The Problem with "Coach"While coaching is a superpower, the title itself creates massive confusion. Unlike tennis coaches or driving instructors who clearly demonstrate and teach skills, professional coaches use inquiry-based methods—asking powerful questions rather than transferring knowledge. Yet we're stuck with Thomas Leonard's 1990s job title that sets completely wrong expectations.

The Expectation Mismatch CrisisWhen you say "I'm a coach," potential clients expect:

• Knowledge transfer from an expert
• Teaching and demonstration
• Clear methodologies they can understand

But professional coaching is the opposite—we facilitate self-discovery through questioning, not teaching.

Why This Kills Your Business

• Forces endless process explanations instead of value conversations
• Makes premium pricing impossible to justify
• Creates invisibility—people don't know when they need you
• Turns LinkedIn into methodology tutorials instead of client attraction

The Golden Sentence SolutionReplace your job title with this format:"I work with [X] to help them [Y] so that they can [Z]"

Examples:

• "I work with VPs in financial services to help them move to top-tier firms so they can accelerate career progression"
• "I work with small business owners to help them overcome decision paralysis so they can scale operations confidently"

Why This Works

• Instantly clarifies who you serve
• Speaks directly to recognised problems
• Eliminates defensive explanations
• Attracts premium clients who see their exact challenge
• Stops pricing objections before they start

Ready to Transform Your Message?Join Sarah's free 4-day "Nail Your Niche" challenge at thecoachingrevolution.com/nailyourniche

Stop being invisible. Start being indispensable.

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Eric Rugundu left a 20-year legal career to coach young lawyers navigating career crises. Discover his inspiring journey from COVID self-reflection to thriving coaching business.

Key Topics:

• Why 82% of coaching businesses fail (and how to avoid it)
• Overcoming video marketing fears
• Finding your tribe in the coaching community
• The surprising personal development of building a business
• Turning industry experience into your competitive advantage

Golden Nuggets:"You made me do things I didn't want to do - in a good way" - Eric on being pushed outside his comfort zone

"That's how you look and sound. You still have friends." - Sarah's reality check on video fears

Perfect For:✓ Career changers considering coaching✓ New coaches struggling with marketing✓ Anyone afraid of video content✓ Coaches seeking authentic marketing strategies

The Bottom Line: Eric's transformation from LinkedIn-phobic lawyer to confident coach proves that success comes from courage, community, and doing difficult things with proper support.

Ready to build a coaching business that doesn't join the 82% failure rate? This episode reveals exactly how.

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AI Coaching is Closer Than You Think

If you're a coach relying on platforms like Ezra, BetterUp, Lyra, or CoachHub for clients, this episode is a crucial wake-up call. Sarah breaks down groundbreaking research proving AI coaching isn't some distant possibility – it's happening now and performing at surprisingly high levels.

The Game-Changing Research

A new study in Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice examined whether AI coaching agents could meet professional human coach standards. The results should get every platform-dependent coach's attention.

Researchers used AI agents supported by human experts in a "Wizard of Oz" setup and found striking results:

Active Listening: AI showed strong capability, with clients feeling genuinely heard and understood.

Powerful Questioning: Observers noted AI-generated questions effectively helped clients reflect and gain insights.

Client Experience: Clients said AI sessions felt like real coaching and helped them progress toward goals.

Most significantly, observers rated one AI session as demonstrating competencies "comparable to a credentialed coach." This isn't theory – it's reality.

The Platform Threat

For platform-dependent coaches, this research reveals an uncomfortable business truth. AI coaching offers platforms the perfect solution:

• No Labor Costs: AI doesn't need payment, supervision, or management
• 24/7 Availability: No breaks, vacations, or time off needed
• Unlimited Scalability: One system handles countless clients simultaneously
• Consistent Quality: Standardised performance without human variability

Platforms already treat coaching as a commodity, controlling pricing and client acquisition while coaches deliver assigned sessions. When AI can provide "good enough" coaching at zero ongoing cost, human coaches become expendable.

The Commoditization Reality

Platform coaches already experience limited control – you don't set fees, pricing, or acquire clients. Your income depends entirely on platform decisions. Add AI into this equation, and fewer opportunities will exist as platforms prioritise cheaper, scalable AI solutions.

Your Lifeline: Micro Niches

The solution lies entirely within your control. Platforms want scale – serving massive audiences cost-effectively. They have zero interest in small, tightly defined micro niches, and that's your opportunity.

While micro niches seem less exciting than global platform reach, they offer something more valuable: stable, profitable, sustainable income that you control.

Why Micro Niches Work

Well-chosen micro niches enable six-figure or multiple six-figure businesses over time. This creates something AI can't replicate: deep understanding of specific challenges, personal trust-based relationships, and specialized expertise from focused practice.

Act Now, Not Later

AI coaching is already here, performing at professional levels. The question isn't whether this impacts coaching, but whether you'll wait for AI to replace you or build an AI-proof business now.

With clear niche focus and solid client acquisition strategy, your coaching future can be secure and prosperous. Stop depending on platforms and start building something you control.

Ready to future-proof your coaching business?Visit thecoachingrevolution.com and click "Book a Call" to discuss how this works in practice.

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