7 Quick Marketing Tips for Group Coaching, Workshops and Retreats
by Jennifer Britton, Copyright 2008.

Summer is a great time to dedicate attention and focus to marketing. Last month my newsletter included 20 ideas for filling your next group coaching sessions, short, medium and long term marketing strategies. Which ones have you tried? Which ones have worked already? Which ones have planted new seeds? This article includes 7 quick tips to keep in mind when marketing your next group coaching program, workshop or retreat:

Tip #1: Persevere with Marketing! The 7 Times Rule. It often takes 7-11 approaches before someone will decide to purchase your product or service. How many approaches have you made?

Tip #2: Develop New products and services for past and current clients. Those who already know you or have experienced your services will "purchase" more easily. These people already have grown to know, like and trust you. What offerings do you have for people who have already experienced, and enjoyed your services?

Tip #3: Ask for Referrals: Word of mouth referral often yields some of the highest return rate if you offer a solid program or service. Have you asked for your clients/customers to refer or recommend you?

Tip #4: Collect Testimonials:Prospective customers want to know what others think about your services. What testimonials (written, audio and video) do you have from clients/customers?

Tip #5: Develop Streams of Programs from Your Current Offerings:Be Creative! Don't reinvent the wheel. What streams of programs can you develop from your retreat or group coaching program? What programs do you already have that can be developed into a retreat, workshop or group coaching program? How can a current offering be adapted for a different audience?

Tip #6: Consider an Early Bird Discount
What price reduction do you offer for registrants who sign up early? Is there enough incentive for you to fill seats early, so that you can ensure that you have the numbers to proceed with an in-person venue?

Tip #7: Spread the word through your networks
Have you done everything in your power to spread the word about your upcoming program? Have you passed on the information to everyone in your network? Let people know what you have planned. You never know who may find it useful.

If you are looking to dig deeper on marketing and business building topics, please contact me to see if one of my individual, mentor or group coaching programs may support you.

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials - Next sessions start Tuesdays (8-9:15 pm ET on July 15th) and Wednesdays (11-12:15 pm ET on July 16th)
Toll free: 1-866-217-1960

Want to reprint this article? Please do so, keeping copyright intact and add the following:
Since 1988, Jennifer Britton has been facilitating team and group programs (workshops, retreats and group coaching) for organizations, teams and groups across 14 countries, and many more virtually. She is considered a thought leader in the area of group coaching. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and offers programs for the general public as well as customized programs for governmental, corporate and non-profit clients. Through her company, Potentials Realized, programs focus on the areas of leadership, teamwork and business success. You can visit her online at PotentialsRealized.com or the Group Coaching Ins and Outs blog.

7 Reasons to Credential as a Coach

ACC, PCC, MCC? What are these? What do they mean? As the coaching profession “grows up”, credentialing is increasingly a must. For the last few years, the International Coach Federation (ICF) has been working to enhance the recognition of the Accredited Coach program. For more information about ICF credentials, click here. If you are a coach and not yet a member yet of the ICF, now may be the time to join or check out your local chapter.

From my own vantage point, here are 7 reasons why it is important to credential as a coach:

1. An ICF is Increasingly asked for and is often pre-requisite for corporate and larger contracts
2. Standardization in the market place
3. Uniform recognition
4. Better Understood by the public (organizations and individuals) compared to the myriad of coach specific acronyms we carry.
5. Opens up new opportunities: Many RFPs are now asking for an ICF accredited coach
6. Dedication to the profession
7. Distinguish Yourself - Stand out in a crowded market place

Did you know that in order to apply for the ACC credential as of July 1 if you opt to go the Portfolio route, you will need to work with a PCC or MCC Mentor Coach for a minimum on10 hours? The portfolio route is for trained coaches who may not opt to certify with a coach training school. Mentor coaching in this context are defined as focusing on coaching around the ICF Core Competencies, rather than business development coaching or coaching on general issues.

