This page was
created through the hard work and organizational efforts of
Roberta Binder, who asked the questions on the SC e-group and
compiled the answers.
This project was
started mid-January 2005 by SC-9 in order to gather together the
wisdom of this amazing group of Soul Coaches. Many had previous
coaching experience, many had been entrepreneurs and knew the ropes,
some are great healers, but are clueless about business, and many
have had fruitful careers in many fields, but had never had to be
responsible for their own business knowledge.
The information
was gathered in January and February 2005, was organized and shared
in four parts. It is a wonderful collection of great information and
will help all of us and future groups to grow and learn from each
other. You are welcome to continue to add information and it will be
incorporated into the larger work or become a part of the second
edition.
The files will
remain in the SC archives for your future reference. (If you have
questions regarding accessing these files, please post that question
on the e-group and we will help you with that - please include your
phone number with that post, as this is often easier to explain
'in-person'.)
Denise has only
been certifying Soul Coaches for a little over a year, so many of
our members are not practicing to date, but have many questions
regarding the process of setting up a business. We will be
addressing answers to many of those questions. You will discover
two things as time goes on - with more SC members, we will have more
experience in helping each other and a larger base for helping each
other as we grow in our practices.
Many of the
respondees are already do some kind of energy movement work. Most
are Feng Shui practitioners and several have other coaching
experience. A good number of the group are looking to make a career
change and are preparing for that transition, and courting a more
holistic, spiritual based path. Some have woven the course into
their current career and that was their purpose in completing the
work. Several who are already caregivers (nurses, counselors),
planned to incorporate this training into their on-going
practices/career.
We
all had a life changing experience!
We are in 100%
agreement on that. Many of you are still discovering who you are
from those changes, both within yourself, family, friends, community
and professional positions. For some these challenges have been
quite over-whelming, all have been positive and life enhancing.
One piece that is
important to emphasize: if you are feeling over-whelmed with the
marketing and business aspects of the business of Soul Coaching -
you are not alone. Most of the respondees have had little or no
business/marketing experience. Don't worry, lots of help is on its
way - and many suggestions for additional resources.
I think we have all had great
comments and great insight into our personal, and professional ,
and computer capabilities needs. I have some suggestions to try
and see if we can find some compromises.
Would we be able to
set up someone to provide a weekly digest? This would
summarize the main communications and not include each personal
comment. It would include needs and solutions for the professional
business needs and suggested resolutions and could include the
personal issues and perhaps a summary of loving responses. This
might also help to encourage the Soul Coaches who have chosen not
to participate on the group, for whatever reason ,to give the site
another chance and for us to broaden our intellectual base.
This could also be a service to provide a hard copy of the digest
mailed to those who don't have a computer. It would require a
dedicated volunteer.
Signature line
I don't think it is difficult to add a closing signature line that
includes your name, class and personal e-mail address. If
communicating by regular mail, you would include a return address.
And if you have taken time to write any words - it is only a few
more strokes to tell me how I can personally respond to you! I
plan to continue that habit. I would like to see it standard, but
if you would like it removed from the master - make a firm
decision and let me know. I look at it this way, each Soul Coach
is my friend and has something to share. I'd like to know I can
contact him/her with an individual issue that I chose not to share
with the group - so that information is valuable to me. And I want
everyone of you to know how to find me, so you can share info that
you feel is pertinent only to me. I could be alone in that need.
Let's decide.
Computer capabilities
What an amazing group we are. Some of us work on a computer as
second nature, some of us have a challenge turning it on and I
would venture a guess many Soul Coaches don't even have a
computer! I would like to see a compromise established that can
serve us all so we can grow our businesses and prosper.
That is our goal in supporting each other. A series of 'me to'
e-mails, with a dial-up connection, that can be a long process,
and memory reminds me that my computer and phone connection just
liked to suddenly stop talking - which meant - well, I'm sure we
all know that routine. And as Anita has noted, the computer in
itself is a challenge for her - I honor that.
Other conflicts
Another thought regarding digests and individual personal
communications, many of our members have fulltime jobs and/or are
full time parents. Many are trying to do major career changes and
are depending on the SC communications for information to prepare
to that step with a limited amount of time. I would pose that we
need to honor all members of our community toward professional
growth. I also feel that splitting the group will create a wedge
that is not what anyone wants.
