I once heard a story from my friend Scott Paton, who in his past life was a web designer. 

 

Back then he put a page on his website where he laid out exactly who his ideal client was. 

 

He didn't hold back with his description. He put it all out there - he described who he wouldn't work with (those who wouldn't listen and argued with him, ones who paid late etc) and he outlined the frustrations that his ideal client had around web design. 

 

Once, after a husband and wife hired him to do their website, he asked them why they chose him.

 

They said: "We read the section on your website about your ideal client, and we thought 'That's us!'"

 

It's a smart strategy to get clear on who you want to work with, and repel those who you don't want to work with. 

 

I've always been clear on which coaching clients I'll take on (I have a five point criteria and I stick to it), but I haven't been as intentional when it comes to my Secret Coach Club membership. 

 

Part of the issue (no pun intended, since I send out hard copy issues of the newsletter) is that people don't talk with me before subscribing - they go to the sales page, click the button, and they're off and running. 

 

But the problem with that approach is it has attracted some coaches who aren't the right fit since I launched it a few years ago. 

 

For example, I've had some people who cancelled their subscriptions because they hadn't opened any of their SCC packages. I kid you not - they literally hadn't opened the packages!  

 

I've had others cancel their subscriptions, saying that they love it but that they're "cutting expenses". Not to knock someone for watching their budget, but $497/year works out to just $41/month (or about $1.36 per day) ...

 

$41 is less than the cost of a movie ticket and popcorn nowadays. $1.36 per day is about one or two sips of your Starbucks. If you aren't willing to invest that little to grow your coaching business, I don't want you in SCC.  

 

With that in mind, I'll follow in the great Scott Paton's footsteps and declare who I want in Secret Coach Club. I only want: 

 

- coaches who are serious about growing their businesses (entrepreneurs, not "wantrepreneurs") 

- coaches who are able to physically open an envelope and read a 5000 word newsletter 

- coaches who are willing to take action on what they learn. Without action, nothing happens. 

 

If this sounds like you, you can join here (the deadline is this Sunday at midnight EST): 

 

 

Marc