The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.

Here are three possible sources for your initial testimonials:

Your Friends and Colleagues

Given you want to become a certified coach; chances are you have already helped people in your past.  Obvious roles are where you have mentored someone, managed someone, counseled someone, or simply given a friend support, encouragement, or advice which really helped to move them forward.  Don’t you think it’s likely this friend or colleague would be happy to support you by jotting down how you helped them?  Even better, offer a coaching session so they become one of your very first coaching clients…

Your Very First Coaching Clients

This is not rocket science <smile>.  Call a friend and say, “Hey — I need some testimonials.  I’ll coach you for a month for free on XXXXX.  All you need to do is give me an honest couple of paragraphs at the end on how it was for you”.

Past Clients

Financial planners, teachers, consultants, therapists and trainers are examples of people who may be able to get testimonials from their past or current client base.  It will most likely not mention coaching, but “Thank you Jan, for helping me get my finances in order,” or “Thank you John, for your help with my relationship — you’ve certainly made a difference,”  are very powerful statements.