Prosperous Coach Podcast

This episode is part of the On Air Coaching series where I coach coaches while on the air.

What follows is a transcript of our conversation.

Rhonda: I'm so excited to be talking to a young woman who has so much to offer and she's here to talk to me about her coaching niche and target audience. I know you're going to get great value from listening.

Welcome Alexia Mellor! Alexia, I would love it if you would tell everyone a little bit about what led you to this moment where we're having this conversation and that can be anything about your background.

Alexia: Sounds good. Well first of all, thank you so much for having me here. It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to share the space with you. So thank you so much Rhonda.

So I have a bit of an eclectic background I think career wise and life wise, that has taken me on lots of lovely detours that's led to this point. But I recently finished my PhD where I was looking at the potential of participatory art practices — where you're working with people not necessarily making objects to look at.

We actually start to deal with some really complex issues like climate change, how do we make something that seems rather abstract and really large, more accessible to the individual and create spaces for them to start to take action for themselves. And that kind of led me to this moment where I was really kind of questioning what is it that I want to be doing next.

And at the same time I have also been a practicing Tarot reader for about 15 years and I had one of those kind of dark night of the soul moments where I just kind of questioned everything that I was doing.

And a lovely friend of mine who I have done readings for about five, six years said to me, have you ever thought of being a coach? And I thought, no, and you know, I can't do that. Like, what are you talking about? And she said, yeah, your readings are a lot more like coaching sessions in that you are helping me to think differently about the issues that I'm facing. You're giving me practical things to do to take away and I get so much value out of having a reading with you.

And that kind of sparked a little thought like, huh, okay, maybe this is a possibility. And she actually dared me that she was going to find 10 people for me to do these readings for. I took her up on it because I didn't think that she would find 10 people. And she did. And every single reading was just mind blowing like magic. And I thought, okay, there's something to this.

One of the people that I did a reading for actually contacted me about working together with me and I decided I'm going to put together a program. Really the aim was to help this one individual. Initially she worked through the issues that she was facing around career stuff.

And I ended up kind of creating this model that draws upon my intuitive work, my academic background and my art practice that I call Intuitive Wayfinding, which is essentially a process that walks you through really getting in touch with the deeper whys of what it is that you want from a job and a career.

So that's what's led me to here. And as I am fairly new in the kind of coaching realm, I definitely realized that it is a struggle when you don't know what your ditch is. And I came across your podcast and binge listened and got so much value out of it that I thought I would love to have a conversation.

... Find more of this transcript here.

A quick announcement … Have you been stuck on something that’s holding you back in your coaching business? It could be something small but critical, such as:

·      choosing a narrow and viable target audience so you stand out

·      discovering the big problem you help your audience solve

·      crafting your compelling core message

·      branding your company

·      brainstorming an irresistible free offer

·      planning your transition to full time coaching

·      developing or pricing your program

·      or working on a mindset issue that’s been blocking you

These are all perfect topics for a 90 minute Strategy Session with me. If you’ve been stuck on some aspect of your business, give yourself the gift of a Strategy Session.
>>> Learn more and sign up at prosperouscoach.com/strategy.

This episode is part of my new Money Mastery series in which I’ll be talking about money mindset, charging what you’re worth, profits, pricing and revenue planning. To see the show notes for this episode go to prosperouscoach.com/54.

In the last episode, I talked about gratitude practices and the concept of what goes around comes around. If you haven’t heard that episode it’s a great lead in to this one and you can find it at prosperouscoach.com/53

Gratitude primes the pump for attraction. When you appreciate your privilege and all that you already have in your life, you’re waking up your manifestation potential or what I’m calling money mojo.

It really should be wealth mojo because it’s far more than just numbers in your bank account. It’s about flow of all positive energy. But the alliteration in money mojo is more fun. 

Also just about every coach I know has some money issues and it can be a key limitation to success. Money mindset challenges are easier to overcome than you might think. For some of my client a quick mindset shift and improved charging practices open the flow of income and profits.

What Is Money Making Mojo?

I consider “money mojo” to be an unshakeable belief in your ability to create the life you want. 

Maybe right now you have a fledgling coaching business and what you really want is a steady stream of clients and a robust income from coaching. Maybe enough to transition from your day job to full time coaching.

Do you believe you have the ability to create that for yourself?

You might be thinking … 

“Well, Rhonda, how can I have unshakeable belief in my ability if I’ve never achieved those results in my coaching business so far?”

