The Trial Session

As a coach, I offer potential clients a complimentary trial session. A free coaching session takes the risk out of coaching and gives people a chance to see if I’m a good fit for them. It’s exciting for me to meet people who have never had a coach and who are looking forward to talking with me and planning for big life changes. 

The objectives of the introductory session are: introducing clients to coaching; connecting with clients to see if we are a good fit; clarifying the coaching process; and setting up expectations.

Before a coaching session, I’ll send clients reading material so they can prepare for their sessions. If, after a complimentary session, a client likes the concept of coaching, I can schedule a series of sessions. I want people to know that because every person is unique, every life coaching session is different. I tailor sessions to meet the needs of my clients. I will never criticize or judge; I respect the opinions of my clients. I am your ally; committed and willing to help you achieve your full potential.

Streams of Income

As I move into a full-time coaching capacity, I am realizing that there are a lot of different ways to generate revenue besides the main one-on-one coaching scenario.

By working smarter, not harder, I can focus on energizing myself and being in the best frame of mind when I am coaching. Some of the ideas that I will pursue are:

• Offering group coaching sessions

• Holding workshops

• Promoting affiliate programs (i.e.: selling recommended books)

• Creating a workbook that people can purchase online or in person

• Recording a CD that people can purchase online or in person

• Creating a tele-class that people can purchase online or listen to for a fee

Business Plan

Writing my business plan was a very exciting process! It really solidified things for me – I felt that this was a “real” business and its launch and success was imminent. Creating a vision, mission, and purpose was useful too. I’ll share them here:

Vision Statement – Life Coaching by Jean helps people with their goals and aspirations. I work from a home-based business and conduct coaching sessions by phone with clients from all walks of life.

Purpose Statement – I am a creative and wellness coach. I work with a variety of people. I help them expand their horizons, set and reach goals, and find clarity in life. As a result, they typically become focused, balanced, and follow their aspirations.

Mission Statement – To fulfill my vision and purpose, I have completed ICA’s coaching accreditation. I joined ICF and meet regularly with coaches in the Puget Sound chapter. I have launched a Web site and ordered business cards. I registered my name and business in the State of Washington. I have placed advertisements in local magazines, businesses, and online. I network and gain clients through word-of-mouth. I continue to learn about human nature, communication, and ways of growing so I can be the best person I can be, which will, in turn, help my clients.

My Website

You probably found this blog from the link on my website. So there’s not a lot of worth in having me explain the benefits of having a site or the steps I’m going to take to create one.

In a nutshell, I’ve created a site to intrigue prospective clients, inform them, and enable them. Through my site, they can learn a little bit about coaching, about me, and they can contact me. That is the purpose of my site.

To generate traffic to my site, I’ve listed the URL on my business cards, and marketing materials. I opened accounts at Google and MSN and purchased keywords so people searching online can find me.

Legal Issues

Legal issues are a reality of any business, and coaching is no exception. To protect myself from trouble, I have a “success team.” My mentor coach is a valuable asset. It’s wonderful to talk with someone who’s blazed trails before. My accountant helps me stay in the government’s good books. And an attorney can review my client agreement form and make sure I’m not saying things in person or in my marketing material that could hurt me.

My primary legal obligation as a coach is not to promise anything. Coaching is a process and, as they say, results may vary. The results of coaching are up to my clients. I’m here to listen, encourage, and ask questions that challenge them.

My Niche

I enjoy all forms of life coaching: career, relationship, business, and so on. But, I have a special interest in health/wellness coaching and creativity coaching.

Health/Wellness – I incorporate healthy living into all aspects of my life, and I feel better for it. I love working with clients who want to feel better by living better. This could be through exercise, diet, or food choices. I live an active life, and although I don’t diet, the vegan foods I eat contribute to my well-being. I’m fascinated with the many perspectives people have about food.

Creativity – Many of the people in my life are creative, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by them. My husband is a musician, and a lot of my friends are artists and dancers and musicians. I paint and enjoy photography. My creative bent spills into my coaching too. I enjoy seeing clients who value originality. Children are naturally creative, but sometimes adults have to work a little harder to be inspired.

Teleseminars

I have participated in teleclasses, teleseminars and teleconferences. I enjoy them, especially when the topic is relevant, the participants participate, and the line quality is good.

Strengths of the “tele” format are:

• People can participate from anywhere they have access to a phone
• People from across the globe can come together on the call

Weaknesses of the “tele” format are:

• People do not have face-to-face interaction
• The line quality can be poor

In the future, I will likely include teleseminars in my coaching practice, either live or as a downloadable MP3.

E-Coaching

I have decided to offer e-coaching as an added service to my practice. I prefer the live coaching environment because it provides the opportunity to brainstorm, collaborate, and move the session forward in a natural and fluid way; it creates an energy that clients and coach alike can benefit from.

However, some clients are busy, in a different time zone, or communicate better in writing. For them, I’d like to offer e-coaching. My coaching rates will remain the same, but the medium can change to suit clients’ needs.