Offering value but nobody seems to be interested

[dan77]

Hello everyone! I'm currently doing an NLP Master training here in Romania and I would really love to do coaching as my main professional activity. I've been working with a coach, listening to lots of coaching shows and reading about it, and of course, I've let all my friends know that I'm willing to work with any of them for free since I'm only starting out. I also posted on Facebook and announced it on my personal development blog. However, the thing is nobody asked me about it. People just don't seem to be interested or appreciate the offer. I would have jumped on the opportunity if someone else offered it. One of my worries is that the way I'm presenting myself or my services isn't convincing enough and people just don't believe I can help them. Maybe it's also that I'm only 23 years old. In any case, providing value just doesn't seem to be enough in my case.

I've also been offering to teach people Qigong for free since I started learning it about 3 years ago. I didn't get a single request from all my friends, facebook contacts and everyone who learned about it. I decided to start charging for Qigong since I am very confident that I can offer great value.

But with coaching, I just don't feel ready to start doing it with anyone and to charge what other coaches charge which is quite a lot given the average income here. However, I really think I can be of help to people and with my NLP Practitioner training, I can assist them in overcoming quite a range of obstacles. What I'm paying for all these studies is like huge to me, and I can't understand why nobody would want to take advantage of what I am offering so freely. Any suggestions ?

[Jay Budzynski]

Hi Dan


Would you consider recording your message into a voice recorder and listening to it?

If you don't have a voice recorder you can use a free software @  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Now Ask yourself this question, in relation to other people, how do you know what they are thinking about your message? and offer for free coaching? how much of that is a projection? (Stop doing that)

Now rather than point out the thing's that are getting in your way, make an effort and focus and make a list of all the resources, you have and can bring to any coaching session you might do?

Now once you have a list of what you have and can bring to a session, go from there.

NLP as a tool set has two functions, applications to self applications to other, run your own crap through the Meta-Model and pull your own brain farts to bits.

Keep it easy and simple get your messages to more people.


Jay

[Lennydw67]

Hi Dan

Great advice from Jay and the only thing I'll add is i have found when I got into NLP I thought it was the coolest thing ever and I want to use it to help all my friends and like you they weren't too keen.

I have found when I just get on and use nlp or hypnosis in my work, with clients and on myself people have the started to take and interest and actually asked me for help with stuff.  

There is also the issue that when people don't have to pay for a service they often don't value it.  Most of my no shows have been freebies so I charge something all the time these days.

Cheers

Lenny

[dan77]

Thanks for your answers!

Jay, I must admit I did make some generalizations in my message, no doubt about that, but I wanted to ask about what worries me. Yesterday I received a free coaching session myself with someone who's a coach in training and we worked on how I can get more clients. It helped me realize a few things.

Lenny, I see my situation is not uncommon. As for people not valuing services offered for free, that's what my NLP trainers keep telling me, but I don't think I can charge for my services until I get some experience first. How could I make it so that the clients take this seriously even though they are not paying? I'm thinking about telling them my available time intervals to make it clear that I'm a busy man (to a certain degree), setting up the coaching sessions in advance, sending them a pre-session form to complete or a post-session evaluation form, etc... But I still don't know how to get people attracted in the first place. When people say they want to come and then they keep delaying until we both forget about it, I feel there is something I'm not doing right.

[Lennydw67]

Hi Dan

I always find it difficult to try and coaching  some in a forum, so I'm going to give you my experience.

I was in a similar place to you a few years, the main opportunities I got were in my day job were I let my boss know what I had been learning and got some coaching opportunities there.  Also just in my day to day interactions having help people with problems, having effective conversations.  I didn't always sit down with people and say right were going to have a coaching session.  A problem would come up and I would them them solver their own problems.

When you learn NLP limiting beliefs and negative language patterns jump out at you, and I can offer to help.  That's not to say you should jump in and say a-ha you have a limiting belief, you can be more subtle and curious, a bit like Lt Columbo . Admittedly I didn't get to do much of the sexy stuff like fast phobia cure etc but it keeps you sharp and pretty soon you get known.