I feel you. When you want something so much, but as time passes and it doesn’t fully materialize, discouragement sets in. And then belief in self suffers.

Beat the odds and succeed in your coaching business here.

This is the first episode in the new series called Money Mastery. In this series I’ll dig into pricing strategies, revenue planning and liberally sprinkle in money mindsets and prosperity thinking, which make all the difference in attracting coaching clients who pay well.

>>> The full transcript for this episode can be found at prosperouscoach.com/53

After all, success is part mindset, part strategy and part right action.

First for a bit of gratitude … 

Prosperous Coach Podcast has just hit 20,000 downloads and that’s because you have been generously passing forward this podcast to your coach friends and colleagues. Thank you!

Every day I hear from another coach how much this podcast has meant to them and I feel so grateful. That fills me with joy.

Speaking of gratitude … are YOU feeling it?

I ask because I’ve seen a direct relationship to gratitude and financial success for coaches. For one thing, gratitude is attractive in the most literal sense of the word.

And it goes both ways. When you’re grateful, you feel better. When you feel better, other people feel better. It’s a beautiful circle.

Attitude and Practice

You’ve heard of an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t just an attitude. It’s a practice that goes beyond counting your blessings. Although, naming what you’re grateful for is the centerpiece of prosperity.

Not many people know this, I started my coaching business as a spiritual coach and prosperity building was my focus. No wonder I branded my company Prosperous Coach.

I ended up helping coaches choose a profitable niche and launch their business with confidence because I found myself surrounded by coaches who wanted my help to get their business models set up powerfully.

Well, how did that happen? The usual way. Angels and Surprises.

In my 3rd year of coaching I was on the board of the Denver Coach Federation and the President at that time, Will Craig, was starting a coach training company called Coach Training Alliance.

He invited me to be a trainer and after a year asked me to help him rewrite the curriculum and design a Certified Coach Program.

Talk about gratitude. If not for Will, the opportunity he gave me, and his trust in me I’m not sure I’d still be in business.

Will, if you’re listening, I love you, man. Our partnership has taken me places and brought me in connection with more wonderful people than I ever dreamed possible. I mean who knew?

What’s wonderful is Coach Training Alliance is still going strong 18 years later. They’re still using my curriculum and certification program. And many of the trainers are the original bunch of the best coaches I know.

Do you ever wonder what opportunities might be around the corner for you? What angels — real people — will show up and give you grace?

Anyone you meet could be that person for you. Any opportunity you have could be one that catapults you to a better place. In fact, this happens every day.

So, one powerful gratitude practice is to be grateful for ALL of your connections. Even the ones that don’t feel great.

Here are some other gratitude practices you might not of thought of as gratitude or prosperity building:

... Read here for ways to build your PROSPERITY through simple practices.

Last week I shared the Listeners’ Choice #1 Best Episode and again it had record plays!

A shout out to Susan who wrote:

“So Much truth. It was like a choice of angels harmonized in the background as I understood. Happy Anniversary to you and Prosperous Coach Podcast. You’ve helped me get to someplace new and exciting in my business, thank you.”

I love that, Susan!

Today, I’m sharing a second Listeners’ Choice for Best Episode in 2019 — How to Enroll More Coaching Clients Without Beings Salesy.

I’m not surprised that this episode was super popular. For one thing who wants to be salesy? But also this episode also has a content upgrade – a downloadable guide you can get for free that walks you through my step by step questions to ask coaching prospects during your Discovery Session.

The questions actually inspire people to hire you.

>>> So don't forget to get that download which you can find at https:prosperouscoach.com/19

I’m proud to say that Prosperous Coach Podcast is 1 year old and going strong with over 18,000 downloads thanks to you. 

I’m grateful for the continuous stream of enthusiasm I hear from you and how generously you’ve shared my episodes with other coaches.

Keep that up because coaches need this kind of community support.

We’re in this together. Whatever generosity you have towards other coaches comes back to you many fold.

Very soon I have a new series for you. I’ll be digging into pricing, packaging and all the mindset issues that I know coaches have about asking for fees that pay you well. I had them and I see the same limiting beliefs in my clients.

The good news is you can leap over those issues with a bit of coaching. I’ve seen lots of coaches go from stuck and limited to suddenly understanding why it’s so important to charge more than you think you’re worth in order to realize your worth and help clients transform significantly.

