Growth Strategies
Ideal Client Clarity: reveal your right-fit coaching client in 30-minutes or less
Are you tired of shouting into the void, only to be met with silence?
If you're wrestling with the echo of your own voice amid the cacophony, suffering from dismal conversion rates, feeling the sting of uncertainty about where your coaching business is headed, or doubting your worth as a coach, it's a clear signal: Your message isn't landing because you haven't honed in on who needs to hear it most.
This article is your beacon through the fog. I’m here to help you carve out a clear path to your ideal coaching client, ensuring your voice rises above the noise and reaches the ears of those eager to listen—and pay—for your guidance. Let's clear the air and connect you with clients who are looking for exactly what you have to offer.
Imagine waking up each day to a business where your message cuts through the noise with precision, reaching the hearts and minds of those who've been searching for someone like you.
With your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) crystalized, your content and your offers resonate deeply, attracting clients who feel as though you're speaking directly to them. Conversion rates climb, and Imposter Syndrome fades away, eclipsed by the confidence that comes from seeing the tangible impact of your work on the clients who were meant to find you.
These are the kind of results that are possible once you've nailed down your Ideal Client Profile (ICP). So settle in, grab a coffee, and let's embark on this journey to the thriving, impactful coaching career you've always envisioned.
Pinning down your ideal client sounds tough, but it's easier than it looks. The process is straightforward and grounded in your own coaching journey. It's about connecting dots you already have, not drawing new ones.
Here’s the 4-step process we’ll be using to zero in on your ideal coaching client with surprising clarity:
I thought I knew my clients well. But until I did this exercise, I didn’t realise how many gaps there were in my understanding. You might surprise yourself as well.
Imagine you’re in a conversation with someone you deeply understand and care about. This could be a past client, a close friend, or even yourself at an earlier stage in your life. By imagining you're talking directly to this specific person in all your messaging, you can more easily ground your message, creating a connection that's both intimate and impactful.
A resistance that comes up for many people is the fear of limiting themselves by narrowing down to a single individual. After all, you have many clients, and there are certainly different types of people. Don’t worry about boxing yourself in. This will not limit the range of ideal clients who are able to hear your message. But it will add depth and clarity to your voice.
With this specific person in mind, write down answers to the following questions as best you can. Just flow with what comes to mind. Don’t overthink it. It’s not perfection we’re aiming for, just a rough sketch. The purpose of the questions is to pique your curiosity and get you looking at your ICP from different points of view.
If you draw a blank on anything, just note it down as a detail for further research.
Again, the goal here isn't to create a complex dossier but to sketch a clear, relatable picture of who you're best positioned to help.
Now that you've sketched out your Ideal Client Profile, it's time to make sure they're not just ideal but viable. To confirm you're targeting someone who's genuinely attainable and ready for coaching, check your profile against four key criteria:
If you can answer "YES" to each of these questions, you can feel confident that your ideal client profile aligns well with someone who will benefit from and be engaged in the coaching process, ensuring a fruitful relationship for both parties.
Now here's a simple trick to turn your ordinary ICP into a living, breathing, vibing persona that will take your messaging up a notch.
Take your answers to the ICP canvas questions, and rewrite them from your client’s point of view. Instead of describing your client from an objective perspective, step into their shoes and describe their world through their eyes.
By doing this, you are gaining a backstage pass into your client's mental theatre, immersing yourself in their thoughts, feelings, challenges and aspirations. This takes some work, but it's worth the insight and understanding that will offer your coaching a fresh, empathetic resonance.
This simple shift in perspective makes your ICP come to life, activating empathy and insight that will bring a new resonance to your voice and to your message.
Here’s an example of what your Ideal Customer Profile might look like based on Sarah, one of our customer avatars at Satori.
Do you know a passionate coach like Sarah? She's determined, dedicated, and driven to make a difference. But like many coaches in the early stages of their business, she's finding it hard to balance coaching with the practical aspects of professionally scaling a business.
Satori is the all-in-one platform for coaches who want to live their purpose, build their business and design their days. We lovingly designed Satori to streamline your business and deliver with a smooth, professional experience for your valued clients. It comes with ready-to-use templates for your discovery sessions and coaching proposals so you can create more connected conversations that grow into profitable partnerships.
So, if you know a dedicated coach like Sarah, do her a favour and introduce her to Satori, so she can level up her business today.
Okay time for action. Take a bathroom break, pour a fresh cup of coffee and settle in to transform your marketing results. Here is your assignment for the next 30-minutes:
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