The Business Of Coaching

In this episode of The Business of Coaching, Sarah Short is joined in the studio by Dorothée Dorsch, a high-level communications specialist turned executive coach. Doro shares her powerful story of how a high-stakes corporate career led to a dramatic physical wake-up call and how she used that experience to build a professional coaching practice that resonates with senior leaders.About the Guest: Doro DorschDoro spent nearly 30 years climbing the career ladder to reach the highest levels of business area responsibility in the marketing and communications sector. Her daily life involved managing global teams, navigating complex internal office politics, and making high-stakes decisions for major companies. After a stress-related health crisis, Doro discovered the transformative power of coaching and now specialises in helping senior marketing and communication leaders navigate the same pressures she once faced.About the EpisodeDorothée and Sarah discuss the transition from "hiding behind a corporate logo" to building a personal brand with precision and courage.Key highlights include:The Body's Warning: Doro recounts the frightening moment her body stopped "politely telling" her it was too much and began "screaming" via a stress-related hearing loss.The Loneliness of Leadership: A deep dive into the "3 a.m. worries" and the "is this it?" feeling that plagues many successful senior leaders who have ticked every societal box but lack happiness.Marketing with a "Long Breath": Why even a marketing expert needs a structured process and a supportive community to maintain the persistence and consistency required for business growth.Early Success: Doro shares the "German realistic" approach to her business and the joy of signing her first corporate client much earlier than expected.Professional Credibility: How following a clear process led a client to choose Doro over other coaches, specifically because of her professional materials and consistent messaging.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Sarah breaks down exactly why now is the best time to learn how to market your coaching business. She explores the surprising similarities between the art of coaching and the art of marketing, and explains why the average coach's website completely misses the mark. If you don't have a corporate black book full of contacts, and you are tired of relying on "mates rates" or associate work, this episode will help you shift your perspective. Learn how to generate steady inbound inquiries so your discovery calls become simple chemistry checks!Key Takeaways:Coaching and Marketing Are Alike: Both disciplines are client-centred. Both are processes. Both require consistent action. Finally, both are widely misunderstood by outsiders.It's All About the Client: Marketing is about the client, not the coach. Your marketing must focus on a target audience and the big problem they are struggling with. There is only one star of your marketing show, and it isn't you.The Website Trap: The average coach's website acts like an online CV filled with coaching philosophies. This doesn't generate inquiries because potential clients only care about themselves and their needs, not your resume.The Search Volume Reality: Very few people are actively searching for a coach online. Unlike therapy, which people understand, coaching is broadly misunderstood, leading to minuscule search volumes.The AIDA Framework: Effective marketing moves your target audience through Awareness, Interest, Desire, and Action. As marketers, we must show we understand their struggles (Awareness), which leads them to notice us (Interest), want to hear more (Desire), and ultimately book a call (Action).The Ultimate Goal: Good marketing generates a steady flow of inbound inquiries. By the time these prospects book a call, they already know you can solve their problem, meaning you don't have to "prove" the value of coaching.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this episode of The Business of Coaching, Sarah sits down with the inspiring Angelina Blackwood Hernandez to discuss her remarkable journey from a 20-year career in Higher Education HR to running a thriving coaching and yoga business.About the Guest: Angelina Blackwood HernandezAngelina spent two decades navigating the complexities of HR within the university sector. Despite reaching a managerial level, she found herself facing burnout and a sense of "is this it?" within the repetitive academic cycle. As a Black woman in those environments, she often dealt with unprofessionalism and microaggressions that she initially internalised before finding the clarity to step away. Today, she is a qualified health coach and yoga teacher who has successfully replaced her full-time income by serving a highly specific niche.About the Episode:Sarah and Angelina pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a successful coaching business while balancing a full-time job and a household of four children.Key highlights include:The "False Start": Angelina shares her experience of spending money on Facebook ads and running hundreds of free discovery calls that led nowhere because she lacked a proper marketing strategy.The Power of a Specific Niche: How Angelina moved from a broad "weight loss" focus to helping "fed-up Black women in HR in Higher Education" figure out their next move.Doing the "Scary Things": From overcoming the fear of posting daily on LinkedIn to attending industry conferences, where she was surprised to find people already knew her from her content.The ROI of Commitment: Angelina reveals that in her first year with The Coaching Revolution, she made back eight times her initial investment.Living the Dream: A look at Angelina’s "dream life"—working in her hoodie, teaching yoga, and coaching clients she truly cares about."Stop ignoring it or putting it off until next time. Get on the challenge, commit to it, and just see what it feels like." — Angelina Blackwood Hernandez Ready to find your own focus?Join our next free Nail Your Niche challenge. You can register at thecoachingrevolution.com/nailyourniche.

