QUESTION FROM A COACH – DO I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I’VE HAD VERY FEW PAYING CLIENTS?

Question?-?When we are just starting out, what would be a good way to answer a prospect if she asks me how many clients have you worked with, without having to admit that they would be among my first “paying” clients?

Jennifer?– Well, I have worked with thousands of coaches over the years, and I can say with confidence that many have been coaching their whole adult life, because it’s in their DNA to do so. That was the case for me. People I worked with, my friends and my family were often coming to me to talk things out. I listened, inquired, and empathized. I just didn’t know it was coaching.

So, when I started coaching as a profession and people asked me how much experience I had, I replied with something like, “Boof! I’ve been coaching for so many years, but I just recently started to get paid for it.”

This was the truth.

A former manager or leader in corporate America might say, “I've coached many people throughout my entire career… (Whatever career that is. It doesn't mean it was during your coaching career) …?I'm just now starting to get paid for it/build a business around it.”

Alternatively, you can tell them how many sample sessions you have given. You don't have to call them sample sessions. You just call them people you have coached. If you were in a certification program, you may have coached 30 or 40 people. Therefore, you can say you’ve coached dozens.

And then, throw a question right back at them - “I've coached dozens of people through their journey towards success. Have you ever been coached?”

This approach helps you avoid feeling like you have to prove your value to them. Instead, you’re communicating that you’ve been doing this a while and you’re there to help them if they’re interested.

Easy peasy.

About the Author ?

Jennifer Powers is an ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Powerhouse Coaching. Powerhouse Coaching specializes in leading 10-hour Group Mentor Coaching Classes for coaches wanting to attain or renew their ACC, PCC or MCC ? credentialing from the International Coaching Federation . Powerhouse Coaching also offers 75-hour ICF Level 3 Master Certified Coach courses to coaches wanting to move from PCC to MCC. Professional coaches can also join the Powerhouse Coaching Club which features skill building and business building for an international community of coaches.?Learn more at www.phcoach.com .