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Show Notes
Welcome to Small Business Talk for Coaches Episode 300. Can you believe it? Absolutely amazing! Could not have even guessed we would get this far. When I first started out way back, I started on Valentine’s Day because I thought we could do ‘I love your business’ and I still believe we can.
So today I thought I might give you 30 tips on how you can create a thriving business. A business that you do love. Now 30 might be a bit ambitious, but let’s have a go. If you are new to the podcast, welcome, welcome, welcome – and check out some of the back episodes because there has been so much gold. We have had some amazing guests so don’t forget to check our episodes!
Tip 1. Clarity Before Action
You need to know who it is that you are speaking to. You need to know what your offer is and how you are going to help them. It’s tempting to help everybody but it can be difficult. You are going to burn out before you even start.
Being niched actually makes you more valuable. And yes, you can niche into general coaching, but you are still going to niche some way, somehow. It might be geographically, maybe you only work with local people in your area. Or you might only work with women, men or people that do not identify. You might work with people that have ADHD or autism or Asperger’s. Whichever way you want to go.
But you do need to draw some kind of line in the sand of what your message is, who you help, and how you help them.
Tip 2. Progress Over Perfection
We all know that we want to have everything perfect, even today but it stops us from actually putting it out there. If you are a regular listener, you will have heard me talk about B-plus work. We need to really make sure that we do progress over perfection and we cannot get it perfect unless we actually put it out into the world anyway. It is amazing what we think in our heads – the things that we think should work – and then they do not. And you do not know that until you put it out there.
You might be absolutely set on doing something. Sounds great in your head, maybe even on paper. Not too bad. You put it out there and you get crickets. So you tweak. And conversely, the ones that you think might not work – the ones you just put out there anyway – sometimes they can be the most amazing ones.
One of my LinkedIn posts is actually a picture of a cartoon cricket. I did it spur of the moment while I was on holidays just to keep my LinkedIn ticking over – and it is one of my best posts. So you do not know what will work until you put it out there.
Tip 3. Celebrate Small Wins
When things are tough or not moving along. It is amazing what you are actually winning at. Do a gratitude diary. Just having a bit of reflection before bed – 2 or 3 things that have been amazing. And if it has been a really tough day, it might be just getting out of bed or getting through the day. You will be surprised – even on the toughest days – you will find you have actually had quite a lot of wins.
When you reflect, you will probably find that the one bad thing was just that – one thing. And we know as coaches, we get to choose how we react. Celebrate the small wins. Help your clients do the same. Celebrate your first client. Then your second. Then your hundredth. Keep that momentum up and keep working on it. Ask for support if things are tough.
Tip 4. Own Your Results
This follows on from celebrating your wins. This morning, I got an email saying we were listed in a whole stack of top 100s – top 100 small business podcasts, top 40 Australian business podcasts, and even top 100 marketing podcasts. Amazing.
Own your results. It takes a lot of work to get a podcast like this out. So thank you to my team. Especially to Leah, who has kept me going for all 300 episodes. And to Aika, who has recently come on board. Could not do it without both of you. And the rest of the CATCO Enterprises team.
That is how you get results. Not doing it alone. You need support. Whether that is in your business, or having your partner help out, or your kids, or a cleaner, or even just ordering groceries online. All these things help.
Tip 5. Thrive by Saying No
Protect your time. Say yes to opportunities that work for you and not to things so far out of your wheelhouse. Your niche helps here. You know immediately if something fits. Yes, get out of your comfort zone. I did that with this podcast – it was a stretch, but it was worth it.
Tip 6. Listen More Than You Speak
As coaches, we know how to deeply listen. But how often do you find yourself jumping in during casual conversations? Use your coaching skills in everyday life too. Ask powerful questions and really listen. Hold space. And in coaching, let people sit with the silence. The answer might come later. That is okay.
Tip 7. Price For Transformation
Your price is not about hours or qualifications. It is about the value you create for your client. Their transformation. Sometimes a single lightbulb moment makes it all worth it. Price based on that value.
Tip 8. Build Trust Before You Sell
Give value. Be helpful. Do not give away the whole farm, people still need a reason to work with you. But trust leads to conversations, which leads to conversions. People buy from those they know, like, and trust.
Tip 9. Be Authentically You
Sound like yourself. Tell stories. Share what you love. For me, that is cars and dogs. It makes you relatable. If you are not comfortable sharing something, do not. But do share something. People connect to people.
Tip 10. Niche With Confidence
Being niched makes you more valuable. Start small. Speak to your people. When your message resonates, people self-select. They say, “That’s me.” That is how you build a thriving coaching business.
Tip 11.Tell Stories
We learn through stories. Always have. Books like Who Moved My Cheese and The Go-Giver stick with us because they teach through story. Your audience wants to know you. Share your metaphors. Share your moments. It connects.
Tip 12. Follow up Matters
Not everyone will say yes the first time. Some will take years. Some minutes. Stay consistent. Stay visible. Silence does not mean they are not watching.
Tip 13. Track What Works
Measure your efforts. Know what is working and what is not. Amplify the things that do. Let go of what does not. Keep evolving.
Tip 14. Get Support
Do you have a coach? You should. Whether that is 1:1, group, paid, or reciprocal, support matters. It can also be about time, energy, or practical help. You cannot do it all alone.
Tip 15. Confidence Comes From Action
Once you start taking action, you build confidence. Act as if. How would the amazing coach version of you show up? Take breaks. Make space. Let your brain process. Track your wins. Build momentum. Clarity helps confidence.
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Shift The Stuckness
There you go, fifteen amazing tips and that is enough for today. I will share tips sixteen to thirty in next week’s episode. Until then – 300 episodes. Woohoho! Go celebrate with me!
Listen to the full episode of Small Business Talk episode 300.
You can also find the video versions of the Small Business Talk Episodes on YouTube.
