Ask Bev James - Should I be thinking about my coaching niche while still in training?

Last week I offered you the opportunity to ask me your questions around setting up a coaching business. The response has been really great and as promised, I will be aiming to answer as many of your questions as possible over the coming weeks. Here’s the first instalment.

Question

“Hi Bev, should I be thinking about my coaching niche whilst I'm still training and how do I go about identifying my niche?” - Bev Chapman

Answer

Great question Bev and one I know many coaches battle with.

I remember finding it very difficult to nail my niche when I started out as a coach. The earlier you start thinking about your niche the better.

I recommend you start the process while you are training to be a coach but allow yourself the flexibly to change your mind before working on your branding and building your website.

A niche is best tried on for size and lived with for a while before fully committing to it.

Try my 9 step system to identifying your niche -

1. What area or subject are you already credible/ experienced in?

2. What do you find yourself reading about, studying and regularly looking at on the internet?

3. If you had the opportunity to be interviewed on the radio or write an article on an area of coaching, which one would you choose?

4. What do friends and family already recommend that people seek your help for?

5. What is the biggest problem people in your potential niche have?

6. Do you have access to them?

7. Can they afford your services?

8. Are there books, forums, communities or magazines on your niche?

9. Do you have experience in that area that adds to your credibility?

As I've said, a niche is best tried on for size before committing fully to it. A niche is not necessarily for life. You may change or define your niche over time.

You may also have more than one niche but let’s leave that for another day! :)

If you have a question you'd like to ask Bev about setting up a coaching business then you can send this through to the following email address - communications@the-coaching-academy.com