Vetting potential clients

Question –?How?do you?evaluate potential clients so that only the right clients work with?you.

Jennifer –?Let's be clear - you should never let somebody hire you without vetting them.?Remember, when you are getting together initially with a client, they're not just vetting you;?you are vetting them?too. So, you need to set up some sort of system - whether it's a consultation,?sample session, discovery session?- to get to know that client.

Whatever you decide to call it, you need to?screen?potential clients?to make sure they're a good fit for your coaching.?We've?all?seen coaches with a “pay now” button on their website.?This seems odd because the coach and client don’t even know if it’s a good fit and they are asking for payment. Definitely not a best practice.

You've got to have some sort of meeting to see if there is good energy between coach and client, to see if the client knows what coaching is and is coachable, and of course to see if you feel comfortable coaching them on the topic they are bringing.

In?a previous Power Hour,?I described the difference between offering a consultation to potential clients to get to know them versus offering a sample session.?In the beginning of your practice, I think it’s smart to offer complimentary sample sessions so you can grow your confidence in coaching and show people the value of coaching.?Perhaps you make these free sessions the same length as your paid sessions. In time you may eventually graduate down to?less time?because you're getting busier, and you don’t need to give a full?session?away for free. And then maybe you graduate into not giving away coaching at all but move to a consultation system where you just get to know the client to see if that person fits in your practice.??In this case you are asking them questions like, “Have you ever been coached before? What area would you like to be coached on? Where are you now in that area? Where would you like to be? How do you envision a coach helping you get there?”

As you listen to the answers, look for an opportunity or two to drop in a coaching question and see how the person responds. This can all be done in 20-30 minutes and can be a great way to see if there is a fit!

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 will soon be offering ICF Level 3 MCC training. 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 .