Communication problems The very basis of good coaching is clear, relevant and precise communication. While it may seem unlikely, some trainers struggle to relate well to their clients. We surveyed our last 100 life coach certification students at the beginning of their coach certification program to ask them what is the main obstacle to becoming a successful life coach. Seriously? Aspiring business coaches who lack business skills? Yes, 18% of survey responses indicated this concern and it makes a lot of sense.
I've been reluctant to narrow down my niche as a new coach, but I now realize that marketing aimed at a niche, instead of limiting myself to it, could really help me. With that combination, you have a better chance of succeeding than anyone who thinks they can just take a training course for coaches and “they will come”. By the way, it seems that there are a lot more female coaches out there, or maybe the boys are less responsive. I have many clients who have reached the coveted 6-figure mark advising people on relationships, conscious eating or trust.
VERY grateful for this post and I'm glad you mentioned that you HAVE a job to launch your coaching business because that's what I have to do. In short, I'm currently thinking that I should focus first on hiring coaches and then, watching them work, I can decide if it's really for me and benefit from the connections that are established. They let you know that coaches don't have to be perfect before starting their coaching career. If you decide that you want it to be a business, be sure to start thinking about your niche from the start while you're in class and, when training interns, try to find someone who's in the niche you want. I had to discover it the hard way and, despite my desire to “train”, I find myself combining all my skills on a daily basis after years of counseling, teaching, mentoring, sports training for young people and simply being a father in what I do.
Becoming a successful life coach takes time; however, if you let obstacles stand in your way, you'll never achieve your goal. There are a lot of truths to this, and life coaches may be doing very well financially (even if they're not advising small business owners or executives), but it DOES take a LOT of marketing talent, drive, and ongoing commitment. If you're a coach who has difficulty getting clients, check out my Uncage Your Business program, where I help you clarify your niche, message, packages and online content that will help you get noticed in the coaching industry and get clients sooner. It gives you practical steps you didn't learn in personal coaching school to help you get clients faster.
