How to Find Coaching Clients in Everyday Life
Before I jump into today’s lesson, I want to say a quick thank you to those of you who responded with topics you want to learn about.
Your questions guide every lesson to ensure they’re helpful. If you haven’t yet, please reply and let me know what you would like to learn about growing a coaching business.
Today, I want to talk about one of the most common questions I saw in your responses…
“How do I find clients?”
If you want to earn a living as a coach, there’s no way around it.
You need a system for consistently finding clients to work with.
The idea of prospecting can feel overwhelming or pushy, but it doesn't have to be. At its core, prospecting is about service. It’s about establishing genuine connections with everyday people and discovering whether or not you can help them solve their problems.
Here's where most coaches go wrong.
Instead of taking the time to understand the person’s unique situation, they talk about what they do right off the bat. It's like a doctor prescribing you medication without asking you any questions.
Instead, get to know their situation deeply.
Ask about their problems and desired outcomes. Really listen to them. This approach builds trust and positions you as a trusted advisor, not just another salesperson looking for clients.
Here’s How to Find Clients Through Everyday Prospecting
You don’t need to start cold-calling strangers to find clients.
Follow this simple structure to turn your everyday interactions into potential client relationships.
1. Encounter & Engage
When you meet someone who might need your help, start by engaging in a genuine conversation. Let’s say they bring up a problem in their marriage. Don’t say, “I’m a marriage coach. Here’s my process for helping couples.” Instead, ask open-ended questions to understand their problem better.
2. Dive Deep
Don't stop at surface-level details. Dive deeper by asking at least 3-5 follow-up questions about the problem they’re experiencing. Understand what’s at stake. How is the problem impacting the rest of their life? Discover what their ideal outcome looks like.
3. Build Trust
Your goal is to understand their situation as well as they do, if not better. This depth of understanding fosters trust, making them more open to your recommendations. As you listen, let them know you empathize with the problem.
4. Offer Resources
Once you've established a good understanding and trust, don’t sell them a “service”. Instead, offer resources to help. Phrase it as an option, "I have some resources that might be of use to you if you're interested."
5. Move to Action
If they express interest, guide them toward a free consultation or an assessment. Make sure they leave the interaction with a clear next step, like scheduling a follow-up meeting
6. Follow-up:
Make sure you have a defined time to revisit the conversation. Whether it's a formal meeting or a casual check-in, put it on the calendar or it won’t happen.
Why is this approach effective?
Because this is how real relationships work.
It’s not about selling. It's about connecting. When people feel understood and helped, they're more likely to engage with your services. It’s a win-win.
They feel served instead of sold, and you will find more clients without feeling pushy.
Here’s your action item for this week:
Keep your ears open for opportunities to practice Everyday Prospecting. Take at least 1 chance this week to follow this process and invite someone to schedule a follow-up call.
Thanks for reading,
Mike Foster
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