In this solo episode, Sarah tackles one of the most common - and frustrating - misconceptions in the coaching industry: the idea that your coaching certificate automatically entitles you to high-paying clients.While qualifications are an absolute non-negotiable for professional standards, they aren't what actually gets clients through the door. Sarah breaks down the crucial difference between your coaching delivery skills and your client acquisition skills. If you find yourself endlessly collecting new qualifications while your client roster remains empty, this episode will help you step off the hamster wheel and start building true professional credibility.Key Takeaways:The Client's Perspective: Potential clients rarely care about the specific flavour of coaching qualification you hold. Instead, they only care about what is in it for them and how you can help.The Weighing Scale Analogy: The skills required to build a business sit on a weighing scale, requiring a perfect balance. On one side are your coaching delivery skills, and on the other are your client acquisition, marketing, and selling skills.The Source of Real Credibility: True professional credibility relies heavily on your deep understanding of the client's unique situation. You must be able to articulate that understanding clearly so the client believes you are their ideal coach."Can Pay" vs. "Will Pay": There is a major difference between a client who "can pay" and one who "will pay". Having available funds does not automatically give a prospect a compelling reason to hire you.The Qualification Collector Trap: It is incredibly common for coaches to become "qualification collectors" in an attempt to build their credibility and confidence. However, it is fundamentally difficult to provide additional value to clients that you do not actually have.Have you enjoyed this episode?Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this "Success Leaves Clues" episode, Sarah sits down with Julija Martinkeviciute, a structural engineer turned coach who is already making massive strides just a few months into her journey with The Coaching Revolution.Julija shares her major "penny-drop" moment about the power of marketing and why stripping away coaching jargon is the ultimate key to connecting with your ideal clients. If you've ever struggled to articulate what you do, felt intimidated by competition in your niche, or wondered why your audience isn't connecting with terms like "limiting beliefs" or "burnout," this episode is packed with actionable insights just for you.Key Takeaways:Finding the Right Niche: Julija shares her transition from structural engineering to coaching engineers who are struggling to navigate high-stress environments and the transition into people management.The Power of Pre-Qualification: Effective marketing acts as a natural pre-qualification process. By the time a prospect reaches a discovery or sales call, they already know who you are and that you understand their problem, eliminating the need to "prove" the value of coaching.Ditching the Jargon: Translating "coach-speak" into "client-speak" is the defining skill that separates thriving coaching businesses from those that struggle.Abundance in Your Niche: Finding another coach in your specific niche should feel exciting rather than threatening, as your approaches can complement each other perfectly.Defining the Undefined: It is vital to break down broad buzzwords like "burnout" and "stress" into relatable, everyday client experiences and warning signs.Want vs. Need: People will only buy what they want. As business owners, we must understand what our clients actively desire and thoughtfully wrap the coaching they actually need around that want.The Ideal Client Avatar (ICA): Getting ultra-specific about your ICA ensures your marketing feels like a conversation with a real person. This hyper-focus allows you to ignore the rest of the world and direct your message entirely to the people you are meant to serve.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Sarah dives into the concept of pastoral care and why it’s the missing ingredient in most coaching business programs. Using her signature "blanket of security" metaphor, Sarah explains how to bridge the gap between what clients think they want and what they actually need to succeed.What Does "Pastoral Care" Look Like in Practice?Sarah details the high-touch support included in her program to help coaches move from anonymous names to collaborators and friends: Daily Interaction: Online community access for questions and a daily framework for marketing. The Virtual Water Cooler: Daily "Zoom Cafes" designed for hanging out and building relationships, not just working. Accountability in Action: Bi-weekly co-working blocks and weekly accountability calls to set the week up for success. Continuous Growth: Bi-weekly training sessions on business-building topics and extra 1-to-1 support when "life happens.""We wrap what they want—knowledge and skills—into what they need: the support and accountability to implement them."Ready to join the revolution? If you're tired of going it alone and want a coaching business that is supported by a community that has your back, listen in to hear how we are changing the business of coaching.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

