Customer Reviews

Start Your Own Coaching Business

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow! What a great little book on the business of coaching. I loved it. It is one of only a few such books on coaching that I can highly recommend. It is comprised of 25 chapters and they seem to flow from one to the next in a logical sequence. The book covers the following topics:

1. Pick an expertise
2. Choose a target market
3. Write a business plan
4. Implement the plan
5. Keep good business records
6. Expand your offerings
7. Systematize your business
8. Keep your business
9. Franchise your business
10. Sell your business

I purchased this book at the same time as I got a copy of "Start Your Own Information Marketing Business" (ISBN: 9781599181745). I read them together and found they complimented each other tremendously. A coach needs to have information products for sale in order to gain credibility in their field. They also need information products as marketing tools. And information marketers (infopreneurs) make more money for themselves if they also provide coaching and consulting services. So if you plan to be a coach, then read up as much as you can on coaching and information marketing.

The only problem I had with this book was the material covered on pages 30 to 32 entitled "Business Formalities." The author is not too adept on Choice of Legal Entity and he has bungled the topic. I recommend you ignore everything he says on those few pages and get yourself a copy of "Structuring Your Business" by Michele Cagan (ISBN: 1593371772).

I also highly recommend you consider reading the following books if you are interested in being a successful coach: "Four Steps to Building a Profitable Coaching Practice" (ISBN: 0595296602), "Coaching Millions" (ISBN: 9788979293207), "Web Business Success" (ISBN: 0974924504), and "The Ultimate Training Workshop Handbook" (ISBN: 0070382018). 5 stars!

PS. Examine the Search Inside offering by Amazon to see the Table of Contents for this book. I think the book would have been better if there had been fewer chapters.

As someone who is embarking on developing my skill set, becoming a certified coach and building my own coaching business I found Start Your Own Coaching Business extremely helpful. The book was a pleasure to read and gives a detailed yet concise account in all areas and does well not to become too detailed in some areas where there are already extensive readings. I especially enjoyed the recommended reading list and have already purchased some of the books highlighted by Mann. Overall a great read and excellent value.

Unless you have never managed a business before, this book will be too basic. However, if you are thinking about starting your very first business, then you may want something this basic that explains why you need to find your niche market, etc. Other than the definition of "what is a coach?" most of this book was business basics, rather than coaching basics.

Some of his ideas already seem outdated. I strongly disagree with his idea that you can spend $100 on a website and have credibility with clients - especially if you are working with anyone in a visual field (artist, graphic designer, gallery, interior designer, etc). A website is like a suit of clothes: sure you can find some great deals, but if you go cheap expect to look cheap.

Not a bad read, but buy used or get from the library.

This is a must have book for a new coach. It covers coaching by the type of coach you are and includes starting conversations, engaging new clients, intake, actual sessions, and more. It's not necessarily a straight read through book so you can go for what you need and then come back again for something else when you need it. Great job!

I saw this book at Borders for 80% off, looked up the Amazon reviews, and bought it based on the reviews. What a mistake. I wish I had my $3.60 AND my time back. This book is not at all well-written in terms of grammar and economy of words and it's colloquial to a fault. It's full of vague advice. Just when you think it's starting to be helpful, the section ends without any further detail. Often a single product or service is recommended when numerous and better alternatives are available. Some of the financial and legal advice is dubious for someone who says he is training to be a lawyer AND a financial advisor. Some of the advice is helpful, though much of it is unsubstantiated. Save your money and buy books such as "Get Clients Now" by C.J. Hayden, and anything by Seth Godin and/or Harry Beckwith. Worst of all, is the author's relentless self-promotion and lists of achievements. The author is likely not familiar with the proverb, "me, me, me is boring, boring, boring." Overall, the book reminds me of American Idol tryouts where self-delusional kids have been told that they are great singers by everyone close to them, yet no one with actual singing experience has guided them. This book does NOT deserve to go to Hollywood.

This book contains some basic information about starting a business and is very encouraging of entrepreneurship. It's also lightweight enough to make for fast reading. If you're just starting to think about business startup, you won't be wasting your time.

Overall, though, it mostly succeeds at trivializing professional coaching as something anyone can do. The author doesn't even encourage the reader to seek training or mentorship in becoming a good coach, instead spending most of his time on marketing and self-promotion. As a heart-driven entrepreneur, I left this book feeling a little dirty and embarrassed by the coaching profession.

If you're interested in professional coaching, I can more heartily endorse Dorcas Kelly's book on the business of coaching.

As I am currently on the road to starting my own coaching practice, there are many things that are going through my head. This book clearly addresses all the thing we already know and some of the things we didn't bother to think about in the early stages. He gives you the overall picture in a nutshell and it helps you to take it all in yet not be overwhelmed. I had this book from the library for about a week before I even bothered picking it up because I thought it would be too "technical" and I didn't think I was quite ready for that yet. However, I now wish that I had picked it up sooner because I am more at ease knowing the big picture. I know that I have a map to follow yet the ability to fine tune with my own details. The book addresses our biggest fears of it all being too much to grasp and it reminds us that we are human and we can do this. I will note, that I am an avid fan of Kindle; however, I intend on purchasing this book in hard copy simply because I WANT to make notes, highlight and use as my daily reference guide. Well done! Well written!

This book changed my life! Because of this book and Monroe, I launched my consulting and training business this week. I had been procastinating for months after being laid off in January 2009. Thanks Monroe for being a talented and multitasked person.

Monroe breaks down in detail the steps to building a coaching business from startup, as Monroe gives some strategies about some marketing and how to. He also talks about being financial aware about your income statements and balance sheets. This is where most of business owners fail at keeping track of their books. He also give you a list to get you on track to where you need to be. Thank you Monroe.

Rashiid Abdullah
Marketing Profit Strategist
[...]

This was a very descriptive, easy to read book. The concepts build on one another and are developed in a way that are understandable. This is a book I will keep in my library for a long time to come and reference frequently as I get my business started and throughout the years.