Most successful business owners will tell you that hiring a business coach was one of the best decisions they ever made. I know that in my case quitting my day job to run my business full-time would have been impossible without the help of a business coach. However, not all business coaches are created equal, and that’s why it’s important to find the right business coach for you.
Despite popular belief, finding the right business coach really has nothing to do with the price tag. There are good and not-so-good business coaches on all ends of the pricing scale. My former business coach, for example, is very affordable in comparison to some of the fees I see quoted by other coaches – and she could probably run circles around several of them!
As a result, you really have to look into more than just the cost when it comes to hiring the right business coach for you. Here are just a few of the things you should consider when it comes to hiring the right business coach.
What stage of business are you in?
The more I grow in my business, the more I’ve realized that people may need different coaches for different stages. There’s a difference between a coach who can help you quit your job and a coach that can help you hit your first seven figures. And, of course, there are several stages in between where different coaches may work.
That’s why it’s important to get very clear on what stage of your business you are in so you can look around for coaches who are known for helping people within those stages.
What’s your main objective right now?
This plays into the last point about how to find the right business coach. Once you get clear on what stage your business is in, you need to determine what your main objective is right now. Simply put, iIt’s not helpful to look for a business coach if you don’t even know why you need them.
For example, do you need help with systems and organization? Then look for a business coach who specializes in that. Do you need help with sales? Then you’ll want to find a business coach who is good at teaching sales. Do you need help with PR and getting press? There are now several coaches that specialize in that.
What industry are you in?
While a single business coach may work across several different industries, it can sometimes be helpful to find a coach who understands your particular industry. For example, someone with a retail store may not find it helpful to hire a business coach who started their business as a freelance writer. While some things may be similar (i.e. sales), freelancers don’t have to deal with inventory and store fronts and therefore may not know how to handle those particular details.
Do you need more emotional support?
This is an important and often times overlooked aspect of finding the right business coach. Some people may want more emotional support from their coaches. After all, running a business can bring up a lot of stuff.
If this is your case, then you’ll want to find coaches who are known not just for helping you hit your sales goals, but who are also known for being able to support their clients emotionally.
Your best bet in this case is to find a coach who underwent professional training such as a coaching certification. During training, coaches are taught how to deal with the emotions that may come up for clients. This isn’t to say that coaches who aren’t certified can’t do this, it just means that if a coach was professionally trained they are more likely to know how to give emotional support if needed.
Final Thoughts
The good news about trying to find the right business coach is that many coaches have free or low-cost offerings you can try before you commit to hiring them. Whether it’s a book or a free consultation, make sure to keep these things in mind when trying to determine whether or not a business coach is right for you.
