A mentor of mine recently
commented that "coaches keep complaining business is
too slow." In response, I reported that things are
the opposite for me, and that I am rarely slow. He
asked me to present him with "The Top 10 Reasons Why
My Coaching Business is Not Slow," and here they
are:
10. I place great emphasis on business
development.
I get bored easily. (Typical ADD!) If I’m not
continually challenging myself with developing new
products, new services, new marketing techniques,
and new speaking engagements, I get bored. I have a
menu of products and services and I continually add
to it, based on what my clients and prospects have
told me they want and will buy.
9. I make the most of my newsletter, which has
about 2200 subscribers and grows daily.
I give my subscribers valuable information,
whether or not they choose to take advantage of my
pay services. But I also don’t hesitate to make them
aware of what I have to offer. If they buy, great.
If they don’t, I don’t take it personally. At least
I know I am putting out some good into the world and
reaching a ton of people.
8. I keep my professional network & strategic
alliance partners in the loop.
Many of my clients come from referrals. I feel
that it’s very important to maintain regular contact
with people who are referring clients to me, or who
may refer clients to me in the future. I always
acknowledge referrals and offer my thanks and
appreciation.
7. I write down all my ideas.
I wish the government would pay me to sit in a
room all day and generate ideas! I’d truly succeed.
I am constantly dreaming up new and exciting
workshops, programs, and products. I can’t implement
them all at once, but I do write them down so that I
can access the ideas when the time is right.
6. I’m happy making my living helping.
I continually remind myself of why I am coaching
and what it means to me. I keep a "Happy Folder"
where all the good feedback goes and I review it
when I feel down. I work for the money. I coach
because I love it. I coach ADDers because they're
fabulous people.
5. I focus on marketing, not BS work.
While it’s impossible to stay clear of what I
call "BS work," I continually remind myself that
things like web updates should only occupy my time
when absolutely necessary. I’d rather spend my
non-coaching time getting new clients.
4. I’m authentic and rarely attract an
incompatible client.
If I know that I won’t work well with a potential
client or that the relationship will not be
satisfying to one or both of us, I refer the client
to another coach who is better suited for the job. I
would rather spend my time with – and make my money
from – clients whom I know I can make a difference
with.
3. I have an excellent team in place.
It took a while, but I finally embraced the idea
that I can not, and should not, be doing everything.
Delivering the coaching and developing the business
are my strengths. I prefer to let others utilize
their strengths in all other areas.
2. I have decided to make this coaching business
work, and damn it, I will make it work!
I used to think that the word "failure" didn’t
belong in my vocabulary. I came to realize that
failure is inevitable. It will happen. And when it
does, I am just one step closer to finding a
solution that works.
1. I welcome the occasional "slow down" of
business.
When things are slow, I use it as an opportunity
to create more opportunities. "Slow" periods give me
the time I need to focus on and follow through with
marketing, client recruitment, and product
development.
Which of these can you do, right now, to move
your own business forward?
