If you are spinning your wheels in your VA business, it might be time to start working with a coach.
Now I know I’m a Virtual Assistant coach, but this is not an article trying to convince you to hire me!
What I want to talk to you about today is how to figure out when it might be time for you to hire someone to coach you (me, or someone else!). Because the time is not always right. But sometimes it is.
Many people I talk to about coaching are happy when they realize I am not a high pressure kind of coach, who tells you that you need coaching for every little thing in your business.
But I will always tell you when I think you need help with something, and I will always say that you need to get someone to help you with it (whether that’s me or not.)
So let’s first talk about what a business coach does:
Not unlike a hockey coach, a business coach can teach you strategies that you have not used before, to help you achieve better results in various areas of your business.
A coach can help with business planning and strategy, messaging, marketing, mindset, and more. Some specialize in one or more of those things.
Coaches generally do not teach skills.
They are hired to provide strategy and accountability.
Here are three times when a Virtual Assistant might consider working with a coach:
Research and Setup Phase
When you are just starting out in your business, you are in what I call the research and setup phase.
There is a lot to learn, information to gather, and things to set up before you start working with clients.
You will decide your services, set your rates, create your marketing message, and get your onboarding pieces set up.
Is it necessary at this stage to have a coach? No, it’s not. You can do all of this stuff yourself – or with the help of advice from colleagues or trusted advisors.
When it’s right: Working with a coach in this phase could be the fastest way to get started properly. You will follow a proven guideline or checklist, with minimal room for error – when you work with someone privately to get started. When time is of the essence, it’s probably a good option.
Launch Phase
Once you are already ready to work with clients (or working with at least one), you are in what I call the launch phase.
It’s a launch phase because you are usually bringing in your first several clients, feeling the waters out, and still getting used to working virtually. You are launching your business.
Is it necessary at this stage to have a coach? Of course not. Once you are off and running you can meet people and sign clients on your own. Many VAs do this easily.
When it’s right: Working with a coach in this phase can help you reach the right people quickly – maximizing your networking and marketing efforts. It can also ensure you are charging the right rates. If you are not seeing the results you want to see in your business, consider a consultation with a coach to see if they can help you with your biggest struggle.
Growth Phase
Once you have established your business, you might want to grow it substantially, either by bringing on subcontractors, specializing your services, or upleveling your client list.
Is it necessary to have a coach at this phase? No, again, it’s not necessary, but this is one of the best times to work with someone because you are travelling roads you have never been on before.
When you are in this phase, you are often busy with client work and your billable hours are high. Sometimes you are growing so that you can change the way you charge your clients – work less and charge more. Going back to the research phase at this point often means that you risk making errors.
When it’s right: To grow your business properly, you should seek the proven advice of a coach – someone who can look over your plans and ensure that you are taking the right steps in the right order. This is the stage when I see VAs waste time and money because they try to grow on their own without advice. If you are feeling overwhelmed because you are working too much and not making enough money, find a coach that can help you strategize a better business model.
Learn what you don’t know.
When you are struggling, it’s the most important time to learn stuff, and when it comes to business or marketing training, most of it you can learn just once and apply over and over again in your business.
Of course, working with a coach is a big decision. It’s a monetary investment, so you have to weigh the investment and the timing.
So when is it not right?
At any stage, working with a coach is not a good idea if you are not coachable. If you are not ready and willing to do the work the coach advises you to do, then don’t work with a coach. In order to see results, trust the person whose expertise you are asking for. And follow the plan!
Is it time for you to hire a VA coach? Check out my private coaching options here.
If you are not sure if private coaching is for you at this time, please let me know. Just send me an email tracey (at) yourvamentor (dot) com to let me know what stage you are in and what you need help with. I’d be happy to schedule a complimentary no obligation consultation with you to discuss the options that might be right for you.