What are the most common mistakes when acquiring new coaching clients?

The contracting stage in coaching can sometimes be overlooked. However, it is a crucial step where both the coach and the client collaboratively establish the terms and conditions of their working relationship. It involves defining key elements such as pricing, availability, terms of engagement, and coaching style. This stage aims to create a clear understanding of expectations, goals, and boundaries, ensuring that both parties are aligned and committed to a successful coaching journey. Open dialogue during the contracting stage helps prevent misunderstandings and sets the groundwork for a productive and harmonious coaching relationship.

It's about- Understanding what does your potential client want , what are their needs that need to be fulfilled. And looking at what you can deliver as a coach: Real life example I had a potential client that wanted help in career development- I left my ego at the door - And said I'm not the right person to talk on this subject and passed on a name of someone who could help the person more. I won't ever bullshit a client or myself ,I'm highly good at what I do ,but I do understand my limitations. There is nothing wrong with saying I don't know to a client.

I strongly believe, defining your target audience based on your coaching expertise is essential. Trying to appeal to everyone doesn't work. You have to have your niche and your coachees know that what problem you can solve for them. Clearly communicate what your coachees can expect from your coaching services, including the process, timeline, and outcomes. Establish mutual understanding from the beginning for respectful coaching relationship.

Let's face it. If you don't know who you are, what you do, and how you can help your clients, then you are in deep shit. I would suggest getting a job where other people instruct you what to do.

Even before you obtain a client, you need to be clear on what they want, and what their expectations are. then you can tell them how you can help them and make sure they accept your methods.

This is important, alongside credibility. The most important skill in life coaching is listening & many life coaches focus on making money as the main goal of any client. Often there's much more work to do on the back end & making money should be a bonus outcome rather than the focus.

I have mixed views on this. While I’m very much out there and share content regularly, I believe it’s possible to be an extremely sought after and excellent coach even without being regularly visible. It all depends on what you’re offering and who your client is. For example, if I was only working with select clients associated with specific organisations, I might take a totally different approach.

Trust is important, but it takes time to develop. When you have a new client, the best way to develop trust is clear communication, making sure everyone understands all the ground rules, and making sure that you do what you say you will. This will help start the relationship with some trust.

Vulnerability! If you are able to demonstrate to your client it's ok to be vulnerable by being vulnerable yourself, you have a better chance of gaining their trust. I am not afraid or hesitant to tell my clients about my past flaws, and current flaws. In most cases that breaks that trust barrier more quickly, and timely than trying to extract their truth. I also avoid saying "I do not judge anyone!" This is an inaccurate cliche'! Judgement is merely the opinions we form from the information we receive. Verbal or non verbal. The phrase should be in my opinion "I do not condemn with self righteousness!" That has been a view of mine that has helped facilitate trusting relationships quickly.

It you’re genuinely invested in another person’s growth, trust is only a matter of time. It’s difficult to hide intentions, and the idea is to have their best interest in mind.

In general people buy people not the product To get to know you they need to see you and experience your expertise a number of times. within the online space people may need up to 21 touches before they’ll buy Leads and clients need to feel heard and understood to maintain a relationship with you and also know that having appropriate boundaries in place is always essential. In my experience the other items that are also important • congruency - if you’re telling someone to take action make sure you’re taking that action yourself. • Values - do your values align to whom, why and what you’re coaching • vulnerability- sharing helps to build rapport and trust • eye contact - the eyes can tell you what your lead or client is not saying.

Totally agree. With follow-ups, it’s a two way process. Many times, coaching clients may change priorities mid engagement or simply lose energy and enthusiasm. I believe for coaching to work, the coachee needs to be ready, so with follow-up too, there needs to be a strategy as to how much, how often, and when to stop.

Communication is key to your relationship with leads - follow up is also accountability Your leads and customers need to feel valued and heard. When you follow up and invite them to take action you’re helping them to move forward with their goals. Positive reinforcement is also important and shows them that you’re noting their progress Using a tracking system for communication and follow up is essential Some leads take 21 touches to buy so it’s essential you know and analyse where you’re up to in the process of getting your lead to know like and trust you. Have a strategy to invite them to sample your services - a 5 day challenge, a free group where they get access to resources may speed up the know like trust process

Do what you say and say what you mean! Lead by example - you cannot hold others accountable if you lack accountability. Be present, follow up when you know a client is going through a difficult situation - even if you have agreed to step back in these periods it's important to show empathy and support beyond the bottom line.

Totally agree. With follow-ups, it’s a two way process. Many times, coaching clients may change priorities mid engagement or simply lose energy and enthusiasm. I believe for coaching to work, the coachee needs to be ready, so with follow-up too, there needs to be a strategy as to how much, how often, and when to stop.

Follow up is key! As in any client / business relation this is the driver that will make your business successful. As with any business case, it’s critical to follow the customer journey. Show your future clients you care, nurture their interests, answer their questions, equip them with knowledge.

Good ways to get feedback is to 1. objectively listen to your sales calls and see how well you listened and responded. if you are talking greater than 20% of the time then it’s too much 2. Have someone critic your calls 3. Ask for honest feedback from the lead after the call Think 💭 CANI Constant And Never ending Improvement

If you cannot receive feedback you lack credibility asking for it! Feedback is key in developing strong relationships and we learn from this. Our clients can teach us too and we shouldn't forget this.

A lot of coaches struggle with retaining clients effectively because they're either too rigid in their approach or haven't been able to understand the clients needs and current state effectively. This stops them from forming a good coaching alliance where the client can consider them as a safe space to come back to. When clients leave a session feeling unheard, not understood and validated, they won't come back for subsequent sessions. That's why a Coach must understand that the client is the most important person in the coaching session.

Taking on an individual who's goals you do not meet your ethical guidelines. I will not Coach someone who's goal or profession is illegal, immoral, or disgraceful. I.E. I will not coach someone on how to be a more effective Human trafficker! There should be natural commonalities that share. Experiences you have in common that you can draw from to help another. If I can't relate. I need to refer them to someone who can help them more effectively than I could. If it is a person who needs assistance with something that is above my level of understanding, I also feel the responsibility to let them know that there are better qualified individuals the would be more effective in helping them reach their full potential. That is what we do.

Lack of having the certifications and credentialing to build trust. Because the coaching field isn’t regulated, anyone can wake up and self designate themselves as a a coach. Without proper training, a coach can make HUGE mistakes when handling/servicing a client.

Common mistakes in acquiring new coaching clients include assuming everyone wants coaching without recognizing resistance, overlooking unwillingness to change, and neglecting client autonomy. Providing unsolicited advice, underestimating the importance of rapport, and lacking clear goals are additional pitfalls. Neglecting cultural sensitivity is also a challenge. To overcome these, coaches should prioritize relationship-building, understand client needs, and tailor their approach while educating clients on potential pitfalls and emphasizing meaningful personal growth.

One of the most important things you can do as a coach is to really show up as your authentic self, and show up and be present for your client and what they need. Building connection and safety is vital for an effective and lasting coaching relationship. If your client doesn’t feel connected to you and like you’re working alongside each other then it’s never going to be as successful as it could be. And in order to get deep connection you have to move beyond mindset work and top-down approaches, and build in a more embodied way of feeling and being.