by: David Wood
You've done the networking, looked through your contacts, and now have a list of people to approach for coaching.
You've then decided not to be so stingy, and added another 20 people to the list - people you're not sure of, but hey - it doesn't hurt to ask - right? And that's where you get stuck.
How do you approach these contacts so they will become clients?
How do you do it without pressuring them?
How do you do it so you get a 'yes' over 80% of the time?
I call these kinds of approaches 'warm invitations'. You aren't calling a stranger so it isn't a cold call. But, it's not necessarily a hot prospect either. They are just people you know, and you would like see if they are interested in coaching.
In this article I'm going to give you a script that is proven to work. But it's critical to note that you are NOT trying in this phone call to get them as a client. All you are going for is an 'introductory' or 'exploratory' or 'trial' session. Use the label that feels best for you.
The following is an excerpt from The CoachStart™ eManual:
The First Line
Are you stopped because you just have no idea what to say to see if someone would want to try coaching?
Here is a sample script to use:
"Hi, Jeff. How are you? I am calling about coaching. I am setting up my coaching practice and I am looking for high energy [put in your own descriptor if you don't like 'high energy'] people to do some trial coaching sessions with."
[Pause/Listen]
Notice this is very non-threatening, yet straight-forward. It also compliments the person, making them feel good right away.
Check Interest
"But first, if you have a couple minutes, I'd like to check and see if us doing a session together even makes sense, because I don't want to waste your time with this."
[Pause/Listen]
Note no hard selling here. You are trying to gauge interest. This part shows that you value the client's time.
Question
"O.k. great. So Let's find out if there is something worth working on. What's one thing you'd like to alter in your life?"
Or you can do other questions like, "What's the biggest pain in your life?" or "What would you like more of in your life?" You can insert your own question and experiment with different questions. This gets them into coaching mode and helps you discover what they need.
[Pause/Listen].
Note: Discover what they want, but don't try to work it out or solve it yet.
Set it Up
"OK, if we could find some great strategies to help you do that, would that be worth spending half an hour on?"
"Great-I won't be charging for this. If we find a great goal that coaching could help make a big impact on, we can look at setting up a coaching structure for you. If not, then I appreciate your time in helping me with my training and development. Do you prefer Wednesday or Thursday? Phone or face to face?"
Here you are showing the value of coaching. You are asking them if they think coaching is worth their time. You are also honestly saying you are looking to gain them as a client, but at the same time allowing them not to feel pressured by thanking them for helping in your training.
Set the time and date now if possible, so there won't be any phone tag later. Give them two date options to start them thinking of when, instead of second-guessing whether or not to do this coaching trial session.
Remember you are helping them. You are going to work with them to create an action plan for something they would love to change. It's wonderful if they decide they would like to become a client, but don't worry about that so much. Just get out there and do 50 trial sessions - to help the people you know! The rest will take care of itself.
So be confident and give them a call!
[Excerpted from The CoachStart™ eManual]
Are you unclear on what to say in your trial or first session? The exact details of how I do MY trial session - the one I've done around 400 times - in The CoachStart™ eManual. To see the list of what else is covered, or to download it today, click here:
The CoachStart™ eManual
By David Wood and Geoff Grist
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David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular eBook http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio eBook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download '50 Power Questions' and popular monthly eZine for clients at coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm
Web site: www.life-coaching-resource.com
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