FAQ

About Coaching

• What are the drawbacks of a coaching practice?

  Some coaches feel isolated when they focus solely on phone-based coaching. Many have solved this problem by complementing their coaching with other skills they possess or actively connecting with the coaching community.

• What are the business start-up costs?

  We recommend a headset and a business card. Networking is the most effective way to market coaching services. According to a study by the International Coach Federation, 92.3% of the clients find their coach through a friend, business contact, social event, networking function or speaker at a seminar.

  Investing a great deal of money in collateral marketing materials isn’t necessary. What’s important is solid training you can trust, confidence in your abilities, and a passion for the profession that inspires you to speak about the benefits of coaching to potential clients.

• How long does an average client commit to working with a coach?

  Most coaches ask for a 3 to 6-month commitment, with the understanding that the client decides how much and how long. The more training you have, the higher the likelihood of retaining clients for longer periods of time because of your increased ability to explore greater heights and depths with your clients.

  According to the International Coach Federation survey, the duration of a coaching relationship is on average 8.8 months. Many coach/client partnerships extend to several years and beyond as clients continue to pursue new and more challenging goals.

• How much do coaches typically earn?

  According to the International Coach Federation, most coaches working with individual clients charge about $200 to $450 per month for one 30 minute call per week. This translates to $100 to $150 per hour on average. Executive coaches generally charge more. Corporate coaches often command $200 to $400 per hour, according to Time Business News. Naturally, the number of clients you coach will determine your net income. With basic operational costs of a phone line and a headset, one’s capital investment and operating expenses are minimal.

• Is coaching a viable profession?

  Yes! As with any successful small business, it’s important to create a plan and be 100% committed to making it happen. The amount of time it takes to grow your business depends on the amount of time and effort you put into marketing, whether you're independent or working within an organization. Coaching is a profession and does take an investment of learning, time and capital to build success. How much of each depends on you.

  Historically, coaching has been well known as a corporate perk for executives. As coaching is becoming more mainstream, the market continues to grow and the demand and visibility of coaching continues to rise as more and more individuals are looking to create a more fulfilling life, find balance or achieve a sharper competitive edge. The world is changing quickly, families are breaking down, the boomers are getting older — and more and more people are feeling overwhelmed and looking for greater purpose and partnership on the journey.

  According to a survey conducted by the International Coach Federation, 98.5% of the clients surveyed said their investment in a coach was well worth the money and 94% believed coaching was here to stay as a viable, emerging profession. Coaching is an emerging industry with many untapped markets, and trained coaches are getting results that speak for themselves.

• What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?

  Psychotherapy generally deals with people who have emotional/behavioral problems and disruptive situations — and seeks to bring the client to normal function by focusing on dysfunction. The primary focus is on healing.

  Coaching on the other hand deals with functional people who want to move toward higher function — and achieve excellence while creating an extraordinary life. The primary focus is on evolving a manifestation of potential. And, healing is often a side effect.

  Additionally, the expectations and focus the client brings to the professional relationship sets the context as coaching or as therapy.

• How does my past experience complement coaching?

  Coaching techniques integrate well with many skills and talents. We encourage our students to use what they know, who they know, and their area of interest to decide how to build a practice or apply their skills. Coaches specialize in areas such as coaching executives, employees, managers, teams, relationships, career transition, non-profit organizations, teens, people re-entering the job market, medical conditions, and parenting — just to name a few. What’s your passion?

• I already feel like I’m coaching. Why do I need training?

  Many people who seek out coaching believe they have already been coaching. It’s true that our students are typically good listeners and care about people. However coaching skills are very specific, and most people can understand the depth of true coaching only after they've experienced professional training.

  If you were looking to drive a large truck, teach kindergarten, or sell real estate, you would get the training and permits you need to do the job with skill and confidence. There's no question that training is a must for professionals.

  “I thought I was a good coach until I went into Certification. There I found a direct payoff to clients and I doubled my income last year.”

  Andy Denne CPCC, Co-Activity at Work Ltd., Bordeaux, France

• What issues come up in coaching?

  Anything and everything! With proper training, you’ll have the tools and techniques to be there with your client in the truth of their moment and to lead them forward toward their dreams. Coaches do not coach addictions, deep wounds, abuse issues, suicide, mental illness, etc. A professional coach knows when to refer their client to a therapist. Coaches do not give financial, real estate, legal or medical advice — a professional coach knows when to refer their client to experts in other professions.

• Do I have what it takes to be a coach?

  Successful coaches come from all walks of life. We’ve learned that people bring in all their unique talents and interests and design their coaching around what's important to them (business executives, teams, managers, leaders, human resource professionals, trainers, consultants, therapists, teens, medical conditions — to name a few.)

  People who are attracted to coaching seem to have a calling. They often feel they’ve been coaching and want to take their skills to a professional and more effective level. What makes a great coach is someone who is curious, believes in possibilities and has the ability to see the magnificence of others.

  Participants simply need to be fascinated by human potential, inspired by individual creativity and unwaveringly committed to holding others creative, resourceful and whole. Great coaches are people who are committed to their clients’ growth and to their own continuous learning.