Comments on: Beginner’s Guide to Become a Life Coach

By: Barbra

Barbra — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:48:50 +0000

Hi Carmen, I think that you have identified a very good coaching niche, and you clearly have expertise in this area. As far as additional training, it's hard for me to say without knowing more about your specific skills and background. But my hunch is that you may already have much of what you need. I recommend that you get a set of my coaching CDs with a view to taking the IAC certification exam. Once you have listened to the CDs, get an assessment of your coaching skills (I recommend some people who do assessments above). This blog post on preparing for IAC certification may also be helpful to you. Best of luck to you Carmen!

By: Carmen

Carmen — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:48:19 +0000

Hi Barbara,
I’m a certified school counselor and career counselor. In my work as a high school career specialist I see how little time counselors have to work with individual students, do mainly to a very large case load, 400 + students. I see a huge need specially for for first generation college students to get one-on- one assitance with the college admission process. I love career counseling and helping students /families navigate through this process. What do you think about becoming a life coach in this area? And what additional traiing would i need? Thanks

By: Life Coach Career - What is a Life Coach — HomeBusinessWiz

Life Coach Career - What is a Life Coach — HomeBusinessWiz — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:09:36 +0000

[...] Beginner’s Guide to Become a Life Coach [...]

By: Shai Powell

Shai Powell — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:52:09 +0000

This is a good article. I had to learn the hard way. You definitely have to think outside of the box when it comes to marketing a coaching business. I have found that group sessions work the best for an hour or two. I try to match people together with similar issues. I coach in groups of four. In the first hour we talk as a group and the last hour I take each person aside for fifteen minutes to focus on their core issues. This way they have privacy to discuss more detailed problems.

By: Arnetta

Arnetta — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:55:45 +0000

I recently decided that this is a field I am very interested in looking into for a career.
I enjoy mentoring people and participate in a ministry at church that is in line with mentoring.

Thank you for the straight talk about this busy.

By: Barbra

Barbra — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:19:29 +0000

@elizabeth – it sounds like you are using a range of things to market your coaching services. That’s a great strategy.

@julia – as you know, I have tremendous respect for you and what you do at the School of Coaching Mastery. Nonetheless, I think we will have to agree to disagree on the niche issue. I think choosing a marketable niche is critical. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

@regina – glad to hear that you found my perspective helpful. As I said at the outset, it’s just my opinion and not everyone sees it the same way I do.

By: Regina Stafford

Regina Stafford — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:59:22 +0000

Thank you for sharing all this info from the heart. I get annoyed when I see Coaches trying to make money off other coaches by taking advantage of their inexperience as a coach. I too give freely from my experiences to other coaches but I don’t make it my market strategy.
If I may I want to also add that if one truely wants to be a good coach you need good training. I have a background that gives me the skill to be a good coach but the training and certification I received is invaluable. It also builds ones confidence and understanding of the field as well as respect to you.

Thanks again for the tidbits of info that you freely share. It is much appreciated.

By: Julia Stewart

Julia Stewart — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:28:31 +0000

Great article, Barbra! It’s very straight forward and navigates a complicated subject that confuses a lot of would-be coaches. I do have a slightly different opinion on a couple of issues though.

One is that I’ve noticed a fair number of new coaches searching frantically for the “right” niche and although it’s true that a niche has to be desirable to potential clients, it’s even more important for it to be something that really lights up the coach. That enthusiasm attracts clients.

Which leads me to the other issue: It’s true that some people go into coaching and have a tough time finding clients, but others do it easily. And one of the defining factors it that enthusiasm again.

So if you really love coaching and feel called to do it, your experience will be way more positive than if you think you should be a coach because you’re good at it, or you might make a lot of money, etc.

My 2 cents!

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:34:39 +0000

What an honest account – especially about a lot of the hype that coaching schools throw at you. Not all, but some pile it on so thick they make you think that you could have a full practice by visiting your local supermarket and standing in line and telling everyone what you do.Thanks for being honest and telling it like it is.
I am certified and I give workshops, write a blog, for a woman’s magazine have a column, and have a book proposal with an agency. Sometimes you do have to do more than one on one coaching, but I find it a lot of fun and I am enjoying the adventure.
it is worth it if your passion is calling you to coaching.

By: Tiddly

Tiddly — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:21:20 +0000

Excellent insight on coaching! Great work, very nuanced and practical :-)
Best,
Tiddly
Rarely do people comment nowadays, it’s more about reading and digesting the information.