There are all kinds of big decisions to make in a creative business. You don’t have to make them all alone, though – people like business coaches can help guide you through a lot of them. But how do you know when to hire a business coach? When’s the time right to make that investment?
Here are some clues that it’s time to look at working with a business coach.
You just can’t do it this way any more
Something – or a lot of somethings – just isn’t right in your business. Maybe you’re working too much to get everything done, maybe you aren’t making enough money, maybe you don’t gel with the clients you’re working with, or you just don’t like the work you’re doing.
That’s when to hire a business coach! A coach can help you figure out where the gaps are between the time you spend working and the revenue your business is bringing in. They can also help you figure out what’s not working, work-wise – is your messaging not right for the clients you actually want to work with? Where are those clients coming from? Do they share your values? What are your values? Have things changed for you?
There’s a whole lot to talk about and unravel when things just feel all out of kilter and a bit wrong, and a business coach can create some space for you to work through it all.
You know what to do, you’re just not doing it
Does this one resonate? Whether you know you need to get out and do some in-person networking, pitch a service, set up an e-commerce store, or do your marketing more regularly, it’s worth exploring why you’re not doing it.
Remember that doing something imperfectly is better than not doing it at all. Are you procrastinating? Are you comparing yourself to others? You’ll never hear a ‘yes’ if you don’t ask the question, and I can guarantee that nobody is going to be scrutinising your every words as closely as you are.
So if you know that you need an independent kick up the bum to get you moving forward and make you accountable, that’s when to hire a business coach.
You know you’ve got a viable business model
It’s best to save working with a coach for when you’ve had at least a couple of clients under your belt. There can be huge value in a single 1:1 strategy session when you’re a total newbie, just to get you started, but if you’re thinking of working with a coach over a period of time, it’s best that you’ve got a little experience behind you. That’s because you’ll have more information about what you want and need, what you like and what you don’t, and a better understanding of what you want your life in business to look like. Plus, you know it’s a viable business model.
You can afford the investment in a business coach
Not going to beat around the bush here: there’s a financial investment in hiring a business coach, just like there’s a financial investment in building your website, getting a qualification, buying work-related gear…there’s always something to spend money on.
If it’s a big financial risk, and I mean the difference between you being able to pay your rent or the electricity bill, then don’t do it. Not yet. Learn what you can for free – try podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, Instagram, whatever is the best place for you to learn. When you’re more financially sound, look into a coach again.
It’s fine if it’s something you have to save up for. I know it’s quite a bit of money – that’s why I offer payment plans – but personally, I don’t want to take your money if it’s going to be a big struggle for you.
You just really, really want to do it
You know that feeling when you see something you want to buy? And you just can’t stop thinking about it. It won’t get out of your head. You know how you’ll use it, what it’ll feel like to have it, and you want it in your life.
That’s when to hire a business coach. It’s when you know why you need one – for accountability, for your personal development as a business owner, to get courage to take the next step – and it’s something you want to do on a deep visceral level.
That’s not to say it’s not a bit scary – it’s a pretty big step to take, because you’ll need to lay yourself and your business bare and sit with some uncomfortable thoughts and truths – but you’ll come out with a better understanding of yourself, your business, and where you want to take it in the short-, medium- and long-term.
You’re prepared to do the work
Following on from that, you’re prepared for what you have to do. You need to be open and honest with your business coach, to dig deep, and to think hard. Then you have to follow through. Coaching won’t give you a magical key through the door – it’s a give-and-take process that can only help you if you’re all in.
Still wondering when to hire a business coach?
If you’re still not sure if it’s the right time, that’s okay! It’s a good idea to start by just having a chat to a business coach or two (or three) and see what happens. When someone contacts me in the first instance, I’ll start by having a chat to them about their struggles, their business, and what they’re hoping to achieve from our time together, and get a feel if we’re a good fit.
If not, I’ll be honest. I’ve told people that I don’t think it’s the right time for them, and I’ve also referred people to other coaches who might be a better fit, whether that’s for their area of expertise or approach. If you’re talking to someone and you get a sense that they’re really trying to sell to you and get an immediate ‘yes’, be cautious.
What a good coach wants is what’s best for you, and that’s what they’ll recommend.
Why not get in touch and see if it’s a good time for us to work together?