Closing class groups
I would suggest that this would be a good discussion within each
class. I don't disagree with Berte on that one. I do think if the
classes closed their personal groups there would be more
discussion within the larger group and greater opportunity for
professional information sharing - yielding SC community growth.
I would suggest we pose that suggestion to our individual classes,
and include the rationale for that in the general Overview
Master. Please comment on this thought. As a member of SC-9, I
do find that with time I have come to be more dependant on the
larger group for information gathering and requesting the
experience of those who are in the field. That is basically what
prompted this whole project. So let's make a decision there. And
as Berte mentioned within our classes, we do have a list of e-mail
address for all the members of our class so continued individual
contact is easy.
Thank you all for your
amazing reactions. They were all so carefully thought
out. We are laying the valuable groundwork for ourselves and the
many Soul Coaches who are waiting in the wings to jump on board.
Let's all get together and work toward the most exciting and
valuable forum imaginable. We can set forth Intention that will
take us flying with our talents and compassion.
Affirm to others the vision of the world you
want.
Network through thought. Network through
action.
Network through love.
Network through spirit.
You are the center of the network.
You are the center of the world.
You are a free, immensely powerful source of
life and goodness.
Affirm it. Spread it. Radiate it.
Think day and night about it.
And you will see a miracle happen:
The greatness of your own life.
Not a world of big powers, media and
monopolies,
But of five and a half billion individuals.
Networking is a new freedom,
The new democracy,
A new form of happiness.
-Robert Muller
Former Assistant Secretary General of the
United Nations
We have a great collection of recommendations.
We can all look forward to getting over and beyond the marketing
hurdle. Be prepared for a great informational adventure!!!
Many of you comment so beautifully that you
"know I was meant to be a Soul Coach" - the goal is to learn from
each other and get our business and marketing skills honed to help
us all grow.
Our goal is to grow an amazing village of Soul
Coaches - setting out with our lights shining throughout the world.
If you grow so do each of us. Let all get together and Network -
24/7. Working together we grow in love and community.
1)What have you found is the best way to gather clients?
a)Let your light shine through the work you do.
b)Business cards that clearly identify who you are. For
coaching it has been considered helpful, when planning to work
in person, to have a great, friendly photo of yourself on your
card.
c)The more you talk about your business the more articulate
you will become in communicating who you are and what you
provide in the best possible light.
d)Advertising in journals. Newspapers do not work from the
respondees research.
e)Finding local radio station to be interviewed on is a
great resource.
f)Workshops are a great way to generate initial interest.
g)Advertising in local New Age type magazine.
h)Flyers/brochures in local health food stores,
restaurants, yoga centers, any holistic centers.
i)Word of mouth kept repeating your story over and over
again.
j)Friends. Previous business contacts.
k)Establishing a mailing list - adding anyone you can (with
their permission).
l)Talk to churches (Unity), hair stylist, chiropractors and
other holistic practitioners to share contacts. Then send out a
mailing that requests permission to add the name to your
permanent list.
m)Always carry business cards and have them VERY handy. Be
able to produce a supply of brochures on the spot if requested.
n)Since I have an existing brochure, I developed an insert
to include in it. This has worked nicely. In the future, when I
establish a larger financial base, I will develop a SC brochure
and include an insert for my other services.
2)Do you find the Soul Coaching website helpful? At what
level?
a)I refer people to it for Denise's credibility and it adds
to mine.
b)I love the site, but wonder how many hits it gets.
c)I have gotten several private distance coaching clients -
perhaps it is my great picture, I often wonder….
d)I think it will definitely become more and more
successful as a resource.
e)I find it an excellent resource for keeping up with
current and future training schedule and other timely
information.
f)Energetically I feel more established being on a global
site.
3)Do you have a personal website? Is that helpful?
a)Yes, and this has been my greatest resource for clients.
It is linked to the SC website, which I believe helps.
b)I find it helpful in more expansively describing myself
and my services. All of my print material directs people to me
website for additional information.
c)Yes. I have had one for quite awhile and adding the page
has provided increased visibility.
