Some of the coaching best practices to get coaching clients may seem a bit odd at first, but they are highly effective because they go below the radar that tells people to say ‘no’ automatically. Most people aren’t even aware that their sub-conscious is programmed to say no to any type of sales. Think of the last time someone walked up to you in a department store, asking if there was anything they could do to help you. The natural reaction is “No, thanks.” The natural reaction most people have to enrolling in coaching is the same. If you try to enroll people using the same techniques everyone else does, you’re likely to get a ‘no’ regardless of your skills or credentials.

3 Weird Ways to Slide Beneath The Rader and Get Coaching Clients

1. The first weird way to get coaching clients is to give them the most value you possible can give them during a free session. Run 2 or even 3 hour free sessions if that is what it takes. Traditional coaching best practices might argue that if you give away the farm, people won’t feel like they need any additional coaching. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The best coaching practices actually suggest that people will think if what they are receiving is your free stuff, you must have even greater value to offer.
2. Another weird way to get coaching clients is to put your prospects off a bit. Sure, some coaching best practices suggest you offer great customer service and do what you need to get clients scheduled at all costs, but this can actually makes you look a little too easy. You wouldn’t tell someone who is asking you out for the first time that you are open anytime during the next 5 days, would you? Even if you have nothing going on, give a couple of options for scheduling. Work with people, of course, but play a little hard to get as well.
3. The third way is to never give your prospect a complement unless you back it up. Most people are trained to put their guard off if they feel they are being played. While coaching best practices agree that you want to establish rapport, complementing people is tricky. Make sure immediately after you compliment someone you tell them what specifically you admire about them and ask a question to learn more. This is a great way to make sure you are sincerely complementing someone and prove to your prospects that you mean what you are saying.

Be Open To Throwing Coaching Best Practices Out The Window

There are times to use coaching best practices, and there are times to be creative. Every situation is unique, and the person with the most flexibility will always prevail over the more rigid stereotypical salesperson. As Tony Heish, Zapppos’ CEO, would say, have fun and don’t be afraid to be a little weird and wacky.

Colette Seymann
JTS Advisors Designated Accountability Coach