I listed my beloved Honda Element in the auto ads.  It sold to the first person who contacted me.

He was a husband and father of two boys.  I thought to myself, What a great car for a family with young boys! When I met the husband and wife, I realized that this was not only great for transporting the boys and their friends, but the entire family enjoyed the outdoors, and this car would be fit their overall lifestyle!

But I didn’t say it aloud.  I simply told them about my experiences with the car, why I loved the fact that you could rinse out the entire back portion of the car with a water hose, etc.  In essence, I gave them an honest testimonial for a Honda Element that matched what I learned about their needs.

I knew that my car was a great deal and in almost perfect condition, but I also recognized that mine was not the only Honda Element for sale out there.  The young couple even told me that they were going to look at some other Elements.

So what made my car better than someone else’s car when it was the same make and model, probably with similar price and mileage?

Nothing!  So why did they call me back that evening to make an offer?

I could tell by the look they gave each other after I made one statement, just before they left my place to check out the other cars.

I told them, “Have fun looking at the other cars!  Which ever one you choose, whether it’s this one or another one, you are going to fall in love with that car.”

Now, I didn’t say this to ‘get them to buy my car’.  I said it because I genuinely felt that way about the car.  It was really more of a statement of how much I love the car and am therefore positive that they will love it as much as I do.   It was a selfless statement.

They looked at each other for a moment, turned back to me and said, “Thank you so much!  Now we really know that an Element is definitely what we are going to get.”

I realized afterward that my statement solidified their trust in me.  It had nothing to do with my trying to sell my car.  Obviously I wanted to sell it or it wouldn’t be for sale.  But what I did do what validate their desire for a Honda Element in general.

My genuine excitement showed through to the point that when they thought about the joy of owning an Element, they thought of me.  And suddenly, my Element, simply because it was mine, represented that joy.  A few hours later, my car was sold.

I remember handing them the keys, and it was emotional for me.  I watched the two boys climb into the backseat for the first time, marveling at the ‘cool’ doors and seats.  The smiles on the young couples faces as they, too, watched their boys enjoy the family’s new car.  I remembered myself at that age, and going with my parents to get a new car and how strangely fascinating and awe-inspiring a new car can be to a child.

Was I happy that I sold the car?  Of course!  But the part that stays with me is that I had the privilege to be involved in family’s life and a part of this experience, to help them acquire something (in this case a car) that is perfect for enhancing the quality of their life.  I bought the car a year before because I really liked it.  But for them, it was obviously going to be a central part of their lives.  And that was beautiful.

As a coach, I adopt this same attitude.  There are two main parts of a coaching business: the marketing of coaching, and the coaching itself.  Both parts involve gaining the client’s trust, which is one of the most important skills you can have, whether you are a coach or an entrepreneur in a different profession.

But a trained coach has an advantage in business marketing.  They know how to ask the right questions about their potential clients needs, really listen and find out the real need (which, sometimes, is different than even the client realized), and work with that person to make sure those needs are addressed…  Even if that means sending them to a different coach or encouraging them to check out more than one coach before making a decision because that is what is best for the client.  This is how you can gain trust.  Gaining trust is a major part of what we teach in our training program.

Many entrepreneurs have come through coaching training and discovered that the skills they gained have increased both productivity and sales in their own business at unbelievable speeds!

It is important to identify your target market, but when you learn to treat the person in front of you as your target market and change your strategies to match their needs, you will gain their trust and, when they are ready, their business.

Many have also discovered that they want to become coaches, either as an extension of their own business, or as a brand new business.  Why?  Because when you begin to see the changes in yourself, there is a natural desire to share it with others.

It’s just like when I watched that family climb into their new car for the first time.  I was happy to have sold the car, but I was fulfilled knowing that they were truly going to get a lot of out that car and getting to experience that first moment with them.

As a coach, you will get to experience the ‘new car’ with your clients because you are right there with them.

If you would like to learn more about how coaching skills can help you in your business, visit the Coaches’ Community, and ask a recent graduate.  Talk to someone who decided to become a coach and someone who is using their skills in their own business.  Ask them how it has changed their lives.

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Often, you hear leaders suggest that you think outside the box as you market yourself to your target groups.  This can be an overwhelming challenge, and it might be difficult to find a place to start.  After all, how do you think outside of your normal thought process?

In this article, we will introduce you to an easy technique that anyone can do for any type of business that will not only help you discover new ways to market your business, but will also be useful when you reach other forms of creative block.

As you know, a great attraction marketing strategy comes from having a deep understanding of your target market.  But if you are having trouble identifying the needs your market, you might hit a creative block when it comes to attraction marketing.

But there may be a very simple reason for this, and it is the same reason that you are developing a marketing strategy to begin with:

You are an entrepreneur who is selling something!

You believe deeply and genuinely in your product, so it is hard to unlearn what you have discovered about the benefits of your product.

This shows through when you are spending your all of your marketing efforts giving value in the form of showing prospects why your product is great and why they need it.

It’s like wearing blinders, and all you can see is how genuinely helpful your product is.  Therefore, you may lose sight of the very problems or circumstances that could bring new prospects to you, unless you address them in your marketing.

This technique will help you think like a coach, by shifting your perspective so that you can see through the eyes of a consumer again and create “out of the box” marketing strategies!

And it starts with a completely unrelated ‘box’.

Think of another product that has nothing to do with your business, but that you have purchased before.  For now, let’s look at the art industry.

When you buy something to hang on your wall, do you ever think, “I really need to buy a new piece of art today”? Unless you are a collector, this has probably never been your reason for purchasing a poster or painting.

Why did you buy art? What was the problem you were trying to solve?

For now, think back to a time when you were decorating a new place.

Do you ever remember being aware that you were buying ‘art’?  Or did you come home and say, “Look what I picked out for the living room”?

By giving you decorating advice that includes do-it-yourself décor, color matching tips, etc, an art dealer can help you meet your need for decorating a new place without “selling” their art.

A new art dealer may identify their market as “people who like, love, or appreciate art”, which could cause them to miss you completely!

Therefore, all of their marketing strategies would be centered on giving information about the art itself, where it came from, and who created it.  While this is all great information that should definitely be shared, it would not address your need.

You were never buying the art.

You were buying a stylish living room.

Now, sit down and make a list of your specific needs and the methods you chose to address those needs while looking for décor.

Then compare each of those needs and methods to your market, and rephrase each of them so that they all apply.

By connecting these two completely different professions, the attraction marketing strategies that emerge will certainly be outside the box!

It all comes from using a technique that offers you a new, and therefore empowering perspective, something we teach in great detail in our training program at Coaching Cognition.  When you know how to think like a coach, you will reach your potential faster and see increased results in your business and your life.

