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?