There are plenty of people in your LinkedIn DMs promising "six figures in 90 days," but what does the reality of building a coaching business actually look like? In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Sarah sits down with Kirsty Fitzscott, a former head teacher now 15 months into her coaching journey. They strip away the hype to discuss the practical, pragmatic, and sometimes messy work of establishing a sustainable practice.Kirsty Fitzscott is a coach for head teachers and the host of the new podcast, The Intentional Head. She helps educational leaders move past the daily grind to focus on strategic leadership.Key Takeaways1. The "90-Day" Myth vs. Reality Kirsty debunks the "get rich quick" marketing that targets new coaches. The reality is that building a viable business takes time:The Timeline: It typically takes two to three years to build a business, not three months.The Portfolio Approach: Most coaches won't make their money solely from 1:1 coaching immediately; building a "portfolio business" is often necessary.The Digital Footprint: It can feel like "screaming into the void," but every podcast, video, and article lays a path for clients to find you later.2. Networking: Connection Over Sales Like many coaches, Kirsty initially hated networking because it felt like "selling". She reframed it successfully by realising:You aren't there to sell to the person in front of you; you are there to get to know them.Opportunities often come through "a link and a link and a link"—friends of friends or colleagues of the people you meet.3. The Power of the "Golden Sentence " One of the most critical assets for a coach is their "Golden Sentence"—a single statement that explains exactly what they do.The Formula: "I work with [Client] to help them [Action/Stop Problem] so that they can [Result]".Kirsty's Example: "I help time-poor head teachers to stop the firefighting so they can actually get on with the strategic".Why It Works: It makes your work instantly accessible. Even if the person you are talking to isn't a head teacher, they might know one who is "firefighting" and make the connection.4. Finding the Sweet Spot Kirsty discovered her niche was specifically Primary Head Teachers.The Logic: Unlike secondary schools, which have HR and IT departments, primary heads are often the sole decision-maker for over a thousand stakeholders.The "Shame" Factor: Many potential clients feel shame about their struggles. They need a safe, confidential space to ask questions they can't ask their governors or teams.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Does the word "niche" make you cringe? You aren't alone. In this solo episode, Sarah tackles one of the biggest sticking points for new coaches: the fear that narrowing your focus means excluding people. Sarah reframes niching from a constraint into a "magic wand" - one of the fastest paths to securing paying clients.Key Takeaways1. Reframing the "Niche" Concept - Many coaches struggle with niching because they view it as excluding people, which goes against the inclusive nature of coaching. Sarah suggests a mindset shift:Think of "niching" simply as having a target audience.Just like Waitrose (a high-end positioned supermarket in the UK) advertises in glossy magazines to reach premium buyers, you are simply placing your message where your likely buyers will see it.2. Hobby vs. Business - Sarah delivers a "hard truth" about the financial reality of coaching:You cannot build a sustainable business on clients who cannot afford to pay you.If you do not have paying clients, you technically have a hobby, not a business.3. The 3 Steps to Choosing a Viable Niche - To choose a niche that actually works, Sarah advises looking for three specific criteria:Language & Rhythm: Choose a group whose language you speak and whose "rhythm of life" you inherently understand.The Problem: Ensure the people in this niche have a specific problem that your coaching can help resolve.Financial Viability: Make sure this group is able to pay a professional rate for your services."Choosing a niche is for coaches like having a magic wand and one of the fastest paths to paying clients that I know of."Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Do you feel "grubby" or "salesy" when you think about marketing your coaching business? You are not alone. In this short episode, Sarah challenges the common belief that marketing requires being "shouty" or "braggy". She explains how marketing is actually just as client-focused as coaching itself, simply requiring a shift in perspective to help your ideal clients find you.Key Takeaways:The "It Depends" Dilemma: Coaches often struggle to define outcomes because every client is unique and the results depend entirely on the individual's challenges and actions.The Visibility Reality Check: Many coaches believe that if their coaching is good enough, clients will magically find them, but clients cannot hire you if they don't know you exist.Marketing is Client-Focused: Just as coaching focuses on the client, good marketing focuses on the specific kind of client you love working with—the ones that make you say "yes" when you see their name in your diary.The "Coach Marketer" Role: To build a financially viable business, you must embrace the role of "coach marketer," which simply means becoming visible to your chosen clients and articulating the benefits of working with you.Memorable Quote:"No matter how wonderful your coaching is, clients can't find you if they don't know you exist." The Simple Marketing Formula:Sarah breaks it down into two simple steps:Become visible to the people you want as clients.Articulate the benefits of working with you.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