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In this article, we will bring up some of the common excuses that many people use to justify the responses that, in the end, may stunt your personal growth and prolong the negativity of an experience.  Then we’ll discuss some alternative perspectives that may help you discover the power of a healthy balance of focus, both on the incident itself and your internal growth.  By relinquishing control over others and taking control of yourself, you will not only turn negative experiences into positive outcomes, but you will find that your life becomes much less stressful and much more happy and fulfilling!

The first step is to make yourself aware of the way you currently respond to the negative or inappropriate behavior of others.  If you missed last week’s article, we highly recommend that you read the article and find a response type that describes what you do when others ‘wrong’ you in some way.  Then you can come back and get even more out of this article.

Now that you understand how you respond to others and where your focus lies, you can begin to discover areas for growth and change.  Sometimes, even those of you who have an overall well-adjusted response, you may still dabble in some of the responses that are control-based and overly focused on the other person.  Sometimes, the more intense or hurtful the situation, the more desperate we become in trying to fix it.  When there is a sense of desperation or panic, it is even more important to be aware of our perspectives because our judgment may be impaired, and we may feel the need to justify our actions.

Think about this business world example.  You have been working on a major presentation for your company executives about a new system that will greatly increase profits.  You invite a co-worker to help you design the power point and assist you in the actual presentation.

The idea is well-received by the executives, but throughout the entire presentation, your co-worker interrupts you and takes over the speech, using language that suggests the whole thing was their idea, and you are the assistant.  The executives congratulate him on a job well done, and set up a meeting to discuss the idea further.  You are not invited.  He has just taken all the credit for your idea.

Now, let’s discuss the different categories of response focus with examples of the excuses, justifications, and perceptions that might accompany your response, and then introduce new perspectives.

Detachment of Focus

If you chose the Independent, Releasing or Tolerant descriptions, you are exhibiting a detachment of focus.  You tend to write off the behavior of others and prevent yourself from having any kind of reaction to it.  This could potentially invite others to treat you badly, not out of maliciousness, but because they honestly believe you won’t care if they do it.  You co-worker may convince himself that you didn’t really care about this project or getting a promotion, so you wouldn’t mind if he took the credit.

You may even convince yourself that you don’t care because you would rather try to shrug it off than create conflict, cause a scene or come off as childish.  However, this route prevents you from growing as a person, learning how to handle conflict, and remain assertive.

Potential excuses or justifications include:

“You have to pick your battles.”

“If I just ignore it, it will resolve itself.”

“It’s my life, so it only matters what I do.  I can’t waste time thinking about what others are doing.”

“It is good to tolerate others.  They teach us tolerance in school, so I’m using it in life.”

These statements may help you to not become angry, but the fact is, this was your idea.  Picking your battles does not mean that you should ignore it when you are wronged.  It does not imply choosing whether or not something is worth addressing might be worth your time to get the credit you worked so hard to deserve.  So what actions can you take that do not focus on the behavior of your co-worker, but do allow you to regain credit for your idea?

Internal Focus on Others

If you chose the Empathetic, Helpless or Conditional descriptions, your focus is on the actions of others as it relates to you.  While some aspects of this can be positive, if you only focus on how their actions affect you, then you are missing out on the options that are within your control that could increase the happiness, fulfillment, and success in your own life.

Potential excuses or justifications include:

“If I could just understand why they do what they do, I’ll feel better.”

“If I know what the underlying issue is, then suddenly the action itself won’t seem so bad.”

“If they just understood what they were doing, they would stop.”

“My life would be better if they stopped doing what they do, but I can’t control them, so I have no choice but to suffer through it.”

“Suffering builds character.”

“Well of course I only like it when people behave well towards me, and of course I hate it when they don’t.  What’s wrong with that?”

Understanding that your co-worker has had many ideas that were shot down in the past by the executives and saw this as a chance to really shine for the first time in his life may help you avoid lashing out at him or holding a grudge, but it does not mean that his actions were okay.  If you simply choose to suffer through it, thinking it will build character, you might be missing the point of that phrase.  It is not the suffering that builds character, it is the way you handle it.  You could also choose to write off your co-worker forever, never speaking to or working with him again, but how does that help you get your credit for your project?  You do not have to give up something that is important to you just because of how someone else behaves.

External Focus on Others

If you chose the Role Model, Controlling, Gossiping, Complaining, Dictator, or Vengeful descriptions, you are taking action for the sake of the outcome as it relates to the other person.

Role Modeling can be great, but if your only purpose is to influence others, then you might be disappointed or upset if those ‘others’ do not change.  Remember, some of these descriptions are not based on negative responses.  It is simply important to also realize that even a positive response has room for more personal growth and success if combined with other responses, which we will discuss in the next section.

Potential excuses or justifications include:

“I’m not trying to control others, I’m just trying to influence.”

“But he won’t change until he knows how it feels.”

“Their boss needs to know about this so that they will realize what type of employee they have hired.”

“If people see me behave appropriately, they will see the light and follow suit.”

“How can I let him just ‘get away’ with this?  I have to do something to show him his behavior is wrong.”

“I’m not gossiping, I just really need to talk about this to process it and to vent.”

“You have to be harsh, or no one respects you… people will walk all over you if you let them.”

With the situation of the co-worker taking credit for your work, you may feel like you want to tell everyone at the office about the presentation.  But what is your real purpose for talking about it?  Are you asking a couple friends to listen and help you decide what to do next?  Or are you telling everyone you run into just so that they will know what happened and there will be no question that you were wronged?

If you go to the executives, are you going to them to let them know that it was actually your idea?  Or are you going to them to let them know that your co-worker stole the credit?  Will you try to sabotage the project by not helping anymore so that it becomes obvious that he doesn’t really know what he’s doing?  Will you plan to take credit for his next idea to show him how it feels or to get even?  Will you talk to him and kindly ask him to make sure that you receive credit for your idea?  Or will you start lashing out at him and barking orders?

What is the purpose behind your actions?  Are you trying to make sure you get credit?  Or are you trying to control him or the people around him (like the executives) in order to control him indirectly?

What can you do instead that will help you reach your goal of getting credit for your idea and experience personal growth and an overall positive outcome?

Internal and External Focus on Self and Others

If you chose the Self-Improving or Well-Adjusted descriptions, you are well on your way to a healthy balance of focus.  The main difference between these two descriptions is that the Well-Adjusted response also includes role modeling and empathy.  While it is great to achieve self-improvement, it is still true that being empathetic will help you avoid anger and having a desire to positively influence others is great, as long as you are not imposing your influence on others.  It is one thing to behave a certain way because you believe it is right, but if you are only doing it to show others how it’s done, than you are losing that valuable focus on yourself that will help you continue to grow.