4)Do you find speaking at your church helpful? If so, how
have you done this - to what group or to the entire
congregation?
a)Although I don't speak at my local church - I speak
anywhere else that will provide me a forum. This can be
challenging in the beginning - Toastmasters might be a
suggestion to overcome any of these issues - but as you go along
it gets much easier.
b)I am working toward doing this a local dance and
meditation communities.
c)Offered presentations during non-service hours and paid a
fee, but advertised to entire congregation.
d)I network informally with my friends and acquaintances at
church. These contacts have helped me with all of my businesses
enormously over the years. I also attend activities at my
church - which provides even more opportunities.
5) What other networking resources would you
recommend?
a)BNI, LeTips, Tips, etc. Local business referral
organization where a group of business peers who gather
breakfast, lunch, after work, etc to share information and
'advertise' their business through a (generally) one minute
advertisement about your business. Most of these include the
opportunity to gather information regarding through networking
communications and business card and/or brochure exchange. Most
also allow only one business type to be included per group.
b)Network with ladies groups, talks, functions and just let
your soul shine through the work you do. Like holding a flame
to it. It is all about the energy…gearing in all you have to
making it work, step by step. There is a time curve, listen to
self and you will hear what that time curve is.
c)Network to everyone and everywhere - even standing
on-line at the grocery store. You just have to be comfortable
describing what you do in language that they can relate to.
d)Business Woman's Associations and Better Business
Associations are great networking resources. These are also
places to advertise in the newspaper if available or write an
article for the publication.
e)Target the demographic for this service - in the
respondees city it is educated, fairly comfortable women and
some men, usually feminist. So she makes up resource lists of
that group and what they read, do, where they take classes and
what. Also single parents and people who love personal growth
but are extremely private and don't want to be in a group - but
are ready to be a private client.
f)Looking through the phone book business pages for
potential resources for putting out business materials.
g)Write to publications, magazines - locally and nationally
with article proposals.
h)Write press releases about yourself and your services and
send them to local publications. (coordinators note - this is
a great idea but be prepared to be solicited for advertising.)
5)Have you had Tables/booths at Expos? Have they proven
successful?
a)Expos have been a help for generating business. However
they can be a large time commitment. It is helpful if you have
something to sell or give-away with your contact information on
it there seems to be a greater response. A give-away basket is a
great way to generate a mailing list from the names entered for
the drawing - just make sure you actively follow-up.
b)I have found them successful for 'spreading the word',
but generally financially draining. If you want to have a booth
- see if you can also be a speaker. This fives you more
visibility and seems to provide some kind of validation.
c)When collecting contact information - I suggest e-mail
addresses. Paper mail can become very expensive.
d)If you can find a coop situation with a booth at an expo,
it really cuts the costs and makes it more attractive. Just make
sure the booth attendants understand clearly what you do. And
spend as much time as you can personing the booth.
e)One respondee noted that she had not heard many
encouraging reports from doing this.
f)And another respondee notes that she feels that with
careful choosing of the right Expos it will allow finding target
people who are willing to take a brochure and ask about Soul
Coaching.
7)USA Government Small Business
Resources
a)One respondee noted that she was working with SCORE.
(coordinator note: That prompted me to get the contact
information for this an similar organizations. Unfortunately, I
can only report on the resources in the US.)
b)www.sbdc.net - Small
Business Development Center, National Information Clearing house
for business training and information. I understand that they
regularly provide a workshop in 'Business Start-Up' and business
and finance basics.
c)www.asbdc-us.org
- America's Small Business Development Center Network
d)www.SCORE.org -
Retired industry experts work with you to provide advice in all
areas of entrepreneur expertise.
e)www.sba.gov - United
States Small Business Administration. I know resources vary from
one office to the next. It has been suggested that if you are in
an area where there is more than one office - check them all out
until you locate the resource that is right for you.
8)Other Comments
and Suggestions
a)Business on Purpose course designed and developed by
Laurie Bornstein provides a course that walks you through all
the steps of developing a small business
http://www.harmony-life.net
b)Remember keep your advertising material from becoming
intimidating.
c)One respondee suggested television ads and putting flyers
on people's doorsteps (coordinators note: if you do the
later, make sure this is permitted in the neighborhood you are
distributing to.)
d)If you are a writer, writing articles for local
publications is great free publicity.
e)Several people responded that they are not planning to do
Soul Coaching as such but have found that they have incorporated
it into their existing work with great success. And likewise
many have found their community to be closed minded, which
returns to NETWORKING, EDUCATING, PROMOTING THE TOPIC.
