Coaching is a powerful tool for personal development. Today, many people all over the world use this tool to achieve set goals in different areas of their lives.
Coaching can take place in person, which is the format that most people prefer to stick to. However, online coaching is also there and is no less effective.
If you are planning to become an online coach or moving online due to the implications of COVID, the chances are that you are wondering how online coaching is different from in-person and how to make virtual sessions successful.
If you also have such concerns, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, you will find the top six tips on how to make your online coaching business successful and stress-free.
- Find the Perfect Location
If you want your online coaching sessions to go in a smooth and relaxed manner, the first thing to take care of is the location you will use to run them.
One option is to work from home. Ideally, you must have a separate room where nothing and no one will distract you from your sessions. Alternatively, you can consider renting an office or using a coworking space.
If you are a student, your dorm will definitely not work. It is too noisy and crowded, which will get in the way of your online sessions. So, be sure to find a place that is quiet and free of distractions. And a bonus tip for student coaches – find professional paper writers so that you have enough time for your coaching sessions without putting your academic performance at risk.
- Stock Up on Technology
When giving coaching sessions online, you will have to rely on technology a lot. Depending on the nature of your sessions, you may want to use tools for sharing screens, posting resources, using whiteboards, and, of course, running video calls. And you want to ensure that you have everything in place and ready for your sessions.
Here is the first tip – before you engage in your first virtual session, be sure to stock up on all technology and tools that might be required for your sessions. And tip two is to practice using the selected tools. Take some time to sort out how each tool works and practice until you get absolutely comfortable using them. If you do so, you will ensure that nothing goes wrong on your side during the session.
- Prepare Additional Equipment
Some coaches are using additional equipment for their sessions. It can include flip charts and pens, models, additional materials, etc. So, our next tip for you is to define what specific equipment may be required for your session and prepare it in advance.
- Prepare Your Clients
For some clients, online coaching sessions can appear to be something completely new and, thus, cause a certain level of anxiety. That is, some of your coachees may want to get a bit of help to get comfortable with having virtual sessions, and your task is to help them.
How to help your clients feel relaxed and comfortable? First of all, it is important to talk to them in advance about their experiences of working online. It is especially important if you are moving online with clients who previously had face-to-face experience with you.
After discussing previous experiences, the next step is to get your client familiar with the tools you will be using. Consider preparing a detailed and easy-to-understand guide on how to work with the chosen platform and applications.
Also, be sure to ask your clients to prepare anything else they may use during your sessions, for example, a paper, journal, pens, etc. And provide additional recommendations, for example, to wear headphones or turn off mobile phones.
- Have a Plan for Potential Issues
Having online coaching sessions can be very convenient. However, there is no sense to sugarcoat the fact that online sessions can run into a number of challenges, including:
- Loss of connection;
- Poor Internet speed;
- External interruptions;
- And so on.
Not to let these issues ruin your sessions, prepare a plan B. For example, be sure that you have your client’s phone number for the case if the Internet connection gets lost. Also, be sure to communicate with your coachee the possible external interruptions. Advise them to find a quiet, distraction-free, and safe space where nothing will interrupt your session.
- Have a Contract
Though working online may feel a bit more casual, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to make a contract with your clients. Thus, the last tip we have for online coaches is to develop a detailed contract that covers all the key aspects, such as work methods, time, price, confidentiality, etc.
Final Thought
These are the main tips for making online coaching sessions convenient and effective. Be sure to use them to make the most of each session and avoid challenges!
