Finding a good coach.
Are you a stalker?
If you are looking for someone to work with, how do you figure out if they’re the right person for you? If you’re looking for a personal trainer, a music teacher or a coach, do you check them out online before giving them a call?
I certainly do! Perhaps it’s part of my personality type, but I like to do my homework before I get in touch with someone. I like to see what they look like, who they work with. I like to get a feel for them as an individual.
Similarly when people get in touch with me, I ask them how they found me – invariably they say they’ve been reading my posts on LinkedIn, or perhaps they’ve found me on Twitter or have found my website.
Finding a good coach
Coaching, like personal (fitness) training or learning an instrument (whether it’s for you or for your children) is an investment – even if you are not funding the coaching directly yourself, you are investing your time and energy. It’s therefore key to choose your coach wisely.
If you’re thinking about finding a coach, I’d recommend doing some research, checking out a prospective coach online…
What can you learn from the public profile of a coach?
What can you learn about the prospective coach from their public profile:
Who have they worked with?
Do they demonstrate their expertise through articles, posts, talks?
Is there ‘social proof’ of the work they do and the people they work with?
Can you get a feel for them through their online presence?
Is their online profile congruent with the person you meet face-to-face?
Digital footprint
These days, an experienced coach will have a ‘digital footprint’ that showcases them and their expertise, that allows you to get to know about them and the kind of work that they do – from the privacy of your laptop or phone.
What about you?
How do you go about finding someone to work with? How have you gone about finding a good coach?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Or please get in touch via the contact form or call me on +44 7526 740486.
Let me know if you would like a no obligation conversation to find out if I’d be a good fit for you. Or, if you’d rather research in private, please see my FAQ page to find out more about what kind of coach I am and the coaching I offer.
[To get your free copy of my eBook ’10 things to consider when choosing a coach’, sign up for my fortnightly newsletter using the sign up box on the 1:1 coaching page.]
Best wishes!
Sian
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Great insights Sian,
the best coach I ever had, I found on FB, I liked what she posted, and commented on other’s posts.
We got FB friends and through knowing her, and her way I felt called to work with her
She is amazing and such a great fit for me
Warm hugs Caroline
That sounds wonderful Caroline! Great point about the comments on others’ posts – when we think about what people can find out about us online, we sometimes forget that one! Thanks for sharing! Sian