More about that and all the MONEY topics very soon.

To celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Prosperous Coach Podcast, I wanted to share the Listeners’s Choice for the #1 best episode of 2019. 

I’m not surprised that this is the clear #1 episode. And it’s so important for all coaches to hear. It’s called Why is Coaching a Hard Sell?

Listen closely. You’re about to have your eyes opened. And it’s in a good way that will help you succeed as a coach.

To read full transcript go to https://prosperouscoach.com/7

This is a short episode with practical suggestions that work for how to get useful testimonials from clients.

After a 2 episode hiatus, I’m getting back to the Client Winning Coaching Website Series. You can find the full transcript for this episode at prosperouscoach.com/50

Not All Testimonials Are Useful 

Think about what you like to read when you’re considering hiring a professional. A testimonial that reads like this is sweet, but not compelling:

Rhonda is such a great coach. She’s kind and gentle but also tells me the truth when I need to hear it. I always enjoy our sessions and feel energized afterwards. I’ve learned so many things from her. I think every coach should hire Rhonda.

Now, I just made that up but it’s the kind of testimonial I used to get and I stopped posting them because they aren’t helpful.

You want testimonials that have substance not just ooey gooey praise for you.

People read testimonials to hear results. So good testimonials reveal the tangible and emotional outcomes your client experienced working with you. It’s the before and after picture in words that’s most affective.

Here’s a testimonial from a recent client of mine:

My Strategy Session with Rhonda was a game changer. I’d been overwhelmed by all the information out there for coaches and was essentially taking no action. My confidence was at a low. I had no clients, was earning no money, and had no idea who I was trying to serve. In our session, Rhonda helped me identify a target audience that I’m truly excited to work with and take ownership of what I bring to the table. It was so productive and confidence building that I invested in Rhonda’s private business coaching program to build a business around my new niche. I’ve accomplished more in 5 months with Rhonda’s help than I imagined possible. I now have a clear path forward!

-       Kate Minogue, Basel, Switzerland

Thank you for that, Kate!

Can you hear the difference between those two testimonials? It’s not just than one was longer. There was a clear picture of transformation in it with specific results.

Super long testimonials aren’t as useful as short ones. A guideline is 75 – 100 words. But even a one sentence testimonial can be impactful.

Where Should You Put Testimonials?

Your website of course. I recommend that once you have 3 great testimonials, put up a What Clients Say page on your website. Check out mine at prosperouscoachblog.com/what-clients-say

But there are other places where testimonials will help you.

1.     Put an excellent testimonial in the pre-Discovery Session email you send out inviting a prospect to have that free conversation with you. 

2.     If you have a blog, podcast or other type of steady-drip generosity, put a testimonial for it in the confirmation email after they opt-in. Yes, it’s good to have testimonials after prospects engage.

3.     If you use multiple lead generation offers, also called freebies, make sure you have 1 – 3 in each of those.

4.     If you have an online training program or webinar, add in a well placed testimonial or two, or ten.

Read about LinkedIn testimonials and see how to get testimonials that are more inspiring!

Okay so the title of this episode is a bit tongue in cheek. Really, it’s more about — Bad Reasons to Give Up On Your Coaching Business. For the Show Notes on this episode go to https://prosperouscoach.com/49

The truth is there are several good reasons why a coach might choose to give up on their coaching business but they all fall under one overarching reason … that it’s not a priority.

It’s been said that timing is everything. When you’re undertaking something big, timing matters.

I’ve shared in a few earlier episodes that when a coach is interested in hiring me to help them develop their coaching business from niche to messages to offers and website – all the little and big details – I ask several questions to see if they are ready to do this.

Most of the time people can sense they’re ready and we’re off on the path, dreaming it up together.

Now, I’ve known coaches who dropped their coaching business because …

·      they found out they were pregnant and their priorities changed

·      they had a health crisis and their priorities changed

·      they got a job offer and their priorities changed

·      their partner lost a job and their priorities changed

You get the picture. Priorities changing is the only good reason to give up on your coaching business.

I’ve helped some coaches realize that entrepreneurship is not for them. It’s truly not for everyone.

The reality is it’s a HUGE endeavor to launch a business and then grow it. 

It takes a certain kind of crazy. The kind of crazy that’s about vision, drive, ambition, and risk-taking.

I am definitely crazy. Not only did I launch my business 20 years ago before there was a known pathway to building a successful coaching, but I’ve also remade my business to fit who I am 4 times now.

