I love learning from and sharing with people--especially when it comes to life, writing, careers, mental health, burnout, adult children, etc. So, not surprisingly, I've been drawn to (or fed through an algorithm??) many of you who are coaches in some form or another. One thing I noticed recently is I have been inundated with coaches reaching out to me over the last few months through DM's, email and Notes. I'm not sure if it's my About page or short descriptor or some other weird algorithm that seems to be drawing me to them like flies, but I began to feel like I was being looked at ONLY as a potential sale ($$) as opposed to someone to build community with. It felt extremely icky and off-putting. (I have a draft post about this that I'll get around to finishing at some point.)
I found my way to Celia through Sarah Fay's Writer's at Work co-hort group when we were asked to introduce ourselves. I was attracted to her because a) she's a fellow Canadian (ish!) b) something she wrote resonated with me and c) that smile!! (who wouldn't be drawn in by her gorgeous warm smile?!) Her story about her own work/academic life, workplace bullying, burnout, grief were all ringing my bells. You go sister! I want to support and promote.
I subscribed and followed and said hello on the 'thread' and at some point, found a great video clip that mirrored something of my own experience and was inspired by it, wrote about it, promoting her and the video clip along the way. There wasn't a like, share, acknowledgement or a comment. Crickets. The same happened with another therapist/coach who's actively trying to get subscribers and clients. Suffice to say, your advice about engagement is critical. Especially if you want to be authentic on here and have us (potential clients) feel like we're part of your community--whether we can afford to be an active client right now or not. I share this with you as you both have asked for others' experience with coaching here. This has been mine and if it's been mine, it's likely been others'.
While I am not formally a certified coach, I have worked with a few and can attest to how amazing and magical it can be (and I've actively encouraged and helped them get onto Substack to write and promote their own corner of coaching). I am also a woman who's been in a position of leadership so I've had the opportunity to mentor many women over the years. I enjoy it immensely.
So, while I am not officially in your ranks, I do want to add something to all this wonderful advice.
1) If you are looking to build your coaching business on here, don't make us (potential clients) feel like we've been targeted into the fish net and cast off if we don't show immediate promise as a paying client. Play the long game. At some point, I may wish to buy what you're offering, but I want to be part of the community you're building too. Not just as a client to be coached, but as a subscriber to your writing. Just a thought.
2) If people are connecting with your writing, promoting your newsletter, or sharing something you've written--acknowledge it, it doesn't take much time or effort to hit the like button. It's part of building your community. We're telling you we really like what you've written and shared. We've been inspired by you. That's a great sign of what's to come.
3) When there is no engagement, yet we start to see coaches then ask for support, subscribers, feedback, etc--it creates a dissonance. Like, where have you been?
I love Celia's newsletter. I love how she gives us little nuggets we can use even if we aren't able to be paying subscribers at the moment. I can see she's the real deal. It keeps me interested in more. She is going to be a rockstar here because she knows her shit. I look forward to one day being able to engage more AND be looking for coaching when I'm ready for it.
Thank you so much, Kim! And thank you for your kind words.
I’m so sorry that you responded or restacked something of mine and I didn’t respond. I’m not sure what happened there and there is no excuse. I just missed it. I do miss things sometimes and definitely want to do better and be sure I’m responding and acknowledging people’s contributions.
I think the thing that I discovered most in my nine months on Substack is that writing really matters. That’s what people are here for. And at this point, I offer all of my writing to all subscribers. I’m only putting workshops (for subscribers) and coaching (for members) behind a paywall. And Substack has really helped me focus on my writing- knowing that I have subscribers who are interested in hearing from me! Thanks again, Kim.
No worries Celia. I wasn’t expecting it but it caught my attention when reading these posts about engagement in particular. I think what you’re doing is the best way to go when you have very specific services to offer here (which I don’t!) But, my PR/communications brain tells me whatever you write and make mostly available will only draw more and more people to the “business” goods when they’re ready for it. (Sarah is the perfect example, but there are so many others.) Courtney Maum is another one of my favourites on here when it comes to her writing/newsletter versus her other services (which I happily pay for because she is excellent at her specific offerings as well.) All the best.
Thank-you Kristina. And yes, I do have very similar background to you! But, I am now officially out of that game. At least formally. Although it appears it's embedded in my brain, so it comes out when I least expect it! I still love the whole idea of branding/communications/storytelling, but I want to explore it from a very different place here on Substack. Nice to 'meet' you here.
Kristina! I love it when a posts like this reads my mind! Thank you so much for sharing this! I really like the idea of building community and how this platform can allow us to do so! I'm trying my best to make Substack a more integral part of my coaching! I think what really shines in this piece is that Substack is a place to not have a façade and be true with the subscribers both free and paid!
Yes, Chris, I agree that coaching on Substack works best when we are building a community and are true to our readers, subscribers and members. I’m so glad it resonated with you!
