6 Tips for Telephone Coaching
If you are a coach, you're likely connecting with your clients through one of three ways: Face-to-face, via telephone (including Skype and other VOIP options), or email. Each of these ways presents their own unique challenges and opportunities. For those of you who are connecting through the phone, here are six tips you can use for more effective connection.
1. Schedule a time and stick to it… and make sure your clients honor it. Hold that telephone time with the same regard you would if you had a face-to-face meeting. Expect the same of your client and, if necessary, implement a cancellation fee if you don’t receive advanced notice that they won't be there.
2. Have a plan. Create an "agenda" and share it with the person. In face-to-face coaching, I'll have an agenda but I rarely share it with the person, but prior to the phone call I like to email the agenda to the client. I'm not sure why I've done this (using it in one circumstance but not the other) but it has worked out well for me.
3. Take advantage of the tools available. If I'm on the phone, I will also frequently use a webinar service (like WebEx) to create an audio/visual experience. Or, if we're on Skype, I'll use the webcam and other Skype features as necessary. Those technologies are there; put them to good use.
4. Provide a transcript of the call. Record the call and send it to a transcriptionist and send the audio file and a PDF transcription to the client. That way, they'll have a record of your call in two formats – one to listen to again if they want, and one to review on occasion. And, you can re-use some of the material from these calls, too! Simply remove the client-specific references and smooth out the phrasing and when you collect several calls together, you've got an ebook.
5. Focus and expect the other person to do the same. DON'T multitask on the phone. Treat the telephone meeting just like you would treat a face-to-face meeting. Don't also read a book or tweet or eat or email other people. Your client won't feel that you're fully engaged and your coaching will be less effective.
6. Use a handsfree headset. Using a regular phone cradled in your neck isn't very comfortable for you. And using a speaker phone isn't very nice for your client. You'll either end up with a sore neck or you'll end up repeating everything you say. A handsfree headset allows you to interact with the client in the webinar, for example) freely.
The telephone gives you opportunities to coach clients who aren't located near you. It broadens your potential client base and helps you grow your business. And, your telephone coaching will be noticeably more effective when you follow these six tips.
Brought to by you by: Contemporary VA - Run your business instead of running in circles.
@ContemporaryVA on Twitter. Follow the team to stay updated on business resources we deliver that cover strategies and tips, social media and more!
Related Articles:
- Create a Lasting Record of Telephone Calls
- Virtual Coaching or Face-to-Face?
- Online Tools for Professional Coaches
- Personal Coaching
- Tips for the Coaches: setting up the outgoing message on your answering machine
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment