 Introduction
As
with all businesses, many tasks need to be taken care of. Coaches hire bookkeepers,
accountants, virtual assistants, website designers, etc. to run those parts of
their business. This allows coaches to concentrate on creating, delivering, and
marketing their services and products.
 Before becoming
coaches, some individuals worked in the occupations mentioned above. So coaches
sometimes offer support services to coaches because (1) they like their former
occupation, or (2) they need to make some extra money while starting their business.
Real World Example
Belinda
Merry: the Professional Coach's Business System(TM)
www.belindamerry.com
| belinda@belindamerry.com
Hi, my name is Belinda Merry and
I am the author of the Professional Coach's Business System(TM) - a manual and
CD set to assist coaches in setting up and running a truly professional coaching
practice. Prior to becoming a coach I was a senior administrator and often called
the 'systems queen' in my corporate job. My 1:1 coaching practice grew rapidly
and a major contributor to this success was my business systems, that is, my pre-coaching
career expertise. I didn't know it at the time but I had a skill that other coaches
were willing to pay money for.
 As my coaching
career progressed (I've been coaching over 2 years now), other coaches began to
ask me for tips, time and tools to help them grow their practices. When I told
them I took every Friday afternoon off work, they couldn't believe it, as they
knew I had a full practice. (Now I take all Fridays off!) It was my own coach
who assisted me in realising my systems were marketable and then my husband suggested
that I package them up into a salable product. Here was the pivotal moment - I
had a new perspective on something I took for granted - my skill with developing
and sharing systems.
Writing the Professional
Coach's Business System(TM) was a real joy, it flowed and was great fun. Once
it was written, I asked coaching colleagues to test it. I included coaches I didn't
know to test it for me to be sure I would get unbiased feedback - I called all
these generous coaches my test pilots. CoachVille calls it your R&D team. Their
comments, feedback, critiques, ideas and suggestions were invaluable and these
were incorporated into the final product.
An area I did
not have expertise or experience in was packaging and marketing of products, so...
I asked for help and people gave it freely. This was a wonderful learning and
time of discovery for me - I connected with other coaches from all over the world
for input, moral support and ideas on how to package and then market the system.
Being part of a global community of virtual and real coaches was invaluable at
this stage of my product development. This alone has made my CoachVille membership
priceless. I didn't know how to price the system so it was my R&D team that I
turned to - they suggested different pricing for download and hard copy and also
a discount for associates (yes, that includes CoachVille members). The system
currently sells for between A$660 - A$1320 (Australian currency). (US$459 - US$759)
To give the Professional
Coach's Business System(TM) exposure I attend global and local coaching conferences,
write articles, speak at coach chapter meetings, and am soon to run workshops.
It is crucial that I put my product in front of my target market. These strategies
are all part of my life as a coach, so I don't feel like I am working or selling
- I have found my passion and made it my profession. It just flows.
How to have "more
peoplework and less paperwork" is what the Professional Coach's Business System(TM)
is all about.
Initially, it
took a lot of work, but the reward is that I have a product that is producing
income and doesn't require me to be physically there. Here are my suggestions
for creating your own product or service for coaches:
- Identify what skills you have
that others may not - change your perspective if you have to.
- Draft up a beta version.
- Test, and test again. Have test
pilots (an R&D team) to give you all-important feedback and suggestions.
- Ask for help in areas you lack
skills in or are unconfident about.
- Make your product or service available
to your target market.
Marie
Antoinette Popolizio
info@buzzboxaustralia.com
| www.buzzboxaustralia.com
Hi, my name is Marie Popolizio and I provide support services for coaches through
my Professional Coaches Referral Agency, Buzzbox Australia. I completed my coaching
accreditation in 2001 and realised very quickly that there is a huge need for
professional support services within the coaching industry.
 Professional
Coaching is growing and expanding so quickly, across a diverse range of industries
and profiles, that the demand for professional support services is paramount to
keeping coaches abreast with the practices and activity of coaching worldwide,
and to give coaches the BEST possible professional exposure to the largest market
segments.
