Why New Coaches Struggle to Fill Their Calendar and How to Fix It
sent by Siddharth Anantharam | September 28, 2023
sent by Siddharth Anantharam
September 28, 2023
Bursting with passion, brimming with techniques, and yet, those empty slots in your calendar glare back at you like a haunting melody.
Why is it so hard to attract clients?
You’ve read the books, taken the courses, and even written blog posts that your mom insists are “truly insightful, sweetheart!” But still, your phone remains silent; your inbox, devoid of inquiries.
This isn’t just about money; it’s about impact. Your heart aches to create transformative experiences for others, but for some reason, you can’t seem to get your message to resonate with the very people you’re here to serve.
You’re probably asking, “What am I doing wrong?”
Let me let you in on a secret: Your gift is waiting to be discovered, but first, you’ve got to make your presence felt in a world filled with noise.
You’re not just a coach; you’re an artist, sparking magical shifts that will change lives. But, oh the irony—you’ve got no canvas to paint on.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
— Leonardo da Vinci
In this newsletter, I’m going to break down the 5 counterintuitive principles that will help you jump start the process of creating clients as a new coach.
Principle 1: Less is More
You’d think casting a wide net would bring in more fish. In coaching, however, the opposite is true. Specializing in a specific niche will make you more valuable and more appealing to your potential clients. You become the “go-to” expert in that particular area, and that expertise makes you magnetic.
For instance, if you were looking for someone to help you manage your stress, you’d likely bypass a general life coach and go straight for someone who specializes in stress management techniques. It’s this level of focus that can set you apart in a crowded marketplace.
Self Coaching Tool: The Niche Clarity Exercise
Take a piece of paper and write down your areas of expertise, passion, and the specific problems you can solve.
Now narrow this list down to the top three that resonate with you the most.
For each, write down who would be your ideal client and what transformation they would experience by working with you.
- Choose one, and for the next month, focus all your client creation, marketing, and networking around this chosen specialty.
What you’re doing here is crafting a “mission narrative” for your coaching practice that’s both deeply personal to you and supremely valuable to your clients.
This is where your unique skills meet the world’s deep needs—your point of impact.
Remember, as you 10x your focus, you 10x your impact.
Principle 2: To Gain More, Give More Away
Most new coaches hold their best stuff close to their chest. They fear giving away their knowledge for free will make them obsolete. But let’s look at this differently for a minute: By giving more, you establish trust and showcase your abilities, thereby attracting people who resonate with your style and message.
Consider the famous case of Gary Vaynerchuk, a social media mogul. He shares high-quality content for free, constantly. And what happens? He gets even more clients willing to pay for personalized service.
Self Coaching Question:
What’s one piece of valuable content or tool you can give away this week that will truly help your potential clients? Develop it and share it freely—no strings attached.
Principle 3: The “No” Advantage
The fear of missing out (FOMO) often leads coaches to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity, diluting their focus and effectiveness.
We often think saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity or client that comes our way will help us grow. The power of ‘No,’ however, is that it keeps you focused on clients who you can serve best. When you say ‘no’ to what doesn’t align, you’re actually saying ‘yes’ to a higher level of service for those who do.
Imagine if a restaurant tried to offer every kind of cuisine in the world. Not only would the quality suffer, but the essence of what makes it special would be lost. The best eateries are often those that focus on doing a few dishes exceptionally well.
Think about it: How many times have you said ‘yes’ to something that you later regretted because it wasn’t a good fit? Saying ‘no’ can sometimes leave room for something better to come along.
Self Coaching Tool
Look at your calendar and list of commitments. Now, imagine if these commitments were actually requests sitting in your inbox right now. Would you still say ‘yes’ to them all? If something doesn’t light you up and push you further towards your mission, give yourself permission to say ‘no’ and create space for what truly matters.
Principle 4: Your Vulnerability is Your Strength
In a world obsessed with 10x performance and polished Instagram personas, admitting you have struggles and imperfections can feel like a risky business move. But let’s shift our perspective. Perfection is an illusion that often distances you from the very people you aim to help. By shedding the armor of invincibility and sharing your own journey, you become a mirror in which others can see the beauty of their own imperfections
Take Brené Brown, for example. Her research focuses on vulnerability, and by sharing her own struggles openly, she’s formed a more profound connection with her audience than she could have by maintaining a polished facade.
Self Coaching Tool
What’s one struggle you’ve overcome that your ideal client is likely facing right now? Share this story openly in your next interaction, whether it’s a blog post, a newsletter, or a speaking engagement. Authenticity has its own resonance.
Principle 5: Slow Down to Speed Up
We often equate busyness with effectiveness. The truth, dear friend, is that perpetual motion doesn’t necessarily mean progress. Slowing down allows us to align with our deeper intentions and create actions with greater impact. It’s the silence between the notes that makes the music.
Imagine driving a car at high speed with a foggy windshield. It’s not only dangerous but also counterproductive. Slowing down to gain clarity could actually get you to your destination faster and safer.
When you slow down, you not only hear the whispers of your own intuition but also perceive the subtle, often overlooked needs of your clients.
Self Coaching Tool
Schedule a 30-minute “Do Nothing” meeting with yourself to just sit in silence, meditate, or journal. Assess what activities are truly aligned with your goals and which ones are mere distractions. Allow this deeper awareness to inform your actions moving forward.
A Parting Gift: The Power of Reflection
Before you leap into action, take a moment. Breathe. Reflect. Sit in silence for just a few minutes and listen to what your intuition is whispering.
Ask yourself: “Which of these principles resonates with me deeply right now?” Then take action on that one. Because massive change doesn’t come from a scattergun approach; it comes from focused, intentional action.
The world needs your gifts, your courage, and your unique perspective. It’s time to move from being a best-kept secret to becoming a leading light.
Here’s to your infinite growth!
Love,
Coach Sid
Delivering one powerful coaching insight every Thursday morning.
Join a community of 5000+ coaches who Coach with Confidence. Every Thursday morning, you’ll get 1 actionable insight from me to master the art, science and business of coaching.
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