So you want to find the best online coach.

Let’s explore this topic, shall we?

But first, full disclaimer, I myself am a coach.

If this gives you pause to wonder if I’m the right person to answer this inquiry, I can accept that.

But let me explain why I’m actually in a very good position to give you some food for thought on this important issue.

Coaches have coaches

Firstly, while I am a coach, I also have a coach.

It’s a smart investment.  The right coach can accelerate the growth of your business.

But what I’m saying is, I’ve spent time looking for one myself and understand the concerns.

Secondly, because I am a coach, I have intimate knowledge of what it takes for a coach to positively impact your life, career or business.

I can point out what to look for and identify any potential red flags.

Now with that out of the way, let’s get into the nitty gritty of finding you the best online coach.

Who’s the best?

To properly answer this question, we have to be clear what we mean by ‘the best’.

Really, a better question would be, “How to choose the best coach…for me?

Because there is no best-est coach in the world.  And even if there were, imagine how expensive they’d be?

Not to mention the long waitlist you’d have to sit on.

No.  You need to find the best coach for your specific needs and one that matches how you like to communicate.

So what is it you need?

If you don’t know what you need, it’s hard to get what you want.

It’s rather straightforward, but important.

For example, I’m an accountability and productivity coach.  

I help online entrepreneurs and business-owners clarify their goals, strategize action plans to reach them, and keep them accountable for their tasks and deadlines.

This suits those who want to accelerate business growth, defeat procrastination, and for those who have extremely busy lives and want to achieve their goals and complete their projects.

If you need advice on drafting your business plan, or the ins and outs of incorporating, then it’s best to seek out a business coach schooled in that area of expertise.

Which leads to another important point.  

Find someone who walks their talk.  Determine if they have done or do what they are offering to help you with.

The more valid their experience, the better the advice and counsel you’ll receive.  

They’ll understand the pitfalls and challenges you’re facing, and have the solutions that will save you valuable time.

Your communication style

Simply put, you’ve got to connect with your coach.

Resonate, jive, mesh, match with.  

We can use any of these terms, but it really comes down to communication and that guttural feeling that tells you this is the right one for you.

But ask yourself this:

Do you like a tough love kind of approach?  Or do you prefer a more subdued form of encouragement?

It’s an important distinction to know about yourself.

Either way, the best coach is one that is going to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

Otherwise, you might just end up wasting your time and money.

The Telltale Signs

At the end of the day, you’re looking to hire someone to have your best interests at heart.

You want part-advisor, part-cheerleader.

Someone with a genuine passion for helping people.

Someone who will push you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to strengthen your weaknesses.

So you might be asking how you can determine the factors we’ve discussed so far?  

How can you know about a coach’s experience, what their communication style is, or whether they seem legit or not?

It’s easier than you think…

You call them up and talk to them.

Practical Steps

Many coaches will be open to having a short chat with you, paid or free, to see if you are a good match for each other.

Don’t forget, they want to qualify you as much as you want to qualify them.

They don’t want to waste their time either.

So make a list of the questions you want to ask them, and be straightforward when you call them up.

Pay attention to the types of questions they ask you.

They should be insightful so as to give them precise information on your needs and what your expectations are.

If they’re experienced, they should be using specific language related to topic on hand.

Good coaches will have information on their website to explain exactly what kind of results you can expect from their services, the costs involved and who they normally work with.

What Other People are Saying

Any coach worth their salt will have testimonials from previous clients.

Social proof is one of the more credible ways to determine if a coach is best for you.

Some people do fake testimonials, so look for realistic photos and differences in language styles.

Do Credentials Matter?

In my opinion, it would be a mistake to simply qualify by credentials alone.  

In today’s world, it’s unnecessary to go to a school or take a course in order to gain access to the knowledge and expertise needed to provide sound counsel.

What’s more important is their personal experience and what their clients have to say about them.

Credentials can give you an idea as to the level of commitment to their craft, but anyone can take a course and still not be a good coach.  

And vice versa, someone can have no formally-accredited credentials, but could have spent years in personal study and in the school of hard knocks and experience.

If they’ve done what you want to do and have the testimonials to back them up, then a credential is merely a bonus.

Warranty or Guarantee

A coach that is confident in his or her skills will have no problem offering a no-questions asked money-back guarantee of some sort.

This will usually take the form of a limited time offer as it’s a service, not a product.

They should do this because they want to minimize your risk.

So look for this as a marker of integrity and confidence.

In Closing

To make the most out of your work with a coach, you’ve got to remember that no coach can magically solve all your problems.

They can guide you to the best way to do that, but it’s up to you in the end.

So I hope this helps you find the best online coach for you, and if you ever want to speak to me about accountability, you can schedule a free strategy session.

To your success!

Nigel

Nigel Cook
Accountability Coach
Holding Your Feet to the Fire

PS: Want to reach your goals faster? Check out one of the online accountability coaching programs and book a free Coaching Call.

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