Discovering your coaching niche can sometimes feel like a burden to new coaches who are just kick-starting their careers. This self-inflicted pressure of establishing who you want to coach, what type of clientele you want to attract and what businesses or industries you want to hone in on are all steps of the coaching process that will come over time. The pressure of feeling like you need to know the specific people you need to be coaching is unrealistic and detrimental to new coaches and their business.
There are five things new coaches need to invest in before discovering their coaching niche.
Focus on the Basics
Number one is focusing on the basics and not so much on certificates and certifications. While certifications look great, they also cost time and money. Some coaches will spend months and years working on certifications and trainings only to realize they are not progressing their business and instead have wasted time and money.
Focusing on the basics and collecting certificates as you go can be beneficial to new coaches. Get out there first and see what you need as you go; try observing which clients you resonate with first and foremost, then whichever certifications you actually need will become more apparent.
Take Your Time
Number two, take your time. There is no rush in coaching. Coach as many people as you can and find who you like to coach. This could be a specific person, a specific industry or even a specific demographic; it’s really whatever you make it. There is no rush in finding what you like. You will be a better coach if you actually enjoy who you are coaching.
When I first started coaching, I had a client who was difficult to connect with. He would show up for coaching sessions and check all the boxes, but he demonstrated very little growth. In reality, his goals were different than mine and I knew that there was a disconnect when I wasn’t excited about the coaching sessions myself. Eventually, we had a conversation and I referred him to a different coach who would best suit his goals and aspirations. It’s okay to take your time and figure out who you want to coach. You’re not going to connect with everyone. Ultimately, it has to be the right person in order for your clients to grow and be successful.
Get the Paperwork Done
Number three, get your practice set up the way you want it; meaning get that paperwork done. Determining if you want to create a group practice, an independent consultancy or an LLC is the first step in setting up your business. Getting organized with marketing, websites, business insurance and so on is an important step of the process as well. Establishing your practice the way you want it isn’t cookie-cutter. Make it yours!
Network
Number four, network, network, network. Getting your name out there is so important when starting up. If people don’t know who you are, how are they supposed to use you? Networking can be anything you make it. Talk to people; tell people what you are doing and what your mission is. Getting your name out there as much as possible is key. It’s not what you know, and it’s not who you know. It’s who knows you.
Ask for Help
Number five, seek help! There are people out there who have experience and who are willing to guide and mentor you. Finding mentors will not only benefit you but it will benefit your business as well. Invest in growth. Time is far more valuable than money, and where you spend your time matters—so spend it with people who push you to be better. Tapping into the coaching community can be beneficial to your personal and business development. Get out there and seek guidance; it’s okay to ask for help.
Establishing a coaching niche takes time. Following these five elements of business development can help propel you to where you want to be, and your niche will come naturally. In order to succeed as a coach, you need to be all in and invest in yourself, your business and growth. If you are willing to grow and learn, the rest will come with time.
This blog was originally published on Forbes as part of the Forbes Coaches Council. Read more from Dhru and the Coaches Council.
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