In the case of the credit-taking co-worker, a healthy response might be to avoid anger by understanding that it is unlikely that he did this out of spite or maliciousness, that there may be other causes for his actions that you may or may not ever fully understand.

You can turn the incident into a learning experience that teaches you to make sure your name is clearly written on all of your work, that you take responsibility for making sure that you discuss the presentation with the executives beforehand, casually letting them know your role and the role of your co-worker.

You can learn about yourself and how you are able to successfully, maturely, and positively handle conflicts of this kind.  You will gain self-confidence in your ability to calmly respond to negative experiences by turning them into a positive experience.  You will bring meaning to your experiences by consciously exploring how each and every situation you encounter brings value to your life and to your self.

You will become a role model to others, not so that you can ‘fix’ people, but so that you might inspire them.  If you do inspire someone, it will bring you joy, but if someone is not ready to be inspired, it is not because you failed, and it will not bring you down.  At the end of the day, you behave in a manner that you personally believe is best for you and those around you.

However…

In this case, all of these perspectives will help you grow, but the fact is, you still have not received credit from the executives for your idea; credit that could possibly lead to a promotion or more responsibility within your company.

This is where a coaching session would come in handy.  Only you can decide what is best for you, and how important that credit is to you.  Was the purpose of the idea to help the company? Or was part of the purpose to gain credibility with the executives?  What type of solution will work for you?  You may feel more comfortable asking your co-worker to let you accompany him to the meeting so that you can be involved in the project that you consider your ‘baby’, letting him know how much it means to you for people to know that this idea is yours.  You might prefer to go to the executives and ask them to be involved in the meeting for the same reasons (rather than simply ‘telling on’ your co-worker).

By maintaining a healthy mindset when it comes to the behavior of others, you will live a happier and less stressful life, and you will grow and develop as a person, becoming a better you.  But sometimes, you will find that some coaching goes a long way in helping you with some of the details.  It will also give you a safe place to vent your frustrations without gossiping, to talk about all of the possibilities and outcomes for different for responses without actually ‘trying them out’, and you will find the answer that works for you and lets you define and achieve your goals.

This is a great topic for debate, considering all of the justifications that we use to make us feel like our own behavior is fueled by good intentions.  Please share your thoughts here.

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Independent… They do what they want, it doesn’t affect what I do or feel.  Live and let live.  I don’t get involved, and I don’t really mind what they do.

Empathetic… Their actions affect me, but I can understand why they act the way they do, so it makes me feel better.

Role Model… I try to inspire others to improve themselves, and if my efforts are not working, I can either update my methods or realize they are not ready for change.

Self-Improving … Everything in my life holds a valuable lesson.  If someone acts in a way that affects me negatively, I learn three main things.  The first is how not to treat others.  The second is new information about how they operate so that I can avoid future similar situations.  The third is the most important because it shows me that I have the strength to handle just about anything, and I can come out the other side even better!

Tolerant… What they do affects me, but who am I to tell them how they should live their lives?  I don’t like it and it wouldn’t be my choice, but I put up with it.

Conditional… I love it when they act in a way that positively affects me, but when they don’t I get very irritated.

Gossiping… If someone exhibits a behavior that I don’t approve of, I just tell everyone about it.  It helps me to know that I’m not the only one who thinks this way, so when others take my side, I feel validated and satisfied.  And if it gets back to that person?  Good!  They deserve to hear the truth.

Complaining… I will find someone who is in charge of that person (manager, supervisor, parent, etc) and make a complaint.

Releasing… Karma will get them when it’s the right time.  What comes around goes around.

Controlling… I try to influence the behavior of others or tell them how to behave, and when I can’t, it drives me up the wall.

Dictator… If they don’t act in a way that pleases me, I make them.  Somehow, someway, they will do what I want them to.

Vengeful… They are mature enough to act this way, so they are also mature enough to get a taste of their own medicine.  See how they like it when someone does this to them.  I bet they’ll change their tune after I’m done with them.

Helpless… When people do things that affect me negatively, I can hardly function.  I just keep thinking about why they act the way they do, and fantasize about what my life would be like if they acted differently.

Well-Adjusted… I am a healthy combination of empathetic, role modeling, and self-improving.  I understand that not everyone has had the same experiences as I have, and there may be another reason that has nothing to do with me that might explain their behavior.  I try to set a great example by following the golden rule, which might inspire others to improve themselves.  I also make sure that I grow with every experience I do have, even if it could be considered negative.  I learn about and improve myself, my strength, and my ability to get along with others.

Did you see a description that fits your response to others?   Does your description reflect a focus on how you respond or a focus on how others behave?

Also, look at the level of focus on your own response and growth vs. the focus on what others are doing.

The goal is to acknowledge

the behavior of others, but not to focus on it.

Even the strictly empathetic types risk too much focus on the other person.  If you spend all of your time putting yourself in their shoes, then you miss the chance to improve your experience by trying something different.  Even though you are not attempting to control someone else, you are forgetting that which you can control… yourself!

Role Modeling carries the risk of trying to help others by exhibiting good behavior, but not internalizing it.  Are you acting a certain way to show others how it’s done?  Or are you doing it because you believe that’s the best way for you to act?  Again, where is the focus?  There is nothing wrong with helping others, but where their behavior is concerned, you can drive yourself crazy if they don’t understand or aren’t ready to change.  Will you feel like you failed them?

Other types involve some serious focus on the behavior of others in a disempowering way.  The more you indulge in these responses, the more control the other person has on you.  For example, if you are gossiping or complaining, you are not only spending time and energy talking about the other person, but you are also likely to actively pay attention to the outcome of your gossip or complaint.  Did it get back to them?  Did they get in trouble?

Time is a precious and limited commodity.

How much of it are you willing to give away to

someone who has behaved in an inappropriate way?

Some types also focus on the other person’s behavior, but in a potentially frustrating way.  Trying to control someone else is hard work, and is unlikely to actually be successful.  The more you try, the more frustrated you become that it doesn’t work, the more negatively you will affected when they wrong you again.

It is also possible to have the opposite imbalance.  Are you focusing too much on yourself?  The independent, tolerant, and releasing types are not focusing on the internal change that can occur with new experiences.  They are simply blocking out the experience altogether.  They are ignoring the other person completely.  While this will keep them from getting hurt or overreacting to something they do, it also separates them from the essence of life experience, which involves our relationship with others.

So, how do you balance the focus in a healthy way?