"The universe always brings the perfect students at
the right time."
Every time you give a business
card or you have the opportunity to speak, no matter how briefly
about what you do, it generates an energy connection. Nurture all
these connections in a positive manner and intention that energy to
continue flowing.
Clearly identify who you are
and what your services are going to be. You need to be clear on
that, so your clients 'get the picture'.
Word of mouth seems to be the
best referral method.
"I see life as a dance - I need
a guide to kick start me."
"I plan to move forward with
this path, I'll work till I find the key!"
One of our fellow Soul Coaches has
given us permission to include this quote on our marketing brochures
(please see that you include the credit to Sue J. Thank you Sue, and
continued growth and happiness from all of us.
"Soul Coaching has really helped me clutter
clear my entire life - outer and inner, and I am happier now than I
ever have been in my life."
Differentiating between
coaching and therapy/counselingthat you can use in your
coaching business
The ICF says that therapy/counseling deals with the
past and lives advice. Coaching works with the present and moves one
forward. Coaching also deals with well people. I wouldn't use those
words with your clients as you do not want to offend them, but if
they do have major issues as a coach the ICF recommends that you
responsibly refer them to a therapist/counselor."
Excerpts from International Coaching
Federation definitions
Coaching is very action orientated. I work with the
here, now and assume your past is your past, and what you are
wanting is a better today and successful tomorrow. You have all the
answers. I do not give advice, but will help you draw out the
solutions that you are seeking that will open the doors of your
dreams."
Suggested statement regarding the
practice of Coaching from ICF
FAQS:
1)Have you developed a great Intake Form that you would be
willing to share?
a)Cecilia, has given us her Intake/Inventory, Coaching
Agreement and Client Profile. She notes that they are "A MUST
for all coaches." (coordinator note: They will be sent by
separate file do to size.) They are for your use and to
adapt to your needs. You do not need to credit Cecilia as she
has shared them with her compliments and you are free to adapt
them to your specific needs. They are taken from information she
gathered from her ICF affiliation. Cecilia Schukar, CPC, SC-9,
Seattle, WA
www.crystalangelscoaching.com.
b)Denise Linn, SC-All has created a list of potential
questions for Client Intake, (coordinator note: they will be
including them in the second e-mail.)
c)Deborah Redfern, SC-7 developed a list of potential
questions for Client Intake, (coordinator note: they will be
including them in the second e-mail.) Deborah noted that she
has been listening to Cheryl Richardson's tapes on Finding
Your Passion, which is where the list was developed from.
d)Several people responded that they are working on this.
e)"Coming from my therapy training background, I like to
gather information on their background. Much less information is
gathered for Soul Coaching than lets say when I am working with
Hypnotherapy or NLP Counseling. The kind of questions I would
ask are basic: name, address etc, along with some info on their
parents, I would ask them: 'How would you describe your parent's
characters?' 'Did you parents get on together?' 'Did they get on
as parents?' Their Siblings - as in 'How many are there?' 'What
order they come in?' 'Do they connect/get on with their
siblings?' I find those questions can act as a way of your
looking at their map of life, offering great insight. I always
keep in check that it is not therapy, so do not plan to
go searching the reasons why they might not get on with a
sibling, unless I believed it to be a major block."
2)Do you have a Client Contract you would be willing to
share?
a)See second e-mail for Cecilia Schukar's sample contract.
"A MUST for all coaches."
b)"It is important not only for you and your business, but
also for your client that you do have one. Plus it will protect
you from any liabilities, it they occur.
c)"No contract, but what a great idea!"
d)Several people responded that they are working Contracts.
e)"I don't use a contract as I feel Soul Coaching is about
freedom and the main commitment is each client making it with
themselves. I do talk about agreement and how I will be willing
to be of full support over the 28-day program, and ask if they
feel they can make the same commitment to themselves."
3)What do you do when a client drops the 'responsibility
ball'? How do you hold them accountable?
a)"I absolutely stand behind my contract and services 100%.
