There are thousands of resources – from ebooks to videos and articles – that claim to help you with everything you need to know about branding your coach business. A lot of that material is free, but there’s also costly material which requires a great deal of financial effort to purchase.
But is it really worth it?
If you’re a new coach, drowning in a sea of useless, unimportant information is a real risk. Here’s something some may not tell you: the knowledge you seek may lie within you. The best way to get started is to ask yourself the right questions. These simple targeted questions will set you on the right path to achieving successful branding.
1.Who Are My Clients?
In other words, who do you serve? Do you have a clear idea of who your target audience is? So many coaches make the mistake of targeting as many customers as possible. Unfortunately, there’s little hope you can actually offer unique value if you bite more than you can chew. Instead, cast a smaller net and focus on a small market niche. This way, you stand a chance at being the only – or at least one of the few – who addresses to the needs of that specific audience. An important part of an effective brand strategy is to know who you’re addressing to.
2.What Are My Resources?
As a new coach, you may not have too much experience, that many clients, or even enough funds, but what do you have? Write down your resources, what you bring to this business, and think of ways to maximize every single one of it. A resource can mean anything from a potential business partner to a special fund you can access to get your business up and running. Simply focus on what you have rather than what you don’t because maintaining a positive mindset goes a long way.
[ctt template=”1″ link=”sQ9fJ” via=”no” ]”Simply focus on what you have rather than what you don’t because maintaining a positive mindset goes a long way.”[/ctt]
3.What Are My Powers?
You may not think you hold any superpower but a new coach is not an ineffective coach. Everyone has skills that can enhance their work. Recognizing your strengths is one of the main steps to branding coach business successfully. Take a piece of paper and list the natural talents and abilities you think you have as well as skills praised by your family and friends. When creating your coaching programs, keep these abilities in mind. These are your offerings, these are your superpowers. Use them to other people’s advantage as well.
4.What Is My Competitive Advantage?
How do you differ from other coach businesses? Why should a potential client purchase your services instead of those offered by someone else? What additional value do you bring? These are not easy questions; they require a great deal of thought and consideration. It’s always best to stay ahead of the game by bringing something new to the table. Think of ways to stand out. Equally as important is how you promote, how you advertise your skills so that others know you really are different from the rest.
5.What Are My Business Goals?
Also an important part of branding is knowing exactly what your business is. Before starting your business ask yourself ’Why am I doing this?’’ What are you trying to achieve by beginning this new chapter in your life? Having a clear understanding of your goals will help you focus on what you need to do to brand your business. What are my business goals? How do I build a personal brand considering them? These are all questions to be answered because the more you wish to achieve, the more work it takes.
6.How Much Time Am I Willing to Invest?
Before starting a business you also need to consider how much time are you willing to dedicate to your new venture. Building a trustworthy brand takes time. Do you have it? If you do, know that even if you have unlimited hours to spend, you still won’t see immediate results. Are you willing to wait? You will probably start with just a few hours per month, working weekends or a couple of mornings or evening when possible. This will soon turn into a few hours a week, then a few hours a day, and before you know it you’ll be working all day. Question if this is your dream job and whether you’re willing to dedicate most of your time to it. It takes full commitment to brand a serious coaching business.
Final Thoughts
Branding is a powerful tool in the development of any business. It increases your recognition and differentiates you from competitors. It takes time and effort, but it comes with many personal and professional rewards. Hopefully, at this point, you should have a clear understanding of what you need to ask yourself to successfully brand your coaching business.
