Marketing isn't the same as CV writing

Ever wondered why those killer self-promotion skills that got you promoted in corporate just aren't working for your coaching business? Sarah breaks down the fundamental difference between marketing yourself as an employee versus marketing your coaching services to clients.

Spoiler alert: they're complete opposites!

Key Takeaways

The Visibility Trap

You know those colleagues who effortlessly climb the corporate ladder? They've mastered the art of staying visible and making their contributions known. While this skill is gold in the workplace, it's actually counterproductive when building a coaching practice.

The Weighing Scales Metaphor

Think of your coaching business like old-fashioned weighing scales:

One side: All your delivery skills (coaching qualifications, certifications, NLP training, personality profiling tools, etc.)

Other side: Your client acquisition skills (problem articulation, solution communication, visibility in the right places)

The catch? These two sides are complete opposites and equally important for success.

The Outcome-Focused Shift

Instead of showcasing how qualified you are, successful coach marketing focuses on:

• The specific problems your coaching solves
• The outcomes clients can expect
• How working with you transforms their situation

Ditch the Coach Speak

Terms like "holding space" and "thinking partner" mean nothing to potential clients. Your marketing needs to speak their language, not coach language.

The "Aha!" Moment

Most coaches struggle with marketing because they're trying to use employee mindset skills in an entrepreneurial context. The skills that made you promotable won't make you profitable as a coach.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What specific problem do I solve for my clients?
• How can I describe the outcome of working with me without using coaching jargon?
• Where does my ideal client spend their time, and am I visible there?
• Am I talking about my qualifications or my client's transformation?

The Bottom Line

Your coaching qualifications prove you can do the work, but your marketing skills determine whether you'll get the chance to. Master both sides of the scale, and you'll have a thriving coaching business.

Have you enjoyed this episode?

Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