The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.
People love their stories! They love their past, reasons, and complexities, perhaps because they validate who they think they are.
As a coach, I’m not interested in 90% of the past. I don’t want to know why you spent 5 years in an unhappy marriage or the list of complaints you have about your boss. I’m more interested in what you want, and – what you’re going to do about it. It’s a conversation about the future, rather than the past. Many people can describe exactly what they do not like about their lives. However, when asked how they would like the situation to look, more energy is required. Our job is to have them look in that direction.
The following is an excerpt from Judy Feld’s Three R’s of Business Success, as part of 10 Super Coaches.
Repetition: How often do people in your potential market hear from you and your company?
- How often do you send out your newsletter? Are you consistent in your schedule? Does each issue contain clear instructions on how you can be reached?
- Do you have patience and staying power? One mailing is not enough… it takes time and reputation to build trust.
- What changes can you make to increase the pace and velocity of your marketing efforts? A faster pace brings greater frequency, more opportunities for exposure, and quicker results.
- Do you focus your largest efforts on those most likely to buy?
- What is your plan/schedule for mailings, articles, newsletters, presentations, etc.? Time flies, with few results, without a plan.
The following is an excerpt from the book Get Paid For Who You Are.
Your business name should meet as many of the following criteria as possible, bearing in mind that it’s rarely possible to satisfy all of them:
- You are excited to tell people about it
- It gives a sense of who you help and/or what problem you help them with
- It’s simple, short and memorable
- It contains at least one word that your potential customers would be searching for on the internet (known as keywords). For example, if you sell baskets, then having baskets in the name is important.
- The domain name is available. This means no-one has already taken this name for their website. You can check this at www.Godaddy.com.
For example, let’s say Paul chooses the name “My Second Life” for his divorce-consulting business. This name meets the first few criteria: he loves it, it’s easy to remember, it describes his service of offering a new life to women going through divorce, and it’s simple, short and easy to remember. It misses out on one criteria as it doesn’t include words people are likely to be searching for such as “survive divorce”. But that’s fine — it’s hard to satisfy all the criteria.
The following is an excerpt from the book Get Paid For Who You Are.
Until you’re clear on your target market, it’s too easy to wander aimlessly, wanting to help, but unable to. it’s like trying to run with your shoelaces tied together. When you are clear on who you want to help — your “target market” — you’ll want to tell everyone who’ll listen and forge ahead with energy.
a target market or niche is the group of people you’ve decided to help. You can narrow it down in lots of cool ways, including age, income, where they live, occupation, or what they need. a target market is very specific and helps you to focus your marketing efforts. Without it you can get too scattered to succeed.
Many people ask, “Why do i need a target market? Why can’t i offer my services to everyone?” after all, why would anyone want to turn away customers? it can feel limiting.
However, choosing a niche or group of people to focus on doesn’t keep you from working with other people outside of your niche. You’re still allowed to work with others when they come to you. Surprisingly, it increases the number of people who come to you because you’re more attractive; you’re clear, focused, working with the right clients and happy. More importantly, it makes it so much easier for the right clients to find you!
The following is taken from David’s interview with Judy Feld in 10 Super Coaches.
What are your coaching niche(s)? How did you discover this?
Niches and specialties are very important in the growth of a coaching practice.
I think you create niches and specialties, not discover them. Here are three of my niches:
- Technology executives: CIOs, IT VPs, etc.
- Executive Women
- Career Changers
How would you suggest coaches find their niche?
Know yourself- use assessments: behavioral styles, values, strengths, etc. Coach people whose work you are interested in, and concentrate on niches that fit your strengths and background.
Be consistent in your messages; craft your own identity.
Invent your own sub-niche; create your unique area of specialty.
Strengthen the reserve in your business so that you can invest in long-term specialization. Be open to change.
Communicate continuously and creatively with your target market.
Provide real value; continue to add value.
Choose your specialty so that it does not depend on fads- fleeting whims of your decision-making population.
Above all, choose niches and specialties that you enjoy.
