It All Starts With Mindset
Coaching needs a platform. You need a platform.
Sound self-serving? Maybe not.
Think about the Apostle Paul. He was no shrinking violet. Given a message from the Lord, he did everything he could to share it with as many people as possible.
Michael Hyatt would say that Paul built a platform.
A platform is “not about ego or being the center of attention. It is about having something of value to others and finding the most powerful way of getting that message to others who can benefit from it.” (Michael Hyatt)
Paul was building his platform when he asked permission to address the riotous hoards instead of trying to save his own skin. Paul stalked the streets of Athens and talked with everyone who walked by instead of worrying that he was becoming a pest.
And not fearing rejection, Paul chose not to just put his message on a signpost (or website) hoping people would come. Instead, he stood in the middle of the Areopagus and cried out to the swelling crowd.
Is It Hard to Tell Others What You Do?
It’s often uncomfortable to “put ourselves out there.” It seems intrusive, self-centered, arrogant and unnatural.
After all, if God calls us to serve people, the people will just naturally come.
Right?
Wrong.
Actually, God calls US go to OUT into the world to make disciples of the nations (Matthew 28:18-20), not to wait at home hoping they will discover us.
God has called you to become a coach. He has equipped you and gifted you. He has people He wants you to serve.
Is it really more godly and humble to hide behind your computer screen praying people will stumble upon you? Or does faith and courage call you to go out risking embarrassment and minor rejection to share what you have with the hurting world?
Is Your Mindset Helping You?
Before you begin building a platform, take time to examine any unhelpful mindsets that have been holding you back in marketing your coaching business.
Things such as:
- If I build a website, clients will come. (Not true.)
- I shouldn’t talk about the work I do with other people. (We tell hurting people the benefits of knowing God. Why wouldn’t we tell those same people about the benefits of getting closer to God through coaching?)
- If I tell people about coaching more than once, I am bothering them. (People need to hear about coaching 7-12 times before they begin to consider whether it may be helpful to them.)
- I shouldn’t get paid to coach. It is a ministry. (Doctors, lawyers, counselors and plumbers all get paid for their services. Why would coaching be any different?)
- God has called me to be a coach, not a marketer. (When God calls someone to be a missionary, it just follows that He has also called them to raise their own support. If God has called you to be a coach, then He has called you to market your coaching practice.)
People need coaches. Coaches need to connect with those God has called us to serve. Thus, coaches need a platform.
How Can You Think Differently?
This week, identify and pray through any thoughts that threaten to sabotage your success.
I would love to hear what any other unhelpful mindsets about marketing you noticed in yourself or in other coaches.
Looks like I may be the first one on line today:) I’m excited about the blog along. Thanks Kim. So…the mindset I have done pretty well at changing is the whole fee for service thing. Thanks for mentioning it today. I work at being somewhat matter of fact when I state my fees. This helps me get past the awkwardness I used to feel. The second mindset is from chapters 1 and 2 of the book…WOW. I need to persevere until the product I offer is something I’m really excited about. Something that sets me apart from the others. I’m not sure I have the right mindset for this…but I want it and am going to find it. Have a great week everyone. My blog is at http://www.pattilarson.wordpress.com.
It is called “Rooting Around, Thoughts On Life And Leadership.”
Hi Patti ~
Good job getting on this bright and early :). You are off to a good start.
So many coaches still struggle with charging a fee for their services, when you get a chance could you share what helped you to move ahead in this area?
I’m excited that you are already thinking through your ‘wow.’ It’s one of those easy-to-understand but hard-to-identify type of concepts.
And thanks for sharing you blog. I’ll be sure to pop by.
Have a great week,
Kim
A distracted mindset has been trouble for me. What I mean by that is that I fail to focus on one thing. I recognize that I need to specialize in a specific area, but I have a hard time choosing because I really love to learn new things. As Michael points out, everything cannot be a WOW. I started reading Platform and I hoping that as I do my own work to become a coach that things will come into focus for me.
Hi JD, You are not the only one. I love learning new things :). And it can be distracting, can’t it? The good thing about coaching and about marketing a coaching business is that there are always new things to learn and do but they still move you towards the same goal.
I’m praying you get the clarity you are seeking. Thanks for joining us.
Hey Kim, thanks for challenging my mindset! God has called me to be a coach…and a marketer, really? I appreciated your analogy to a missionary’s calling and also being called to raise support. I like to think that my avoidance to marketing is transitioning to more of a calling.
While considering the attraction of a WOW kind of Platform, I have begun to jot down (out-of-the-box) responses to the questions asked in Chapter 1, “Create a Compelling Product”: What would make this really cool? and What would take this to a whole new level?
I look forward to how I can better utilize my existing blog–www.invitingconnections.blogspot.com–with a new out-of-the-box Platform.
Hi Julie – I love hearing that your avoidance to marketing is transitioning to more of a calling. How cool is that???
I can’t wait to hear the rest of your out-of-the-box ideas for taking things to a whole new level.
Thanks for sharing.
My first homework assignment is to figure out where I put the book (can’t remember if I took it out of town last week!). Plan B is to read the Kindle version 🙂
Glad to be here!
Hi Renee,
You are too funny. I’m sure your book is somewhere near-by.
It’ll be worth the effort.
Blessings,
Kim
I’m finding Michael’s book to be an easy read and the interaction each week as we read will be great.
Glad you are enjoying it, and glad you are here with us 🙂
Have you ever felt like you are pumping your legs, running as fast as you can…but you’re floating about a foot off the ground so there’s lots of activity but no forward motion? Perfectionism and Analysis Paralysis…these are the mindsets that keep me in mid-air and exhausted. I gain traction and move forward when I get grounded in my calling. That’s the focus I need on a daily basis. I think this Platform study is going to help keep my feet on solid ground.
Hi Kathryn –
What a great word picture of lots of activity but going nowhere :). And a good identification of those pesky mindsets of perfectionism and analysis paralysis.
So here’s my question: If being grounded in your calling is the cure – how do you implement that grounding in a practical, daily way? I’d love to hear your ideas.
I’m just wondering … is everyone doing Get Clients Now?
Na We love all your tidbits of content.
Thanks, Anthony!