Can coaches make a living coaching?

Alright.

This may not be what you want to hear, but I’m gonna say it anyway.

Because I care about you.

The reason you’re still not making it as a coach is because……

You’re still trying to make it as a coach.

Let me paint a picture for you and see if it resonates…

Your mind is running a mile a minute with thoughts like……

This week I'm going to...

Get on those Facebook groups
Finally work on getting my website up
Go to three networking events
Research where my ideal clients are
Post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Oh… yeah, and I have to remember to put that graphic up on Instagram
Shoot. Where did I put that graphic?

Can you relate?

If so, then maybe it’s time for a new definition.

One that doesn’t elicit non-coach-like reactions every time someone in your life asks you how coaching is going.

If this whole coach thing feels like an endless stream of stress, self-doubt, and mini episodes of mind numbing panic……

Why wouldn’t you be open to a little change in the ole job description?

One that doesn’t require you to put on a fake smile every time someone asks you about your business.

One that gives you a yummy taste of the whole freedom lifestyle everyone’s been talking about.

Maybe even one that empowers you to serve in a way that only seems like a dream now.

The good news is…

There ARE coaches who own this job description.

But they didn’t get there by trying to do all the things.

They got there by seeing themselves as an entrepreneur first. And a coach second.

And then learning the practical business skills and strategies that position them as the go-to coach in their niche.

Opening them up to a deep well of abundance and impact.

Now, you're probably thinking...

“Great. Now you’re telling me I have to put even more on my plate!?”

Nope.

Think of it as more of an adjustment. A strategic, entrepreneur-like adjustment to your business.

Where you’re not doing ALL THE THINGS.

But you’re doing the right things. The right things for YOU.

Here are a couple of examples to show you what I mean:

Coach First:

Every once in a while, goes into a Facebook group to be helpful.
Ends up spending 90-minutes scrolling, reading, and occasionally being helpful.

Entrepreneur First:

Sets a time block of 15 minutes (she sets a timer) 3-days a week to go into the Facebook Group and be helpful wherever possible
Keeps track of people she's helped for potential follow-up later. This includes check-ins to see how her helpful advice was received, as well as building those potential new relationships.
Copies and pastes words from ideal clients into "target market" spreadsheet to be used for later use. This includes building a holistic picture of her ideal client avatar and community. AND using this info in future marketing materials.
Once those 15-minutes are up, she's outta there and on to her next task.

Coach First:

Attends a networking event meeting new people
Thinks of every person as a potential client
Either coaches every new person or chatters on about her business
Tries to get someone to sign up for coaching right away
Passes out her business card like its candy at Halloween

Entrepreneur First:

Understands that business is about building long-term relationships
Attends a networking event to meet new people and start building those relationships
Sees every new person as a potential client or a potential referral
Asks a ton of questions to get to know each individual person she meets
Gathers business cards from the people she speaks to with the plan to follow up within the next few days
Gathers enough information to know the person's interests. And uses that information to find articles, etc. that the person might find interesting and/or useful
Blocks out time in her schedule in the next day or two to research articles, etc. and follow-up w/ her new connections

Can you see the difference?

A coach with an entrepreneur first approach has a specific goal and strategy for every action she takes.

A coach who just thinks like a coach will often have no clear strategy and will try new things a few times. If it doesn't pan out, she'll give up and move on to something else.

So my question for you is...

Where in your business have you been taking a coach first approach?

And how might you tweak things to think like an entrepreneur first?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

With love & joy,

P.S. Is there someone in your life who could benefit from reading this post? Why not share this with them?

BLOG

Can coaches make a living coaching?

Can you relate?

Coach First:

Entrepreneur First:

Coach First:

Entrepreneur First:

Do you want a hobby or a business?

How do you want to sell?

Tired of selling yourself as a coach?

BLOG

Can coaches make a living coaching?

Can you relate?

Coach First:

​Entrepreneur First:

​Coach First:

Entrepreneur First:

Do you want a hobby or a business?

How do you want to sell?

Tired of selling yourself as a coach?

Entrepreneur First:

Coach First: