The following is an excerpt of one of David’s coaching sessions in Top Coaching Techniques.

David: If you just try to handle eating alone, that’s not easy because the rest of your life is a little bit in disarray. So if you try exercise alone, that’s not easy because you feel bloated, because you just ate some bad foods. If you take on the whole list… One of my things was to exercise, so I find if I go out and rock climb one night, I am not drinking alcohol, I feel like healthy foods and I am not watching any movies. Plus, I’m spending time with my partner, because she comes with me.

Client: That’s right.

David: So, I’m in this positive cycle, and it’s not even taking any effort. I didn’t even know I was doing it until I just told you the list.

Client: Yeah.

David: So what I invite you to do for this week – and to send me by the end of tomorrow – is the list of the ‘practices that support you’ and the ‘practices that abuse you’. Print it out and put it up on a wall somewhere at home. Maybe give it to your partner as well, as your partner often notices things that you’re doing or that don’t support you.

The following is an excerpt from Top Coaching Techniques.

1.     I like you more than I let on; I’d like to spend more time with you

2.     You’re sexy/I want to have sex with you

3.     I feel hurt by something you did/do

4.     I’m drained by you…….(being late, not returning my calls, yelling at me etc.)

5.     I’d really like you to touch and hug me more

6.     I love you. Thank you for being in my life.

7.     I’m angry at you.

8.     I’m having sex to please you/keep you in the relationship

9.     I’m worried if I tell you the truth you’ll be angry/ I’m afraid.

The following is an excerpt from the book Get Paid For Who You Are.

When Jillian Wells became wheelchair bound, she felt the despair of anyone whose freedom and independence is limited. Yet she was the sort of person to do whatever she could, no matter what, and she began to devour all she could read or hear about new ventures to enrich her life.

She wanted to run online forums on self-development for women, but she had no business experience or knowledge of computers. What she did have was lots of determination and a willingness to make it happen. She began by borrowing her business partner’s website, and started advertising on facebook and e-academy. The online forums she created were deeply satisfying and transforming — for the women who attended, and for her.

Her other passion is running a lighthouse in australia with guest accommodations. the lighthouse website was very old, so she contacted the web designer and reworked the entire site to make it more interactive (www.pointhicks.com.au). as a result, she is getting at least four enquiries a day, which translates into more bookings. She’s the first to admit, “My lifestyle has greatly improved and i feel i’m making a difference for others and myself.”

The following is taken from David’s interview with Judy Feld in 10 Super Coaches.

What top three methods, in order, did you use to get your clients in the first two years?

Three main methods, all virtual (not in-person):

My first five clients came from a marketing letter to everyone in my rolodex/database. It was small then, only 120 people. It asked for referrals; it did not invite the recipient to be coaches. I only had to send this letter out once.

E-newsletter – essential. I launched mine in 1996, and have been publishing it continuously since then. It keeps connection, establishes trust, and works hand-in-hand with my website. Provides a “call to action”.

Website- essential. And rare in 1995. I think I was one of the first 10 coaches to have a website. It becomes your “virtual place of business” and allows people all over the world to connect at any time. Provides a “call to action”.

The following is taken from David’s interview with Robert Cornish in 10 Super Coaches.

What advice would you give coaches about charging clients?

Ultimately charge them what you feel good about receiving, charging more ore less than that will hamper how you are serving them in your coaching. (You will likely have very little success in attracting clients who will pay more than what you are comfortable receiving anyway).

How did you deal with the coaching/charging friends issue?

I coached a couple friends when I was in the certification process, I charged them a nominal fee or traded services. Otherwise I avoid coaching friends, because unless you are able to absolutely distinguish the line between the two both relationships are compromised. It takes a lot more effort to do that.

Do you recommend offering free coaching?

Not as a rule, free coaching isn’t generally valued by the client because they are putting zero energy and commitment to it. I do offer pro-bono coaching under special circumstances like 9/11 or other economic/personal tragedies.

The following is an excerpt from the CoachStart Manual.

The simplest thing you can start with is a ‘bio’ or Biography. A simple Word or PDF document that you can hand, fax, mail, or e-mail to a speaker-seeker. Work out what will give you credibility when creating your bio.  Include the topic of your talk and the key benefits to your audience — and a good headshot. If you have done other talks, list the groups and the topics.

You can start to expand this until you have quite a comprehensive promotional package.  You may include articles that have been written by the speaker or about the speaker (i.e., media mentions), a couple of testimonial letters, and ultimately a short video.  Many groups will request testimonials, even the ones that are not paying.

And of course — list your web site, which may eventually include several dynamic pics of you speaking, audio clips, and ultimately streaming video.