interview - Inner Firewalking

Judy Feld on Determining Your Coaching Niche

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

What are your coaching niche(s)? How did you discover this?

Niches and specialties are very important in the growth of a coaching practice.

I think you create niches and specialties, not discover them. Here are three of my niches:

Technology executives: CIOs, IT VPs, etc.
Executive Women
Career Changers

How would you suggest coaches find their niche?

Know yourself- use assessments: behavioral styles, values, strengths, etc. Coach people whose work you are interested in, and concentrate on niches that fit your strengths and background.

Be consistent in your messages; craft your own identity.

Invent your own sub-niche; create your unique area of specialty.

Strengthen the reserve in your business so that you can invest in long-term specialization. Be open to change.

Communicate continuously and creatively with your target market.

Provide real value; continue to add value.

Choose your specialty so that it does not depend on fads- fleeting whims of your decision-making population.

Above all, choose niches and specialties that you enjoy.

Rob Cornish on Getting Clients in the First 2 Years

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

What top three methods, in order, did you use to get your clients in the first 2 years?

Existing network- The customers I had in my racing shop, and my long time reputation in auto racing. My reputation and recognition was most significant in getting clients at that time.
Placing ads- In local and national racing enthusiast newspapers and magazines.
Referrals- indirect referrals, people seeing the results of the people I was coaching.

Tap into the network of people you know, offer them sample sessions of your coaching if for no other reason than having them understand what coaching is about so they can refer people they know to you.