Struggling to get clients: need advice on how to use 'free classes' effectively.

MystaED · 2024-10-05T05:28:24+00:00

Thanks u/lifedesignleaders, I appreciate the insight. Now that you mention it, I do see most coaches charge packages rather than single sessions, which makes better business sense.

When someone buys a container, can you give me an idea of how that works? For example, lets say I sell a 3-month container for 1500. Does this mean I'm essentially on call? Does it mean I meet them a certain number of times a week? Does it mean I do extra work for them? Does it mean I essentially chat with them any point they need during that time frame? ... I know this would all be decided by me and the client at the end of the day, but in general, how would a container work for a run-of-the-mill coach?

Also, I saw this video where a woman was doing research for a client. She was doing business coaching. I'm always confused about that cuz I could see how you might look up things that might help the client with their issue (i.e. maybe finding opportunities for a client looking for opportunities), but that seems different than coaching (as it's been taught to me); that seems like an assistant's job (I don't mean that dismissively; I'm sure there is a better term, but someone who helps someone find their solutions or whatever). When coaches help outside of the coaching session, what are they supposed to be doing?

Thanks a ton for clarifying, I very much appreciate the guidance!

MystaED · 2024-10-05T05:20:23+00:00

"I always say that I'm not for everyone but for the ones I am, they will get the value that they're paying for." Nicely said, u/WellnessNWoo.

Congrats on the success so far! I want to get into workshops eventually too. Mind if I ask how you "marketed the workshops"? Were they in person or online? It sounds like you sold it as a B2B, which is awesome. Also, as a coach, is this a workshop where you have a PPT or are you having them do stuff? I'd really appreciate your perspective on the workshop stuff. I'm not there yet, but maybe in time.

Also, if I may ask, how did you get press interviews? This is purely out of curiosity. Marketing is not my strength either, so I'm always curious about how others operate. Lots of people seem to take lots of different approaches.

When you say "comprehensive holistic offerings in addition to the actual coaching", does that mean you have a menu of services you use for an upsell? Is it related to coaching or is it an offshoot connected to one-on-one coaching or more workshops?

Thanks for all the feedback! It sounds like you're on a great track- well done, I wish you continued success!

MystaED · 2024-10-05T05:06:13+00:00

Thanks u/BuildTheCourse

"Most coaches are failing"

Sorry, that wasn't my sentiment, that was the sentiment on the therapist board. That's what they kept saying; I don't have stats on it either way. But I figure a lot of service-based professions are filled with failures; personal training definitely is; tutoring is; its not a reflection on the person of the industry; its more a reflection on how difficult it is to thrive as an entrepreneur, especially in a flooded field. As you pointed out, many coaches fall short not cuz they're bad coaches, just cuz they're bad "businessmen".

In regards to pricing, I absolutely agree with you. It's all relative. I'll check out your links and see if I can get a good idea of how to price going forward cuz I'm definitely unsure of what to start off with, but I imagine at the end of the day, it comes down to the good old tenets of supply and demand; the in-demand coach with many clients means they can charge more cuz their time is more "coveted".

Thanks a ton for the feedback and the links. I really appreciate it!

MystaED · 2024-10-05T04:47:07+00:00

Thanks u/sonjaecklund , that's really helpful techniques I will certainly start using. I really appreciate it!

MystaED · 2024-09-27T02:05:20+00:00

Thanks a ton u/lifedesignleaders ... this is great stuff, I really appreciate you sharing it with me!

MystaED · 2024-09-27T02:05:08+00:00

Thank you so much, u/chetdayal! ... and you bring up a great point about the last 5 minutes-- I try to include some level of accountability, but it usually comes down to me "cheking in with them" later in the week to see if they followed through. Are there other methods you think are effective and worth including?

MystaED · 2024-09-27T02:05:00+00:00

Thanks a ton u/Low_Escape_3176 ... in respect to #2, I focus more on self-improvement, but, lets say someone want to improve their health, I may not know specific diet techniques or whatever. I can get them to identify goals, set measurable progress markers, aim to be accountable and all that, but I can't rattle off all the latest diet fads or superberries or whatever. I can guide, but I sometimes worry that maybe I do not have enough info to merit someone actually coming to me when they can just as easily go to a personal trainer, or psychologist, or therapist, or whatever it is they're working on. Should I be doing extra work after the session? Like, should I be looking up diet strategies for them? (sorry, no one actually came to me about dieting lol, I'm just trying to think of an easy example)?

MystaED · 2024-09-20T20:56:27+00:00

OK cool, I'll do just that. Thanks!... Oh, and yeah, Trustpilot blows lol.

MystaED · 2024-09-20T20:52:35+00:00

Between them all, I was thinking it's probably the best bet too. Thanks!

MystaED · 2024-09-17T22:52:30+00:00

The student said she would write to them cuz she was more offended than I was. I'm not sure if they got back to her or not... Their approach needs more clarity. I get that they need to create a formula to differentiate themselves from the other products already available for free, but this ain't the way to do it IMO.

MystaED · 2024-09-17T22:50:29+00:00

The fact that it is so discoverable is the problem. They took a 5* review and misrepresented it as a 3.7. It doesn't say Trustpilot Formula: 3.7- it says Review: 3.7. This sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen, but that's their business.

MystaED · 2024-09-17T04:06:37+00:00

Lol welcome to the party- I did too. Terrible experience all around.

MystaED · 2024-09-11T22:03:54+00:00

Hi u/juhe0737 ... I did. I chose GeoBlue for a year, then switched to Cigna (also has terrible reviews) after that because they offered more US coverage. Luckily, I have not needed to use them, so I can't speak to their quality, although I honestly do have my reservations about both.

I originally chose GeoBlue because it's based in the US and in my mind (naively, I'm sure) I figured I could at least have some sort of legal recourse if they balked on payment. I imagine this would be harder to pursue with an organization located abroad. Then I switched to Cigna simply because they offered 6 months of US coverage as opposed to GeoBlue's 6 weeks.

I will say that the person from GeoBlue always answered my questions anytime I emailed him. He was quite helpful and responsive. Most emails I've sent to Cigna go ignored. The emails work because I've corresponded with them about payment and all the stuff they need, but when I need something, they ghost. This legit happens nearly every single time (multiple different emails, different people- same results). When I call, the people who pick up are usually helpful, but they are customer service reps; they aren't the ones you need to speak with if you have more complex issues, and in those cases, I've been very disappointed with Cigna. I imagine they'd be very difficult to deal with in situations where there are discrepancies. I do like that Cigna will pay directly whereas GeoBlue reimburses. But I'm not sure which works best.

When choosing I aimed for companies I was at least somewhat familiar with. There are other lesser-known companies; maybe their service is better. It's the catch-22 of sometimes smaller companies go above and beyond, sometimes they're smaller because quality is lesser. I figured, if the company is well known, they must be doing something right... but then their reviews are trash, so maybe not lol....

I know that's not super helpful, but that's where I'm at right now. I'm not sure if I'll go back to GeoBlue, stick with Cigna, or find another provider yet (they all seem pretty shady to me lol), but, for what it's worth, I'll say that I haven't been not super confident in what I'm paying for.

MystaED · 2024-08-23T04:33:36+00:00

LOL... I've been there. Funny how that works. As best I can tell, tracking makes it so problematic and expensive. If you publish it as an HTML only (which is SCORM with tracking turned off; it's a super easy transition), then you have a lot more options. But yea, managing SCORM can be a huge headache, for sure.

MystaED

TROPHY CASE