The Critical Connection Point: How to Sail Through Successfully

There’s a particular point all new coaches come to when starting up their coaching business, that can literally “make or break” their business. I call it “The Critical Connection Point,” because whether they have a coach or not, everyone gets to that point, and many coaches find it challenging.

Here’s what happens: A coach will put a lot of hard work into finding the perfect niche, developing enticing programs, creating a killer online marketing machine, learning exactly how to enroll leads, and brainstorming a strategic, personalized marketing plan to bring those leads in.

Then, the time comes when all of this is done, and the next step is to actually “connect” with people. It might be to sound out potential affiliate partnerships, it might be to speak, network or make phone calls to friends and acquaintances. Or it might be online activities.

Whatever the first step for that particular coach is, it’s critical. Because very few people are comfortable reaching out to people they don’t know, or don’t know well. This is where all the gremlins, doubts and fears tend to try and take center stage.

Coaches will begin to procrastinate, find more work that “needs” to be done first (it has to be perfect), and have personal life issues that get in the way of their business.

It all looks very real, but usually what’s underneath is fear of rejection, and fear of failure, which is perfectly understandable! There’s a reason most salespeople hate cold calling. This can feel the same sometimes.

Getting past this point may be the most important step you ever take in your business. Because there’s a world of goodies past it!

When you get past that point, sooner or later the good stuff starts to happen: You get leads, which turn into enrollment conversations, which turn into clients.

Some never get past it. Don’t be one of them! Here are 6 strategies to help you navigate the treacherous waters of the Critical Connection Point:

1.  Be aware. This is the most important tip of all. Know the point is coming. Recognize that the bottomless feeling in the pit of your stomach is understandable, but you don’t have to let it take charge.

You won’t easily be hijacked by procrastination or other blocks when you’re on the look-out for them.

2.  Don’t judge yourself. Often, when coaches come to me because they are stuck at this point, they are “beating themselves up”. They think they “should” be able to do it “on their own.”

Says who? Where does that idea come from? Frankly, every 6 and 7 figure coach I know invested in coaching and support along the way. Most of them, continuously!

3.  Create a solid strategy, break it down, and take it slow. With a coach or a support partner, create a detailed, step-by-step strategy. Then, break off the first step and do it. When that’s done, go on to the next. A little at a time, the doubt and fear is manageable.

4.  Have a partner or a coach that supports you and holds you accountable. Coaches are like everyone else, we need someone to encourage us and hold us accountable for doing the difficult stuff. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re beyond that. None of us are!

5.  Connect with your Confidence. Before you reach out to connect, talk with a friend or a coach that you know will be enthusiastic about how great you are. Read any past testimonials or nice things people have said about you (keep a file and store them!).

Think about all your past accomplishments, talents, abilities and successes. Pull in the feeling you had at the time. Then, stay “in” your confidence and your power and go for it!

Remember, it’s feedback, not failure. Part of reaching out and testing the waters is discovering what works, and what doesn’t. Not everything you try will work. In fact, you may have to try a number of strategies before you hit pay dirt.

The trick is to learn from everything you do, adjust your strategy (possibly even your branding) and keep going. You will get there. Just implement these 6 strategies, hang in there, make adjustments, try different things, and you’ll sail successfully past the Critical Connection Point.