About The Guest:Yulianna Vilkos is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience in market-moving financial journalism in London. Originally moving from Ukraine to build a career in a major financial hub, she specialised in debt capital markets and bond deals within emerging markets. Her reporting was influential enough to move bond prices and market trends quite literally.Driven by a lifelong interest in psychology and a desire to help people move forward, Yulianna transitioned into coaching. Unlike therapy, which she felt was too focused on the past or passive listening, coaching allowed her to use her personality and focus on the present to help others achieve their goals.Today, Yulianna specialises in coaching senior financial journalists. She helps them navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, and the unique pressures of the industry, guiding them to design careers that align with their values and priorities. Her mission is to help journalists realise that their skills are transferable and valuable across many industries, empowering them to edit their own life stories rather than feeling trapped in someone else's.About the Episode:In this episode, Sarah chats with Yulianna Vilkos, a former financial journalist turned coach who found success by returning to her roots. After initially trying to build a generic personal brand on the advice of a business coach, Yulianna realised that her true strength lay in her 20-year background in financial journalism. She discusses her journey from reporting on debt capital markets to coaching senior journalists, the pitfalls of trying to be the next "Tony Robbins" without a multimillion-dollar budget, and why focusing on your existing strengths is the key to building a sustainable coaching business.Key Topics Discussed:From Journalism to Coaching: Yulianna shares her 20-year history in London’s financial sector and why she pivoted from market-moving journalism to coaching.Why Not Therapy?: Yulianna explains why she chose coaching over psychotherapy, preferring a forward-looking, active approach to helping people.The Trap of "Generic" Business Coaching: Yulianna opens up about a negative experience with a business coach who advised her to ignore niches and focus solely on "personal branding" to emulate global giants like Tony Robbins—advice that ultimately didn't work for her lifestyle or goals.The "Tony Robbins" Fallacy: Sarah and Yulianna discuss why trying to market to "everyone" is a mistake for new coaches who lack the massive marketing budgets of global celebrities.Finding the "Hidden Treasure" Niche: How Yulianna rediscovered the value of her own network and experience, realising she was "sitting on a treasure" by choosing to coach financial journalists rather than starting from scratch.Coaching Journalists: The specific challenges journalists face, including transitioning to editors, burnout, losing interest in their beat, or feeling misaligned with organisational values.Market to Your Strengths: Yulianna’s core advice for both journalists and coaches: stop trying to fix weaknesses and instead build a career and business around what you are already good at.Are you a coach struggling to find your niche or a journalist looking to pivot? Yulianna advises focusing on your strengths rather than fixing weaknesses.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Success Leaves Clues: From Biology Teacher to Menopause Expert with Helen ClareIn this episode of the "Success Leaves Clues" series, Sarah sits down with Helen Clare, a senior mentor at The Coaching Revolution and the founder of the thriving business, Menopause in Schools.Helen is the perfect example of how choosing a specific niche and understanding your ideal client can supercharge a coaching business. A former biology teacher, Helen utilised her background to build a portfolio career that supports schools and teachers through perimenopause and menopause.Whether you are struggling to define your niche or afraid that narrowing your focus will limit your opportunities, this frank and insightful conversation is a must-listen.