I love entrepreneurship so much that I love to see other people choose it for themselves. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a work-style preference.

Entrepreneurship may be the only place where you can fully bring all that you are to the table.

You are the script-writer, the executive, the director, and you have the lead role. 

To me that’s thrilling. It gets me out of bed in the morning. Not only innovating and pivoting in my own business but also helping my clients develop those essential entrepreneurial skills.

A lot of people don’t realize. You aren’t born an entrepreneur. You transform yourself into one when something is important enough to you.

It’s worth it to figure stuff out piece by piece and day by day. 

But no coach has to do that all alone. There’s a village of guides, peers and support systems.

So what are the other good reasons for giving up? There aren’t any. 

If it’s not for changing priorities, giving up on your coaching business is giving up on yourself.

Don’t let this be you.

I say this with love and compassion. I have been where you are. The absolutely only difference between you and me is time.

·      I’ve spent loads of money on training without results.

·      I’ve been confused and discouraged.

·      I have been fired by a few clients.

·      I’ve flubbed Discovery Sessions.

·      I’ve had failure launches.

·      I’ve had lean years.

I even thought about giving up a few times. But I did not.

Success doesn’t come without a few “failures”.

Because I stuck with this ...

Read the rest of how to stay the course in  your coaching business here.

I’m taking a break from the Client Winning Coaching Website series to talk about 2 widespread coaching business killers — perfectionism and analysis paralysis.

This episode fits into the series on Smart Mindsets & Habits. Show notes for today’s episode are at prosperouscoach.com/48

Perfectionism and Analysis Paralysis are two mean siblings. And they may be holding you back from … well, so many things in life.

By the way, perfectionism is an older cousin of Imposter Syndrome. Check out episode 1 for more about that.

Think of it, if we could all cure ourselves of these things for good, there would be a lot more happiness in the world — happier kids, happier students, happier entrepreneurs, definitely happier coaches.

First, I want you to know, I am not cured of perfectionism and I do still find myself stuck in analysis paralysis from time to time.

But I’ve studied these 2 mean siblings. I’ve put the spotlight on them. And you know what happens when you raise awareness on a poor habit or harmful mindset, you learn how to think and behave differently. 

My clients are an excellent mirror for my own perfectionism. And so I learn best how to handle my own perfectionistic ways by supporting my clients to go for good enough.

That doesn’t mean that you should let go of your standards in your coaching business. But, you know who you are if your standards are unrealistic. That will hold you back. And, I can relate. 

Bless our hearts, coaches are often the worst perfectionists. And maybe you’re thinking, “No Rhonda, you should say the best perfectionists.” 

But here’s what I know for sure … perfectionism is crippling not empowering.

It doesn’t help you. It’s literally painful. And that’s where the 2nd mean sibling comes in — Analysis Paralysis.

Perfectionism causes analysis paralysis. So one mean sibling hits the other on the head and then the other hits back and it goes on like that.

When it comes to growing and running a business there’s absolutely no use for perfection anywhere.

Think about it. There is absolutely no advantage to being a perfectionist in your coaching business.

In fact, perpetuating this habit of perfectionism will keep you from doing what you love and earning well. It will kill the huge potential for joy in your business.

Basically, it’s a habit of expending massive amounts of energy without getting anything done.

Know what I mean?

So sheer honesty here. Today, I was sitting at my desk procrastinating on my podcast. Oh, believe me, it happens. It’s not for lack of ideas. I literally have pages and pages of potential topics and series ideas. And it’s not for lack of skill or desire. All that’s there and growing.

But where I get into trouble is overthinking things. I sometimes have too strong of a desire to serve you and that gets me into trouble. But what’s underneath that is a vestigial belief that I am not worthy of helping you.

Do you ever feel that way?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t want to serve our target audience well and be generous with them.

If YOU employ your desire to serve while trusting yourself to take decisive action you’ll be prosperous at this business. Even if you make mistakes. Because you make mistakes and learn from them. 

See, perfectionism is driven by a scarcity mindset. It’s the fear that you’re not enough.

And before you beat yourself up about that, realize these two things:

... Read about those 2 things here.

Today I am diving into the 8th episode in the series called Client Winning Coaching Websites.

Writing smart copy is both an art and science. You’ll be amazed how using these rules will turn you into a significantly better writer. And, you will attract and enroll more coaching clients because your communication speaks to the heart of your ideal clients.

