If you’re like most coaches, you’re probably wondering how to get coaching clients.  It’s the life coaching business dilemma.  You want to make a difference, but you just haven’t found enough clients yet.  How do you start your life coaching business and get those first few clients?  Here is one simple method how to get coaching clients without fancy technology or expensive marketing.

Develop a List of People You Know and Start With Those You Know Best as You Are Thinking About How to Get Coaching Clients

The best way to approach your life coaching business is to take inventory of all the people you know.  Include family, friends, people who are so close to you that they would never pay you to coach them.  This is the first group.  I’m not suggesting that how to get coaching clients is to get these people to enroll, but they are a great place to start.  Start by offering free sessions for them and make a difference in their lives.  You aren’t like to get new life coaching business, but if you do a good job you are highly likely to referrals for more free sessions.  By the second or third generation, these people are removed from you enough that you may actually get paying clients.

Increase Your Life Coaching Business by Looking at Those You Don’t Know as Well

Another way how to get coaching clients is to look at all the people who you don’t know very well.  You’re more likely to have some ‘magic’ with them, since they don’t know too much about you.  Again, offer them a free session.  For every session, expect at least two referrals if you’ve done a great job.  Not everyone will enroll, but you will start seeing some life coaching business as your skills improve.

Lastly, When Considering How to Get Coaching Clients Look for People on Your List Who Know Others That Would Benefit From Your Coaching

The third way how to get coaching clients is to look at those on your list who may not need your coaching services, but will know your ideal client.  Just like the principal of an elementary school doesn’t teach, but knows a lot of teachers and is an authority in their eyes.  Who do you know who could bring you life coaching business?

They key with this life coaching business tool, as with all the others, is to lead with the giving hand.  You want to offer these people something that is so valuable to them that you almost hesitate giving it away for free.  I’m not saying that how to get coaching clients is to coach them for free forever, but when you meet with them show up in the best possible way you can.  Did Cinderella go to the ball wearing rags?  Of course not!  Arrive at your full potential.  Give to the best of your ability.  And if you’re still not getting results, get some new tools so you can give away even better results.

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Bi-Designated Strategy and Accountability Coach