Acknowledging
this real need within our industry, and tapping into my diverse background in
business management, marketing and design, administration and IT, I created and
established the Buzzbox Coaches Referral Agency.
The
Buzzbox Coaches Referral Agency serves to provide:
-
Referral of the finest professional coaches, governed by unprecedented standards
and practices of the professional coaching industry.
- Endorsement
of professional coaching organisations, specifically dedicated to enhancing the
community and networking of professional coaches - to develop, support and maintain
the dynamic growth and emergence of professional coaching.
- International
affiliation with collaborative and representative peak bodies and organisations,
to enhance and diversify the implementation of personal and industry specific
success of professional coaching.
- Professional
development for coaches through the endorsement of national and international
continual education and skills development, to maintain the professional growth
of the coaching industry and to keep up to date with the latest coaching products
and services from around the world.
The
Referral Agency is free for professional coaches to join. It represents and endorses
certified, ethical and outstanding coaches - passionate, brilliant, gifted professionals
who are in this business to make a magnificent impact on people's lives in return
for dynamic, positive and long term personal and financial rewards.
As
a member, coaches are represented by the Referral Agency locally, nationally and
internationally. Referrals are generated via our presentation events, seminars
and workshops, information evenings, advertising and promotions, corporate affiliations
with peak bodies and national organisations, and coaches are allocated one full
web page for their profile and expertise on our website.
Coaches
are provided full access to the first industry specific web based "live" coaching
software, that I have personally developed. It includes a real time diary/appointment
system, full stationary downloads in .pdf format (which mail merge your personal
business details on all stationary for direct advertising and referral or YOUR
business), coach and client details, payment facilities, interactive coach resource/library
facilities, and coach network/bulletin board.
Referral
charges to coaches only apply to successful referrals. A flat rate is charged
per client who commits to a coaching series or service/s with a coach. No other
referral fees or charges apply.
Other
avenues of service income are generated through: Train the Trainer courses, workshops
and seminars; Advanced Coach Training; Business Integrated Coaching Software;
coaching products and tools (from other business sources); networking affiliations;
membership packages; and Refer-a-Coach incentive schemes.
Gyan
Baird
gyan@EpiphanyCoach.com
| EpiphanyCoach.com
I
began my career as a graphic designer in the publishing industry and have continued
to apply my design skills to everything I've done over the past 20 years (comes
in pretty handy no matter what I'm working on!). When I transitioned into coaching
in 1999, I met many wonderful coaches.
 Over
the years, these coaches have really liked my logo, forms, business cards, stationary,
website, brochures, and flyers. Many newer coaches have asked me to design their
business image by creating their logo, printed materials, or website. I love being
involved in the startup phase; it's so exciting to help someone's vision unfold.
Launching
a new business can be thrilling, challenging, and sometimes overwhelming. I love
helping new coaches clarify their coaching practice and translate that into great
graphics. I've also worked with many authors and publishing houses over the years
to design and proofread/edit books. I'm currently working with a coach who is
writing her first ebook this spring. I find that providing coaches with graphic
design services is just another way of supporting and enhancing the professional
image of the coaching field.
Suggestions
related to Providing Support Services for Coaches:
Establish,
very specifically, WHAT services you want to provide and WHY.
Determine
your coach market - WHO are you offering support services to?
Explore
the best service structure/s - HOW your service/s will be provided
Create
and set up strong, dynamic systems with minimal steps.
Offer
both PAID and FREE services, to encourage new coaches to join, reward existing
coaches for their membership and support, and to maintain the integrity, professionalism
and profitability of your service/s and business.
Network
with as many other reputable professional affiliates and organisations as possible
(both within the coaching industry AND complimentary to our industry).
Related resources
See examples of other support
services at www.bridgerentals.com,
www.teleclass.com, www.instantwebaudio.com
and www.cartville.com
All services are from CoachVille.com.
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