Group Coaching Niches

To niche or not to niche, that is the question. Whether you have been coaching for a short time, or a long time, the question of "who do I serve" is a big one. The same holds true in the group coaching context. It is much easier to market and tailor a group coaching program when there are common themes tying a group together.

"A niche market is a focused, targetable portion of a market.

By definition, then, a business that focuses on a niche market is addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers. You can think of a niche market as a narrowly defined group of potential customers." - Susan Ward

Here's a quick list of niche areas I've seen coaches run group coaching programs in:
- New business owners
- Women business owners
- Career transition
- New parents (moms/dads)
- New managers
- New retirees
- Musicians
- Teachers/Educators
- Students
- Professors
- Professionals in specific industries (i.e. financial services, safety, transportation, education etc)
- Virtual Assistants
- World Changers
- Social Entrepreneurs

This list is by no means exhaustive. You may also notice how each one of these niches can be broken down into subsets. For example, career transition - may include a group of people who are moving from career to self-employment, or entry level to supervisory roles, those staying in the same field, those moving to a different industry.

Being as specific as you can who the program is for will help you with your program design, how it is offered, when it is offered, pricing and what else is included (i.e. additional individual coaching sessions, manuals, e-manuals, audio). As you undertake your work, notice who you enjoy working with, who is being pulled towards your programs.

We spend some in the Group Coaching Essentials program looking at what your particular clients really want. What do you want to ask your clients about their needs this week.

What other group coaching niches have you heard about? Who do you want to work with? As always, please feel free to comment below.

Warm regards
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com
Phone: 416.996.8326
Join me July 14-15 in Huntsville, Muskoka for the 2 day Group Coaching Intensive. The focus of this program is to give you tools you can use immediately in your own group coaching work, as well as opportunities for practice and feedback on your skills. A couple of spaces are still open - would love to have you join us.