Getting Your First Coaching Clients

Last week a coach asked me a question that I'm sure new coaches everywhere would like to know the answer to - "How do I get my first paying client?".

So I thought I'd share with you some tips, based on experience.

1. Get focused about the types of clients you want to work with. If you work with clients you don't want, you can end up frustrated and clients will pick up on it.
2. Once you know who you want to work with - TELL EVERYONE!! Generally speaking, the people you know genuinely want to help if you would only ask! Want to coach sales managers? Ask your friends if they know any.
3. Offer a free sample session only if prospective clients meet the following criteria:- a) they are a client you want to work with (see point 1), b) they want to be coached and c) there's a good chance that they'll be a paying customer. There's no point trying to force people who don't want coaching to be coached and there's no point spending your time on free sessions with people you don't want to work with.
4. Run open workshops so that people can experience your coaching style first hand before they commit to one-to-one coaching. Then be clear about how they hire you.
5. Ask for the business. Make it clear to people who are having sample sessions what's involved in a coaching programme, how much it costs and when you can start. Be ready with two options on dates and times that they can start and be clear about how long sessions are and how much they cost. Right at this moment, clients all over the world are making the decision to work with a coach. Coaches all over the world are booking sessions with clients. Coaching is not in its infancy anymore. It's becoming normal for people to have a coach and your client will feel safer with you if you give them the impression that hiring you as their coach is the most normal thing in the world.