3 Common Mistakes New Coaches Make

In this episode of the Sustainable Coaching Podcast, Marilyn West dives into the critical reasons why so many coaching businesses fail within their first two years. As we enter Q4, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where your business may be falling short and to take actionable steps for growth. Marilyn discusses common roadblocks coaches face, from lacking clarity in their niche to inconsistent marketing, and breaks down strategies to overcome these obstacles and drive business success. This episode is all about building a sustainable coaching practice that doesn’t just survive but thrives.

Listeners will gain insights into how to clearly define their unique value, target the right audience, and develop a consistent marketing strategy that builds trust and authority. Marilyn also shares practical examples to help coaches understand the importance of crafting an irresistible offer and standing out in a crowded market. Whether you're a new coach or looking to revamp your strategy, this episode provides valuable advice to help you navigate the challenges and take your coaching business to the next level.

• How do you know if you lack clarity in your niche and how can you define it more effectively?
• What are the signs of inconsistent marketing and how can you align your messaging to attract your ideal clients?
• Why is a strong offer essential for growth and how can you ensure your offer resonates with your target audience?

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to Sustainable Coaching Podcast.

(00:03):
I'm your host, Marilyn West.
I teach new coaches how to start their coaching business without overspending and overthinking.
If you found yourself here, it means you are ready to start your coaching business, or you are ready to monetizE your expertise.
.333333333Let's get staRted. 6 00:00:21,93.333333333 --> 00:00:22,623.333333333 Welcome back to another episode. 7 00:00:22,803.333333333 --> 00:00:28,203.333333333 So today we're going to be diving into the topic why most coaching business fail within two years. 8 00:00:28,473.333333333 --> 00:00:40,263.333333333 So we are now in Q4, and this is a great time to really start looking at your business and figure out why it's not thriving I'm going to be talking about some of the common roadblocks that I see in the industry. 9 00:00:40,473.333333333 --> 00:00:45,213.333333333 And of course, you know, I'm going to share some strategies with you to help you get to the next level. 10 00:00:45,333.333333333 --> 00:00:47,133.333333333 So let's get into this. 11 00:00:47,283.333333333 --> 00:00:55,263.333333333 So the first thing I want to talk about is something that I see very often in the coaching space, and that is the lack of clarity in your niche. 12 00:00:55,443.333333333 --> 00:00:56,373.333333333 And your audience. 13 00:00:56,673.333333333 --> 00:01:03,543.333333333 many coaches struggle because they try to appeal to everyone instead of focusing on a specific group. 14 00:01:03,843.333333333 --> 00:01:11,463.333333333 So when you think about that lack of clarity, when it comes to your coach and business, that means that you are attracting like all kinds of people. 15 00:01:11,883.333333333 --> 00:01:17,253.333333333 And you may put out a great piece of content where you are getting eyes on your actual brand. 16 00:01:17,493.333333333 --> 00:01:39,533.333333333 You may be getting some new followers, but the thing is you want to have that clarity when it comes to your unique value proposition and what you have to offer, because you would find people in your ecosystem that would never invest in your program or never see you as a thought leader, A lot of times when people hear the word expert you probably feel like I have to know everything. 17 00:01:39,563.333333333 --> 00:01:42,383.33333333 No, it doesn't mean that you need to know everything. 18 00:01:42,413.33333333 --> 00:01:46,733.33333333 You just need to be a thought leader in what you are showing up and talking about. 19 00:01:46,943.33333333 --> 00:01:50,903.33333333 So if you're sitting here right now, if they get, Hey, this doesn't apply to me. 20 00:01:51,173.33333333 --> 00:01:52,973.33333333 I know my actual niche. 21 00:01:53,33.33333333 --> 00:01:54,173.33333333 I know my audience. 22 00:01:54,503.33333333 --> 00:01:59,783.33333333 I'm going to go over three ways to identify if you like clarity in your niece. 23 00:02:00,113.33333333 --> 00:02:03,263.33333333 And what can really be hindering your coach and business growth. 