By Guest Blogger Ryan Stanley, CPC

When I first decided to become a Life Coach, a lot of people I knew expressed concern about how I would be able to relate to all of the challenges that may come from the diversity of working with different types of people.

“How are you going to be an expert in everything?”

“Why would someone who is 20 years older than you want to go to you for advice?”

Now, after going through iPEC’s coach training program, I’m aware that I don’t need to be an expert in anything except the coaching process (specifically the Core Energy Coaching™ process) itself. I also now know that I’m not really giving any advice at all, as much as I am reflecting the clients’ concerns and challenges in a positive, personal format which enables them to gain new perspectives on what some solutions to those concerns and challenges may be.

But of course, when people decide that they want to be a life coach, they don’t know any of that yet. What they do know is that they enjoy seeing others become happy, healthy, and successful. So naturally, some of those same questions that my friends were asking me in regards to the challenges of becoming a Life Coach begin to pop up and block some potentially amazing coaches from taking their first steps to be a life coach.

Ironically, once someone goes through the program to become a Certified Professional Coach, a very common conversation that they end up having with clients is all about the client deciding what they really want out of life. What types of people do they want to surround themselves with? What kind of conversations do they want to be having at their work place on a daily basis?

It’s these type of questions which also often helps coaches begin to identify a niche or specific type of clientele. For whatever reason, it’s our nature as humans to think that any obvious answer is ‘too easy’ and it’s ‘got to be harder than that.’ The truth is, there are no rules about how to choose your clientele. You already have a wealth of personal experiences. And you know the type of people who you enjoy interacting with.

Consider: What do you love to talk about on a regular basis?

If it’s one thing that the development of internet and social networks has taught me, it’s that no matter what your hobby or personal interest may be, there are thousands, if not millions of people out there in the world with an equally focused interest in that exact subject. And if it’s one thing that becoming a life coach has taught me, it’s that every one of those people can benefit from having a life coach.

And when you’re working with a client, and you’re able to combine your common passion for that specific something with the coaching process, you end up having deep, engaged conversations about something that you both love.  And guess what? “Coincidentally” these conversations often end up having the client finding themselves on a clearer path to a happy, healthy and successful life.

Believe it or not, choosing a niche can be that easy. Your product is joy. Your target clients are people that you would love to talk to about a subject that is closely aligned with who you both are.

Oh, and by the way. Just because you choose a niche doesn’t mean that you can’t coach anyone else. If you’re good at what you do, chances are you’ll attract clients from all walks of life. It also doesn’t mean that you can’t change your niche. Be a coach. Enjoy the ride. You and your clients deserve it.

RMS

PS. Outside of my passion here at iPEC (which essentially is building successful relationships), I also coach within the music industry.  I had the pleasure of recently being interviewed for Play It Loud Music.  You can check out the interview here, Play It Loud Music’s Blog Thanks again!

Ryan is the Director of Strategic Alliances here at iPEC. He is also a band manager, screenwriter and Professional Life Coach. To find out more about Ryan’s journey to becoming a coach and his niche of choice, check out the blog/interview series above that he was recently asked to be a part of.  You can also find him on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/RMS.Life.Coach or check out his website at www.ryanstanley.com.

Tags: Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, iPEC Coaching, life coach training, life coaching

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 at 11:44 am and is filed under Business Development, Coaching and Coach Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.