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Is business coaching expensive?

Is business coaching expensiveIs business coaching expensive? It’s a question that I get asked and, actually, one of the areas that usually my clients are pleasantly surprised by. Although, in all honesty, I am a pretty long way from being a normal business coach. However, the definition of expensive different from person to person, but there are other factors too. Firstly, it depends on who you get your business coaching from, secondly it depends on your view of expensive and, thirdly, it depends on how you see real value.

How much is business coaching?

I know – an expected answer for a business coach. That hasn’t addressed whether business coaching is expensive or not! But let me tell you right now that, today, in June 2017, I charge £100 per session. Most people have a session every month, or every other month, and that cost includes an hour (ish) on Skype, Facetime or the phone, follow up notes, and being around on email/chat between sessions, and you can see that I have no skin in this game. I’ve told you my costs. And whether you think that’s expensive or not is completely your call.

But am I typical? No. I’m not. I’ve done quite a bit of research on this. Some people charge less than I do, some charge more, and some charge a LOT more. And when I say a lot, I really mean a lot. Am I having a go at them for this? No. Not even a bit. I’m comfortable with what I charge (I’m not saying it won’t go up in the future, but I’m writing about the now), I want to work with people long term and be part of their team. I love the process and the progression. I get a real kick out of it all. The people who tend to charge a lot more tend to do so for a short period of time, say an intensive course for a few months – it’s a different offer.

What is expensive?

So, what’s expensive? Everyone’s interpretation of expensive is different. And more often than not, it’s connected to the value and what they get back. If something costs you £1 but it’s rubbish, it’s expensive. If something costs you £10k but it’s amazing, life changing, you adore it, use it all the time, etc. etc…. it’s probably cheap. Not the best examples, but you see what I mean.

And there’s another edge to ‘expensive’ the return on investment (ROI). You put in £1, you get 50p back – not good. You put in £1000 and you can use what you’ve learnt to earn over and above that? The £1000 is cheap.

So, what do you think? Have you worked with a business coach? Did you think business coaching was expensive (and it doesn’t matter what you actually paid, let’s think of ROI here)? I’d love to hear your comments.

And you can find out a bit more about my business coaching service here too, you know, in case you’re interested!

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Do I need a business coach?

Today’s blog is about something close to my heart for two reasons. Firstly, I do an increasing amount of business coaching with a range of clients. And secondly because my business coach is a complete diamond who has helped me take my business to the next level (and will continue to help me). If you’ve asked yourself ‘do I need a business coach’, this blog is just for you.

Coach, mentor or consultant?

When I first started down this path, I couldn’t decided on the correct term. Was I a coach? A mentor? A consultant? I was kind of all of them, but each word made me think of something I didn’t like. Coach – I thought of running faster and jumping higher. Mentor – I was unconvinced. Consultant – I’m not formal enough to be one of those, and I’ve met many ‘consultants’ I didn’t rate at all. If there’s a horrible child in your class at school, no matter how lovely their name is, you’re never going to like that name. I felt the same. I take the point that I use the term PR consultant when I have a limited amount of space. But still. I digress…

As you’ll know, I’ve build up a successful PR and marketing business in the rural and equestrian industry. And I don’t like to blow my own trumpet, but it’s something I’m really proud of. But I work Do I need a business coach?on my own (Ok, I have a little help with my accounts and my husband does my video editing and offers this service to my clients), but you get the idea. But the problem is, I am one of those people. I love helping people. I like helping people achieve more in their businesses. I’m proficient at doing this with minimal budget because I look at things differently (and I’ve been doing this for a while!). I adore social media, love content marketing, am pretty obsessed with video, Facebook Live, collaborations. You get the idea. I knew how many people could benefit from my knowledge and how I could help them. But what ‘name’ would I give myself? I’m kind of a fixer. Yep – I can help you with your social media. I can get into the strategy. I can help you find the right brand ambassador. I can help you with a content marketing plan. I can help you gain clients. I can help you work with magazines. Give me a problem and I will be able to help you fix it OR I will know someone who can. Actually, I’ll teach you how to fix it and present a load of options too. And then we’ll review what you’ve done and we’ll look at the next area for improvement. So after a fair amount of steering by my lovely coach. I decided coach was the best label.

