Introduction
Some coaches become experts on a certain topic, such as weight loss, career transition, or successful relationships. Others may have created their practice with ease and know how to set up and run a successful business. A training company or program can be created based on that expertise.

The first step is often a program based on your expertise. This may expand into a company with a couple programs or a full curriculum.

Real World Example

Sandra Schrift
www.schrift.com | sandra@schrift.com

In 1997, upon the advice of Thomas Leonard, I started my own virtual university, called Speakers University (www.speakersuniversity.com). I quickly put together a 6 week curriculum (one-hour TeleClasses that are held every other week) and marketed them through my biweekly ezine, Monday Morning Mindfulness. The ezine was another idea suggested by Thomas.

I marketed to other coaches, speakers and authors who wanted to speak for a fee. My 13 years as an owner of a national speakers bureau brings credibility to my classes. I started out with small groups and today offer 10 one-hour classes, with an enrollment limited to 20 people per class. I have added 3 more people to my faculty, who are speaker/coaches with a national reputation in their niched areas of expertise. Our classes are attended by people in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

I also offer a monthly FREE TeleClass with TeleClass.com, "How to Succeed in the Speaking Business," and find that many attendees then sign up for the paid Speakers University TeleClasses. Classes are affordable and time efficient. Special fee for those who attend my FREE TeleClasses is $185 and include eWorkbooks. Three times a year, my faculty and I offer a FREE 2 hour marathon called, "Boost Your Speaking Success." We use the Q&A format.

We usually attract 185 to 225 participants! It's great fun and people are blown away by our knowledge and generosity. All FREE classes are scheduled 2 weeks before the beginning of a new Speakers University program.

Recently, my faculty and I created a 6 cassette audio program which includes eWorkbooks and a 20 minute coaching call with me. The program, "How to Succeed in the Speaking Business" is only $99 (a $165 value). I sell these programs at www.schrift.com/success_resources.htm. They sell well and sometimes, buyers become individual coaching clients.

What's next? Watch for my new monthly TeleClass program called, "Hear the Pros" (tm). I am tapping into the talents of a group of coaches and speakers who have an expertise that will benefit anyone who wants to market and package themselves as a paid speaker. Fee will be $25 per class and will include eWorkbooks. Missed the class? Order the tape. I will post the calendar of 12 monthly classes on my web site.

Teresia LaRocque, TLC Coaching & Associates
www.tlcsuccess.com | teresia@tlcsuccess.com

My name is Teresia LaRocque and I lead The Abundant Practice Program: a program for Coaches for 4 years. When I first started my practice in 1996 I focused on building a 1 on 1 clientele and quickly built a full practice with 30-35 clients per month for the first two years. During this time I started to attract coaches, who also wanted to create an abundant coaching practice.

I realized I had a lot to offer coaches who wanted to build a profitable coaching practice. Offering a group coaching program seemed like the natural next step to leverage my time and impacted a larger audience.

By teaming up with a Business Strategist, Michael Walsh, and looking at what worked in my life and what specific tools and practices I had used to build my practice. We came up with 24 specific tools and strategies that make the biggest difference in supporting coaches to build successful practices and from that, created The Abundant Practice Program: a program for Coaches.

The program consisted of 12 one-hour TeleClasses over a four month period. The structure, accountability, support and synergy that is created within the group are key factors for participants in taking consistent action, creating momentum which creates experiences that one can build on to achieve their desired results. The program has a strong bias to action.

Based on the TAP program we created a follow up group coaching program called the Abundant Practice Strategic Support program for graduates to integrate and go deeper with the TAP principals. This program was offered once a month for 1.5 hours over a one-year period. Group coaching allowed me to leverage my time as I am able to invest less time for the group coaching as opposed to working with all the participants one on one.

This program was a big part of the services we offered and contributed 30% to our company income. The Abundant Practice Program isn't our main focus anymore. We have naturally evolved into supporting coaches in building profitable businesses in other ways.

Identifying your area of expertise and aligning that with a need of a specific market can be an effortless, fun and profitable way to increase your bottom line!

Suggestions Related to Starting a Specialty Company or Program
Determine your area of expertise.
Create and offer a single TeleClass on the topic.
Expand the TeleClass into a series.
Add group coaching to the mix, and create a program.
Create a curriculum based on your area of expertise, add in supporting services and products, and you've created a specialty company.

Related resources
Tips for starting a 5-day program: www.coachville.com/fullpractice/x23fiveday.html
Training & resources www.schoolofcoaching.com

All services are from CoachVille.com.