If the Well-Adjusted description fits your attitude, congratulations!  You are a positive-minded individual who has the capability to care about others, but not at the expense of yourself.  You will get the most out of any type of experience, whether it is positive or negative, external or internal.  You look for the lesson instead of the problem in every situation, and you are constantly growing and improving.  You see the value in inspiring others, but if they do not grow in a way that you see as positive, you are not negatively affected.

So why does recognizing this about yourself help you improve your relationship with others?  Knowing and defining your strengths helps you draw on that very strength at the exact time that you need it.  Knowing this about yourself may help you remember to ask yourself, “Where is this person’s behavior coming from?  What can I learn from this?  How can I share this lesson with others?”

What can happen if you have a healthy attitude about the behavior of others that could be viewed as negative?

You will grow and improve as a person.

You will learn more about yourself and others.

You will lower the level of stress in your life.

You will find positive meaning in otherwise negative experiences.

You will discover new ways that you can behave that may change situations you once thought were only affected by someone else’s behavior.

You might even notice that your adjustments inspire others to compromise with you or otherwise improve themselves.

Of course, if you are dealing with a situation involving another person, and you are struggling with it, perhaps a rude co-worker, a disobedient teenager, etc, you can always talk to your coach, who will work with you to help you gain control of your own life without having to ‘control’ others or let them control you.

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If you are looking to hire a coach, the process does not usually take place overnight.  It’s an important decision that should take time and care.  Look at all aspects of your potential coaches such as profile information, background, feedback, rating, offers, coaching level, cost, etc.

When a new coach is selected for the Coaching Cognition platform, they are not placed in levels based on expertise.  They all (unless they have a particular high level coaching credential already) start at the entry level, which is currently Level 0.  Therefore, any new coach with Coaching Cognition will, at first, have no rating, no feedback, and minimal cost per session ($0-$25 for a full coaching session!).

Coaches at Coaching Cognition are hand-selected based on the value they give to the community, the training they have received, their coaching skills and the application of those skills, and their overall intention for becoming a coach.  These are individuals who want to become coaches for the good of the community, not the good of themselves.  Those who are invited to become a coach with us are the ones who have shown their value, integrity, top-notch skills, and a mindset.

Once they begin to coach clients through the Coaching Cognition platform, they will start getting feedback, which will help them advance through the levels.  A Level 6 coach can charge up to $300 for a session, but when they were Level 0, that same coach was giving free sessions.  Many times, mere months go by before a new coach reaches Level 5 or 6.

Why is our platform set up this way?  There are two main reasons:

1. 1) To give our coaches a chance to get started using the Coaching Cognition platform and show their dedication to giving value first!
2. 2) To give you, the clients, an opportunity to receive quality coaching from quality coaches at a fraction of the normal ‘going rate’.

So what does this mean for you?

This means that you can receive coaching for $25 a session from the same coach who will be able to charge up to $300 in a matter of months!  This is simply a deal that is hard to justify passing up.

If you are interested in hiring a coach, but you aren’t sure exactly what coaching will do for you and/or your business, look to the entry level coaches as an inexpensive way to discover the benefits of coaching.  Hiring a coach is an investment in yourself and in your business, but if there were a way to get the same value for less, wouldn’t you want to take it?

But remember, our new coaches will not be new for long.  Therefore, the window of opportunity is potentially narrow.  Now that the students of the Coaching Cognition training program have graduated, we are taking on many new coaches, who each begin at Level 0, so now is the time to receive services from any of the following Coaching Cognition Certified coaches for next to nothing.

But first..

We would like to officially welcome and introduce our newest coaches to the team!  If you see a coach who might be able to help you reach your goals, let them know by visiting their coach profile and setting up a free 15-minute introductory session today.

RICHARD GOUTAL:

“Richard’s focus is on helping you develop strategies to re-ignite and accelerate your biz growth through better planning, action, and collaboration.”

Some of his offers include – Business Administration with a focus on Collaboration, Getting Started in Online Marketing, Information Products with focus on Development and Planning, and Blog Improvement.

TONY PASSERA:

“Got a business or lifestyle you want to create? I’ll work with you to make an effective plan using your unique strengths. As you work the plan, your confidence builds. Success comes step by step.”

Tony offers both coaching AND consulting services, with topics ranging from WordPress blogs to Facebook, to health, and spirituality.

MARIE LEONARD:

“Finding out how a final product gets to that final stage is what I love; for instance, using HTML to create web pages, installing WP blogs, using design software to modify images and create banners.”

Marie specializes in health services, with 16 years of experience in the alternative health field.  If you are looking for coaching on SEO, attraction marketing, or copywriting, she can help you with that as well!

KISANE SLANEY PhD:

“Do you need help in identifying your Vision & Goals, creating Brand You or putting together your Marketing Funnel to generate your Cash Flow? OK, let’s work together to get it all happening for you!”

Kisane works with women who are entrepreneurs looking for more direction and focus on their branding and social networking.  She will be offering topics to help you discover and define the “entrepreneur you” and the “brand you”.

JOHN BALBACH:

“John is very knowledgeable, has a winning attitude, is a people person, and knows how to bring out the best in people. While leading them with honesty and integrity, he does whatever it takes to help ‘helping others’ help themselves”

John has experience in collaboration and has recently organized a free extension of the group coaching that was offered for Coaching Cognition students.  If you are a graduate of Coaching Cognition and would like to participate in the Summer Bridge Coaching Group, visit the Coaching Cognition NING site or contact him for details.

JACK CONLEY:

“Jack is a Personal Development Coach. He helps people help themselves. He will explore your core values & visions and help you create a plan of action to reach your goals.”

Jack will be offering coaching that will help you develop as a person as you reach your personal and professional goals.  He was one of the first students of Coaching Cognition to make the transition from graduate to coach!

LEE WISE:

“Do the terms Values, Purpose, Direction and Success hold special spots in your heart? If so, let’s work together in designing the life you desire to live today… and tomorrow!”

Lee focuses on personal growth, which is essential for entrepreneurs, not only for personal well-being, but for professional wellbeing too!  Some of his offers include life coaching, relationship coaching, and spirituality coaching.

ANGELA ARNOLD:

“Invest in your future. What do you want to do and what is stopping you from doing it? Get unstuck, eliminate overwhelm, and balance family and career as you discover your life’s work.”

A Client Attraction Expert, Angela helps “solopreneurs” & small businesses play a bigger game. She offers coaching in article/video/social media marketing, product/business launches, blogging, and more.

PATTY JONES:

“Patty coaches retirees, starting over, to weave the right steps for success into their new life. Putting them back in control, thus moving forward with confidence and empower them to mastery.”

