A Lucrative Practise ...

I was asked recently what the single most important factor had been in the success of my coaching practice. Tough one and I had to think hard about it. I have the answer now though - and I thought I would share it with you guys :o)

It is not specific to coaching and applies across the board , though most directly to service professionals I guess. It is simple and it is an ongoing process - it is a "practise" - something to be done regularly, revisited often - and acted upon. Just doing the
writing bit won't work 100% on its own!!

OK - so here it somes ... Only do what you love to do. My own coach told me that she never suffers for her work. I loved that. As much as I loved my work at the time, I did sometimes suffer for it - no actual callouses :o) bu I was working too many evenings, taking on speaking opportunities that created logistical stress for me ... I made a pact to only do the things that I loved doing - after all, as a coach, it is sort of my job description to enjoy what I do - otherwise I would be sending out mixed messages :o)

Here's how I apply this to my marketing practises and how I have my clients do it:

Start by writing a list of the things that you love doing. Don't judge at this stage whether they will help you to make any money - just write a list of everything you enjoy doing - a minimum of five things.

Now take that list and for each item, brainstorm at least five ways in which you could use that talent/activity to market your business. Go wild, don't judge, just brainstorm. Don't panic I am not going to ask you to do them all :o)

Leave the list overnight, then go back and revisit the brainstorm. What else could you do to leverage each of those activities? You should now have a list of at least twenty five possible marketing activities. Keep the list safe - it will be a great place to add ideas to and to go to for inspiration in the future.

Now (and I mean "now") choose the ONE idea that you are most drawn to doing from the longer list - and jot down the steps that you would need to take IF you were going to make that happen.

Take the first step now - or if you absolutely cannot do it yet, put it in your diary for a definite time.

The list is now a menu of choices from which you can nibble at any time :o) Just follow the same steps and jot down what you would do IF you were going to act on it - and then do the first step.

It might sound too easy to be helpful - humour me and try it - and suffer no more!

 

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