Claire Chapman is one of the most interesting people I have met through my new connections on Twitter.  She is a coach and a supervisor of coaches in the UK and has a great perspective on the business side of coaching.  She and I have decided to write posts for each other’s blogs as we have much of the same ideas on how to succeed in business as a coach.  I hope you will contact Claire or leave a comment here if you enjoy what she has to say.

Coach Authentically, Market Ethically and Value Results:  How to bring together the business you and the coaching you.
When I work with coaches I find often that they get hung up on marketing and sales.  If you can get comfortable with coaching, marketing and selling then you’ll have a successful coaching business. If not, then you’re more likely to be either running a coaching business that you wish would grow, or comfortable that you have another source of income.

Personally, I have come to see marketing as a conversational opener to building great relationships.  It is just as much a part of who I am as a coach, as well as how I coach.  And that’s because I focus on the ethics and authenticity of the marketing and selling, and strongly believe that if you can do the same you’ll start seeing that marketing your business, and selling your coaching, is a great extension of the work you do.

I love the Andy Bounds book, The Jelly Effect, precisely because when he talks about networking events, he focuses on the fact that the goal of a networking meeting isn’t to create a sale, it’s simply to work out who the best people are that would benefit your business and then create the next meeting, one to one with them.  Straight away, you’re into a whole different game, arranging a meeting where you have a conversation.  And you’re a coach, so you are great at that already, right?

I market in ways that fit who I am individually as a person and my values as a coach.  If it doesn’t feel right, I don’t do it.  If it works, I do more of it.  If I didn’t market, I couldn’t afford to keep coaching unless it was on the side of a job which I may not love as much or have so much to give to.

So, thinking about marketing within your values, and ethics, and beliefs – what door does that open up for you?  I’m hoping it has given you some new language to get in touch with sharing with others (marketing…) what great results you get for people.  And that’s my next tip – you’ll feel much more comfortable and authentic when you can talk about what a difference and impact you made with the people you worked with. 

So, go open that door of opportunity by working in the way that fits who you are.  And have fun!

Claire Chapman is a coach and supervisor for Coaches.  Claire helps coaches get their vision and values clear to create the strongest foundation possible for their business growth.   Claire focuses on marketing and professional development for coaches.  For a 30 day ecourse on the Lessons they don’t teach you at coach training school visit  www.growasacoach.com – also come say hi on twitter at  http://twitter.com/coachclaire.