What is business coaching – well, what’s the service I offer about?

I knew what I wanted to do – what I was capable of helping people do – and when I tentatively told the world, I got some clients. Some coaching clients. Theses lovely lot have made huge leaps forward and it is SO exciting to watch. I have one client who secured an article in the local press after one chat (and now knows how to do it again and has the contacts to be in control of her own promotion in that area!). I had one client who launched a business. One who was asked to be a brand ambassador for a company she’s adored for years. One who secured a regular column in a magazine. One who grew their Facebook following massively at minimal cost. You get the idea. So, my advice (and I do appreciate the bias here), is that if you want to improve what you do, reach new people, retain loyalty, or just up-level your business, then yes. Business coaching can be a game changer. If you’re still asking ‘do I need a business coach’ – here’s a look from the other side of the fence.

Do I need a business coach?

I didn’t think I needed a business coach. And if I’d asked myself the ‘do I need a business coach?’ question, I would have said no. And I would have been oh so wrong. My coach helped me to gain clarity. She helped me to be comfortable with the word coach and a whole lot more. And she helps me now with new ideas that get the old grey matter whirling and push me to be better and do more. We’re friends, she knows what makes me tick, and I help her in her business too, so she knows me very, very well. And I’m grateful – oh so grateful – that I have her on my side.

So, if you’re interested in business coaching – I would love to hear from you. Just contact me for an informal email chat. I’d also love to hear if you work with a coach and the difference you feel it’s made to your business. Please leave your comments below. I’d love to see them.

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How to up-level your business

How to up-level your businessIf you’re looking to ‘up-level’ your business this year, it requires a new kind of dedication, a new kind of skill set and a new kind of attitude. Are you game? Read on to find out how to up-level your business…

Are you ready?

There’s a great saying by someone far wiser than I am that simply states you’ll always get what you’ve always had if you always do what you’ve always done. Simple hey. Of course, there are exceptions, and winning the lottery or someone finding you by pure accident can happen, but would you want to bet your business and its future success on something that might possibly happen? Actually, it’s even less than that. Might possibly happen once in a blue moon? No, I didn’t think so.

How do you up-level your business?

So, how do you up-level? Well first, let’s just think about what the phrase means. It’s to take your business onto another level. To increase and expand what you do. To increase you reach, your engagement. The reason, in my mind at least, that the definition is vague is simply because there are many ways to up-level, but that depends on where you are now and where you want to be along with what you have utilised at the moment. I’m not saying up-levelling is easy, but it starts by having a proper look at what you do now and your current position and then a look at where you want to be. And then it’s a case of exploring new ideas. This could be through working with a coach or mentor to help you plan, perfect and achieve your goals. It could be through doing a lot of extra learning. It could be through dedicating time and resources to previously ignored areas in your business.

How long does it take?

Up-levelling won’t happen overnight. Or it shouldn’t do. It can be a fairly quick process though, or at least, the start of the process can be quick. Changing the way you work, to be more, to offer more, should be a gradual process. An evolution if you will, and you need to learn and adapt as you go, so you’re ready when your business gets there.

I can help (shameless plug alert)

I’ve been working with a number of clients in a one to one coaching capacity, to help them up-level (and continue to up-level) their business and what they do. Having someone who has your back and has the supporting knowledge and resources on hand can make your journey a lot easier. It’s perfectly possible on your own, but having seen pretty miraculous changes in a relatively short space of time from tweaking and adjusting small and large ‘things’, having a coach, a wingman, someone who is on your side (and has made it their mission to learn, research and test the best ways of doing things!), can really help. Have a look at the coaching service here or get in touch if you’re interested.

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