I would say things didn't really start taking off for me until I got my website up and running, with a good google search result.  When I set up, because of my lack of experience I looked at what people charged in my area and charged less.  If after the first session the client or I do not think we can work together then it's free.  I am yet to give a free session and if anyone ever complains I would give them their money back and if I can't help I'll refer them. 

I just don't feel ready to start doing it with anyone and to charge what other coaches charge which is quite a lot given the average income here.

What are you concerned my happen if you did charge people?
How much would you feel comfortable charging people?

However, I really think I can be of help to people and with my NLP Practitioner training, I can assist them in overcoming quite a range of obstacles.

If that's the case why exactly would someone not want to pay for that?

Cheers

Lenny

 

[dan77]

Also just in my day to day interactions having help people with problems, having effective conversations.  I didn't always sit down with people and say right were going to have a coaching session.  A problem would come up and I would them them solver their own problems.

I like the fact that I can have more meaningful conversations with people and that I know how to listen to people more, not offer unsolicited advice and sometimes be of help to them with a question or two. It will certainly make my life more enjoyable.

What are you concerned my happen if you did charge people?
How much would you feel comfortable charging people?

I would feel comfortable charging 30% what most coaches charge (coaching is a pretty new thing in Romania anyway, and coaching fees are 2 or 3 times bigger than say a massage session or an energy healing session... I think it's pretty exclusive, not many people would pay that kind of money for coaching, especially since most people don't even know what it means). So I'd be comfortable to charge for a coaching session what other people charge for a massage session

I'm only concerned that for many people, the fee is still to big, while for others, it is too small and they won't take me seriously. But I guess I would need to test it first, otherwise it's just my assumptions.

However, I really think I can be of help to people and with my NLP Practitioner training, I can assist them in overcoming quite a range of obstacles.

If that's the case why exactly would someone not want to pay for that?[/quote]
Well, some would, but I don't know where to find them. Other however won't. Why? For the same reasons they don't want to come even when it's free. Because they don't believe NLP works? Because they've never had anyone help them overcome a problem and they believe certain things can't be fixed (like phobias, addictions or workplace relationships) ?

[Lennydw67]

Hi Dan

Well, some would, but I don't know where to find them. Other however won't. Why? For the same reasons they don't want to come even when it's free. Because they don't believe NLP works? Because they've never had anyone help them overcome a problem and they believe certain things can't be fixed (like phobias, addictions or workplace relationships)

How would someone in Romania go about looking for help for their problem?


In the UK in my experience people often don't go looking for a hypnotherapist on NLP practitioner they are looking for a solution to their problem.  So I market to what people are looking for and tell them how what I do can help them mainly through my website.  I find I'm am often the last resort for my clients, they have tried, Doctor, psychologists, drugs and cbt experts etc already

coaching is a pretty new thing in Romania anyway, and coaching fees are 2 or 3 times bigger than say a massage session or an energy healing session...

Wow what a great time to be a coach in Romania

[dan77]

You're right, it is a great time. I never blamed the circumstances, I just pointed out what I personally don't know how to deal with, and I want to find solutions.

I recently had a (free ) coaching session with a girl I've met at a coaching support group, and the main idea she helped me understand is this:
When I talk to someone about potentially working with them as a coach, I am the one who has the greatest interest for us to do that. The other person often doesn't really care, they don't even know what coaching is. But I am the one who wants to work with people, to gain experience, and potentially introduce them to the idea that coaching can help them change their life. So, at least until our fist meeting, I should regard the whole process as me asking them to meet with me for a potentially mutual exchange of value.

Basically, what I did before was tell people once that I offer free coaching, and then I would never bring it up again, because I didn't want to appear needy (although I was ). Now my plan is to approach them as I would approach anyone who I really wanted to meet, and if they forget, I can remind them, by saying "hey, remember you said you'd like to meet with me and give coaching a try? If you're still interested, I'm available Monday and Friday afternoon, as well as on weekends.". I already spoke with someone and arrange to meet on Sunday. I feel this strategy is really something I could build on.

[dan77]

Happy new year, everyone!

I wonder, is there anyone still on this forum?

I would love to continue this discussion if you'd like.