Thank you for sharing these insights! The idea of balancing authenticity and authority really struck a chord with me. I saw it from a new lens: i.e. Being genuine and vulnerable while still showing that we are capable and confident in our expertise.
Vulnerability does create that deep connection, but I now realize it's just as important to frame it in a way that still reassures people of the value we bring.
I have now recognized this dynamic and will strive to apply it more intentionally.
Building community is also a key focus for me. Creating that sense of belonging and engagement really amplifies the experience for everyone involved. Thank you once again.
Thank you Stella! I think that’s a really good way to put it. I tend to have trigger reactions both to authenticity (which as a former academic, I both learned and taught about authenticity as a social construct of what is valued in a community. It is not necessarily what is historically/culturally accurate or “real”) and vulnerability (which is sometimes about ego and the performance of a particular identity). Being genuine and confident about who you are and what you have to offer I think is central to what we do in building the community we want for our people. Thank you for putting it this way. I like the idea of being genuine better than authenticity. Far less intellectual hangups with that word.
This is very informative. As a health and wellness coach, I'm looking for a way to make Substack a more integral part of my coaching. Right now, I feel like my Substack and my coaching are more separate than I'd like them to be. Thank you for this information and perspectives from various coaches.
Thanks Daria! I’d love to hear what you try and how it works for you. One of the things I like about Substack is how it’s enabling me to try different things, to experiment and iterate with ease.
I need to try more things with it. I have added audio imbeds to my weekly posts. I'm trying to get my website finished. Once I do that, I'm going to focus on how I can better utilize Substack for different things.
Tarek Taha and I have both found audio embeds great for increasing know/like/trust, community, and warm leads. I have a few people who always reach out with "Where is the audio?" if I don't do it - they like to listen as if it is a podcast. You can actually just use Substack for the time being, especially if you have a scheduler. I believe this is what Sarah Fay is doing now. What are you using to create your website?
Many thanks for your lovely DMs, email and comments somewhere else ^^
Would you mind replying to this post, as I see it has already more than 3,000 views and it would be lovely for Celia to get some feedback, spark a discussion and answer questions.
Thank you, Celia! This post was full of helpful and important information for coaches. It also gave me some great ideas!
Thank you Nicole! I’m so glad it’s useful. I’d love to hear how your ideas work out!
This was really informative. Thank you, Celia!
Thank you Chris!
Hello Chris, great to hear this. Will send you the link for our 1:1 via DM! Have a great day and see you Monday? For our Halloween Networking Partyyyy
Sent you a DM!
Hello Kristina and Celia.
I love learning from and sharing with people--especially when it comes to life, writing, careers, mental health, burnout, adult children, etc. So, not surprisingly, I've been drawn to (or fed through an algorithm??) many of you who are coaches in some form or another. One thing I noticed recently is I have been inundated with coaches reaching out to me over the last few months through DM's, email and Notes. I'm not sure if it's my About page or short descriptor or some other weird algorithm that seems to be drawing me to them like flies, but I began to feel like I was being looked at ONLY as a potential sale ($$) as opposed to someone to build community with. It felt extremely icky and off-putting. (I have a draft post about this that I'll get around to finishing at some point.)
I found my way to Celia through Sarah Fay's Writer's at Work co-hort group when we were asked to introduce ourselves. I was attracted to her because a) she's a fellow Canadian (ish!) b) something she wrote resonated with me and c) that smile!! (who wouldn't be drawn in by her gorgeous warm smile?!) Her story about her own work/academic life, workplace bullying, burnout, grief were all ringing my bells. You go sister! I want to support and promote.
I subscribed and followed and said hello on the 'thread' and at some point, found a great video clip that mirrored something of my own experience and was inspired by it, wrote about it, promoting her and the video clip along the way. There wasn't a like, share, acknowledgement or a comment. Crickets. The same happened with another therapist/coach who's actively trying to get subscribers and clients. Suffice to say, your advice about engagement is critical. Especially if you want to be authentic on here and have us (potential clients) feel like we're part of your community--whether we can afford to be an active client right now or not. I share this with you as you both have asked for others' experience with coaching here. This has been mine and if it's been mine, it's likely been others'.
While I am not formally a certified coach, I have worked with a few and can attest to how amazing and magical it can be (and I've actively encouraged and helped them get onto Substack to write and promote their own corner of coaching). I am also a woman who's been in a position of leadership so I've had the opportunity to mentor many women over the years. I enjoy it immensely.
So, while I am not officially in your ranks, I do want to add something to all this wonderful advice.
1) If you are looking to build your coaching business on here, don't make us (potential clients) feel like we've been targeted into the fish net and cast off if we don't show immediate promise as a paying client. Play the long game. At some point, I may wish to buy what you're offering, but I want to be part of the community you're building too. Not just as a client to be coached, but as a subscriber to your writing. Just a thought.
2) If people are connecting with your writing, promoting your newsletter, or sharing something you've written--acknowledge it, it doesn't take much time or effort to hit the like button. It's part of building your community. We're telling you we really like what you've written and shared. We've been inspired by you. That's a great sign of what's to come.