Most contracts run for 12 weeks as it is known that it takes
approximately 12 weeks for change to occur. If I feel by week 7
they are not progressing with their goals, I will discuss with
them the possibility that we may not be a good match. I do have
to follow a code of [ICF] ethics. I will definitely refund any
balance that is due to them. Plus I have an excellent referral
system, in place, of other coaches that may be a better match."
b)"I view it as everything happens for a reason, and if
they did not follow through on something, it there a greater
meaning behind this, and we discuss it. Sometimes they are just
not ready to 'go there', and I don't force it for them."
c)"This will be addressed in the client contract. It's
important that they are not afraid they will be punished for not
completing something and start to avoid the coach. I have seen
friends do this with one another. Ask 'what did you get done of
the agreement, how do you feel about what you did, and what did
not get done and what do you want to do before we meet again.'
Also talk to them about realistic goals they can feel good about
achieving."
d)"I have had one group that met every week for four
months. This was a group of friends. Beyond these friends, I
have not met a person who was willing to complete the program in
28 days. I have had several individuals who I gave the first day
free and they never came back."
e)"[I have a] refund policy - ie, up to the first day you
can quit with refund, after that [there will be no refund]."
f)"One of my clients didn't flow daily with her 28 days and
found herself missing certain days. To turn that around during
our meeting I asked her if she was willing to go over one of
them with me during our meeting. That we did, and when we looked
at how good it would be for her to work with the one's that she
missed - as that could be where her block is. On working through
it, she understood herself so clearly as to why she created the
blocks. She was happy to go over them, and finished the rest in
how it worked best for her. I guess it was important for me to
allow her freedom, then to explore that it was okay however she
flowed with it. She was committed to her journey and through
being open I allowed her to clearly show me those areas where
she was stuck-or did not want to go."
g)"I feel it is all part of their SC process and just try
to explain this to them and gently encourage them to pick
themselves up and keep going even if it is only 5 minutes a day.
I remind that magical forces are at work once they sign up
whether they do the daily assignments or not. So far this always
works and most of my students have completed the course and had
amazing results."
4)How do you structure payment? Do you find credit cards
helpful?
a)"I charge $245.00 for my online SC. That includes a
15-minute/week phone consult and a 1/2 hour final phone
wrap-up."
b)"I don't do anything for FREE anymore, in fact, I have a
new policy about doing trades with people and unless they as an
individual can add value with their services and everything is
spelled out in black and white with hourly costs and products
cost etc. I don't do trades. There is something about the energy
of money and the way everyone puts value on it. I charge a flat
fee right now of $75.00 an hour and that cost is going up….[to]
$125.00 an hour [to be in line with my personal spiritual
coach].
c)"My fee for an in-person group is $495.00 per person and
the e-Course is $299.00. I guess somewhere in-between that and
what the market bears for your particular area would be a good
place to start.
d)"[I currently accept] cash and personal check, but am
researching credit card in the future. Some coaches use PayPal.
e)"[I was also given the suggestion of]
www.2checkout.com as a
wonderful way of accepting CC's at a lower lever.
f)"I request $150 for the Intake which lasts anywhere from
1 hour to 1 1/2 hour in length. Then $300 a month to be paid by
the first of the month. The intake session is longer as that is
where I discuss the evaluation form that I sent them ahead of
time and my other coaching terms and tools. "
g)"Yes, I find credit card acceptance EXTREMELY helpful,
especially when working with people at a distance. I'm also
trying our PayPal this year, if it works well, may switch over
to that to avoid the credit card fee issues. PayPal takes a
percentage as well, but they take it right at the time and you
know what amounts you are working with.
h)"For group programs, I require payment at the start of
the program, so that I can buy all the class supplies I need for
all activities. I have never had anyone drop out, but in the
event they would I would want to have all my supplies covered.
i)"For the online class, optionally I would like it all
paid before the start, but that is rare. People decide on this
at the last minute usually, and I'm generally collecting payment
throughout the session, which feels awkward, as I would rather
not be dealing with money during a person's process. And yes, a
couple of times, I haven't been paid.
j)"For one-on-one in-person sessions, I have them pay by
the session.
k)"For one-on-one distance, I set-up number of phone/e-mail
appointments at the beginning and have them pay me via credit
card or check before we begin. I have also taken payment plans
from people."
l)"I will not work with anyone for free. My fee is $75.00
per hour. I feel this is necessary for Chi flow. Even at this
hourly rate, the program takes a lot of time and the price seems
more than reasonable. However, if there is a strong willingness
and I can verify that the money is a serious issue, I will slide
to $50.00"
m)"…no PayPal, as it is direct access into and out of your
bank account. I am asking for cash/check ahead of time. (This is
not uncommon in the healing community here.)"
n)"$50.00 deposit. (I have not had anyone cancel for
refund) and remaining balance due first night. I allow checks,
but if you're uncertain ask for a money order or cashiers check.
