged them a nominal fee or traded services. Otherwise I avoid coaching friends, because unless you are able to absolutely distinguish the line between the two both relationships are compromised. It takes a lot more effort to do that.
Do you recommend offering free coaching?
Not as a rule, free coaching isn’t generally valued by the client because they are putting zero energy and commitment to it. I do offer pro-bono coaching under special circumstances like 9/11 or other economic/personal tragedies.
