Coaching is extremely exciting. You’re at the point where you’re ready to offer more. You’re ready to change lives—your own life as well as the lives of others.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to get into the mindset of a coach. At this point, you’ve possibly been the one being coached, not the other way around. It really is a mindset switch. Are you really ready to lead other people? I think you’re ready— you just have to convince yourself of that.
How Do You Know You’re Ready?
You’ve learned so much from other people. You’ve read countless books and gone through countless courses. You read blogs and news articles daily. You belong to forums and social media groups related to your industry. Most importantly of all, you put it into action. You’ve achieved at least some success with everything you’ve learned.
Now you have the itch. You’ve seen others who are where you used to be. They’re struggling and you know they could use some help. You see them making simple mistakes and floundering when all it would take is some simple direction. Are you the one who can give it to them?
I happen to believe that you are the one who can help them. There’s a reason you were led to read this guide today. There’s a reason your gut told you that you were ready to start helping people newer than you.
Think of the Coaches You Admire
Consider the coaches you admire. Maybe you’ve hired coaches in the past or maybe you have one now. What was it that made you want to hire them? Did they help move your business forward?
Consider what it was that you did or didn’t like and what you might do differently. You’ll have your own style as a coach.
Switch Your Mindset
You’ve already moved your mindset from buyer and dreamer to doer. You’ve achieved at least a small level of success. Now it’s time to do another mindset switch. You’re not just a doer; you’re a teacher and a leader. You’re another step up on that rung because you’re going to help people achieve their dreams. Isn’t that a fantastic feeling?
You’ve climbed the ladder of success, either by cold, hard experience of your own, or by being pulled up the ladder by someone above you. Now it’s your turn to be the one pulling someone else up that ladder.
You can help others avoid the mistakes that your experience helped you learn, and teach them what others have taught you.
Brainstorm Cool Things You’ve Done in Your Business
It’s time to motivate yourself a bit more if you’re having trouble making this mindset switch. Get out a piece of paper and a pen and set the timer for 5 minutes. Brainstorm some of the best, craziest, neatest, most innovative, and most fun things you’ve done in your business. Don’t censor yourself— just write.
When the timer goes off, read through your list. I’ll bet you’re smiling now. You’ve accomplished some really great things in some fantastic ways. You’ve done things you probably wouldn’t have even dreamed of just a short time ago.
Now do you see what you can offer others? You’ve overcome some challenges. You’ve accomplished things others would love to accomplish. You’ve been successful where others haven’t. You’ve been creative and innovative in a way others are jealous of.
You’re doing people a disservice if you don’t pass that along. You owe it to people to help them do some of the same things. They’re going to be so appreciative and happy when you start offering your services as a coach.
Get to the Heart of People’s Problems
Go to an Internet forum in your niche. Browse through and take notes on some of the most frequent problems people seem to be having. What really gets people down? What are they most passionate about?
After you’ve read through their questions, were you able to answer them? Do you see threads and situations where you could have really helped someone? If so, then you’re very likely ready to be a coach. I’m not saying you’re going to help those people in particular, but there are many in your niche that are just like them.
It’s Time to Just Do It
It’s time to just take the plunge and declare that you are a coach. You can’t let this be something you dream about and stew over. Don’t just sit and wait for “the future” when you’re ready. You’re ready right now.
Yes, you will be more successful and more knowledgeable in the future. But, that will always be the case. Should Frank Kern never offer coaching because he’s not as successful as Bill Gates? No. Should you never offer coaching because you’re not as successful as you might be in 5 years? No. Get started today if that’s where your heart is leading you.
Gaining Credibility as a Coach
Now you’re all set to go. You’re ready to make waves and change lives as a coach. Only, you’re not sure how to get enough credibility so that someone will hire you. You know what your level of experience is. You know how much you can help and what you can do to inspire. But, no one else does. Sure, it’s easy enough for experienced coaches to get clients, but how can you get clients as a new coach with little visibility?
Become Known
One of the best ways to gain credibility is to release a book in your industry. You need to release something fairly groundbreaking that will get you a lot of notice. This might sound kind of intimidating. But, it’s really not at all. These days, you can quickly write a book and self-publish. Consider it a giant business card that can get you a lot of recognition and some easy clients.
Take a look at what’s already out there, both on Amazon and in the eBook space. Are there books written by well-respected consultants and coaches in your area of expertise? Buy their books and analyze their strategy. Take notes on what you like and what you think you can do better.
For your own book, brainstorm what you have to offer that no one else does. You want to write a book on a topic that will help you get a lot of interest but that’s unique at the same time. Basically, put a new spin on a hot topic. You’ll get the benefit of getting book sales outright.
In addition to the book sales, you’re going to sprinkle information about your coaching throughout. You’re going to do “soft sells” for the coaching throughout, with a harder sell, like to an opt in page for more information, at the end.
Writing and releasing a book does wonders for your credibility. You’ll be helping people who buy and read your book for information. You’ll also be getting your name out there as an established coach. You’ll also be getting yourself out there as an authority, even if people don’t actually buy your book. Just the fact that you have a book for sale does wonders for your authority.
Network
As a businessperson, you’ve likely built a network of customers, clients, and like-minded business people already. You communicate with them on social media like Facebook and Twitter. You chat with them on Skype. You send emails back and forth and keep up with their LinkedIn updates. This is all wonderful— and you can make use of it all for your new coaching business.
That’s the first step— start planting seeds about your new coaching business on all of your existing networks. Sometimes, all you have to do is take advantage of the credibility you’ve already built up. Let people know what you’re up to and they will support you based on your great reputation.
If you don’t have any sort of online reputation, now is the time to start building one. It’s very important for you to network online, no matter which field you’re in. You have to get to know people and let them get to know you. Join Facebook and create a page for your brand. Also, join and create groups related to your area of interest. Share your expertise so you can become known as an authority. Join Twitter and LinkedIn to network. Build your blog and rub elbows with other experts in your niche. Get your associates to write guest blog posts for you, and return the favor for them.
The goal is to get your name and brand out there in any way you can, even when you’re in the early launching stages. Plant the seeds before you’re fully ready to launch and you’ll likely have clients lined up when you’re ready to accept them.
Be “Seen” With Others of Authority
People tend to trust those who are liked by others they trust. So let’s say they are fans of business guru #1, and you are liked by or endorsed by business guru #1. You’re a near shoe-in for success with your coaching business, simply by association. I’m not saying to sell yourself out, but it never hurts to be well liked by association.
Always Be True to Yourself
There is a bit of a backlash against fake people in this industry these days. People are so tired of those who are only in business or marketing to take their money. People want real solutions. They want people who really care about them and want to help them succeed. Make it clear that’s what you’re all about. Shut out the part of this industry that’s only in it to make a buck, and you’ll stand out like a shining star.
Start Small and Work Your Way Up
Prove yourself by working with just a few people at a time. Absolutely anyone can get a few clients. Help those people transform their lives and business. Word of mouth will spread. Network, grow, stay true to yourself, and transform people’s lives.
If you’re not confident of your ability yet, just start with even one or two clients. Over deliver like crazy, charge a very small amount, and not only will you help your beginning clients, you’ll learn a lot and become confident in your ability to coach.
Once your clients have found success with your coaching, you can bet they’ll be happy to spread your name around like crazy. Ask for permission to share their success yourself, and they will most likely agree. People will want to latch on to this success themselves by hiring you as a coach. Rinse and repeat… and of course you can raise your rates.