What is the main message of Coach Builder?

The main message of Coach Builder revolves around personal development and leadership skills in business.

Who is the author of Coach Builder?

The author of Coach Builder is Donald Miller.

Career & Success

Coach Builder Book Summary - Coach Builder Book explained in key points

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Coach Builder summary

Name: Coach Builder
Rating: 4.4 (10 reviews)
Author: Donald Miller

Donald Miller

How to Build a Profitable Career As a Small-Business Coach

4.4 (10 ratings)

18 mins

Topics

Coaching Small Businesses Leadership Career Progress Sales

Table of Contents

Coach Builder
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Unlock a thriving coaching career.

Are you ready to turn your wealth of experience into a lucrative consulting career but unsure where to start? Or are you in need of a roadmap that will not only inspire confidence in your journey but also outline concrete steps to realize your coaching aspirations? Well, that’s where this Blink comes in.

The coaching industry is burgeoning, with business leaders and professionals increasingly recognizing the value of personalized guidance over traditional educational paths. A coach’s influence can catapult a client’s success, making the role both rewarding and financially viable. But the leap from being an expert in your field to effectively coaching others isn’t without its challenges. It requires a unique set of skills and a strategic approach to build a thriving business.

In this Blink, you’ll demystify the process through a practical eight-step plan to kickstart and grow your coaching business. From creating compelling service offerings and managing client relationships to establishing a strong online presence and mastering the art of sales through effective communication, this Blink is your guide to building a fulfilling and profitable coaching career.

Ready? Then let’s get started with the first step.

Create a product and services menu

Initiating your coaching business begins with a fundamental yet essential step: crafting a strategic menu of products and services. This foundational stage determines the direction and potential of your business growth. By identifying and organizing what you sell, from assessments and workshops to personalized coaching sessions, you set the stage for attracting clients and establishing a pathway to success.

To kickstart the process, begin by identifying the unique expertise and insights you can package into tangible offerings. For instance, if you have a background in leadership development, consider organizing a leadership workshop or a one-on-one coaching session focused on enhancing leadership skills. The key is to ensure your offerings are easily comprehensible, valuable, and priced appropriately to reflect the quality and outcomes they deliver.

You can also brainstorm the specific problems or goals your potential clients have. Then design your services to directly address those issues. For example, if your target clients are small business owners looking to improve their sales strategy, a workshop titled “Double your sales transformation program” could be an appealing offer. Similarly, a “Leadership alignment workshop” might attract businesses aiming to refine their mission and company culture.

The success of your coaching business hinges on the clarity, value, and strategic pricing of your services. By meticulously designing your offerings to meet the needs of your clients, you’ll not only enhance your business’s growth potential but also position yourself as a pivotal resource in your clients’ success stories.

Cultivate your potential clients

You’re surrounded by individuals who are silently struggling with challenges your coaching could effortlessly solve. Think of every business owner you've met – each one carries a burden that your coaching could lighten. Whether it's a desire for financial freedom or the quest for a better work-life balance, these potential clients are everywhere, from real estate agents to small cafe owners. This is why the second step is to create a potential client list.

Jot down potential names, starting with those in your immediate circle. This list is the beginning of a relationship where you offer value and trust. Take Nicole Burke, for instance. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a simple, yet impactful gesture: she arrived at her first client’s house with a basket full of lettuce from her garden. This personal touch, coupled with her gardening advice, not only won over her first client but also instantly captivated four of the client’s friends who were present, turning them into her next clients.

A compelling website

The third step is to refine your online presence by creating a compelling website that acts as your digital sales pitch. Your website is a dedicated space where you can clearly showcase your coaching services and directly communicate with potential clients about the value you bring to their lives. Your landing page should be thoughtfully designed to introduce your coaching offerings and accomplish three primary objectives: clearly communicate the benefits of your services, showcase your range of offerings, and outline actionable steps for engaging with you as a coach. So – what should your website look like?

First, you need a clear, inviting header that communicates what you offer, how it benefits potential clients, and what steps they need to take to work with you. Then, incorporate a section highlighting what’s at stake, emphasizing the urgency and importance of taking action. The third element should be a concise menu of your services, providing a straightforward overview of how you can address clients’ needs. Next up is to demonstrate proof of value, which could be in the form of statistics or testimonials, to underscore the effectiveness of your coaching. Finally, you should provide a detailed plan outlining the steps potential clients can take to begin their coaching journey with you, making the process seem less daunting and more accessible.

Emails to close deals

The fourth step to enhance your coaching businesses is to master the art of crafting effective deal-securing emails. It’s also important to nurture your potential client relationships over time. The core of building trust with your audience lies in consistently providing value without overwhelming yourself. Here’s how:

First, automate follow-ups. Implement an automated email system to regularly reach out to your leads. This not only saves you time but ensures consistent communication with your potential clients.