Patty, “The Success Weaver” can helps you weave all parts of your personal and professional experiences together for a successful life.  Her coaching offers include topics like SiteBuildIt SBI, spirituality, and more.

Once again, a huge WELCOME to our brand new coaches!  We are still doing interviews and taking coaching application, so keep an eye out on the Coaching Cognition website for more new additions to the team!  If you see a Coaching Cognition coach, then you know that we personally recommend them.  The trick is finding the coach who is right for YOU.

So head on over to the Coaching Cognition site and browse through the coaches, and start fast-tracking your success today!

If you would like to know more about the Coaching Cognition community, join us on our Facebook Page!

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But remember, this ‘returned favor’ should never be expected.  It may lead to disappointment.  There are many external factors that are involved in whether or not the person you are promoting will even see your promotion.  Therefore, make sure that if you promote, you are doing it for the sake of increasing the value of your content.

I am discussing the possibilities of what the promotion of others can lead to, but it should not be the goal.  For example, you are in your car on the freeway in rush hour traffic, and there is a car in the lane next to you with its signal on.  You decide to let them over, and they get in front of you, and then do not wave thanks.  How do you feel?  Are you upset or angry?  If so, what was your purpose for letting them over?  Did you do it so that traffic would flow more easily or so that you would get the self-satisfaction and validation of the wave?

When you are promoting others, promote people who have influenced you in some way, either through their services or through content you have read.  Otherwise, your readers may not find value in that promotion, and you may be left in bumper-to-bumper traffic AND miss out on the ‘wave’.

So, what can the promotion of others

do for you and your prospects?

Promoting others will establish your own image as a giving person.  If you are willing to promote the work of others, then it means that you do not take the ‘every man for himself’ attitude in business.   It means that the importance of giving value to your prospects is more important than making sure your own name is all your readers ever see.

It shows confidence in your own value.  By sharing what others are doing, or giving credit to others who have helped you achieve your goals, you are letting your prospects know that you are not afraid to expose them to other leaders, risking that they leave you to follow that person.

Promoting others through giving credit for their product or service that has helped you in some way can also give you credibility.  It lets your prospects know that you have experience and/or training that may help them succeed, too!

And finally, when you honestly promote others, especially if you do it on their own sites, it will help you become more recognizable!  Not only will you be more visible on their site when you leave comments for their blog or post on their wall, but when you use a frequently searched name in your own content, it is likely that others will come across your work while looking for information on the person you credited or promoted.

What are some easy ways to

promote others successfully?

Write an entire article about what someone else is doing, while making sure that you find a way to relate it to yourself and/or your readers.  If you read an article that you enjoyed or that you learned from, share it with your readers by writing a response article.  You do not have to simply share the link to someone else’s content, you can write your own content that shares their information and shows your personal reaction to it.  Did it cause you to think or to act? Tell your prospects about it, and include a link to the original work, so that they can read it for themselves and see what they get out of it.

Write an entire article about what you are doing, but give credit to others who have helped you along the way.  Promoting in the form of giving credit where you believe it is due will not only show your prospects that you are a grateful person, but it will also give them the opportunity to get the same kind of assistance from the same place you did!  You are essentially pointing your prospects in the right direction for their own development as an entrepreneur.

Be where your future cross-promotion partners are!  Go to their blogs, Facebook pagess, etc and leave valuable comments often.  The more you leave comments and interact with them and their visitors, the more promotion you are giving them by contributing to the activity of their sites, and the more recognized you will become by showing the value you can provide.

Leaving comments on your own Facebook page is another way to promote others.  If you want to tag someone in a comment, make sure you are already ‘friends’, then type in an “@” and begin to type their name.  A list will populate beneath the comment box, and you will be able to choose that person from the list.  Once you do that, their display name will appear in the comment box and it will become a link to their page.  Your comment will even show up on their wall, too!  This only works with original wall posts, not with replies to posts.

When YOUR content has been shared:

If you have promoted someone, or even mentioned and tagged them in an article or blog post, and they turn around and promote that content to their own list, what do you do?  In addition to maintaining your post, including answering comments, connecting with your readers, and watching for further promotions from those readers, what can you do to show that you appreciate the promotion of your post?

If the person who reciprocated your promotion is a highly recognized individual, it may seem difficult to thank them personally.  However, there are ways to get your message to this industry leader.  For example, if they shared your link on Facebook, comment on their link post.  If they shared it through an email list, perhaps you can show your appreciation on their personal Facebook page.

What do you do if you discover that someone has shared your content without you promoting them first?  What would you hope someone else would do?  Do you think it would be beneficial to go to their page, thank them for sharing, and then try to find something worth sharing with your audience?  Remember to always do what you think everyone else would do in a perfect business world.  BE the perfect business world.

Is cross-promotion a form of collaboration?

Why do you think cross-promotion can be considered a form of collaboration?  A collaborative partnership involves two or more people working together toward a common purpose.  But what is the common purpose in cross-promotion?  If you and another individual are working together to promote each other, then the promotion itself is the common purpose.  So yes, cross-promotion is, in fact, a form of collaboration!

Thinking about cross-promotion as a collaborative effort might help you remember that it is frequently the first step toward more involved collaborations.  If cross-promotion works out well between two individuals, then it means that the content you both provide work well for both of your target markets, it establishes recognition of and between both of you, and it can possibly set the stage for future relationships.

These are all relatively broad examples of how to invite cross-promotion into your business life.  If you would like more personalized assistance, talk to your coach about ways that you can promote others that will be beneficial to your business and, most importantly, to your community!

Click here to visit an article with more information on collaboration, and then check out the accompanying interview with Richard Goutal, expert collaborator and Coaching Cognition coach!

If you are looking for future collaboration or cross-promotion partners, visit the Coaching Cognition fan page and see what others are doing that you think is worth sharing with your prospects, then practice what you have learned here.

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What can you gain from collaboration?  Do you avoid working with others because you feel it will distract you from your own professional goals?  How can collaborating help you reach your goals faster?  Do all forms of collaboration involve beginning a new project with someone else?

To answer these questions, let’s discuss the meaning of collaboration.  Collaboration describes two or more individuals who work together toward a common goal.  Whether that goal is to create a product or service, to educate people about a particular concept, or to simply promote each other, if you are working with another person, you are collaborating.

So how can collaborating help

you move your business forward?

Working with others is a great way to gain more exposure.  You will not only be seen by your own target market, but also by the target market of the person with whom you are collaborating.  Most likely, you will both be promoting your project.

Collaborating will also teach you new perspectives, ideas, and practices.  When you work with another person, you will get an inside view of the way they operate, more knowledge about that person’s target market, and see how they promote to that market.   You can learn a lot from working with others.