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Power of a Clear Niche: How Helen transitioned from biology teacher to menopause coach by realising her ideal clients were the people she already knew and understood—teachers.What "Menopause in Schools" Actually Looks Like: Helen breaks down her portfolio business, which includes one-to-one coaching, writing menopause policies for schools, running staff workshops, and training "Menopause Champions" to support staff retention and well-being.Fearless Marketing: Why Helen isn't afraid to use frank language (like "vagina" or "menstrual flooding") on LinkedIn. She explains why normalising these conversations is vital and how it attracts the right clients rather than getting her banned.The "Special Case" Syndrome: Helen discusses the biggest trap new coaches fall into: believing their business is a "special case" where standard marketing rules don't apply.The "Bad Penny" Strategy: Why you don't need to be everywhere to be successful—you just need to be ubiquitous to the right people. Helen explains how to become a "bad penny" that your ideal clients keep seeing.Why Marketing to Everyone is Marketing to No One: A great analogy about gardening—why casting your seeds to the wind doesn't work, and why you need to "plant" your message where your audience actually hangs out.Are you treating your coaching business like a "special case"?. Take a page out of Helen’s book: define your audience, speak their language, and stop casting your seeds to the wind!Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this inspiring episode, Sarah is joined by Elizabeth Rosario, a woman who spent over 30 years in the NHS and over 20 years as a GP before transforming her career and mindset through coaching.If you have ever felt like you "aren't the sort of person" who can market themselves or find clients, Elizabeth’s story is a must-listen. From a crisis of confidence in general practice to building a community interest company, Elizabeth shares her journey of moving from burnout to dreaming big.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Power of Transferable Skills: How Elizabeth realised that despite 30 years of medical experience, she hadn't learned true active listening until she trained as a coach—and how that changed her patient interactions.Overcoming the Marketing Block: Elizabeth candidly discusses her resistance to "The Coaching Revolution" methods, her hatred of Facebook ("brag book"), and her panic over posting a simple selfie on LinkedIn.Finding a Powerful Niche: How working with the frailty team during COVID led Elizabeth to her specific niche: helping "guilt-ridden doctors" manage ageing parents so they can enjoy life again.Dreaming Bigger: How stepping out of her rut allowed her to envision a future where she changes the societal conversation around death and family dynamics.This episode proves that you don't have to be a "showy off person" to be a successful coach. Elizabeth’s transition from a sceptic who said "I can't do that" to a passionate coach with a massive vision is the perfect motivation for anyone sitting on the fence about starting their own coaching journey.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Sarah dismantles the common misconception that being a skilled coach is enough to build a successful business. She explores the dangerous confusion between Professional Development (becoming a better coach) and Business Development (learning how to acquire clients).Sarah explains why highly intelligent coaches—especially those with HR or procurement backgrounds—often struggle the most, and why the industry sees an 82% failure rate. She offers a liberating perspective: struggling to find clients isn't a failure of your coaching ability, but simply a lack of a separate, learnable skill set.Key Takeaways1. The Misunderstanding of Client AcquisitionMost coaches graduate believing client acquisition is intuitive, assuming that "casting a wide net" is the right strategy2. Defining the Two DisciplinesProfessional Development: This covers what your qualification taught you: core competencies, listening skills, ethics, and facilitating transformation. It ensures you are qualified to coachBusiness Development: This encompasses market research, pricing psychology, sales processes, and sustainable business modelling. It requires translating what you do into language that potential clients actually understand.3. The "Content Creation" TrapBelieving that competence attracts clients, coaches often default to writing about "confidence," "resilience," or their specific methodology.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Competitors or Collaborators? The Truth About the Coaching Industry with Tim BrownsonSarah welcomes a guest you might not expect: Tim Brownson. While they both teach coaches how to find clients, Tim and Sarah prove that collaboration is far more powerful than competition.Together, they pull back the curtain on the coaching industry, dismantling the myths sold by training schools and having a candid conversation about the "charlatans" giving the profession a bad name. They also dive deep into the controversial topic of AI, exploring why fear is holding many coaches back from the future.Key TakeawaysCompetition vs. Collaboration: Sarah and Tim discuss why they don't view each other as rivals, despite working in the same space. They explore why many coaches hold their cards close to their chest out of fear, rather than embracing community.The "Field of Dreams" Myth: The duo critiques the pervasive lie told by training