Does Pro Bono Coaching Work?

Do you currently have some pro bono clients in your coaching practice at the moment? Are you using this as a strategy to attract more paying clients into your coaching practice? If so, how is it working for you?

I'm often asked by coaches if pro bono coaching can work as a way to build a coaching practice. My answer is always the same - it depends. It depends upon how you've set-up the arrangement and whether there is a balance between what you give and receive from the pro bono relationship.

I find a number of coaches enter pro bono coaching arrangements in a loose and haphazard way and end up feeling almost used and deflated in the process.

Many coaches comment that they seem to be doing all the giving and receiving little in return. Also, because the coaching is usually unpaid, some clients don't value the relationship as much - they put a little in and get a little out. This is not exactly a recipe for creating glowing client testimonials.

So what can you do to rectify this and make pro bono relationships work for you and attract more clients?

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How to Create a Client-Attracting Newsletter F'ree Teleclass 20th July

Would you like to start a newsletter for your coaching practice but you're unsure where to start? Does the technology side put you off? Do you want to attract clients by using a newsletter?

Over the past couple of years I have built an international coaching practice from this newsletter. Last month I can attribute £2,500 of invoices directly to from this source. In this teleclass, I'll share how you can use a newsletter to attract clients and build your practice.

If you'd like to join the f'ree teleclass on Wednesday, 20th July at 8.00pm UK time, then please send an e-mail. If you don't receive the confirmation e-mail within 24 hours, then e-mail me and I'll send the details on to you personally. Thanks!

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> Tips for making pro bono coaching lead to more clients

Here are a few tips to help you to strike a better balance in your pro bono coaching relationships to ensure that you get something valuable in return for your effort:

1. Ask for testimonials - Ask the pro bono client agree to provide a detailed testimonial about their experiences of working with you and the benefits they've gained from your coaching. This will help you to build a file of client success stories that you can show to others to build a case for using your service.

2. Request referrals - Consider asking the pro bono client for referrals to people they know who could benefit from your coaching service. Ideally, ask for recommendations to people who can afford your full rate.

3. Gain experience - If you're just starting out in the field of coaching, pro bono relationships can be a good way to gain experience and build confidence in your own coaching ability.

In fact, yesterday at the Coaching Essentials conference that I spoke at, the keynote speaker, Myles Downey, the author of Effective Coaching, shared an anecdote of how he first got started coaching Chief Executives of large corporates. Can you guess?

Yes - he chose to coach his very first Chief Executive for f'ree in order to gain experience, build his confidence and credibility. He was able to utilise the success story from his first Chief Executive to attract more clients in the years to come.

P.S. Yes I know it's Thursday and I normally send this newsletter out like clockwork on a Wednesday. In fact, I've done this consistently for the past 84 issues. I was delivering a presentation at the Coaching Essentials conference yesterday and it was a great and full day. I hope you don't mind.

With very best wishes,

Authentic Practice
helping coaches to get more clients
45 Capitol Court
Old Coach Road
Wollaton
Nottingham
NG8 1GX

Website: http://www.authenticpractice.com

Tel.: (0845) 123 5105
Mobile: (07811) 262 111

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I work with coaches who have a strong desire to help others but are currently struggling to get clients. I help them to attract more clients and create a stable coaching practice to make a difference in the world.

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