24 00:02:03,503.33333333 --> 00:02:11,903.33333333 the first way to identify if you like that clarity, you have a difficult time describing who your ideal client is. 25 00:02:12,113.33333333 --> 00:02:21,413.33333333 Right? So if you can't quickly explain who your ideal client is, you may not have a well-defined niche. 26 00:02:21,713.33333333 --> 00:02:22,583.33333333 For example. 27 00:02:22,853.33333333 --> 00:02:29,633.33333333 Being able to specify age profession, or just main challenges that your ideal client is facing. 28 00:02:30,23.33333333 --> 00:02:34,13.33333333 And a case and neat for you to narrow down your focus. 29 00:02:34,613.33333333 --> 00:02:48,963.33333333 I know it sucks a lot of times people don't want to cut some U2 niece down, but it's so important when you do, you know, you are attracting the right person into your community, that you can help and help transform their lives. 30 00:02:49,113.33333333 --> 00:03:01,93.33333333 So when you have that clarity, you can confidently say I help mid career women who feel stuck in transition into entrepreneurship rather than a vague statement. 31 00:03:01,93.33333333 --> 00:03:03,133.33333333 Like I help people who need life coaching. 32 00:03:03,403.33333333 --> 00:03:15,213.33333333 It's so important that you could see you to niche down If you're constantly finding yourself all over the place or constantly changing your bio on Instagram or on LinkedIn. 33 00:03:15,753.33333333 --> 00:03:21,393.33333333 And you feel like it doesn't resonate with your audience? It means that your niche is unclear. 34 00:03:21,993.33333333 --> 00:03:28,83.33333333 For instance, if one week you post about general wellness and the next week you're talking about business strategy. 35 00:03:28,133.33333333 --> 00:03:31,793.33333333 It can be confusing to your audience on who you help. 36 00:03:31,943.33333333 --> 00:03:39,23.33333333 So our clear, nice allows you to have a consistent theme that aligns with your client's specific needs. 37 00:03:39,473.33333333 --> 00:03:48,773.33333333 I can't say this enough, you need to build everything out around your unique value proposition, which is also going to be your signature offer. 38 00:03:48,953.33333333 --> 00:03:57,233.33333333 People are not coming into your programs just to get to know you they're coming into your program for transformation and for help. 39 00:03:57,283.33333333 --> 00:04:00,583.33333333 when people are deciding to invest in a coach. 40 00:04:00,943.33333333 --> 00:04:04,183.33333333 They are feeling stuck in their life somewhere. 41 00:04:04,283.33333333 --> 00:04:09,923.33333333 And they want growth, but they don't know how to move forward because they don't have that clarity. 42 00:04:10,163.33333333 --> 00:04:16,433.33333333 You are that bridge with that clarity when it comes to your unique value proposition and whatever you are promising. 43 00:04:16,613.33333333 --> 00:04:17,873.33333333 So keep that in mind. 44 00:04:17,903.33333333 --> 00:04:27,833.33333333 It's a huge gap between action and awareness when people are aware of what their problem is, and it's time for them to take action, they have to build up that courage. 45 00:04:27,933.33333333 --> 00:04:36,873.33333333 you should be that person that's constantly showing up, talking about that unique thing that you do for your clients, so they could see you as the thought leader in investing your services. 46 00:04:37,103.33333333 --> 00:04:48,923.33333333 the last one to identify, if you like clarity in your niece, You have a difficult time separating yourself from other coaches, There's no reason why you should be able to copy and paste someone else's content. 47 00:04:49,283.33333333 --> 00:04:56,203.33333333 If you're a copy and paste of someone else, content that means that you are not being authentic to what you can do for your clients. 48 00:04:56,893.33333333 --> 00:05:05,653.33333333 Because without a clear niche, it is so challenging to stand out in a crowded market, which we know everybody is becoming a coach. 49 00:05:05,943.33333333 --> 00:05:11,793.33333333 and if you're a coach and business field light, just another option amongst similar coaches. 50 00:05:12,393.33333333 --> 00:05:14,793.33333333 Considered at your niche, maybe too broad. 51 00:05:15,243.33333333 --> 00:05:31,393.33333333 One thing you need to understand a clear niece will enable you to highlight your unique expertise of a specific angle, What makes you memorable and relevant to your target audience? You have to know what makes you memorable and relevant. 