There are different levels of involvement when it comes to collaboration.  Here, we have grouped collaborations into 5 categories, for the purpose of simplification.  However, the possibilities for types of collaboration are as vast as the various types of business endeavors, if not more.

1) Business Partnerships –This is most likely the highest form, because a business partnership may require the most time, effort, dedication, and focus.

2) Small Project Management – This is considered a temporary project, even if the promotion of that project continues long after the project itself is complete, because the bulk of the work for the project itself will be ‘finished’ at some point.

3) Masterminds – If you are part of a group of entrepreneurs working together for the common purpose of helping each other succeed in their own business, this mastermind group fits the description of collaboration.

4) Brainstorming – If you know someone whose knowledge will improve a product or campaign you are creating, invite that person to brainstorm ideas with you.

5) Cross-Promotion – This is the most indirect form of collaboration that sometimes begins with one person promoting another, without any expectations from that person to ‘return the favor’.  However, the moment they begin to promote your work, you are collaborating, (even though you do not actually sit down together and brainstorm, plan, etc), because you are, in essence, working together toward the common goal of giving value to your community and promoting each other.

Richard Goutal, a graduate of Coaching Cognition, is an expert collaborator who helps other entrepreneurs learn how to collaborate successfully.  He comes from a long background of teaching, and enjoys taking concepts and making them easy and fun to learn.  His website, www.collaborationsimplified.com, is designed to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from his expertise and apply the lessons to their own business.

You may have read his recent article about the No Excuses Summit in Vegas this summer (2010), in which he describes his experience of self-discovery as a leader in the industry.  In our interview (below), Richard discusses this article, how collaboration in the form of cross-promotion helped him get noticed, and the incredible response to the article.

Richard Goutal wrote another insightful article in which he compares collaboration to schoolyard children at play and discusses the lessons we learn as children in the world of play seem to be re-learned as adults in the world of business.  Reading this article will help you tap into those lessons learned long ago and apply them to your business today!

As a brand new coach with Coaching Cognition, Richard Goutal is going to be taking his expertise to a new level by helping you discover your own methods, strengths, and skills that can be used to develop and maintain successful and profitable collaborations.

So be sure to find Richard Goutal at Coaching Cognition so that you can work with an experienced entrepreneur and trained coach.

The interview with Richard Goutal was absolutely enthralling.  You will gain new insight on how collaboration, specifically cross promotion, will help you move your business forward.  It was an honor to interview Richard, because he brings such a unique perspective to his work.  The presentation of his articles, videos, and webinars allow his audience to do more than just watch, listen to, or read his work… you experience it.  We are so proud to have an industry leader like Richard Goutal coaching with us at Coaching Cognition!

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Nonverbal communication accounts for most of our daily communication.  The actual words are simply a more organized version of communication, but our nonverbal cues are even more important.   In a coaching setting, understanding these nonverbal cues is essential to being a great coach.

However, there are plenty of other occasions in which it is important to understand the use of nonverbal cues, such as promoting a product or service, teaching, emailing your lead list, responding to a complaint, making a complaint, etc.

Wait, some of those examples involve written text!  Is it possible to use nonverbal communication in your writing?

To answer this, we must first understand nonverbal cues and how they are used.

Nonverbal cues include how you use your words, pauses in your speech, the tone of your voice, changes in tempo or pitch, emphasis on words, facial expressions, eye contact, how you sit, where you sit in proximity to others…  It is literally EVERYTHING except the definition of the words themselves.

So, how can you use nonverbal communication in text if all the reader sees are the written words?

The first step to understanding how to use nonverbal communication in your written materials is to understand the cues you are already using!  Once you examine what you are doing now, you will have a better sense of what you can improve.

Here we have listed some of the most common nonverbal cues that are used in written materials.

Word Choice:

Choosing to use emotional words will help your readers feel your message and will allow them to essentially ‘see’ what your facial expressions might look like if you were speaking these words.  An example might be to use the word “ecstatic” rather than “glad”.

You can also paint a visual picture by using descriptive words to convey a message.  The very things you choose to describe tell a lot about you and your message.  If you say, “Last night, I was in class and learned about coaching”, your message is pretty straightforward.  However, you may choose to say, “The sun had just dipped under the horizon, but my day was not yet done.  I attended a coaching class online, and while the skies were dark, my internal light was shining bright!  I learned so much about coaching, that I could not wait for the sun to rise again so that I could practice my new skills.”

Not only do these examples include words with different definitions, the fact that they were chosen sends a message to your readers about your emotions and what you value as important parts of the story or concept you are describing.

Explanation:

If you are not sure that your message is expressing the right nonverbal cues, take some time to explain your intent, emotion, etc.

For example,  “If you could see my face right now, you would see a HUGE smile!”  or “I chuckle when I say…”

Repetition:

Another way to show emphasis or importance is by repeating your words.  While there is great meaning to the words written, the emphasis is in the repetition… the emphasis is in the repetition.

Bold, Italics, Underline:

If you want to stress the importance of a single word, using any of these three functions is a great option.  These nonverbal cues can also communicate that a sentence is a thought or a quote.  I wonder if this is being properly communicated as a thought.

Font, Text Size, Text Colors:

Some fonts give a playful feel to your text.  Others are more professional, casual, fancy, or even personal.

Changing the color of your text can also give your message a different mood.  Sometimes, you may change the color of a word or two for emphasis, distinction, or categorization.

You can also use different sizes of text to convey different nonverbal cues.  ALL CAPS is great for emphasis and is commonly synonymous with SHOUTING.  This is why when you get an email or text in all capital letters, you sometimes feel worried for a split second that the person who sent it to you might be angry or upset.

Punctuation:

In this case, we are referring to punctuation beyond the period, question mark, and exclamation point.  You can use other punctuation to.  My personal favorite is …

No, that was it.  “…”  Those three little dots can create suspense, denote a pause, emphasize, and show emotion.  It is also great when you feel like a sentence does not need to actually be finished because your reader will already knows or can guess the rest of the thought.  I would reiterate this point but…

Emoticons:

These are great for casual emails, text messages, posts, and blogs.  They are usually not good options for professional messages.  You can insert a when you want to show that what you are saying is to be taken in a nice way.  Most likely, you are familiar with emoticons.  Many instant messaging programs have created animated versions of these emoticons that communicate hugs, kisses, happiness, sadness, boredom, celebration… almost any emotion!

It is important to be careful with emoticons.  For example, if you make a statement that is blatantly rude, adding a at the end might be considered insulting or confusing.  Make sure that if you message is important, that you are using other nonverbal cues that match your emoticon.  What are some other ways you can communicate a smile without using ?

