Coaching Tool #1: Card Decks
Card decks are useful for allowing you to start
conversations with clients. Typically, each card in the deck features an
open-ended question that your client can answer. From there, you can dive into
a deeper discussion.
There are plenty of card decks available for sale such as The CBT Deck by Seth Gillihan or QCards from Little Leaps Press. Of course, if you can’t find what you’re
looking for, you could always create and design your own deck of cards.
Coaching Tool #2: Podcasts
If you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast or already
have one, it can be an amazing tool to use in your coaching. The Life Coach School has a
popular podcast where the host, Brooke Castillo shares valuable insights with
her community.
When you have a podcast, you can dedicate each episode to
solving a certain problem for your client. For example, if you teach clients
how to launch Kindle eBooks, then you might have an episode where you discuss
keyword research and another one where you talk about cover design.
Now when you have clients that run into these problems, you
can refer them to that specific podcast episode. This saves you time in the
long run and gives your clients a way to face their problems.
Coaching Tool #3: Worksheets
As a marketing coach, I noticed I often
work through the same problems with my clients.
So, I typed those questions up in a document and created a worksheet.
I give the worksheet to new clients and have them complete
it after their first session. Doing this allows me to streamline my coaching while still serving my clients.
Coaching Tool #4: Core Training
A core training is a wonderful way to help your clients. If
you’re a copywriting coach and your clients struggle with writing content, you
could create a core training on the different types and formats of content.
Then when one of your clients needs help in a specific area,
you could point them to the correct module within your core training.
Coaching Tool #5: Voice Messaging
A voice messaging app, like Voxer,
lets you and your client leave messages for each other. You can then check
these messages as your schedule allows.
The advantage of voice messaging is that it promotes easy
and frequent communication. It gives your client the ability to reach out at
the exact moment they need help and talk through the issue that’s troubling
them.
Coaching Tool #6: Retreats
Sometimes, clients need to be able to get it away from it
all if they’re going to have big breakthroughs in their mindset. Other times,
you may schedule retreats to give your client space to achieve a large goal
such as writing a book in two weeks or designing their website.
By creating a retreat, you’re creating a cocoon - a warm, safe
area where they can dig deep and work on transformation.
Of course, a cocoon isn’t meant to be a permanent housing
answer, and neither should your retreat. Set a clear timeline for when the
retreat begins and ends.
Retreats can be fun and empowering for clients. But make
sure you factor in downtime for yourself before and after the event. You’ll be
pouring a lot of energy into your clients and you want to refill your own well
once you’re done.
Coaching Tool #7: Onboarding
Many coaches that end up overwhelmed have this happen
because they don’t have a smart onboarding process in place. Onboarding lets
your clients know what to expect, how you’ll be helping them, and what they’ll
need to do to achieve results.
Onboarding can include assessments, quizzes, and
inventories. For example, if you help high-powered executives find their next
job, you might have them perform an inventory, so you know which skills they
already possess and which ones they don’t have.
Keep in mind that you can refine your onboarding process as
you go. You might find that the inventory rarely serves your clients, but the
personality type assessment often causes them to experience breakthroughs. Then
it’s OK to let go of the inventory and hold onto the assessment.
Coaching Tool #8: Trackers
If you help clients develop smart habits, then a tracker can
be a wonderful tool for your coaching practice. You can create a tracker and
ask your clients to fill it out daily, weekly, or monthly depending on their
needs.
The advantage with using a tracker is that it motivates
clients to do the work by fostering accountability. It also encourages them to
see the progress they’re making and that creates powerful momentum.
Of course, you can create a tracker around almost any goal.
Your clients want to earn more? Create a daily earnings tracker so they can
watch as their income soars.
Your clients want to get more clients of their own? Design a
cold calling tracker so they can see the connection between the calls and their
growing client base.
Coaching Tool #9: VIP Days
A VIP day is one you focus on just one client or a very
small, select group of clients (typically two to four). The advantage of having
a VIP day is that it allows you and your client to map out a strategy for
reaching their goal.
It’s also useful for getting a large project done at once.
For example, if you help job seekers then you might want to spend the VIP day
helping your clients learn how to use LinkedIn effectively.
How many clients you serve at once during a VIP day depends
on what you’re trying to achieve and how clients might benefit from time spent
with each other.
You might find that your LinkedIn clients need one-on-one
attention, but your web design program might thrive when you have a small,
focused group of three clients working together.
Coaching Tool #10: Books
Just because books are low-tech doesn’t mean they should be
overlooked as a coaching resource. Books can be valuable in that many people
are more willing to read through them whereas with a course or product, they
may skip entire sections.
A book also allows a client to dive deep into an issue
that’s troubling them. For example if you have a client that’s struggling to make
sales calls consistently, you might recommend they read BookYourself Solid by Michael Port.
After they finish it, encourage your client to read AtomicHabits by James Clear to learn how to turn self-promotion into a
regular habit. By recommending books and nudging them to implement the advice
they read, you slowly help your client design the life and business they want.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
The truth is coaching tools come in many different styles
and forms. A coaching tool that works well for your best friend may not work
for you at all. But a tool she hates may be just the thing you need to assist
difficult clients.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different tools. Study
which ones seem to work best for your clients and use those often!
