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Are you an aspiring or current executive function coach eager to secure your first high-paying client but unsure where to start?
You may be an educator or school professional transitioning from a teaching career or seeking a meaningful role in retirement.
You're in the right place 🎯
This post will guide you through a step-by-step process to achieve this goal in 90 days or less.
Why you need to know how to find clients
Attracting high-paying clients predictably is critical to building a sustainable executive function coaching practice and escaping the school system.
This is a skill that coaches can easily learn, but if you do not take the time to learn it, you risk falling victim to the "word of mouth" trap, which gives you no control over the number of clients you work with.
Before I teach you how, let's examine the barriers that prevent EF coaches from attracting high-paying clients.
What are the barriers to finding clients for EF coaches?
Lack of Marketing Experience:
Many educators transitioning to coaching lack experience in marketing themselves. This can lead to feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty about where to start.
Because of this, they may spend lots of money paying marketing professionals for things like:
Facebook ads
Expensive websites
Costly logos
And much more...
This is not necessary to attract high-paying clients.
Misconceptions About Pricing
A common misconception is that coaches must work for months or years before charging high rates.
In reality, your experience in the educational system is valuable, and you can start with competitive pricing.
Don't undercharge yourself and end up feeling just as burnt out as you did in the school system.
Discomfort with Social Media
Many educators dislike using social media for marketing. This can limit their outreach efforts and hinder their ability to connect with potential clients.
The truth is, you can build a whole business without using social media -- a website and email can be enough.
How to attract a high-paying EF coaching client in 90 days or less
1. Build a Network
Start by reaching out to local neuropsychologists who can refer clients to you.
Why neuropsychologists?
For one, parents are already spending thousands of dollars to get advice on how to help their children with executive function challenges. If you can show these neuropsychologists that you can help solve the problems of their clients, they will gladly refer to you.
Introduce yourself and focus on offering value rather than asking for something in return. For a step-by-step guide on how to do this, read this:
2. Create a "Dream 100" List:
Develop a spreadsheet to track the people you are reaching out to. Your "Dream 100" list should include 100 individuals who could positively impact your business. This will help you stay organized and focused on your outreach efforts.
Of course, you don't need to have 100 right away -- the big idea is to start building a list of people who can support your business growth.
To download the tracker I share with my students in the Executive Function Coaching Academy, click below:
3. Utilize Email Templates:
Use templates in Gmail to streamline your communication. This will save you time and ensure consistency in your messaging.
Learn how to set up templates on Gmail to save you time and energy during your outreach process.
4. Craft a Unique Value Proposition
Clearly communicate your value to potential clients by writing a unique value proposition. This will help differentiate you from other coaches and highlight the benefits of working with you.
A free handout and video tutorial are available to guide you through this process 👇
5. Be Responsive and Follow Up
Respond quickly to prospective clients and professionals who make introductions.
Follow up with them to learn more about their network and resources. I've had neuropsychologists who refer to me say things like:
"I'm just looking for a referral partner who will reply when I introduce them to prospective clients."
Being responsive and proactive in your communication is essential for building trust and securing clients and is a simple way to quickly grow your practice.
Summary
Securing your first high-paying executive function coaching client involves taking steps that increase attention on your business. Here is how you can start today:
Build a network by reaching out to local professionals and offering value.
Create a "Dream 100" list to track your outreach efforts.
Use email templates to streamline communication.
Craft a unique value proposition to differentiate yourself.
Be responsive and follow up with potential clients and referrals.
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
P.S.
Consider joining hundreds of educators and professionals who have completed our executive function coaching certification. You'll gain all the tools, templates, and techniques you'll need as a coach, plus you'll make new friends and have a community you can rely on to grow and learn. Learn more.
Here is one of my favorite reviews. You can read all recent reviews on this page.
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.