So many coaches start out wanting to be the "everything coach" to everyone. This is a mistake because, although heartfelt, the potential client is going to most likely take one look at your message and run the other way. It is best to think about what would be of benefit to both coach and client alike.
What Not to Do as a Coach
The worst thing a coach can do is pack their website or brochure with statements about themselves, or a boasting message about their education and credentials.
Equally undesirable is to be the everything coach to every client. A huge negative is to advertise in a general way, that anyone can be helped by signing up for a session.
And lastly, never ever act as the one who knows all. Be mindful of the expertise and background when dealing with clients who obviously need either medical attention or professional, psychological help. Never claim to know more than the scope of practice attained.
What to Do as a Life Coach?
Research other websites presented by coaches in the desired field of interest. Know who to market to by narrowing down choices after carefully reviewing the findings.
This is where careful decisions must be made about who to market to, and whether to niche or not. The standard rule of thumb taught in many coaching schools is that the more focused the niche the easier it is for clients who resonate to decide to enroll in future coaching sessions.
Make sure that research is done ahead of time to know who would be a best match so that clients are clear about what is being offered when looking at your website. Make a list of the pros and cons, what is desired and what is not.
Once that list is narrowed down, research again on the chosen target market and ask the questions:
- Where do these folks congregate?
- What is the main desire of my prospective clients?
- How can these desires be met?
Learn to fulfill these desires and include them on the main form of advertisements (website, brochures and in conversation).
For example: "What is it that people want out of relationships?" Answer this question on the same page in the website by stating something such as, "Learn to having loving relationships" or "Balancing a job and a relationship can be difficult, but learning how to focus on love is essential for any couple to flourish."
Write the tag line (catchy line to sum up what will be offered to this target market). Once it is understood what the target market needs, it is easy to create the tag line message to relate to prospective clients.
Create a Tagline as a Life Coach
Set out to discover who will be targeted, what are the needs to be met and then narrow down to a simple statement about what the company or coach can do to meet these needs:
- Target Market: Pregnant moms with toddlers
- Needs of the Pregnant moms: Want to know how to balance life when pregnant and with toddlers in the home
- Tag line sample: "This company (name goes here) empowers pregnant moms to balance personal and family life."Research shows that when a niche is well thought out, narrowed down and targeting a prospective sample of the population, business booms. So to answer the question, to niche or not to niche, becomes clear.
Sources:
- Coach Training Alliance Inc (Certified Life Coach 6 month training program)
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