Starting a business is not easy. Starting a business on your own is down right difficult!

5% of new businesses are still running after their first year.

That means 95% of the people that start a business right now, will not be in business in 1 year. Those are some grim odds. But wait...there is a way to have a higher chance of being a part of the 5%. Would you like to know how?

When I started my business almost 22 years ago, I decided to set my ego aside and take a hard look at what I was really good at. I made two lists, one that included the things I was good at and a second list, which happened to be much longer, included everything I was not good at.

A business plan, marketing, finance, and technology were amongst the items that I had trouble with. I had no Idea where to start! I started my business by printing parenting books, so I added publishing to that long list of items that I knew nothing about.

I could have let this stop me. But instead, I looked for help. I started by...

Do you ever get so frustrated that clients are not consistently booking with you, that you want to give up?

I completely understand. It is easy to lose hope when there is a lull in client bookings.

You are not alone - in fact, this was me just two weeks ago. I was feeling deflated and wondering if perhaps, no one needed my services anymore.

So, I sat in that feeling for a bit and then I realized I have full control over what I do next with that thought. I could continue to feel frustrated and I could give up, or I could continue on with bold conviction that my next client is just waiting to hear from me.

And this is exactly what I did...step by step:

1. I took a long walk, then a long shower to clear my head.
2. I meditated on gratitude for all my fabulous clients - current and past.
3. I journaled all my thoughts then journaled the thoughts I would rather have - ones that served me better.
4. I took action - sent voice messages, reached out to those that expressed interest in the past etc.
5. I...

Watch this short video to discover why it is so important to start building your list today! I will walk you through the process of creating an offer to help you build your ideal audience!

Not sure where to get started? Choose one of the items below to begin building your list today!

10 LIST BUILDER IDEAS:

1. Checklist
2. PDF of a blueprint of your work
3. Instant access to a print off/PDF - myths, answers, tips, must-knows etc
4. Quiz 
5. Challenge
6. E-book
7. Video
8. Video series
9. Physical item
10. Access to your Facebook Group

1. Have a clear plan. A plan for social media posts, a plan for when you will work on what, a plan for marketing, a plan for creative time away from your desk, a plan for onboarding, a plan for gratitude etc.
2. Put one thing on your desk (to-do) list at one time. Shut down all distractions (that's right, no Facebook or Clubhouse) until it is done! Then put it away.
3. Stay hydrated, eat well, and exercise. You won't work well if your body isn't.
4. Get an outside opinion. We stare at our work so much that we miss things that are obvious to others. Get an accountability partner (lots of amazing coaches in this group), hire a business coach...

Your exploratory, introductory, or discovery call (all the same thing:) is one of the most powerful tools you can implement in your Parent Coaching business. This is the moment that could turn a potential client into a paying client. 

There are three phases of a call:

1. Preparing for a call
2. Preforming the call
3. Following up after the call

Let's dive into each phase so that you can master your exploratory call and book more clients. I am not going to talk about how to get clients on a call as I cover that in a lot of my other articles. Today I will only cover what to do once someone reaches out to book a call.

1. Preparing for the call.

Make it easy for people to book a call with you. I use Calendly, but there are other options out there. 

To prepare for the call you will want to ask preliminary questions. Ask three questions to be answered when someone books a call. I add these to Calendly.

1. Please tell me a bit about yourself. 
2. What is your biggest concern...

Having a contract between you, the Coach, and the parent(s) is one of the most important legal documents you will use.

A contract helps your clients know exactly what you are providing and it helps keep the liability of the coach to a minimum.

This contract will give a clear list of expectations and set boundaries around timing, payment, cancellation etc.

A contract helps to keep your relationship professional and can be referred to if there is any question of the working relationship between you, the Coach, and the parent(s).

Having a contract that includes copyright rules can save you from having your materials copied and distributed elsewhere, outside of your coaching relationship.

What should a coaching contract include?

The contract should include:

• Definitions of Coach and Client
• What is included
• What is expected by both Coach and Client
• The Schedule
• Timing
• Costs
• Terms
• Copyright
• Cancellation Policy
• Confidentiality Policy
• Signatures

When creating your contract always have it...

If you think the only way to make money as a Parent Coach is 1:1 coaching, think again!

In this article, I want to share with you a few additional ways you can create the income you desire while you build up your coaching business.

It wasn't long ago when I was wondering how I would ever pay the bills with my 1:1 Business Coaching. I knew people that needed my services, but every time I spoke to them about what I do, they said it sounded great but then didn't book with me.

Now, when I am on a call with a potential client, 8 out of 10 times, they book in immediately. 

What's the difference you ask? The difference is, I got clear on who I serve and how I serve them. I niched to becoming a Business Coach for Parent Coaches. And, if you are a Parent Coach, it is a no-brainer to work with me. (shameless plug:)

Niching is one of the things you will hear me say over and over to ANYONE that will listen! If you don't have a clearly defined niche, no one will be clear on...

Oh boy, do I have a tip for you today!

Your Facebook Page is feeling neglected, but I can help you show it some love!

Take under 7 minutes with me to transform your Facebook Page into an Email List Builder!

Step 1 - Watch the video

Step 2 - Create your offer! 

Step 3 - Create your Facebook Cover Image (I use Canva)

Step 4 - Add in a Description and hyperlink (link to gather their name and email)

Step 5 - Watch your email list grow!

Step 6 - Stay connected with your email list!!! They want to hear from YOU!!!

If you have any questions, hop on over to our Free Facebook Group for Parent Coaches here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businesstipsforparentcoaches/

If one thing stays constant, it is the changing algorithms in Facebook.

It can be hard to manage your business when you are constantly trying to keep up to the new and improved ways of connecting with your audience. Believe it or not, that is exactly what Facebook wants you to do. They want you connecting with your audience in a meaningful and beneficial way.

Years ago you could add a post and let it sit there for all your group members to read. Now most don't even see 1/10th of the posts you add.

Our challenge this week is to increase engagement so that more of your group members see your content, and when you are ready to launch your own offer, more will see it. 

How to get set up:

1. You can ask group members 3 questions when they join your group. The three most important questions are: 1. What are you struggling with most? 2. What do you hope to get out of this group? Advice, support, connection? 3. Please add your email (optional) so that I can keep you posted on important...

Bringing your community together creates an amazing connection that last a life-time. But what happens when your planned in-person event needs to happen online?

This was one of the questions I was asked during the COVID-19 pandemic as we watched the entire world shut down and told to stay home.

How do we still create a retreat atmosphere for our community, online?

My answer: It is possible, but you just may have to alter a few experiences to create the same effect you would if you were meeting in-person.

Let's start by addressing the purpose of your retreat. There are a number of reasons why people meet, but I have (for simplicity) broken them into 4 main groups.

1. Education
2. Entertainment
3. Inspiration
4. Connection

Your event/retreat purpose may include a bit from all 4 groups, but I would encourage you to rate them in order of importance.

For instance, if you are meeting during COVID-19, you may want to highlight inspiration and connection. If you are meeting when the world is back...