For many new coaches, the focus is on getting coaching experience… period. We want to use our skills, perfect them and become confident. An option emerging coaches often take is to agree to coach clients without charging for their services.
This is what we call pro bono coaching. However, having too many or only pro bono clients will not help us with our own financial bottom line and without being able to earn a living we will not be able to keep doing what we love…coaching.
It is important to consider ahead of time how serving pro bono clients can help both you and your clients, thereby creating a win win situation.
Let me tell you how.
What you need to do is create a policy for working with pro bono clients that you can follow:
- Decide on how many pro bono clients you want to work with at any one time. Knowing that your business will continue to thrive with one or two pro bono clients serves everyone. Keep a list of future pro bono clients if you have an opening.
- Create an application for your pro bono client that helps you select who you want to work with. If a client cannot invest in your coaching services monetarily, you will want to be able to determine if they are willing to invest in it emotionally.
- Discover what the client is able to give in return for your coaching. Again, this may not be monetary, but perhaps their testimonial can be a great marketing advantage for other clients. Or perhaps they can help at an event you are speaking at or have word processing skills that can help you in creating marketing materials. Explore the possibilities.
- Treat pro bono clients the same as any other client. This includes signing agreements that outline policies for “no shows,” confidentiality, length of time you will work together, etc.
In summary, we can do it all – give back, serve and maintain a thriving coaching business for years to come!
What is your experience working with pro bono clients? I would love to hear back from you simply by posting in the response in the comment area.
Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC, SCAC, Founder of the IACTCenter.
With over 15 years experience coaching persons with ADHD, Laurie has meticulously designed the IACTCenter to prepare you to confidently coach persons with ADHD and create a thriving coaching business and enjoy the lifestyle that you want.
The International ADHD Coach Training Center (IACTCenter) offers a six-month coaching program divided into three key modules focused on you becoming a truly exceptional ADHD Coach Find out more here.
