There’s a disconnect between making a profit as a coach, and helping people. We feel that in some way, if we’re asking for money, we’re not being of service.
I have found the opposite to be true.
Once upon a time, I really struggled with charging clients. I was getting my coaching certification, so charging for my services while in the middle of a program felt really incongruent. But, in order to finish the program, I had to get a number of hours from paid clients.
So, I made my coaching rate a “reasonable” $30 an hour.
And guess what?
I was attracting $30 an hour clients!
They weren’t invested and they rarely, if ever, kept their commitments made in the coaching process. Regardless of how much I put into our time together, they were only getting $30 worth of value.
Fast forward to the launch of my signature program for actors, The Actor’s Business Breakthrough. I designed a comprehensive twelve week course and priced the entire program at a super affordable (or…cheap) $150.
Today, I have made the same course 8 weeks, and have increased the price to $900.
To be honest, I’m still cheap for what I offer, but for actors, $900 is a huge investment. I mean, that’s a month’s rent!!! And for someone whose income is rarely consistent, that’s an understandably scary commitment.
But you know what?
The more I charge for that program, the more students accomplish their goals, the more show up for live calls, the higher the participation in our online forum, and the more thank yous I get.
Hands down.
Why?
People are invested. Not only literally, but mentally and emotionally. My price requires that they step up for themselves, so they do. And that’s what it’s all about.
So, yes, there’s a lot of talk about “claiming your worth” or “claiming your power with your coaching fees.” … **eye roll.
For me, it’s not about you as a coach claiming your worth, it’s about your clients claiming their worth. And if you want to talk about being of service… is there a better way than to give people an opportunity to say yes to themselves in a meaningful way? In a way that takes their breath away and requires that they lose their excuses?
Nope.
If you’re not charging a meaningful amount for your services, you are doing your clients a disservice. You are robbing them of the opportunity to really see value in who they are and what they’re learning.
You’re robbing them of the opportunity to invest in themselves.
This could not have come at a better time as I’m currently writing the draft email to invite beta testers help me develop my coaching for actors program– and asking them to pay for it. It is SO uncomfortable, but I love the reasons you laid out for why it’s important for them to be fully invested, in all senses of the word.
yep…yep and yep…
Love it! Yes!
Sounds Great! I am interested in becoming a Coach and receiving Coaching. I believe the two go hand in hand.
Totally.
The “money” is just a transfer of energy. One thing that really worked for me with a class was that I put a large amount of money down, but if I completed the course I would get most of it back. Especially at the beginning when you are trying to get feedback and testimonials this might work, they have to finish to get a portion of what they paid back. It motivated me to show up everyday even if I did not want to.
I hear you, Heather. It is SO important that they be fully invested. It will help them show up for themselves!
I’m so excited for you, Heather. And I’m glad this resonated. xo
🙂
Thanks, Loren!
Absolutely. That’s why I choose to coach coaches! 🙂
Interesting, Billiam! I’ve heard some coaches use this before. Glad to hear it worked for you! Thanks for sharing.
I understand. Most people tend to value things they’ve personally invested in more than things they got for free. However, my question is, shouldn’t you give a few free or very low priced sessions at the very beginning of your coaching career when you have NO experience and want to get your feet wet?