Did you know there are at least 6 very different business models through which coaching is offered? In every case, when someone asks you what you do, coaching is not really the answer…but rather you will tell them the problem you solve. But you can use any of the models summarized below to deliver your services.

What is most important is that everything you do fits within your business model, sends prospects through your business model, and helps them move from a lower level of investment and services into the next higher level of investment and services. Most people, by contrast, do a teleclass here, a blog post there, an article next, and there is no clear relationship between them – nor do they tap into the power of leverage so that you are providing increasing value to the same customers, rather than always seeking out new customers.

Model #1: One-on-One Coaching Model

This is the model that most coaches have been taught: marketing to fill your practice with individual clients with whom you talk/work once a week, 3 or 4 weeks per month. You determine the number of clients you will serve based on how much time you want to be working each month.

Model #2: Coaching Gym

Either used as a standalone or in combination with some of the other models below, this is a model similar to a health club, believe it or not! You set coaching hours each week – e.g., 2-5 pm Eastern each Thursday. And your clients pay a monthly fee in order to get the call-in information and access you during those hours. If they call, great; if they don’t, they don’t – but they still pay. Some people are beginning to return calls if not everyone gets through, just to be sure all of them get their promised access.

Model #3: Membership Model

In this model, you create an online community for your target audience, with a membership platform, and invite them to become a member (at one or more levels) for a monthly fee. They can access downloadable pdf’s and audio mp3′s, perhaps a monthly group call with you, and whatever other benefits you wish to offer. This becomes a group of clients to whom you can provide special pricing for your higher-end programs.

Model #4: Mastermind/Group Coaching Model

Increasingly, people want to connect face to face with others that have similar concerns and interests to theirs. And the Mastermind group is the perfect way to do this. You invite people who attend an event or teleclass preview of the program, have a start date and end date, and request applications for the number of positions you have open in the group (typically 10 to 15 people). The coaching can include one or more two-day retreats with you and the group as well as monthly phone calls and, if you wish, individual coaching of 1, 2 or 3 sessions each. (Price point for this is significantly higher than the typical one-on-one coaching model above.)

Model #5: Training/Certification Model

This has been my primary coaching delivery model with Career Coach Institute and my other coaching companies. People register for a paid teleseries, a live event, e-learning, or other means of obtaining knowledge toward becoming certified in a specific area (e.g., Certified Career Coach or Certified Purposeful Marketing Coach). Either as an add-on or as part of the program, depending on your price point, you offer coaching with you directly or with another coach you have personally trained.

Model #6: Product-Based Coaching Model

 The final model is one where your first sale to a customer – and the way they primarily find out about you – is a book, an info product (workbook and audios or DVD and workbook), etc. You then offer up to three levels of coaching that help people implement the content of your product – so they already have some familiarity with your content and welcome the opportunity to have implementation support.

Want to learn which business model is best for you? Join Marcia for her brand new Marketing, Mindset and Manifesting Intensive Sept. 17-19, 2010! For full details and to reserve your space, just visit www.marketingmindsetandmanifesting.com.

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