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.
Would you advise coaches to pursue certification?
I did as soon as I could, through I haven’t surveyed my clients to see if my certification influenced their hiring me. I think with the number of people who are calling themselves coaches with questionable experience and training that the public will eventually look for certified coaches.
I recommend certifying as soon as you can and I think the ICF has the most credible independent coach certification credential.
Are there any particular schools you would recommend?
The Coaches Training Institute is where I did my primary training, from my connections to other coaches over the years, I would also recommend (in alphabetical order) Academy for Coach Training, Coach For Life, The Newfield Network, and Success Unlimited Network.
The following is taken from David’s interview with Robert Cornish in 10 Super Coaches.
What was most disheartening for you while building your practice?
I spent a lot of money learning that print advertising is ineffective to market coaching services, and that THE way was personal contact with people in a way that they can experience what you are like.
Public speaking is a good way to do this, and so my block was overcoming for good my fear of public speaking. Having been one who used to stutter this was a big deal. I joined Toastmasters and actively sought and did as many talks about coaching as I could – to service clubs, business networking groups, my church, and any group of people I could speak in front of.