Build your clients a ladder

It's time to structure your coaching business in a way that methodically guides your clients from initial curiosity to full commitment through a marketing and product ladder – the fifth step. Your marketing ladder is designed to attract and build interest, while your product ladder focuses on deepening engagement and investment in your services. By crafting this dual ladder system, you empower yourself to meet clients at their current stage, ensuring a more personalized and effective coaching experience. This approach will not only deepen trust but also encourage clients to progressively invest in their development through your services.

Begin by igniting curiosity. Consider your first impression and refine your presence, both online and offline, to captivate potential clients. Use curiosity tools like a compelling one-liner, your website, or engaging in-person events to draw people in. These are your opportunities to show clients how you can help them achieve their goals and why they should take the next step with you.

Set goals

The sixth step is to set clear, actionable goals that reflect both your ambitions and the realities of building a successful coaching practice. First up, let’s talk money – how much do you need not just to survive, but thrive? Think about your dream lifestyle, the investments you want to make for the future, and how you plan to give back to your community. Combine these into a financial target that inspires you to push forward. This isn’t just about numbers – it’s about crafting a vision for your life and business that feels deeply rewarding.

Next, consider the lifeblood of your coaching business: a steady flow of people eager to work with you. To hit your revenue dreams, you need to be strategic about attracting qualified leads. If your goal is to coach 20 clients each month, you'll need to pull in around 18 fresh leads monthly to keep your practice vibrant and growing. This is where your ability to connect and engage comes into play. By nurturing your relationships, you transform potential into actual clients, fueling both your mission and your income.

A coaching community

To enhance your coaching business and personal growth further, embrace the power of community by either joining or establishing a coaching network. Engaging regularly with fellow coaches offers a platform to exchange insights, challenges, and best practices, significantly benefiting both your professional development and your clients’ success. Consider setting up regular meetings, such as monthly Zoom calls, to discuss recent challenges and victories, ensuring a valuable exchange of knowledge and support.

For instance, learning from others’ experiences can provide fresh perspectives on creating effective websites, lead-generation strategies, and email marketing campaigns. These interactions not only enhance your business acumen but also offer emotional support, crucial for sustained growth and resilience in the competitive coaching landscape. Additionally, sharing personal success stories can inspire and motivate you to refine your skills further.

Soft skills

Have you ever considered what truly lies at the heart of a successful coaching relationship? Is it possible that the true foundation of a transformative coaching experience lies not in the structured strategies you employ, but in the depth of your connection with those you guide? The essence of coaching is deeply rooted in the soft skills that enable genuine connections, empathy, and understanding between you and your clients. These skills are critical in building trust, the cornerstone of any coaching relationship. You distinguish yourself not merely by the knowledge you impart but by how well you listen, empathize, and guide your clients toward their goals.

Your ability to connect on a personal level, to share in the emotions and experiences of your clients, sets the foundation for a trusting relationship. This trust is further reinforced by your patience and the recognition that each client’s journey to growth is unique. Clients value your ability to understand them and to patiently guide them at their own pace toward realizing their potential.

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What is Coach Builder about?

Coach Builder (2024) presents an essential guide for professionals aspiring to transition into the coaching and consulting industry, offering an 8-step strategy designed to ensure success. It’s particularly valuable for those who have realized their current careers don’t offer the security or fulfillment they seek and are looking to leverage their expertise into a profitable consulting career. It outlines practical steps to establish a consulting business, from creating a service menu and attracting ideal clients to setting realistic goals and building supportive communities, making it an indispensable resource for aspiring coaches.

Coach Builder Review

Coach Builder (2021) explores the journey of a young woman who defies society's expectations by pursuing a career in a male-dominated industry. Here's why this book is worth your time:

Featuring insightful reflections on gender roles and breaking stereotypes, it offers a fresh perspective on empowerment and career choices.
The book delves into the challenges and triumphs of the protagonist, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers emotionally invested.
With its engaging storyline and unexpected plot twists, it ensures that boredom is never part of the reading experience.

Who should read Coach Builder?

Aspiring coaches seeking a career transition
Established coaches who want to improve their offerings
Personal development enthusiasts exploring new career paths

About the Author

Donald is the CEO of StoryBrand and Business Made Simple and the host of the Coach Builder YouTube channel. Known for his best-selling works such as Building a StoryBrand, Marketing Made Simple, and How to Grow Your Small Business, Miller’s contributions have significantly impacted the business and marketing sphere.

Categories with Coach Builder

Career & Success Management & Leadership Marketing & Sales Entrepreneurship

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