3) When there is no engagement, yet we start to see coaches then ask for support, subscribers, feedback, etc--it creates a dissonance. Like, where have you been?
I love Celia's newsletter. I love how she gives us little nuggets we can use even if we aren't able to be paying subscribers at the moment. I can see she's the real deal. It keeps me interested in more. She is going to be a rockstar here because she knows her shit. I look forward to one day being able to engage more AND be looking for coaching when I'm ready for it.
Thank you so much, Kim! And thank you for your kind words.
I’m so sorry that you responded or restacked something of mine and I didn’t respond. I’m not sure what happened there and there is no excuse. I just missed it. I do miss things sometimes and definitely want to do better and be sure I’m responding and acknowledging people’s contributions.
I think the thing that I discovered most in my nine months on Substack is that writing really matters. That’s what people are here for. And at this point, I offer all of my writing to all subscribers. I’m only putting workshops (for subscribers) and coaching (for members) behind a paywall. And Substack has really helped me focus on my writing- knowing that I have subscribers who are interested in hearing from me! Thanks again, Kim.
No worries Celia. I wasn’t expecting it but it caught my attention when reading these posts about engagement in particular. I think what you’re doing is the best way to go when you have very specific services to offer here (which I don’t!) But, my PR/communications brain tells me whatever you write and make mostly available will only draw more and more people to the “business” goods when they’re ready for it. (Sarah is the perfect example, but there are so many others.) Courtney Maum is another one of my favourites on here when it comes to her writing/newsletter versus her other services (which I happily pay for because she is excellent at her specific offerings as well.) All the best.
Oh will check out Courtney! Do you have a backgroundd in PR/comms, as I do? Happy to connect!!
Ah cool just read your ABOUT-. Love the looks and feel of your Substack!
I'm also a former journalist, communications and PR executive, marketing and brand manager and part-time mompreneur. :)
Thank-you Kristina. And yes, I do have very similar background to you! But, I am now officially out of that game. At least formally. Although it appears it's embedded in my brain, so it comes out when I least expect it! I still love the whole idea of branding/communications/storytelling, but I want to explore it from a very different place here on Substack. Nice to 'meet' you here.
Thanks Kim!
Kristina! I love it when a posts like this reads my mind! Thank you so much for sharing this! I really like the idea of building community and how this platform can allow us to do so! I'm trying my best to make Substack a more integral part of my coaching! I think what really shines in this piece is that Substack is a place to not have a façade and be true with the subscribers both free and paid!
Yes, Chris, I agree that coaching on Substack works best when we are building a community and are true to our readers, subscribers and members. I’m so glad it resonated with you!
Thank you for sharing these insights! The idea of balancing authenticity and authority really struck a chord with me. I saw it from a new lens: i.e. Being genuine and vulnerable while still showing that we are capable and confident in our expertise.
Vulnerability does create that deep connection, but I now realize it's just as important to frame it in a way that still reassures people of the value we bring.
I have now recognized this dynamic and will strive to apply it more intentionally.
Building community is also a key focus for me. Creating that sense of belonging and engagement really amplifies the experience for everyone involved. Thank you once again.
Thank you Stella! I think that’s a really good way to put it. I tend to have trigger reactions both to authenticity (which as a former academic, I both learned and taught about authenticity as a social construct of what is valued in a community. It is not necessarily what is historically/culturally accurate or “real”) and vulnerability (which is sometimes about ego and the performance of a particular identity). Being genuine and confident about who you are and what you have to offer I think is central to what we do in building the community we want for our people. Thank you for putting it this way. I like the idea of being genuine better than authenticity. Far less intellectual hangups with that word.
This is very informative. As a health and wellness coach, I'm looking for a way to make Substack a more integral part of my coaching. Right now, I feel like my Substack and my coaching are more separate than I'd like them to be. Thank you for this information and perspectives from various coaches.
Thanks Daria! I’d love to hear what you try and how it works for you. One of the things I like about Substack is how it’s enabling me to try different things, to experiment and iterate with ease.
I need to try more things with it. I have added audio imbeds to my weekly posts. I'm trying to get my website finished. Once I do that, I'm going to focus on how I can better utilize Substack for different things.
Tarek Taha and I have both found audio embeds great for increasing know/like/trust, community, and warm leads. I have a few people who always reach out with "Where is the audio?" if I don't do it - they like to listen as if it is a podcast. You can actually just use Substack for the time being, especially if you have a scheduler. I believe this is what Sarah Fay is doing now. What are you using to create your website?
I use a platform called Modern. It’s a CRM. I got a lifetime deal awhile back. It was a great deal!
Many thanks for your lovely DMs, email and comments somewhere else ^^
Would you mind replying to this post, as I see it has already more than 3,000 views and it would be lovely for Celia to get some feedback, spark a discussion and answer questions.
Many thanks and have a GREAT day,
Kristina