Where Do You Start?

Firstly, I'd like to say a massive thank you to all of the subscribers who responded to the request for ideas for newsletter articles last week. I really appreciate your input and now have a long list of potential newsletter topics.

A number of common themes began to develop and I'll deal with these head on in the coming months. A question that was frequently asked by respondents ran along the lines of the following:

I'm just about to launch my coaching practice and I'm unsure where to start. Where do I allocate my resources? Do I go for a brochure, a website, networking, workshops, articles, etc? I'm confused! Which methods should I choose?

I'm delighted to say that I've got a definitive answer on this one - it depends. However, I believe that it's a premature question as another more important factor needs to be determined first:

Who exactly are you targeting?

Until you know who you want to attract into your coaching practice in the first place, how can you possibly decide upon the best ways to reach them? How can you know what to put on your brochure or website or even if these media will work for you at all?

It's a bit like trying to decide upon the most appropriate weapons for a battle without knowing who or where your opponent is. Pretty silly right? Forgive the macho analogy but I hope it illustrates the point.

Once you've got greater clarity on who you want to attract as clients then you'll be better informed on the most effective allocation of your resources.

---

What Do You Want to Know About Coaching Websites?

A large number of respondents to the survey last week mentioned that they'd like to learn more about using websites to attract clients. This is a big subject and needs to be tackled thoroughly. I'd appreciate it if you would complete the open questionnaire and let me know your specific questions about this area:

Complete the Website Questionnaire

I will utilise your responses to make sure that future newsletter issues address the questions you have regarding websites. Thank you.

---

> Better questions to ask...

Before you decide upon the allocation of your resources, here are some other questions to consider first of all:

1. Who are you targeting? - Exactly who do you want to attract into your coaching practice in the first place? Can you describe them in vivid detail? If not, no wonder you're struggling.

2. What do they want? - If you have a specific target group in mind you can then begin to find out what they want. What are they struggling with that your service can help them overcome?

This will provide you with useful material to put on your brochure or website for example.

3. How can you reach them? - Once you know who you're targeting, and what they want, you can then ask yourself where you can find them. Do they congregate in similar places? Do they read common publications?

This is will help you to make wise choices on the most appropriate methods to use to reach your potential clients. You'll then have a better idea on which methods will be most effective for you and your target clients.

So, where do you start?

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

---

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 the subscription page at http://www.authenticpractice.com/subscribe.htm. Thank you.

You have received this message because you have been subscribed as:

Name: name

E-mail: e-mail

This message is for subscribers only. If you did not subscribe to this list, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom or contact me directly on (0845) 123 5105.