organisations: that if you are a good enough coach, clients will simply find you. Tim shares his own experience of having a wall full of certificates that brought him "the grand total of no clients".The Reality of AI in Coaching: Far from believing AI will never catch on, Tim predicts it will "wipe out coaches at the bottom end" who compete on price. They agree that while AI shouldn't be used to churn out lazy content ("sludge"), it is an essential tool for productivity and thinking.Memorable Quotes"We genuinely believe that our success came purely from having good conversations and quality coaching, but we fail to recognise the structural advantage that we started with." — Sarah Short "I think AI is going to wipe out coaches at the bottom end... the kind of person that's looking for the cheapest coach is the kind of person that's going to turn to AI first." — Tim Brownson "Brilliant coaches with no clients and the shit coaches with loads of clients because they understand marketing and that's just how it is." — Tim Brownson Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this solo episode, Sarah dismantles the dangerous and pervasive belief that a sustainable coaching business can be built solely on referrals. She explores why "doing good work" is rarely enough to generate a consistent client flow, especially for coaches starting without a high-level corporate network.Sarah introduces the concept of "Monetisable Credibility" and explains why copying the business models of coaches with established networks often leads to failure for those starting from scratch.Key Takeaways1. The Stubborn Myth of ReferralsThere is a widespread belief among coaches that you only need to land your first one or two clients, and word of mouth will handle the rest.For the majority of coaches, this is not true; while referrals do come eventually, the timeline is typically years, not months2. Understanding "Monetizable Credibility""Starting from scratch" refers to coaches who lack existing networks of senior decision-makers who can approve budgets or afford premium rates based on pre-existing trust.Coaches without this credibility cannot leverage established relationships; they must build trust entirely through marketing efforts.Those with high-level networks often fail to recognise their own privilege, mistaking their structural advantage for the success of the "conversation".3. The Structural Limitations of Coaching ReferralsCoaching referrals face unique hurdles compared to other professions like accounting or law.Because coaching is often confidential, clients may not want others to know they are receiving support, meaning they will never refer you, regardless of their results.Referrals are often shared behind closed doors rather than as open professional recommendations, making the process much slower.4. The Danger of ImprovisationMany coaches try to "improvise" their business development without learning the fundamentals of marketing.Sarah compares this to "trying to improvise surgery without medical training".When these improvised methods fail, coaches often internalise the failure and blame themselves, rather than recognising they simply lack the necessary skills.5. Moving to Systematic Client AcquisitionCoaches who succeed are those who accept that building a business requires different skills than delivering coaching.Effective marketing requires specificity in targeting and language, rather than the "broad appeal" approach encouraged by the referral myth.Referrals should be viewed as a bonus, not a business strategy.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this episode of "Success Leaves Clues," Sarah Short speaks with Alex Nunn, a former charity sector leader turned executive coach. Alex shares her journey from navigating burnout in the non-profit world to building a thriving coaching business that supports the very sector she left.Alex opens up about the myth that "clients will just find you," the power of narrowing your niche, and how she now helps charity CEOs avoid the burnout she experienced herself.Key Takeaways1. The Path from Accidental Leader to Coach - Alex spent her career in the charity sector, focusing on mental health and homelessness, eventually becoming an "accidental leader" as she progressed through senior roles. However, during the pandemic, balancing work and motherhood led to burnout. After receiving coaching herself, she realised she wanted to help people thrive through the science of positive psychology.2. The Marketing Reality Check - Despite holding a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, Alex realised that qualifications alone don't build a business.She was initially told, "You never need to market your business... people will just find you," but quickly discovered this was not the case.This realisation led her to seek out The Coaching Revolution to learn the necessary business development skills.3. The Power of "Nailing the Niche" - Alex describes her experience with the Nail Your Niche Challenge:Initially, she marketed herself broadly around "wellbeing," attracting a mix of people.Through the challenge, she realised that tightening her focus to female CEOs in the charity