Is There Water in Your Pool?

Do you sometimes wonder if there are enough clients out there for your coaching service? Are you anxious about where your next clients are going to come from? If so, it is essential that you read this week's newsletter.

You see, too many coaches make the mistake of haphazardly selecting the target market for their coaching services. Others do not to choose a specific niche market at all and instead 'decide' to target the ubiquitous (yet very elusive) anyone and everyone. Both of these approaches are well trodden paths that lead to mediocre results at best.

I'd like to share a powerful analogy that may get you to look at attracting clients into your coaching practice in a very different light...

It's a diving analogy (now bear with me - I assure you it will be worthwhile).

Imagine that you are a diver in the Olympics and you aim to at least come home with a medal. You climb up the steps and onto the edge of the board (yikes!). What do you think is the most important thing to focus on? Let's see...

Your physique? Your finesse as you switch between your moves? Your position as you enter the water? Hmm...

All of the above are important but the most vital thing is to check that there's water in the pool. If you don't check this you will be in for a heavy landing. And so it is with marketing your coaching practice.

You see, before you put your time and effort into attracting clients you want to make sure that a line of clients already exist for your coaching service. In other words you need to check that there's water in your pool. Is there?

Tips to check there's water in your pool

Here are some tips to help you to find out if there is enough water in your pool so you know that you are targeting the right clients for your coaching service:

1. Can you see them? - Can you see evidence that clients already exist and are actively looking for your type of coaching service? Are people already seeking help in the area you want to focus your practice on?

If people are not already looking for coaching in your target area, then you may want to consider a different niche.

2. Do they pay? - It's one thing for a line of clients to exist but are they willing to pay you the type of fees you need to live the lifestyle you desire? Some target markets just don't pay well at all whist others do - some handsomely.

Remember that your choice of target market will determine the earnings potential of your coaching practice.

3. Is there competition? - Do competitors already exist in your target market? Are they doing well or are they all stumbling along too?

If competitors exist and are doing well then this is a good sign that they are making a good living in the niche area. Therefore, you have a chance of doing this too.

Look for ways to do what your competitors do better and make sure that you differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.

I hope you find this analogy useful and do let me know what you think of it.

So, is there water in your pool?

With very best wishes,

Shaun

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

Website: http://www.authenticpractice.com

Tel.: (0115) 928 3070 or (0845) 123 5105
Mobile: (07811) 262 111

---

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.

If you have received this copy of the Authentic Practice Newsletter from a colleague and you would like to receive future issues, then please visit http://www.authenticpractice.com/subscribe.htm. Thank you.