52 00:05:31,553.33333333 --> 00:05:33,623.33333333 you understand how your niece. 53 00:05:33,863.33333333 --> 00:05:40,163.33333333 Aligns with your expertise and how it resonates with your ideal client when it comes to them seeking. 54 00:05:40,163.33333333 --> 00:05:40,853.33333333 Exactly. 55 00:05:41,183.33333333 --> 00:05:44,603.33333333 Who they want to work with when it comes to their transformation. 56 00:05:44,873.33333333 --> 00:05:53,33.33333333 So the next thing that I want to talk about when it comes to why your coaching business may not be growing is inconsistent marketing and messaging. 57 00:05:53,63.33333333 --> 00:05:57,53.33333333 And that kind of goes back to the lack of clarity in your niche and audience. 58 00:05:57,323.33333333 --> 00:06:03,653.33333333 Because if you don't have that clarity, of course, it's going to be inconsistent marketing and consistent messaging. 59 00:06:03,653.33333333 --> 00:06:07,433.33333333 If you're struggling to write content, of course, you're going to have problems with marketing. 60 00:06:07,733.33333333 --> 00:06:10,703.33333333 consistent strategic marketing is a central for growth. 61 00:06:11,213.33333333 --> 00:06:12,443.33333333 People have to find you. 62 00:06:12,443.33333333 --> 00:06:14,303.33333333 People need to know that you're showing up. 63 00:06:14,543.33333333 --> 00:06:16,433.33333333 People want to make sure that you're showing up. 64 00:06:16,463.33333333 --> 00:06:20,603.33333333 It's so many people who have been taken advantage of when it comes to this coaching industry. 65 00:06:20,813.33333333 --> 00:06:23,63.33333333 So they want to make sure that they're hiring a coach. 66 00:06:23,63.33333333 --> 00:06:24,773.33333333 That's going to be Shaun up tomorrow. 67 00:06:24,953.33333333 --> 00:06:35,813.33333333 So when it comes to having inconsistent messaging across different platforms, That can keep you from not grown in your coaching business because people don't see you as the thought leader. 68 00:06:35,993.33333333 --> 00:06:45,563.33333333 So if your Instagram posts focus on self care, but your emails talk about business success, you may be confusing your audience, so you have to choose a core theme. 69 00:06:45,833.33333333 --> 00:06:52,193.33333333 Like mindset for female entrepreneurs and align your concept around it for your brand consistency. 70 00:06:52,703.33333333 --> 00:06:56,63.33333333 If you follow me on my old account on social media. 71 00:06:56,903.33333333 --> 00:07:02,63.33333333 I was having so much success with my mindset content or my business page. 72 00:07:02,183.33333333 --> 00:07:04,103.33333333 I identify it right away. 73 00:07:04,373.33333333 --> 00:07:09,773.33333333 That I was going to have two different people in my audience, so I decided to separate it. 74 00:07:09,803.33333333 --> 00:07:15,683.33333333 And that's how I ended up with the confidently unstoppable podcast and social media page. 75 00:07:16,163.33333333 --> 00:07:18,803.33333333 Alone with my actual business page. 76 00:07:18,833.33333333 --> 00:07:19,73.33333333 Right. 77 00:07:19,73.33333333 --> 00:07:20,513.33333333 Because I love mindset. 78 00:07:20,663.33333333 --> 00:07:36,673.33333333 That's why I got my certification I knew by posting content about myself, I was going to attract people who probably wasn't into starting a coaching business, but just want to elevate their self development self-improvement so therefore I had to separate those two. 79 00:07:36,823.33333333 --> 00:07:51,83.33333333 So when it comes to inconsistent marketing and messaging, be mindful of the type of people that you are tracking and the content that you're putting out, You can attract a bunch of people who may not see you as a thought leader So you have to understand where's the disconnect. 80 00:07:51,113.33333333 --> 00:07:58,583.33333333 Is it in your messaging, your marketing, and once you identify where the inconsistency yet you need to get a handle of it right away. 81 00:07:58,883.33333333 --> 00:08:02,933.33333333 The last ones I don't want to talk about is the power of a strong offer. 82 00:08:03,293.33333333 --> 00:08:09,863.33333333 So without a clear irresistible offer, even the best marketer won't drive conversion. 83 00:08:10,313.33333333 --> 00:08:14,483.33333333 There are three CS that are always say connect, communicate, convert. 84 00:08:14,513.33333333 --> 00:08:19,613.33333333 Those three things is something that I teach and coach and with confidence connect, communicate covert. 85 00:08:19,693.33333333 --> 00:08:21,493.33333333 Sales don't have to be sleazy. 