Comments on: What a Target Market Can Do For You That a Coaching Niche Can’t

By: Rhonda Hess

Rhonda Hess — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:44:00 +0000

The main thing is target a GROUP of people who are seekers — the type of folks who invest in their personal and professional growth. That’s how you become a coach in high demand quickly — get known and attract clients who want to buy your services.

By: Kenn Schroder

Kenn Schroder — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:35:00 +0000

All the marketing speak and buzz words, I find, can add confusion.

Which would you think is more powerful. If you had to choose one.

1 – targeting a market, and serving the variety of challenges?
2 – targeting a challenge, which can span over markets?
3 – targeting a desire, anyone who wants to achieve X?

(I know it’s probably got no specific answer and probably leads to more questions – heh!)

By: Merri

Merri — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:51:39 +0000

I get it, Rhonda, the niche is about you/your services, the target market is about them. Staying focused on THEM helps us gain value in their eyes.
Great blog! Thanks for sharing and for contributing to the Coaches' Blog group.

By: Merri

Merri — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:51:39 +0000

By: Beth Buelow, ACC

Beth Buelow, ACC — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:02:54 +0000

I have literally just clarified this market within the past week… it chose me, in that I looked at my current client profiles and realized with one exception, they were all introverts (and shared many other traits of my ideal clients). I've spent the past 18 months looking for that clarity, and it was right in front of me! Therefore, I'm at the beginning stages of discerning what are going to be the most effective ways of reaching them. My instinct tells me there is probably traction in certain professions, and I want to research that before making any assumptions!

I do feel encouraged, because I've already gotten an opportunity to speak from my expertise in an article posted yesterday on The Coaching Commons (about Gordon Brown, the introvert!). My focus is not limited to one-to-one coaching; I'm more interested in building my one-to-many offerings and letting that feed one-to-one. So much to do and say, I'm really excited!

By: Rhonda Hess

Rhonda Hess — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:26:17 +0000

I know what you mean about the freedom, Beth. My clients are always so amazed how targeting gives them focus and helps them deliver what people will buy.

Have you found it really easy to find Introverts and are they hiring you for life and leadership coaching at the rate you'd like? I've noticed that markets that are really easy to access — meaning large numbers of the market gather together — have associations, conferences, read the same journals– are the most viable markets, which of course means more clients that stay longer, less marketing that's more impactful. Even MORE freedom!

By: Beth Buelow, ACC

Beth Buelow, ACC — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:40:41 +0000

Rhonda, your post may be dated August 09, but it's timeless! I went through the typical “niche du jour” process, along with many of my new coach colleagues. Because almost all of the info I've seen focused on “niche,” I appreciate this clarification of “target.” I think we use those two terms interchangeably. I recently identified my niche, and now reading your post, I am relieved to know it's actually a target! My decision to focus on Life & Leadership Coaching for Introverts feels GOOD. It feels solid, like there's going to be the ease and flow I've been desiring. It's so much easier to talk about *who* I serve, and why! Talk about freedom!!