The 3 Things Coaches Need To Be Mindful Of

The coaches and programs that trap you and keep your money (and the 3 things all coaches need to be mindful of).

I’m so sick and tired of stories that go like this:

A coach/entrepreneur invests in a coaching program. They’re required to sign a lengthy contract. It gives them pause, but they’re committed to their goals and move forward in faith anyway. The program disappoints—there were either hype(y) marketing promises that proved to be false in reality, the kitchen sink nature of the program didn’t support them with creating the results they wanted, and/or they simply realized it’s not the place for them, which by the way: should be perfectly acceptable for a functioning and wise adult to determine.?

Instead of the coach/company handling this with understanding and grace, they make the client feel wrong or bad—and keep their money.?

This isn’t to say that all clients are perfect, show up and do the work and their part 100% of the time. Well, mine tend to, in part of the reasons I will outline below :)?

And I believe in taking 100% personal responsibility, always. As the client, as the coach, and as a human in general.?

But that’s a different post. There will always be a few “bad egg” clients that slip through the cracks. Especially if you’re not prequalifying people and positioning your services clearly and transparently—which all requires you as the coach/program to know explicitly who your services are for and what they help people accomplish. That’s also a different post.?

This message is more about what the coaches/programs miss that end up doing them and the client a major disservice, and how to not find yourself in this situation ever as a coach or client.

#1?

Be a coach who explains your methods in great detail (even if you think you already do this, you might not).?

Meaning, someone can visit your website or read several of your posts and have a clear understanding why you’re amazing and different. Most coaches think they’re being clear when in fact they sound like everyone else, and so they struggle to create clients. To be clear, the way to solve this problem isn’t by hiring a marketing expert to write your web copy or a social media person to write your posts, it’s to do the real work of working with clients, paid or unpaid. The more coaching you do, the more clarity and confidence you will have around your methodology (everyone has one), which then makes it so much fun for someone like me to get to help you really uncover and refine your process (your unique way for helping your clients create results) so you can stand out from the noise and communicate it powerfully to the world.

What’s interesting is that even many of the big 7 and 8-figure coaching companies don’t explain their programs and methods well. Instead, they spend thousands of dollars on shiny ads each month to lure people in and then use their sales teams to bully people into “saying YES” without being fully transparent about their program. I know this from multiple personal experiences, and the handful of people who come out of these programs with PTSD and knock on my door.??

My powerful offer refinement process is part of what we do when I work with clients privately. Clients tell me it’s some of the most challenging and fulfilling work they’ve ever done on their business because they’re required to think about their process and offers in a way they never have. And this results in amazing clients being attracted to them like bees on honey!

#2

If you want to be a coach with $5K, $10K, $25K clients…be a coach who gives $5K, $10K, $25K worth of value before clients pay you.?

So many coaches are trying to get before they give. It’s bad juju. Consider how often you’ve done this with your own clients. Consider how often you’ve been on the receiving end of coaches doing that to you.

Notice how often you’re thinking to yourself…”I want to get a $10K client” as opposed to “how can I create $10,000 worth of value for someone today/this week/this month/this quarter?”

Ask yourself the latter everyday for the next week, and the HOW will appear.?

And on the flipside, be leary of the coaches and programs quick to get your money.?

The question I ask many clients when they’re eager to work with me is…are you sure? Asking your clients that one question will change everything.

#3

Be a coach who makes it hard for people to walk away—but always leave the door open.

Create so much value for your clients that they never want to leave. And let it be easy for them to do so if and when the time comes.?

As of the time of writing this post, I don’t do contracts, I do powerful agreements. People are free to walk away at any time. And many of my clients stay for years at a time by choice.?

I say no refunds, because I want people who are committed. I feel confident saying this because I deliver exactly what I say I will (ie; point #1). In 5 years and dozens of clients, I’ve been asked for one refund and happily honored it.?

I design my offers with the intention of creating a 10x return for my clients. If a client is investing $500/month in a group coaching program, I intend to deliver $5,000 worth of insight. They are responsible for application.

I give people the experience of my community first, because I want only the clients who are a HELL YES, or, 10 out of 10—in being there. Don’t be the coach or program that holds people hostage against their will—it’s bad business. You want to be 10/10 on your clients and them to be 10/10 on you. Imagine if your significant other said…“My partner is a 7 out of 10…” would that work for you? Hopefully not.?

There you go, 3 lessons that have the power to completely transform how you’re showing up as a coach AND client.??

I often wonder what the coaching industry would look and feel like if more of us were playing this way (things that make you go hmmm) :) If you’re inspired and want to join my clients and I who are committed to paving the way with greater integrity and transparency, reach out to me with a PM and we’ll have a chat.