86 00:08:21,553.33333333 --> 00:08:23,233.33333333 It doesn't have to be overwhelming. 87 00:08:23,353.33333333 --> 00:08:24,193.33333333 Connect me. 88 00:08:24,313.33333333 --> 00:08:29,263.33333333 You put your content out there on a social media platform so people can learn about what you do. 89 00:08:29,503.33333333 --> 00:08:36,463.33333333 Communicate people start getting comfortable, showing up to your webinars, your Workshops engaging in your social media content. 90 00:08:36,763.33333333 --> 00:08:50,963.33333333 And then guess what? Once they start to communicate, they're going to covered because they see themselves transforming and getting better So without a clear irresistible offer, even the best marketer won't drive conversion. 91 00:08:50,963.33333333 --> 00:09:00,323.33333333 So please understand that your offer should not only solve a problem, but also be structured in a way that feels achievable for your clients. 92 00:09:00,403.33333333 --> 00:09:27,613.33333333 You want them to see themselves in your constant, that transformation, how it feels, how are they becoming a better person? so my friends, just to let you guys know, if you're finding yourself still stuck in Q4, when it comes to your coaching business, and you want to work with a coach, that's going to help you When it comes to the three things that we just talked about, you know, you want that clarity, right? You want to understand your niece and your audience better. 93 00:09:27,613.33333333 --> 00:09:30,313.33333333 You want to get better with your marketing and messaging. 94 00:09:30,733.33333333 --> 00:09:35,833.33333333 And build a offer in alignment with your unique value proposition. 95 00:09:36,163.33333333 --> 00:09:40,123.33333333 definitely click the link in the show notes so you can schedule a consultation. 96 00:09:40,303.33333333 --> 00:09:42,73.33333333 To join culture with confidence. 97 00:09:42,73.33333333 --> 00:09:48,313.33333333 So I want you to understand inside our coaching with confidence, we are no longer a group coaching program. 98 00:09:48,313.33333333 --> 00:09:51,643.33333333 So you would get the one-to-one coaching with me. 99 00:09:51,793.33333333 --> 00:09:55,693.33333333 However starting next month, we will be having group of events. 100 00:09:55,693.33333333 --> 00:09:58,273.33333333 So you could be around more like-minded individual. 101 00:09:58,393.33333333 --> 00:10:01,423.33333333 So everybody that is a part of coaching with confidence. 102 00:10:01,453.33333333 --> 00:10:07,683.33333333 You will have the opportunity to come on a coaching call and get to see and talk to other coaches that. 103 00:10:07,713.33333333 --> 00:10:09,483.33333333 Are starting to your podcast. 104 00:10:09,533.33333333 --> 00:10:11,513.33333333 That's building out their unique offer. 105 00:10:11,733.33333333 --> 00:10:13,473.33333333 community is everything for me. 106 00:10:13,473.33333333 --> 00:10:20,283.33333333 one thing that I pride myself on is knowing that I cannot do this by myself and being around like-minded individuals. 107 00:10:20,313.33333333 --> 00:10:24,573.33333333 So if you need a community, definitely click the link and join COTA with confidence. 108 00:10:24,693.33333333 --> 00:10:26,613.33333333 So thank you for joining me today. 109 00:10:26,643.33333333 --> 00:10:29,193.33333333 Remember identifying and overcoming. 110 00:10:29,193.33333333 --> 00:10:32,943.33333333 These obstacles is the first step to breaking through your coaching. 111 00:10:33,183.33333333 --> 00:10:33,933.33333333 Plateau. 112 00:10:34,383.33333333 --> 00:10:43,313.33333333 If you found this episode valuable today, don't forget to subscribe, share it with someone that you know, that can benefit from this actual episode. 113 00:10:43,733.33333333 --> 00:10:49,613.33333333 And let's keep building our coaching business that we're proud of until next time, my friend. 114 00:10:49,613.33333333 --> 00:10:52,433.33333333 Thank you for listening to sustainable co-chair podcast. 115 00:10:52,523.33333333 --> 00:10:56,453.33333333 I hope it gave you the clarity and confidence to start your coating business. 116 00:10:56,703.33333333 --> 00:10:58,743.33333333 Visit sustainable coaching.com 117 00:10:58,893.33333333 --> 00:11:12,93.33333333 to learn more about coaching with confidence, you will gain the clarity and confidence to launch your coaching business and how to attract clients by dominating the search engine, because we are the solution to someone's problem. 118 00:11:12,423.33333333 --> 00:11:13,233.33333333 As a coach.