Is Your Cart Before Your Horse?

I'm often contacted by coaches with a request along the following lines:

"I've just qualified as a coach and I'm about to set up my coaching practice. What are the best ways to attract coaching clients? Should I use Yellow Pages? I've got my cards and leaflet done now too. Is this enough?"

Forgive me, but although the questions above need to be asked, they're a bit premature in my opinion. There are usually more important questions that need to be asked and answered in a new coaching practice first. As the title of the newsletter implies - it's a bit like the cart before the horse. Why?

Before deciding on how you're going to attract clients into your coaching practice, you need to get clear on exactly who you want to attract in the first place. How can you hit a target you've not defined clearly yet? This only makes sense right?

Your choice of target market will determine what message will appeal to them to get them interested in your offering. Only then will you be in a position to make a decision on most effective methods to use to attract your coaching clients. Only then will you know what to put on your leaflet or if the Yellow Pages will be likely to work for you.

In the italicised example above, the coach has rushed straight into developing materials and methods before getting clear on their target and their message to them first.

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What's Your Biggest, Burning Question?

What is the biggest question you would like to ask me regarding your coaching practice? If you complete a very short questionnaire I'll respond to your situation personally. So...

Ask your biggest question and get your personal response from me

P.S. Thank you to those who asked their questions last week - I'm sure you found the responses useful. By the way, one person asked a question on the '3 daily actions for building a practice' but never left their name or e-mail address. If that was you, please let me know so I can provide you with a response. Thank you.

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> Tips on putting your cart after the horse

When I work with clients, we go through a step-by-step process of identifying the niche, creating the message, developing the materials and only then choosing the most appropriate methods...

1. Niche - Who exactly do you want to attract into your coaching practice? What is the profile of your target clients? How can you help them? What are they looking for?

2. Message - What is your message for your target clients that would capture their attention and get them interested in looking closer at working with you?

3. Materials - Once you've decided on your target clients and developed your message to them, what range of materials are you going to use?

4. Methods - Now that you know your target, you've created your message, have some materials, you'll be in a position to choose the most effective methods.

What are the best methods to attract the clients you want for your coaching practice?

If you want have complimentary consultation to see if this step-by-step process would work for you, then get in touch today.

So, is your cart before your horse?

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.: (0115) 928 3070 or (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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