Question from a coach – How do you determine the amount of time that you sign a person up to work with you for an issue?

Question –?Should I sign my clients up month to month or for long contracts?

Jennifer -?There are?many?different ways to look at how you work with people. You can work with them?on a monthly basis,?where?you charge them a retainer type fee that may include?two, three or four sessions a month?(and some additional support between sessions). That's what I do. I don't know when a client's going to be done with the work that they’re hiring me for. However, I do know that it's not going to take less than a month?and will probably take on average 4 or 5 months to get some momentum. Therefore, I just?offer them?a month?to?month option.

But like I said, there are MANY ways to work with clients.

Another option?coaches like is to?offer?a 3-month or?6-month contract. I've even seen coaches do a year-long contract. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. However, typically if the coach offers a year-long contract, it's because they're running the client through a program of some sort, that's going to have some structure to it. For example, maybe the coach is certified in Emotional Intelligence assessments, and they use the information gleaned from the assessment to keep the coaching going for an extended period of time.

Personally, by choosing to go month?to?month, I've found?the ideal way to give the client just what they are needing without having to obligate them to a long contract. But that is what works for ME. You have to try many different ways until you find the way that works for YOU. There really is no right answer. Remember, you’re the boss, applesauce.

About the Author ?

Jennifer Powers is an ICF Master Certified Coach and founder of Powerhouse Coaching. Powerhouse Coaching specializes in helping coaches attain their ICF credential. They offer 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 .