If you are like many coaches, you are only offering your services on a one-to-one basis. You know the drill: market your service, get a client, coach them for X number of sessions and then move on to the next prospect in line.
Of course, you probably have more than one client at a time, but the fact remains that every single time a client completes or quits coaching with you some reason, your cash flow can be severely impacted. Then you begin the old scramble to bring in another client to fill the gap.
You may have thought about trying to add group coaching to your services, but you may not be convinced about the return on your time or even how to present a group coaching program to clients in a way that makes them want to sign up.
Before you can make an offer of group coaching, you have to understand its benefits, not only to your clients but to you as well. There are three principal ways in which you benefit and three ways your clients will gain from a group coaching offer. Let’s take a closer look at these:
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Benefits of group coaching to you:
One – Allows you to leverage your time. This is one of the greatest benefits of moving away from your one-to-one model. In the same 30 to 45 minutes you are spending with a single client (you aren’t still coaching for an hour at a session are you?!) you could have impacted 8 to 10 people.
Two – Enables you to use the power of the group. When you structure your group programs correctly, your clients get to take advantage of not only your expertise, but the expertise of the group as well. As a coach, this structure can take off the pressure you (and your clients) sometimes put on you to “have all the answers.”
Three – Lets you make more money. By offering a group, you can enroll some of the people on your list who are not in a position to invest in your one-to-one coaching. And if you structure one of your groups as a high-end Group Platinum offer, this can be very lucrative indeed.
Benefits of group coaching to your clients:
Number One – Allows the client to invest at a lower rate. This is a very attractive proposition for some clients, especially if your one-on-one work is substantially higher in price than your groups (and it should be!).
If you are talking with a potential private client and their principal objection is money, then having a group offering will enable you to serve them instead of losing them to another, lower priced and perhaps less qualified coach.
Number Two – Enables your clients to experience the power of the group. This is perhaps the biggest benefit to the client. Once your clients have a direct experience of shared group wisdom, they will be astonished at its effectiveness.
Number Three – Lets your clients establish membership in a group of people who are very likely to become lifelong friends, colleagues and perhaps future joint venture partners. Value? Priceless!
By now, I hope your are convinced of the power of group coaching, not only for yourself, but for your clients. Design your offer, market your program and get started group coaching. You’ll never go back!
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Thank you for this very important advice. You are always helpful in your approach.
You are most welcome Jean! I can certainly see how group coaching could easily fit into your parent niche.
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