I can help the entire world.
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INTRODUCTION
Nothing could further from the truth and that is the truth!
My article is inspired today by a conversation I had with a friend - a recent graduate from a prominent life coaching organisation. He's passionate about what he does and even trained in other aspects of personal development (meditation, reiki, health etc.).
Every time he has an amazing breakthrough with another person - be it personal or professional - he believes that every single person he meets downtown can be his client.
I love his passion and his confidence but that is a path of utter failure; like most coaches he's not a marketer - lucky for him he has a few friends in his circle that are and can help.
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THE CHALLENGE
Now for most coaches - as soon as you say 'you can't help everyone', the tone of the conversation changes.
Almost as if its a personal attack; I assure if you're a coach and you're reading this (thanks by the way) it's not an attack but a reality check.
Saying that you can serve everyone is a bandage over the fact that there is a of lack understanding of the 'business' side of your coaching business.
After the emotional hiccup; most coaches are lost as to whom they can serve best and it's almost the tipping point where panic sets in and the thoughts of quitting creep up.
Rest assured, I'm here to help alleviate that pressure.
As a coach myself I resonate with your values and the fact that your marketing isn't working as intended (growing your business) its not your fault.
We both know you'd much rather be listening to your clients; helping them navigate through their challenges to have powerful, tear filled emotional breakthroughs.
Helping others is a part of your DNA and setting up webinars on the fly - not so much. Its not about time, money, or ability it IS about VALUES.
This creates two perceptions; neither of which are real:
1) Online marketing is expensive
2) Online marketing is difficult.
The expensive part, I can partially agree with - especially when you're NOT aware of what or whom you're spending your hard earned dollars on. The real challenge with 'expensive' is not knowing how much it actually costs you to acquire a paying client.
Once you have that figured out - you're coaching business can act like an ATM machine where you put in $100 and it gives you back $125.
As for difficult - it can be but it isn't and I believe that is because (again) it's not something that excites most coaches.
It's something that you 'have' to do in order to make things work so you give it a go - thinking it's easy to just follow a few tutorials and you're off to the races.
Most coaches quit half way through - stuck between two choices:
I can do what I know to get what I can get hence do the sales myself - even if it involves cold calling - so at least I'm making some money.
Or spend time learning something I have no idea about and just let the bills pile up.
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THE EXERCISE
Truthfully, the challenge doesn't even begin there.
(Back to the topic of the day)
Take a few steps back, away from the technology, away from the internet and even all your other coaching friends.
Focus on yourself.
And you will indeed find the answer of who you can serve best.
I'd like to invite you to adopt an exercise that you can do on a consistent basis.
It's really simple and depending on how much time you have available - the more you'll get out of it. If you are a personal, performance, health or even a business coach - it will help you.
At least allow yourself one hour, you will need nothing more than a pen and a pad (my personal choice) or something to note down your thoughts. For the record you're allowed to discard anything and everything you write after the exercise is complete.
Headphones and soft music do help; the track I use is @ rebrand.ly/mosescode
Depending on the level of your vulnerability, transparency and honesty with yourself you will reap the rewards - and they can be massive!
What you want to write about is your first memory of an emotional or personal challenge that you faced.
Take your time, write with as much detail as possible and without judgement.
Be real with your words and try to live through that moment in your minds eye - keep writing.
In that journey you need to keep moving forward - to the point at which you overcame your challenge.
Here are a few suggested questions:
→ Who or what empowered you make take a stand?
→ What strength did you gain from breaking through?
→ Was it really worth the struggle?
How is that challenge serving your life's purpose today?
Once you have really written out your story and bled ink through your heart - put everything away and take a break. - This is CRITICAL.
Once back from your break - you need to shift the perspective through which you are reading your own story. Look for the rough notes on the following:
→ The challenge you faced.
→ The awareness you built.
→ The outcome or result of your actions.
In actual form, they will be either words you can write down on a separate piece of paper or highlight them with a red marker on your original copy.
Read through the list of highlighted words and you see your personal stories will tell you EXACTLY who you can serve.
Knowing this is half the battle; after this everything come into form - your marketing, your business, your audience your growth.
It's authentic. It's you. You deserve it.
With Gratitude,
CoachNadeem
Creativity, Clarity & Consciousness