Do Your Coaching Due Diligence

She invested $10,000 in a group-coaching program and has not received what she expected in terms of how to build her business.  The contract she signed is iron clad and she has no choice but to pay for the program in full, regardless of how she feels.

Another woman invested $3,000 and she is embarrassed to ask for her money back, even though the coaching program is stressing her to the max.  The coach has given her a massive list of things that must be done with no clear direction on what the strategy is, leaving this woman feeling overwhelmed and with a bad case of buyers remorse.

It is your responsibility to do your due diligence when hiring a coach.

The Internet can be a glitzy and glamorous place where you can find coaches for every niche.  You can find a life coach, business coach, speaking coach, video coach, Facebook ads coach, writing coach, book coach and even a coach to coach you on how to be a coach.

Coaching is powerful.  And, when you find the right coach for you, it can change your life. In my case, I would not have finished my book without the support of a coach.

But, with so many out there, it can be hard to find the right one.

Here is what you need to consider when you are looking for a coach.

Who is the contract there to serve? 

That means if you are unhappy, you cannot get your money back unless you sue them and chances are, they have already had a lawyer draft that contract so you cannot win.  Walk away fast.

What experience does this coach have?

Your coach should have some credibility behind what they do.  Credibility can come in the form of certification and or experience.  There are many training programs out there for coaches, and there is also valuable hands-on experience that people like myself have in business.  When hiring a coach, know what you are hiring, what that coach’s background is, and whether or not their training or experience supports your needs.

Why do you want a coach?

You may want a coach because someone has told you that is what you “should do” to grow your business. While coaching can be an effective way to build your business, it is not the only way. Take some time to get clear on why you want a coach and what outcome you want to get from that relationship.  When you are clear on your why, it becomes a lot easier to find a person to help with your how.

Who has this coach helped get results?

Look for other people who have worked with the coach you are considering and have a conversation with them about the coach’s style. Find out how accessible they are and what type of results or transformation this person received in working with them.  Ask questions around the best part of working with this coach, and what they didn’t like.  If you are investing a lot of money, you should be asking good questions to help you make a smart decision.

How can they show you their skill?

Last year when I was searching for a coach, I had a number of conversations with individuals before I made a decision.  I was looking for someone who could move me to take action or teach me something that could really impact my business.  Interview your coach and give them a real-life situation and ask them to coach you so you can experience what this is like before you go all in.  Although some coaches may offer this to you for free, you should be prepared to pay a small investment in order to see if they are the right fit for you.  Isn’t it better to invest a bit of money up front to save yourself the heartache of $10,000 down the road?

When people reach out to me for a consultation, they pay a one-time fee via clarity.fm/lisalarter and, if we move forward into a coaching relationship, I credit that initial investment toward the program they choose.   This way, I know they are also serious about working with a coach and not just looking for free coaching.

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence when it comes to hiring a coach.  There are a lot of excellent coaches out there, and there are also some incredible marketers disguised as coaches.  Make sure you know the difference when you are investing in your and your business.