sector made her messaging stronger.Alex notes that "the tighter I focus, the louder my voice," echoing advice from her mentors.4. Impacting the Sector from the Outside - Alex now works adjacent to the charity sector rather than inside it, which allows her to make a significant impact without the internal burnout.She notes that charity leaders often face unique pressures to "deliver more for less" and suffer from the loneliness of the CEO role.By coaching the CEO, she creates a ripple effect that improves the well-being of the entire organisation and helps them achieve their charitable aims.5. Resilience in Business - Alex shares a candid look at the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. After early success using platforms like TikTok, she faced a personal bereavement that slowed her momentum. However, by re-engaging fully with her marketing and being authentic, her business picked up again, leading to speaking engagements and ideal client work.The Nail Your Niche Challenge: A free, four-day challenge run by Sarah Short three times a year (September, January, and after Easter). Designed to help coaches understand why a target audience sets you free rather than restricting you.Join the waiting list: thecoachingrevolution.com/nailyourniche.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Many coaches shy away from sales and marketing, viewing them as a "necessary evil" or worrying that they are manipulative and inauthentic. In this episode, Sarah Short challenges this mindset, arguing that sales and marketing are actually "allies in providing excellent customer service".Sarah breaks down why marketing is simply about visibility and why a sale is actually a positive change in status for your client. This episode is essential for any coach who feels uncomfortable with the business side of their practice.In this episode, you will learn:Marketing is Not Shouting: Marketing isn't about standing on a chair yelling, "Buy my stuff!" It is about communicating quietly and consistently to a well-defined niche.The Power of a Niche: A niche is a defined segment of the population with a specific challenge your services can address. Focusing on a niche allows you to tailor your message so it resonates deeply with your target audience.Marketing for Good: Your marketing can have a positive impact on the world, even for those who don't become clients, by providing "light bulb moments" and relief.Honest Language: Sarah urges coaches to be "grown up" and use correct language: it is not a chemistry or discovery session, it is a "sales conversation".The Persuasion Myth: If you have marketed well, the sales conversation is simple because the potential client already knows what you do and what it costs; the persuasion part is already done.Sales as Service: Selling is simply an opportunity to help a client understand how coaching can support them to resolve their problems. It is about guiding them through a decision-making process with empathy.A Change in Status: A sale represents a "change in status" for the client, signifying their readiness to invest in their own growth and step into a new phase of life.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

In this episode, Sarah has the pleasure of talking to Cecile Emery, a self-described "introvert's introvert". Cecile shares her journey from a successful career in the mobile gaming industry to a period of burnout and existential crisis that led her to retrain as a coach.Cecile gets candid about the reality of launching a business in March 2020 and the two years she spent "faffing around" before a critical lightbulb moment. She explains how she learned to embrace her identity as an entrepreneur and build a successful business as an introvert, without being "loud and shouty".In this episode, you will learn:Cecile's "Aha" Moment: How, as a "massive introvert," she volunteered to give a company talk just to get her own hotel room—and was shocked when 100 people showed up to hear her speak about introversion. This was the moment she realised her words could help people.The Post-Graduation Reality: Cecile describes the struggle of launching her business in March 2020. The advice from her training about "having the right energy" didn't translate into clients, and she spent two years working for platforms without building her own business.The Biggest Mindset Shift: The most significant change came from joining The Coaching Revolution: the realisation that she wasn't just a coach, she was "running a business" and was an "entrepreneur".Marketing as an Introvert: You don't have to be an extrovert to market effectively. Cecile shares her strategy of building systems to manage her energy drain, attending the same networking events to build community, and focusing on having deep conversations with one or two people instead of working the whole room.Her Niche - The "Good Girl Syndrome": Cecile works with "quiet leaders"—the introverted, sensitive, and reliable people who do the work. She helps those struggling with the "good girl syndrome," who get overlooked for promotions because they are too "convenient" where they are.The Power of Community: Cecile highlights the value of The Coaching Revolution's supportive, non-competitive Facebook group, describing it as a place to get "instantaneous support" from colleagues around the world, especially for urgent business needs like proposals or contracts.What's Next: Cecile is expanding her business after getting certified in supervision.Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

