Most of my clients have been in business for up to five years or longer, and they know what they want to work on with me. Illustrators, photographers, web designers, coaches; the biggest challenges they face are charging more, managing time, growing in mindset, and attracting higher paying clients through a stronger message. With those types of clients I usually dive deep into what has worked for them so far and what not, their future goals, their mind blocks, and where they want to take their business next. They don’t always need a business coaching framework, because they themselves bring topics to the sessions.
However, I also get clients who are just starting out on their business journey, and feel completely blank and wobbly about where to begin. This is OK too, and I work a bit differently with them.
My business coaching framework for creative startups
One new client I have, for example, asked me specifically for more practical hand-holding and guidance. She wanted me to take her through clear topics, almost like a syllabus, so she knows exactly what to work on each week. So I created a business coaching framework for her, which gives her confidence and structure about our collaboration. She knows what we will be working on, what homework to expect, and what topics we will have covered by the end of our time together.
Although I am a coach, and not a teacher, I am very happy to tailor my programme to whatever a client needs. I have tons of knowledge in my head, and power tools to share, and I can provide you with all of it. The best way to get results with me is to tell me exactly what you need. The more I know, the better I can serve you!
As a coach, I care about your results more than anyone else, so I will go the extra mile to support you. But “I’m a bit like ChatGPT”, I said to my new client this week. “The better the prompts, the stronger the output!”
This is the type of framework I may offer you as a new client when you work with me:
Creative business Coaching framework
3-months 1:1 package
The 3-months coaching package includes a total of nine 1:1 calls of 60 minutes, or a maximum of 3 calls each month, that can be used up within five months to allow for vacations/breaks/life stuff. Each session starts with an update from the client about what has come up since the last call, and any urgent matters that may need attention and guidance. This keeps the sessions flexible (it’s never a cookie-cutter programme!), and allows time for personal guidance from the coach to the client’s specific situation.
The following outline is a rough framework of what we will cover over the 9 sessions we have together. We can change topics around, of course, depending on the client’s situation. Oftentimes, the various topics will come back up during following sessions, as the client is starting to work on them. We will also often review them as we go along. Worksheets will be sent after each session to integrate the insights and take-aways from the sessions.
Sessions 1-2
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Mindset and values (because your business is you)
What drives you? Who are you deep down? What are your core values?
Do you have underlying barriers that are causing problems in growing into the person you want to be? What is coming to the surface? During the first two sessions we will dig deeper into you as a person, and what you stand for, both as an entrepreneur and in life in general. Building a sustainable business means being authentic and true to yourself. Just looking at earning cold hard cash is not going to be sustainable in the long run. The money will come! But a real joyful business you will love for years to come means doing personal development as well as just simply learning marketing skills.
BONUS TOPIC: TIME MANAGEMENT – GETTING STARTED
We will discuss your weekly schedule and decide on a good way to divide up your time. This helps you stick to a better schedule, and stop procrastination. This topic will come back regularly going forward.
Sessions 3-4
YOUR MESSAGE AND HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH IT
Starting with authentic marketing
Marketing, in my world, is just storytelling. I don’t believe in faking till you make it, or ‘converting people’ into buying something they may not even need. Be real, be honest, and be yourself. Authentic marketing is understanding your audience inside out, and creating content that resonates with them. How can you tap into their current reality, and make them see that you have the answer to their problem? Selling is just helping, and we will work on crafting magnetic content that explains to the client how you help them.
We will look at different types of content and what may suit your business best. Then we will decide on what platforms may be best for you, and how you can encourage engagement and leads.Â
We will look at your message, and how content can support you in getting this out.
Session 5
BUILDING YOUR AUDIENCE – CREATING VISIBILITY
(Not everything happens online)
Social media may have been your safe place so far (just randomly shooting from the hip and hoping someone will bite, right?), but the best way to get clients is still networking and getting to know actual people. In person as well as online. We will be looking at opportunities for you to expand your network and grow your audience, for example by listing events in your local area, coming up with ideas for you to become more visible to ideal clients, or hosting events yourself. Becoming visible can be done in many different ways!
Session 6-7
OFFERS, PRICING AND KEEPING THE FOCUSÂ Â
Creating irresistible offers (and exploring ideas)
As creatives we have ideas coming out of our ears, and chasing glitter is in our DNA. We end up filling our head with new projects and stuff we want to do, but in the end we do nothing. Why? Because we don’t prioritise. In sessions 6 and 7 we will work on your main offers (and how to launch and market them), and at different price points. Are your prices OK? Could they be higher? Are you undercharging? Could you package things up to make an offer more sell-able?Â
We also explore other ideas you may have for future projects. Can you work on them already? Are they actually worth exploring further? Are they viable?
Session 8
GOAL SETTING
Creating a road map
As we have put a lot of foundations in place, it is time to look further ahead. Where do you want to take your business? What are the next steps? Together we will set some SMART goals, so you can keep this as a road map and guidance going forward. We will look at short term goals and long term goals, and come up with ideas and steps to move closer.
Session 9
HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?Â
A concluding session for reviewing topics and results, feedback, any questions and looking forward.
Are you ready to find out more? Book a free call and let’s talk.