If you want support to write powerful copy for your coaching business, let’s talk. Fill out the questionnaire on my Work with Rhonda page of my website and I’ll be in touch quickly.

I wished I'd had a list of copywriting tips back in the day when I started my coaching business. These rules apply to your:

• benefit statements
• titles, subject lines, headings
• web copy
• emails
• freebies
• blogs
• show notes for your podcast episodes
• social posts

Copy that’s written with these 5 Rules will be evocative and action inspiring. 

Get Your Special Download of the 5 Rules

Go to the Show Notes for this episode of Prosperous Coach Podcast to get your copy of the special download with all of these copywriting tips and tools. 

Get it. Print it out. Keep it next to your desk so that —whenever you write — you’ll apply and ultimately integrate these tools into your writing.

One Copywriting Rule to Rule Them All

Write to attract attention and keep your readers interested. 

We live in times where people read a lot less than they used to. So you can't write the way you used to when you were in school.

Many of the academic rules of writing that you learned in school will not at all help you attract and keep attention these days. Learning how to write compelling copy is partially an unlearning of some of those old rules. 

Rule #1 - Specificity Attracts

Specific words and concepts are more attention getting than broad, sweeping, vague or abstract words and concepts. 

What I see a lot with coaches is they haven't yet niched and drilled down their target audience to a narrow, viable target audience. They want to cover all the bases. They want to write in a way that won't turn off someone.

But trying to turn on everyone means you won’t turn on anyone.

When you target a unique audience, you discover their psychographics through market research. https://prosperouscoach.com/22 You come away with valuable information —specific words and spoken phrases — that drive your target audience to action.

Then use those keywords and phrases in your content. That helps you to boost search engine optimization (SEO).

If you write any kind of copy, I don't care whether it's a social post or it's a blog or its copy on your website, go through it and replace the broad, vague, and abstract words with specifics that are highly relevant to your audience as it relates to your niche.

Rule #2 - Less is More

Writing well is always about making choices. 

• Do not try to cover all the bases.
• Do not attempt to include everything in one sentence, paragraph, article or page on your website!
• Focus in on easy to digest ideas.

Specificity ties in here too, but there are lots of little tips for this rule to guide you.

... Read the rest of the rules here AND get your download!

This episode is the 7th in the series called Client Winning Coaching Websites. 

In past episodes, I’ve covered

• what to do before you start your website
• what exactly makes a website client-winning 
• branding 
• benefit statements
• and an interview with the best web designer for coaches  

It’s worth listening to the whole series because we’ve been building up a clear picture of exactly what a client-winning coaching website looks and sounds like copy-wise.

If you know your target audience well and have drilled down your niche, you can follow the series to create or improve your website so it attracts and pre-sells clients to work with you.

 If you know right now that your coaching website is not going to help you build the business you want full of ideal clients who pay you well, let’s have a Strategy Session.

 I’ll review your site and share my recommendations based on two decades of expertise about client-winning websites.

If you’re stuck, reach out. One call can lift you out of confusion on any topic so you can surge forward.

Writing Copy Is An Art 

And there is some science to it as well.

I help my clients write all of their copy in my VIP program Coaching Business Breakthrough. And by the time we’ve finished their business foundation, they know how to write great copy on their own. It took me far longer to learn.

When I started as a coach I had a lot of ideas about what made for good writing. Most of them came from school. And then, over the years, I had to slowly unlearn the stodgy rules in order to learn to write compelling copy. The kind of copy that inspires reading and taking action.

Your ABOUT page is a critical part of your website. And the truth is, all web copy is important because in relatively few words you have to strategically plan for one effect … to inspire action. Copy does that through relevance and building trust.

Not So Much About You

There’s a temptation to talk a lot about yourself and coaching on this page but that won’t help you attract and enroll clients.

When an ideal prospect lands on your website, you want them to feel totally at home and as if you are speaking directly to them. This is true for every page, even the ABOUT page.

It’s actually less about you and more about them.

People will go to the ABOUT page of your site when your other pages have made them curious. 

They want to know — can this person help me overcome my biggest challenges on the way to reaching my biggest goal?

How you’ll answer that question might surprise you …

Illustrate how well you understand them.

They don’t want to read a CV. In fact, credentials are the last thing they care about. And that’s why those go last.

Learn what to write in your About page here.