Thanks for your comments and for sharing how things are developing for you as you think through letting people know you are a life coach. Creatively doing what works for you is a great plan. I will write more on this topic in my next couple of posts. Thanks for posting.

Linda

Hello there, this is Patrick in Dallas. Thank you for the blog entry and for answering the question I asked in the tele-class today (yes, that was me).

It’s very sound advice you offer. While I have spent 13 years in my church as a lay leader, small group leader, elder, etc…, I have an extensive background in sales, marketing and business ownership (most recently selling a franchise business I owned in January 08 to pursue Christian Coaching full time). So, with that said, I’m comfortable with all the marketing material & training. Point being: I’m not afraid of it, it’s exciting for me, but I’ve found that what I write doesn’t translate very well to the spoken word, if that makes sense.

One idea I read about, and am considering is quickly transitioning an “elevator speech” opportunity to actual coaching by saying something like, “you know, it’s easier to demonstrate coaching than it is to explain it fully…do you mind if I coach you for about 5 minutes?”. If the person says yes, then I can begin to ask them about an area of their life that they would like to change, improve or the one thing that that they keep writing down on their “new years resolution list” but they never take action on. If I can get them to discover one new aspect that helps them take action, that might “sell” the service on it’s own. Haven’t tried it yet, but one thing I have concluded is this: since I transitioned out of my business, people are starting to ask, “what are you doing now?”. Until recently I would say something like, “Well, I just sold a franchise and now I’m in training as a life coach….etc….”. I’ve decided to boldy state “I”m a life coach”, and roll with it.

Your story inspired me, and I really want to thank you for sharing your story and your heart. Be blessed in all you do, and hopefully we can meet and/or talk again sometime.

-Patrick