Just search for online coaching courses and you’ll find countless courses that offer online coaching certification.  Some in as little as one day!  But will online coaching certification get you what you want?  Is the only thing that’s keeping you from having all the clients you want a matter of being certified?  What do you really need from an online coaching program?

Does Taking an Online Coaching Course Equal Business???

What usually happens is that coaches who are trying to “do things right” feel that they need some type of certification, online coaching certification or otherwise, before they can start their coaching business.  After they complete their online coaching course, they find that certification doesn’t equate business.  I’ve only been asked by one potential client what my qualifications were.  I knew that information was not going to help him make a decision, so I put my emphasis on getting him to schedule a free session with me.

Clients Will Not Come Knocking Down Your Door Simply Because You Posses an Online Coaching Certification

Unfortunately, after coaches receive their online coaching certification, they still don’t have clients.  And while online coaching courses can be valuable, the problem many coaches have is that they have to transform from being an ordinary person and into a coach who can walk on water.  How do they do that?

So What’s A Coach To Do?  Online Coaching Courses Do Not Provide the Mentoring You Need to Get to the Next Level

The key distinction between successful coaches and those who are looking for the next online coaching certification to get them where they need to be is mentoring.  A strictly online coaching course simply won’t have the one on one mentoring and accountability to take most people to the next level.  No one can see the middle of their own back without a mirror.  We all have blind spots that keep us from taking that next step.  If we have someone to show us what that is, then we can navigate around it.

Unfortunately, this is the one area where coaches try to save money and either get coaching for free from their peers, or try to boost their credentials through taking more online coaching courses and getting that next online coaching certification.  But there is a point when you know all you need to know to getting into action, yet you’re not seeing results.   When this happens, it may be time to try something you’ve never tried and get a mentor to guide you to that next level.

Colette Seymann

JTS Advisors Designated Accountability Coach