How to Find Clients – Lead Generation

Many coaches are great at coaching but have no idea how to build a business. They feel confused about where to start finding clients. That said, if you’re a coach and you’re wondering where to get started, here’s a few tips on how to find clients.

Green, Yellow, Red Lists

First, make a green, yellow, and red list of potential clients. Your green list is all of the people you know who would love to talk to you and catch up with you. These are people who might refer you or have spheres of influence where your services might be needed. 

Your yellow list is the people who will work with you. This is a list of people you’ve worked with in the past. They probably wouldn’t come over for a barbecue or bring you a casserole, but they’re people you know and who are in the same types of groups as you. (Think Alumni associations, sporting events, kids activities, common interests, clubs, organizations, etc.) These are the people who will see your insight as valuable. 

Your red list is a list of potential clients that you think are out of reach. You would love to coach them, but you aren’t sure how you could ever connect with them. Make this list anyway. 

Don’t Be Niche

As you make these lists, forget about having a niche. This can really slow coaches down into believing that there is only one type of person that they can work with. 

Instead, think about the personality traits that you enjoy in the industries that you’re interested in and start there. Then, start listening for problems and dreams…everyone has them. Reach out to those people and write a thoughtful invitation for a coaching conversation. 

Thoughtful Invitations

Remember, the way you invite people matters. Put as much detail and thought into it as you can. When you reach out, think about what you already know about this person. What struggles might they have? Why are you thinking about them? How might coaching help?

Name Drop

Lastly, ask yourself, who should I connect with? Who would I love to serve? Let your subconscious get busy dropping names (remember to write them all down). When you reach out to these people, you’ll be surprised at how many of them will respond with things like “I was just thinking about you.”

Does This Really Help?

The short answer is: yes! The energetic connection is strong. Doing these things will help your brain begin to focus on what’s possible instead of what’s hard about client creation. 

So, break out that pen and paper, and start writing your lists: green, yellow, and red. Remember not to stick to a niche, and to be thoughtful about your invitations to coaching. Finally, make one more list of everyone your subconscious can think of whom you would love to work with–even if they seem out of reach.

If you want more guidance in client creation, or need more advice on building your business, I’d love to chat! 

Here’s to being a prosperous coach!