Defining your client’s transformation journey is critical to their success and yours as a coach. Once you know your ideal client and define their journey, you will be able to create a path that takes your client from their problem to a solution. Defining this before you create a coaching package or workshop will help you map out what you need to do to help your client successfully reach their goals and aspirations.
Here are some foundational things you must know in order to define your ideal client’s pathway to success:
Identify their Challenges
Get started by thinking through what might be happening in their personal or career life. Maybe they are having marital problems, or they are struggling to deal with challenging kids? Perhaps they have career issues and feel stagnant, or want to earn more money, or make a change and do not know what to do first. Your ideal client has problems and challenges that are affecting multiple areas of their lives. Knowing what these issues are can assist you in developing your coaching programs.
Know the Impact to their Lives
The challenges your ideal client is facing can have a significant impact on their lives. Knowing this is important for you to be able to develop their transformation journey. If they are struggling in their career or stuck in a job, they may be losing opportunities for new skills. They may be having health issues or personal issues as a result of the challenges that remain unresolved. Know what is at risk for them.
Whenever someone’s life is out of alignment, there are real life consequences that can affect their mental and emotional well-being. In addition, they may have external frustrations and internal emotional distress. There may be times that your client will need counseling or other services that you cannot ethically provide. Be sure to know your boundaries.
Knowing your ideal client’s challenges can help you design programs to serve them.
Determine their Limiting Beliefs
To some extent, a coach needs to get into the head of their ideal client in order to effectively map out a path to change and move forward. They have fears that may be unspoken and there are things that are holding them back. What are the things that they avoid, believing that they cannot be helped or successfully changed? Knowing what is stopping them from moving forward will help you map out the steps you want them to take to break through those walls and help them along their transformation journey of change.
Know How they will Change
With your coaching packages and workshops you will help your clients change. Change what? Nailing this down and getting really clear about the programs you offer will help you paint a picture for your client to see how they will benefit from your coaching. You bring clarity and help them have a better life – but better in what ways? Will they have more money? Less stress? Better health? The answers to these will depend on your ideal client and what they want to change as a result of coaching with you.
What Happens if they Don’t
Chances are, if your ideal client does not use your services their life will stay the same and they will be unable to meet their goals. But it could be worse. They may lose skill development, promotion opportunities or avoid new relationships. They will likely stay confused, stagnant and delay their dreams. Knowing the consequences of what will happen by not working with you will give you information that you can use in your messaging.
Understanding your client’s transformational journey will allow you to guide them towards their goals.
Know the Transformation Journey
Taking the time to really understand your client’s transformation journey will help you create your programs, materials and marketing that will attract them to your practice. It will also help you serve their needs. Rather than forcing your clients into your packages, you will have better results by creating them to satisfy their needs.
Check out The Coach Business Guide: The Path to Launch and Grow your Coaching Practice, Chapter 8 – Before and After Transformation for more information and help.
[…] hope you now see that there are a lot of resources available to enhance your coaching relationships and keep your ideal clients moving forward. Doing the research in advance will allow you to have a pool of readily available tools for you to […]
[…] a short period of time, you will know if what you have to offer is in alignment with what Mary needs. Because you have built trust, Mary is likely to respond […]
[…] a program that guides your client on their transformational journey will naturally bring organization. Gather your materials, determine which exercises to use, then […]
[…] of desired outcomes, and a well-planned curriculum that guides your attendees through a transformative experience. Something needs to change by the end of your time together – a significant change in their […]
[…] of course, other reasons people hire a coach. Understanding why they look for a coach and their transformation journey can help you understand their motivation. Check out The Coach Business Guide: The Path to Launch […]
[…] coaching executive leaders, teams or families, successful coaches define their ideal client and facilitate their transformation to meet their […]
[…] challenges for new coaches is underselling themselves. Remember, your time, expertise and the transformational journey you offer your clients are valuable. Reflect on the unique value you bring to the market place and […]