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Easily Said & Done

Expert Expert Advice

Published almost 2 years ago • 3 min read

The other day I met someone at a networking event who said, "I just don’t have time to take another class or work with another coach. I’m just so over that."

Yeah, I get it.

There are a lot of folks out there willing to take your hard-earned money while promising amazing results or showing how they’ve helped others achieve amazing results.

And then, you just don’t see those same results in your business.

It’s frustrating and demoralizing.

But that’s not a reason to assume there’s no benefit in working with any coach or taking another workshop or course ever again.

Here’s how to vet coaches, consultants, and workshops/courses so you increase the odds of achieving success by finding the right match for you and your needs.

  1. Clarify your own goals and objectives ahead of time​
    ​There's a reason this is first on the list, so don't skip it.
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  2. Get recommendations and referrals from people you trust​
    ​Some of my best clients come either from working with me in the classes I teach for NYC, which is free for them, or through referrals. This eliminates or greatly reduces the risk for us both.
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  3. Determine your definition of success or return on investment
    ​Ask to speak with one or two existing or former clients or participants. If someone is shy about providing references, maybe there's a reason for that.​
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  4. Look for a money-back/satisfaction guaranteed policy​
    ​If you have to jump through hoops to get a refund or there's no clear cut process for canceling or getting your money back, be wary. I allow all my coaching program clients to pause and/or cancel after sending me an email and having a brief chat about it.​
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  5. Make sure you understand upfront what’s required of you to be successful and that you have the capacity to invest the time and attention necessary ​
    ​Far too often, I see entrepreneurs under-estimate what goes into creating a strategy for growth and following through on action plans and items. Half the battle is in setting yourself up for success by establishing a realistic commitment to get the work done beyond the coaching or course sessions.
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    Unless you're hiring someone to do all the work and thinking for you, this is where a lot of founders flounder.

Perhaps, the best piece of advice I can offer you is not to look for a magic bullet, no-fail system or formula, or a guru who’s promising too-good-to-be-true results.

As I like to say, if it were that easy, we'd all be doing it and already wildly successful.

On a separate note, I've starting meeting with other entrepreneurs looking to share their expertise through my emails and I gotta say, I'm really jazzed about all the great advice and guidance coming our way.

From a fun and unique strategy for creating impactful lead magnets, to preparing to work with a virtual assistant to avoiding costly fines due to employee misclassification, and so much more.

If you'd like to share your expertise in a future email, just hit reply and let me know.
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Until next time,

PS - If you missed it, last week's Tick Tock, TikTok was all about why maybe a ban isn't such a good idea.

"We had our best year after working with you, leading to our being acquired. We couldn't have done any of it without you."

Laura Varacchi, Founder, LVCK Design
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Easily Said & Done

Why grow your business alone?

I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?

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