Banks can hold personal checks up to 14 days. If you want to
cash client's check immediately, go to their bank."
o)"I have been blessed with cash when working with clients.
I would accept checks."
p)"I charge $245. for the online program and $395 for live
workshops, which I run in my own home - these are five weekly
series of 2 1/2 hour classes. This includes materials of: the
book, journals and some other goodies, plus weekly art projects.
The final class is a guided 'Quest in Nature!' I also offer a
25% discount on my …Feng Shui and Space Clearing consults to all
my SC clients. I do not take credit cards. I don't think I have
enough business at this point for this to be feasible for me."
5)How do you handle and structure initial contact? (bonus
question)
a)"I do offer a free 30 minute phone consultation - they
call me. First most people e-mail me through my website. One or
two e-mails. In my first e-mail back to them I always mention
that if they would like to follow-up, I offer a free 30-minute
phone consultation. If they are interested they will respond
back and at that point I give them my phone number. I do not
have an 800 number as most coaches don't. I am following
guidelines set by my training through ICF and people will call
me. Many times, we just talk; my goal is to have them sign up
at that point."
b)"I don't do anything for free (other than some group
speaking engagements), but I do 1-2 hour appointments for a set
hourly rate - with a syncro-alignment in there as a part
of the process. That way they get a 'taste' of the program and
some genuine help…."
6.) What other business practices are helpful?
When working with clients in separate
one-on-one sessions, you just need to keep files on each
person and a good organized calendar. Take notes on your
session, so that you can remind yourself before their next
session on what steps of the program they completed, and their
'ah-ha' moments.
Remember to focus, clear yourself , and
ground before seeing or talking to any client. Creating sacred
space in your office is essential.
1)How many have you found to be the ideal class size?
a)For an introductory class, I would take 20 or less. But
when I start taking my first group through the 28 Day program, I
would like to have just 10 in the group.
b)It seems my groups are anywhere from 3 - 6 people. Ant
that is working well for me.
c)I find I get great results working with 8-10 clients in
person. This is a spiritual experience and you need to have
people who are able to be open and feel safe with each other.
One group I worked with met for two hours a week for 16 weeks,
this was the pace that worked best for them.
d)I'm looking at 10 to 15.
e)I advertise limited space for 6 people.
f)I have had one online group of 4 and then one private
online client. Both worked well, but they were time consuming
for me with daily e-mails. Now that I have saved files and
sample daily letters to work from, I think it will cut down my
work time considerably in the future for online classes. For
live workshops I plan to keep them to a max of 6 people.
2)Is it easier to work one-on-one?
a)The range of activities you can have a group do is
broader (it is hard to get up and dance your emotions with just
one person!!!)
b)I don't intend to work this way.
c)I would like to do small groups, but seem to be
attracting one-on-one. I do find that these clients receive more
attention, which the clients have really liked.
d)Hmmm…yes and no. I really enjoyed the weekly phone
coaching chats I did with my private student, yet I feel she
would have benefited from the power of a group's energy to
propel her even further.
3) Have you worked via e-mail? Would you
recommend this? What are the pitfalls?
a)I love this method, but you have to have a client who
uses e-mail and is not afraid of e-mail. And you HAVE to be a
daily e-mailer yourself. You can stay in daily communication
without a huge time commitment or strict schedule. But you can
be there for them when they need you, rather than on the next
phone call. The pitfalls are when you are in the program and
someone's computer breaks (have had this happen), major power
outages that shorts all the electricity out of their house (have
had this happen), then you have to switch to phone, which if you
have not budgeted for this, it can be expensive. But you know
you are really helping them through 'stuff' when all the fire
elements are acting up! I sometimes joke that people need to
check their house insurance before they start this program, as
it is just that powerful!
b)E-mail works well, however you have to be willing to be
on the computer every day, including weekends.
c)Yes I have and yes I would. The only snags I've had are
on online group of 4 that didn't get into sharing experiences by
e-mailing to the whole group. Still they all had remarkable
shifts in their lives.
