One way that many coaches can find new clients is from businesses. Of course, for some of you, like executive coaches or business coaches, this is where you look first. But many of you are coaches who work in some other aspect of life and the business world might not be your go-to place to find clients. Some examples include: transition coaches, productivity coaches, career coaches, parenting coaches, time management coaches, etc. For you, clients are often found from other sources.

However, by approaching businesses and telling them about your coaching topics, you might find an entirely new source of clientele.

Find a few medium-to-large organizations that have dozens, hundreds, or thousands of employees. Talk to their HR department and tell them that you are a coach in your specific field. Then, tell them why their business will benefit when their employees get coached with you. Productivity and time management coaches might coach a client on productivity in all aspects of their lives and the business would receive the spin-off benefit. Parenting coaches would help employees who are also parents through the challenges and pleasures of parenthood. Transition and career coaches can help new employees to make the right first steps in their career, and can help retiring employees to leave a positive legacy that others can build on.

The nice thing about approaching it this way is that it’s a "soft sell". You’re not asking the business to cover these expenses. You’re simply suggesting that they recommend your services to their employees. If you present yourself effectively, they might be willing promoters because businesses like finding ways to improve the lives of their employees… especially if it doesn’t cost them anything. This makes for happier employees (and happier employees are more productive and more likely to stay with the company) and the company wins without having to life a finger.

If the HR department is interested in your idea, offer to start with a free seminar for their employees over lunch hour. You can gauge interest from the employees, you can tantalize them with some helpful general tips, and you can show HR that you’re an expert who can deliver happier employees to them.

Here’s a bonus tip: If you have any industry experience (either from a previous work experience or because many of your clients happen to be in one industry), start there. Approach several businesses in one industry and tailor your coaching to that niche. For example, a time management coach might create some marketing around: "Time management for oil & gas middle management" or a parenting coaching might focus on a niche like: "Parenting skills for retail employees". This will help you to show the HR department that you know the precise needs of their workers, and it will help you to hone your coaching to attract more clients.

Contemporary VA

@contemporaryva on Twitter.  Follow us to stay updated with our many resources that include business, accounting and bookkeeping, social media, and much more!

Similar Posts:

• Business Coaching
• Marketing Your Coaching Business
• Executive Coaches – Are they just for the drowning?
• Having “The Talk” With Your Client
• Time Management Coaching Resource