Other things to think about:

*Physical organization of text (layout)

*Content organization

*Grammar

*Frequency of sending emails, posting, etc

What are some other nonverbal cues you can think of that will help you send a message through your written words?

Have you had any experiences when someone has tried to write to you, and it came off in a negative way?

How many times have your written materials been misinterpreted?  What can you do next time to ensure that your message is heard clearly and correctly?

Post your thoughts HERE.

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Article by Kendall Silva

Your coach application is your first marketing tool for your coaching business with Coaching Cognition.  Why?  Because a good portion of what you include in your answers will be posted directly onto your Coach Profile if you are chosen to become a Coaching Cognition Coach!

In this article, we will take you through the application, show you what answers will be in your Coach Profile (and where), and give you some things to think about as you answer these questions.  If you have already submitted your application, you can still benefit from this article.  After all, you will be able to edit your Coach Profile from your back office.  So if this article gives you some new ideas, you can include them in your profile.

50-character Short Description:

The answer you provide will become the text underneath your name on your Coach Profile Badge that will be in rotation on other pages of the Coaching Cognition website.  It is the first statement about you that many prospective clients will see, so it should entice them to click on your link so they can learn more about you.

It will also appear on your Coach Profile between your name and your list of topics.

Let’s discuss different types of short description by looking at examples from current Coaching Cognition coaches.

Credibility Quotes:

If someone with a recognizable name has said something great about you, and you can fit the quote with that person’s name in the 50-character limit, this may be a great option.  Remember, if you choose to go this route, you will attract fans of that public figure.  Therefore, it is important to keep your target market in mind.  If you are marketing relationship coaching to couples, then quoting a commendation from the head of the math department at Stanford is probably not going to mean anything to your prospects.

“Best of the best – an awesome coach.” Ann Sieg

Curt Johnson has chosen to do this because Ann Sieg made a great comment about him.  This is a great example of how to use this option for your short description.  Curt works with network marketers, so a commendation Ann Sieg will give him credibility with his prospects.

Pitch Your Niche:

Make a statement about your market and the coaching services you offer.  Let your target market know right away that you are here to meet their needs.  This is great if you have a very specialized service.  If you want to work with any entrepreneur at any stage of their business endeavor, then this may not be the right description for you.  It can work, but it is something to keep in mind.

“Guilt free parenting for the entrepreneur.”

Drifa Ulfarsdottir is addressing a need for entrepreneurs who are raising children.  In one short statement, she has described her market (parents who are starting a business), the need (parents feel guilty that they do not have enough time for their business AND parenting), and the solution she offers through coaching (balancing work with good parenting).

Word Association:

What words or phrases can you use that will directly appeal to your target market?  You can use words that create a mood, phrases that are recognized by your prospective clients, etc.

“Multi-Market Coach for the Technically Challenged”

Becky Joubert uses the phrase “Technically Challenged”.  What kind of client does that bring to mind?  For me, it brings an image of a positive person with youthful energy and humor, who is dedicated to their business, but may be held back by their lack of technical knowledge.  Does this mean that Becky is a technical expert who can make it easy for you?  Or does it mean that she, too, is not technically inclined, and has therefore discovered a solution that allows you to succeed without being technically savvy?  Either way, if I describe myself as technically challenged, I will connect with her description immediately and click on her link to learn more.

Direct Descriptions:

This is a great approach for reaching a target market that knows what kind of assistance they want.  If someone wants to learn how to balance their network marketing and their personal life, then they may be more attracted to a description that says “Life Balance For Network Marketers”.

It can also work if you would like to coach within a certain area of interest.  For example, if you want to work with couples, then you can describe yourself as a Relationship Coach.  This will cover younger couples, older couples, newly weds, etc.  The possibilities are endless.  While it can be helpful to find a particular niche, this may be a great way to start out.  As you begin coaching and learning about certain issues that continue to arise with your clients, you may begin to develop your niche.

“Wellness Coach/Strategist; Helping You Stay Well”

Sharon Graham is taking the direct approach.  If you are interested in staying well, she is the right woman for the job!  By including the word Strategist, she is emphasizing the idea of creating an action plan with measureable results.

Personality Presentation:

You may want to attract clients who have a similar personality to your own.  This is important to many coaches.  In fact, the reason we offer 15-minute free sessions is so that you and your clients can see if you are a good match.  Some coaches like to show their personality and coaching style using their marketing so that they attract similar personality types to them in the first place.

“FUN to work with!  15 min FREE session!”

Mike Hutchins has not only used the word fun, but it’s all in caps!  He is describing an upbeat, humorous, and enjoyable coaching atmosphere.  People who like to keep the fun in their business and want a coach who has the ability to laugh will be attracted to his profile.

Tag, You’re IT:

Do you want to help your clients, fans, and prospects remember you and your niche?  Try using a ‘tag’ that others will know you by.  Barbara Silva is known as the Coaches’ Coach, therefore, that is the name she uses in her 50-character description.  However, for a new coach, it might be helpful to also include something else that further describes your coaching services.

Let’s say you decide to become “The Vision Coach”.  You can either continue with the same imagery by adding “– Helping You SEE Your Potential”, or you can make a slightly more direct statement about the service you provide by adding “– Let’s Design Your Future Today”.  You could even be downright concrete by adding “– For Goal-Oriented Entrepreneurs”.  (Each of these examples fit the 50-character limit.

“The Masterpiece Coach – Bring Your Work To Life!”

This one is mine.  I use the word masterpiece because my target market consists mainly of artists and the word will appeal to the artistic mind.  Using the phrase, Bring Your Work To Life is used on two different levels.  On one level, artist use this phrase to describe a play being performed for the first time, or lyrics that are sung for the first time.  On another level, it describes the idea of merging your work with your life’s passion.   Through this tag and the accompanying phrase, my prospective clients will have a relatively good sense of what approach I will bring to our coaching sessions.

Crafty Combinations:

You may have noticed that some of the examples above could also be used to illustrate some of the other types of descriptions listed.  This is great.  Remember, this statement is a reflection of you and your coaching.  If you are a more professional type, use professional language.  If you want to project a more lad back style, try to use language that suggests your style.

There are so many approaches to the 50-Character Description, so find the one that is right for you.

200-character Description for Meet Our Coaches:

This will appear on the Meet Our Coaches Page.  From this page, you can read each coach’s entire 200-character description.

When you are writing this longer description, keep your 50-character description in mind.   This description is an opportunity to tell your prospective clients more about you.  Therefore, if you chose to take the Personality Presentation approach, then try a more direct approach in your 200-character description.  If your 50-character was based on the direct method, then try to say a little something about your style.