Looking for to credentialize via the portfolio route? Looking for a mentor coach? I currently have space in my practice to work with two coaches who are looking to credentialize or looking for a mentor coach. Want more information? Click here. I offer a special 10 hour mentor coaching package rate for coaches (can be paid in 3 to 5 installments). Give me a call toll free at 1-866-217-1960 or email me and we can set up a time to talk to see if we are a good fit.

What's been your experience with credentialing? What opportunities has it provided for you? Please feel free to comment below.

Warm wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Email: info(at) potentialsrealized.com

10 Essential Items for Your Next Participant's Retreat or Group Coaching Kit

Looking for some quick tips on what to include in your next retreat or in-person group coaching kit for participants?

Here' s a quick list of 10 items I always include for each of my in-person programs:

1. Welcome Letter
2. Learning Guide/Manual to accompany the program (with ample space to write on/in)
3. Book (or e-book link to sustain the learning once back at home/the office
4. Notice of group follow up call or individual coaching session
5. Invitation/announcements of future programs
6. Resource List/Bibliography for further follow up
7. Business Card
8. Postcard (which participants can also use at the end of the program as a "letter to themselves about their greatest learning which you collect and mail out at a later date to remind them)
9. Personalized pen from your company
10. Gift Certificate for discount to future programs or services

Running a virtual program (one by phone)? Consider how these items can be modified and distributed to participants by email or snail mail prior to the programs. Remember, 60% of participants are visual learners, and in a virtual or phone based environment, it is still important for participants to have some immediate visual cues.

Warm wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Toll Free: 1-866-217-1960
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

PS - I've had a lot of emails indicating that you are finding the Top 10 lists quite useful for your work related to group coaching, workshops and retreats. What other top 10 lists would you like to see? Drop me a quick email and let me know! I'm happy to feature your request in any upcoming post.

Just Added: Next Group Coaching Essentials starts Thursday June 19th

You asked for it and I’m pleased to announce that I have added a new session of the Group Coaching Essentials program, which will start next week. The June/July Sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 8-9:15 pm (EST)/5-6:15 pm (PT) on June 19, 26, July 10 and 17, 2008, plus a fifth call at a time convenient to the group.

If you are a coach who:

• Wants to launch their own group coaching program?
• Is looking to not reinvent the wheel with their own group caoching program?
• Wants some tried and tested tips related to designing, marketing and running their program?
• Is looking for engaging exercises to adapt to their group coaching program?
• Is seeeking accountability to moving their vision for group programs into reality?
• Wonders how their individual coaching skills can be adapted for a group context?

Now is the time to get your group coaching programs ready for launch for late summer and early fall, whether they are in-person, by phone (virtual), for the public or corporations. I hope that you will join me for this month’s teleseminar program. Calls are recorded if you can’t make a session. Space is limited to 6-8 coaches per session.

Click here for more information and to register. Cost is $250 US or Canadian (plus GST for Cdn residents)

Can’t make the dates for this month? No problem, I’ll be offering two new classes starting mid-July. Choose from:

July/August: Tuesdays 8-9:15 pm (ET/New York) -- Evening Session
July 15, 22, 29 and August 5 2008 plus a fifth call in early September 2008

OR

July/August: Wednesdays 11am - 12: 15 pm (ET/New York)/8-9:15 am (PT) - Mornings
July 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 2008 plus a fifth call in early September

Want to find out more….give me a call toll free at 1-866-217-1960 or email me at info@potentialsrealized.com to set up a time to connect by phone.

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Toll free: 1-866-217-1960

Avoiding Death By Powerpoint

I have been doing a lot of design work recently in preparation for some corporate engagements. Many clients have asked for very experiential programs, whereas others have wanted more of a focus on the "teach" piece, which has necessitated the development of some new Power Point presentations.

I came across this wonderful, humourous PowerPoint presentation by Alexei Kapterev on Death By Powerpoint. You can access the Powerpoint here.

Coaching Challenge:
What steps will you take in your next presentation to avoid Death by Powerpoint?

Have a great week!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CHRP
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Toll Free: 1-866-217-1960
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized {dot}com