Don't Waste Your Introductory Coaching Sessions

Have you ever had an introductory session and you really felt like you helped the client and they seemed to be grateful for your help but they did not decide to coach with you. Do not you just hate that and does it not make you crazy wondering what went wrong? It could be because your session was not carefully designed to help them see how coaching with you will help them.

Introductory coaching sessions are not the same as regular coaching sessions.

The purpose of an introductory coaching session is very different then a regular coaching session. Most clients are not familiar with coaching and what coaching can do for them. That is the purpose of an introductory coaching session. The session needs to help the client learn about coaching in a way that is unique to them and their challenges and goals.

Help the client identify their challenges

Clients are often feeling a sense of discomfort but are not aware of what is causing the discomfort. Sometime they truly do not know and sometimes they have misidentified that cause of their challenges. It is important that you help the clients clearly identify the areas of change they desire

Visualize the change

The desire for change must be accompanied by the hope that change is possible. When you help a client visualize what life will be like, look like, and feel like when they have made their desired changes real you give them hope.

Outline a strategy for change

Once your client has identified the areas of change and visualized what the result of those changes will look like, you are ready to help the client develop a strategy to create that change. You do not have to develop a specific strategic plan in the introductory session but you should outline the basic elements the plan will include. You and the client will co-actively develop the plan further when they begin regular coaching sessions.

Show the client how coaching with you will help them get what they want.

You cannot solve the clients problems or help them reach their goals in one session but you can show them the path that you will walk together. Repeat the challenges that the client outline, outline some of the strategies you will explore, and help them visualize what the outcome will look and feel like for them.

Let them know that you can help them and that you would like them to coach with you.

This is the time to ask the client if they would like to hear more about how you structure your coaching. If they say yes, then begin by telling them how often you would coach, what you see as the primary challenges, the strategies you want to explore, then what your fees are. Notice, that the last thing you talk about is the fee. You want them to see the value of your coaching before you talk about money. Most clients will happily agree to set a date for their next coaching session.