Feedback for those offering Highend Coaching Products

I can't comment on how other people approach potential new
customers.

I suppose I've never been one to follow the herd, or the money.

I prefer to talk to a potential coaching client before they sign up.
That allows them to get to know me, ask any questions they may
have and clarify exactly what they expect to achieve as a result
of the coaching.

Equally importantly, it give me the opportunity to gauge their level
of skill, knowledge and experience. I can check out their motivation
and attitude to working with a coach and then see if we would be a
"good fit".

Only after that initial two way assessment would we discuss payment
terms.

The pre-coaching filter reduces the number of clients I get to work with.
But I find it eliminates the needy, whiny and just plain lazy people before
they get a chance to be a problem.

Strangely, I get a much higher than average success rate when working
with my clients. ;-)

John

With the burgeoning information products out there on how to become a coach or a high paid coach, there are a lot of unqualified people offering coaching services. Even the ones with the expertise; just because you're an expert in a certain field does not mean that:

1. You behave like a professional
2. You behave ethically
3. Care about the prospect's AND customer's overall experience.

Sure, many coaches have to pre-qualify their prospects and all of them do it in different ways, but I've never understood completely ignoring people's questions.

Another thing to think about is that some coaches are a victim of their own success. A few years ago I wanted to hire a well-known coach for a very specific problem, but he was booked solid until the end of 2015, so I was referred to one of his staffers who also had an impressive background. He solved my pressing issue and I was happy, but I didn't get to talk to the coach I really wanted to.

Coaches come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes. Some don't like human contact and prefer to do their coaching via forums, email, webinars, etc.

I'm like John, I like to talk to people before we get into any sort of money talk. I do coaching in 2 specific niches that have nothing to do with making money. I enjoy talking with people. Coaching is not my main business, however, I do it because I enjoy it. If someone contacts me with questions, they usually get answered within one business day.

RoD

High end coaching ?

IMHO - WASTING TIME.

Tons of free internet money making ideals floating around, actually is whether taking action or not.

A good coach is a best leader of success in any field..
Main learning process start with the help of coach.

I think that, regardless of the price, you are entitled to ask questions and get a prompt and courteous reply.

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Too often, yes. But there are ethical marketers out there too.

As someone else said, I think you have your answer. If you really want/need an answer before buying and aren't getting any response, move on. There are a TON of different coaches and programs to choose from.

If I needed an answer before investing $1k, I wouldn't invest until/unless I got it.

I've invested in several expensive programs, as well as $12.5K with my business coach (Sheri Keys) over a 2-year period. I've inquired about other programs and services before and never got an answer, so I moved on.

Interestingly though, I never questioned the people I invested the most with. My business coach had been around for YEARS (a decade) prior to me investing with her in a different industry. I was very familiar with her and had no idea she'd moved into business coaching until I heard about it from someone else.

When I heard about it and heard what program she was offering, I signed up on the spot without ever talking to her or sending in any questions at all. And I'd NEVER invested that much money before ($3K at the time). AND, I'd just lost my job and was newly unemployed.

It was a bit of an unusual situation, but I felt totally comfortable because:

1. Sheri previously been founder and president of a industry association, so she wasn't someone who'd just fell off the turnip truck and decided to hang out her coaching shingle.

2. Sheri been around for a decade doing what she was now teaching and I'd known of her previously in that industry. She wasn't someone I just stumbled across the week before.

3. Sheri came recommended from someone I already knew (Ali Brown), respected and bought from. Never underestimate the power of a referral!

4. Sheri did a really good and thorough job on the teleseminar pitching her program. I had no questions when she made the offer.

So on the strength of her previous work, the referral and her offer, I signed up. It was a bit of an unusual situation. I don't think that's normal, because I doubt I would have spent that much money without talking to someone first if it had been anybody else before spending that kind of money.

I stayed with her for a full 2 years and it was one of the very best decisions I ever made.

I've also purchased expensive programs like Jeff Walker's "Product Launch Formula" ($2K), Lisa Sasevich's "6 Figure Teleseminar Secrets" ($1K) and Ali Brown's "Online Success Blueprint" ($1.5K) and never sent in any questions before buying.

They're all very good sales people, very thorough and I had no questions about my purchase. I bought on the strength of their reputations in the marketplace as much as on their presentations.

There are a couple of times when I've asked minor questions before purchasing something, got a prompt reply and then invested, but I can't think of the specific examples now. Just the prompt response alone made me feel much more comfortable.

Contrast that with pulling teeth to get a response from tech support for a piece of video editing software!...

Yes, you deserve a prompt and courteous reply to your inquiry before buying. If you don't get it, you have your answer. It's a lot harder to get your money back than it is to just move on until you find the right person.

Hope that helps!

Michelle

I think that if there is a refund window or a trial basis for coaching,
then this cuts down upon most of the questions being asked. If
the coach wants to qualify the student before hand then this
initial consultation is important. But after offering coaching for
over 8 years now I also find that most people who have a lot
of question at the start usually do not stick with the program.
I'm not sure of the reason for this correlation but I have observed
this.

There are other coaching programs which are so competitive to
get into that the coach may think that s/he doesn't need to
answer email questions because spots are grabbed up so
quickly.

Also if you find that you are getting a lot of questions regarding
one aspect of your coaching program this should be addressed
in the sales letter--problem solved.

But most people just want to know if they can get their
money back if they don't like the program and this is the
biggest question really, no matter how it is asked.

-Ray Edwards