You may not want your longer description to simply restate your shorter one.  However, it is also important to remember that your 200-character description may be the first impression your prospective clients get.  After all, not every coach will always be on the rotation at the very moment that a prospect lands on the Coaching Cognition page, so make sure that both your 50- and your 200-character descriptions can stand alone in a way that inspires people to learn more about you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your 200-character description is only visible on the Meet Our Coaches page.  This means that all the other coaches’ descriptions will be on the page as well.  Take a look at what the other coaches are saying so that you can make sure that yours is different enough to be distinct.  You do not want to say the same thing as another coach who offers similar topics.

-Have you coached before?

-How long?

-What areas?

These questions need only a little explanation.  They are based solely on your past experience.  If your answer to the first question is “No”, then make sure you put “N/A” on the other two questions.  Your application may not submit if all fields are not filled in.  This will not appear on your profile, it is simply information that we use to select applicants, but please note, being a first-time coach does not mean you will not be selected.

Please list any previous training or certifications:

Go ahead and include your Coaching Cognition certification in your answer.  Also include your undergraduate or graduate studies, vocational schools, etc.  Any formal training that you think might relate to your coaching services or skills.  This information is for our use only.  You can include this information in your profile once you are selected to coach with Coaching Cognition by editing your page if you choose.

Language fluency other than English:

Again, if you do not speak any other languages, write “N/A”.

Any special interests or qualifications you’d like us to know about?

This is a great place to discuss your work history and experiences.  Have you worked with corporate executives in a previous job?  The job itself does not need to relate to coaching, but if it describes your experience working with a group of individuals (like corporate executives) who may become your target market for your coaching services, this will be valuable information.

Please include anything here that you can possibly imagine might bring value to yourself as a coach.   This is also for our use only, and will not automatically appear on your Coach Profile unless you include it yourself when you edit your profile.

Tell us your reasons for wishing to coach:

This is your chance to show us your motives for becoming a coach.  You are no longer promoting your coaching services (therefore, this will not appear on your Coach Profile).  You are now promoting yourself!  Remember, with this question, Coaching Cognition is your “target market”.  It is important that you honestly look at your intentions for becoming a coach and make sure that they align with the values and goals of Coaching Cognition.  We are looking for valuable coaches who have a strong desire to give back to the community, who are willing and excited to work hard to make it happen.

This is a great place to talk about your personal goals as a coach.  For example, my goals include bringing coaching to local musicians who want to make it in the music business.  Why?  Because music and helping others are my greatest passions, so coaching musicians is an obvious fit for me.

Why would this be important to include in this section?  We want a diverse group of coaches who have different coaching services and different markets so that all prospective clients can find the help they need, whatever that need may be.

List URLs to 5 pieces of your favorite content:

This and the question about the 3 videos do not need to be completed.  If you have links you would like to include, please do, but it is not required.  You can just put “N/A” in each box.

Please indicate your understanding of the requirements for coaching by checking the boxes below:

Check the boxes that follow and you are all set!

Some other things to think about…

The picture you have uploaded in your Renegade Professional Account will be your Coach Profile photo.  Therefore, if you want to use a different photo, you will need to change it in your Renegade back office.

When the new Coaching Cognition website goes live, you will have the ability to upload a 2 minute promotional video for your coaching services.  So now is a great time to begin planning the video content and start filming!

“Happy Application-ing” to all of you!

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We are calling this match marketing because we want to emphasize the fact that we want to market with you, not for you.  The more you do to promote yourself, the more promotion you will get from us.  We will ‘match’ your marketing efforts.  Match marketing is designed to encourage our coaches to be active on the Coaching Cognition platform so that the entire community can grow and succeed together.

So how can you show us that you are actively promoting your coaching services and providing value to the community?  What types of activities are we looking for when we are looking to feature a coach, product, or offer?  In this article, we would like to share a few tips that will answer these questions for you.

STAY VISIBLE

When you think of the coaches at Coaching Cognition, does anyone in particular come to mind?  There is a reason that one or two names stand out to you, and it is that those are the coaches who are the most active in the community.  They are all over the social media sites giving value and have a similar presence in the comment sections for the Renegade Professional News articles like this one.

Those who are active in the community will not only get more recognition from potential clients, current clients, and peers, but also let us know more about the value they are offering.

RECOGNIZING VALUE IN OTHERS

When you receive a piece of value and it inspires you, tell your community about it.  Your promotion of others shows your potential clients that you believe in valuable information, even if it came from someone else. It will also let people know that you stay current on new information, and are well connected.  This means that your audience can trust that you will always give them great value and point them in the right direction.

When you post a comment on other articles, you are making your presence known to the author’s audience.  When you share that value with your audience, they see someone who thrives on a thriving community.  You look good by helping others look good.

Someone who consistently does this is exactly the type of person you would want to have on your side, reading your posts and blogs, reviewing your work, etc.  Knowing that they will promote themselves by promoting you is a marketing advantage to say the very least… for both of you!

MAKING VALUE MORE VALUABLE

Another way to share value that someone else has provided is to repurpose it in a way that illustrates the value you can offer as well.  Content is usually easier to create when it comes from your own experiences, rather than trying to map out an intellectual understanding of something that is foreign to you.

So if you come across an article or blog that speaks to you, take some key points and add your own spin on it.  Just do not forget to credit the original work.  Remember, it is not only the ethical thing to do, but it also offers the same marketing advantages as simply sharing someone else’s work.  Because you are adding your own value, too, it is an even better marketing tool for you.

A great example of this is the video that Lee Wise made in response to an article here on Renegade Professional News.

COACHING OFFERS

When you have a coaching program, offer, or discount that directly benefits the Coaching Cognition and/or Renegade community, then you are showing your desire to give back.  If you have a program or offer that will help the students of Coaching Cognition get the most out of their class experience, we are going to want to let the students know about it.

For example, Cindy Schulson and Kate Williams have started a group coaching program that will benefit any coaches who want to build their practice, and have also offered a discount to anyone involved with Coaching Cognition.  You may notice some publicity about this special offer over the next week.  This is the kind of offer that we want to promote.

TELL US ABOUT IT

If you believe that something you are doing is unique and will benefit the Coaching Cognition and/or Renegade community, tell us about it!  We cannot monitor everyone’s actions, so it is possible that we will never find out about your great offers or promotions if you do not let us know what you are doing.

If you have created a piece of valuable content that you think we can use, show it to us.  We will not be able to use everything that everyone sends us, but if we can use it in conjunction with something that we are currently doing or promoting, or we are able to appropriately use it to promote you, we will.  Remember, we cannot use what we do not know about.  So don’t be shy.  Tell us about it!

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