Let's talk about money. In this hard-hitting episode, Sarah tackles the "elephant in the room" that the coaching profession seems to ignore: the financial Return on Investment (ROI) on coach training.While many training providers highlight the magnificent fees experienced coaches can command, they often fail to discuss the harsh financial realities. Sarah breaks down the real costs of qualifications—which can range from £3,300 to over £25,000 —and questions how many graduates ever earn enough to justify their investment. This is a critical listen for anyone considering a coaching qualification or any coach who feels misled about the business side of coaching.In this episode, you will learn:The Big Disconnect: Coach training programs provide valuable skills and personal transformation, but they typically only offer 50% of what you need. The other 50%—client acquisition and business development—is often "completely absent or given superficial treatment".The "Monetisable Credibility" Privilege: Training providers don't explain that unless you already have a network of people who know, like, and trust you (and are in a position to hire you for coaching), you will likely struggle to find clients.The "Add-On" Myth: Business building is often treated as an afterthought, sold as a self-paced video course. Sarah argues this isn't enough, as implementation is complex and requires ongoing, supported learning.Cognitive Dissonance: Coaches rarely regret their investment. The personal transformation is so profound that it's "psychologically easier to justify the expense, even when the financial returns we hoped for don't materialise".A Broken System: Associate work is scarce, to the point where some coaches work for free just to build their hours —an arrangement accepted by professional bodies to help coaches meet credentialing requirements.3 Questions to Ask Before You Invest: If you are looking for a financial ROI, Sarah urges you to ask yourself three questions:Do I have monetisable credibility? If not, am I prepared to invest additional time and money to learn client acquisition? Can I afford to build my practice slowly while earning very little, or am I prepared to work alongside it? Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠⁠

The Burnout Trap: From "What's Wrong With Me?" to a New CareerIn this episode, Sarah talks with the "marvellous" Paul Bridel, a coach who shares his powerful and personal journey from a 20-year career in IT to a complete breakdown from burnout.Paul opens up about his multi-year struggle in a project management role, where he lost all his energy, confidence, and desire to be at his job. He describes the awful feeling of being trapped —too exhausted and lacking the self-belief to even go through a job search.This conversation is a must-listen for any professional who feels stuck, hopeless, or is asking themselves, "What's wrong with me?". Paul explains how he finally found coaching and turned his "great experience" of burnout into a new mission.In this episode, you will learn:Paul's Background: Paul spent two decades in IT, moving from support to project management. In the late 2000s, he began to burn out from the workload and pressure.The Burnout Trap: He shares the experience of being stuck in a loop of no energy and no confidence. The worst part was this sense of being trapped, believing he couldn't get another job and not having the energy to try.Discovering Coaching: Paul found coaching while devouring self-help books and after receiving some counselling. He was drawn to coaching's forward-looking approach, but he never actually hired a coach himself.The Long Road: Paul believes that if he had hired a coach, he would have "sorted himself out" much more quickly. Instead, it took him "years and years" to make progress on his own. He eventually left his job after being offered redundancy.The Stigma of Struggling: Paul and Sarah discuss why highly conscientious people with a strong sense of duty are often hit the hardest. In competitive corporate environments, people are afraid to be seen as "the one that's struggling" , which leads to isolation, loneliness , and a sense of shame.His New Book: Paul is writing a book based on his experience, with the working title "What's Wrong With Me". It's the book he wishes he'd had , written to help people in the thick of burnout understand what's happening to them and to show them that they are not broken.Book Release: The book is planned for release by the end of October, and "definitely before Christmas".Have you enjoyed this episode? Find out more and take the FREE quiz at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thecoachingrevolution.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the FREE Facebook group at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildacoachingbusiness⁠