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Landing ideal clients is partly what youre in the career coaching business foryou want a business, not a hobby. Back in 2010, when I started my first corporate job as a career coach, it wasnt very trendy. Just look at how many rsum writers and career coaches you can find on social media. Its proof of how thats completely changed. Entrepreneurship is also becoming a popular career change path for many reasons. In astudywith over 3,100 individuals by Guidant Financial and SBTA companies, there was a 27% increase in those who started their business because of dissatisfaction with corporate America.

I dont know if thats why you started or plan to start your coaching business, but because youre reading this, I know you care about serving with excellence. Before I share these five mistakes, let me just say I dont always have it all together. Vulnerability, trust and authenticity are key in the coaching relationship, so we should model it too.

Your marketing mindset isnt beneficial.

You may be great at what you do, but if youre not top of mind when your ideal clients need you, it doesnt matter. Remember, you cant control elements of the buying process, but you can control what you do to increase visibility. Set metrics on those things and have faith that clients will come.

Here are a few more marketing truths:

Youre afraid to collaborate with other coaches.

Life isnt a solo sport, and thats why others come to us. They value support through information, empowerment and guidance. To add to our conversation, I spoke to three career industry leaders whove been recognized multiple times by global organizations.

My direct competitors are a terrific source of inspiration, growth and referral leads. Ive also built incredible friendships with other rsum writing experts and career coaches. Coaching is a personalized service and requires the right match for the clients background. Im never afraid to put that professional or job seeker in the hands of that better suited and trusted coach.

Collaboration with industry colleagues is a secret weapon of the experienced entrepreneur. I am an expert at navigating Silicon Valley and the high-tech space. By referring out people that do not align with my zone of Genius those in law, for example I can continue to work with those individuals I am best suited to serve, ensuring their continued success.

When I speak with other coaches, I can really see how my expertise in story is an advantage. I trust my niche more, and they send any client wanting deep level story strategy my way. Collaborating with other career coaches has also helped me refer people who arent the best fit, and we also share ideas to make all our services stronger.

You feel uncomfortable charging what your services are worth.

The first step I go through when helping startup service-based entrepreneurs is fleshing out their business to increase uniqueness and viability.Heres a resourceon the average career coaching costs per hour and per package by Noomi, a professional coach directory. You need fewer clients when your pricing is higher, and its a less taxing way to hit your ideal monthly income goals. Youll probably also see an improvement in your client outcomes as people tend to be more emotionally and mentally vested when theres a bigger financial investment.

Youre running on empty.

According toGallup, 67% of employees say they are sometimes very often or always burned out at work.Researchalso shows that entrepreneurs are more at risk of burnout because were highly passionate, more socially isolated then employees and operate in high uncertainty.

Based on what burnout theorists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North developed as a12-phase model for burnoutscreening, development and implementation, here are a few things to do and remember.

You dont have the right resources.

There is a lot of noise out there in the coaching world, and to get ahead, you need the right resources. Resources to serve your clients with style and excellence, to build your business and for your personal and professional development. I like to think of resources in three terms: intangible thingslike time and money, tools, and of course your network, which can open up opportunities.

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Have You Made These 5 Coaching-Business Mistakes? - Forbes