10 Easy Steps To Create Your Own Coaching Tool, Exercise or Seminar Handout!

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Emma-Louise
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A quiet time of year is the perfect opportunity to create a coaching tool, exercise, seminar handout or worksheet. While it may take you a few hours to put it together, creating your own tool or worksheet gives your clients and workshop attendees a really personalised coaching experience. A great handout helps  people identify powerful learnings, take action AND give them something to remember YOU by. In short - this worksheet becomes a walking brochure for you that people will want to keep!

If you're wondering about Coaching Tools - what they are and how they help, FIRST read our Complete Guide to Coaching Tools >>

So, here are 10 Easy Steps to Create a One Page Coaching Exercise or Seminar Handout:

  1. Write the title of your Workshop or Exercise at the top of the page - make it big and bold!
  2. Thinking about your Workshop or Exercise, answer the following questions:
    1. What is the learning, concept, coaching wisdom or knowledge that you want your clients/workshop attendees to leave with?
    2. What important information would you like them to really remember? (up to 3 concepts/ideas)
    3. What are up to 3 key learnings (about themselves) you would like people to have?
    4. What inspirational quote sums up the learning/lesson?
    5. What kind of action do I want the attendees to take following the session?
  3. Using the information you wrote down, start a new document and write out (don't worry about the order yet):
    1) A short introduction that gives people an idea of what they'll be covering in this exercise.
    2) Up to 3 key heading names for the key concepts and ideas you want to them to learn.
    3) Up to 3 powerful questions for your client or workshop attendees to learn about themselves. These should obviously be relevant to your subject.
    Add these onto the worksheet on separate lines.
  4. Now, thinking about flow, put the introduction at the top, then reorder the headings / questions so that they make sense and follow each other. Include any short instructions you may need to add for clarity in a small font underneath the heading.
  5. Number each item and use ......... or _____ for the attendees to write their answers.
  6. Add a final line underneath all these which asks "What Action/s will you take?" (copy the example below if you like):
    So, it's time to identify 1-3 specific actions you will commit to. Make sure this action is something you can implement right away - or in the next day or so. Only pick actions you are 100% sure you will complete - and if necessary make the action smaller until you can commit to it one hundred percent!
    Action 1    ____________________________________________  By When  ______________
    NOTE: There should now be a maximum of 7 areas for clients to fill in.
  7. Review your worksheet and use bold or CAPITALS to highlight key words in your headings and questions.
  8. Type in the quote that sums up the workshop learning/lesson at the very bottom of the worksheet. You can put it into italics to add some interest - and add a coloured box around it if you like.
  9. Add in up to 3 small images that represent the questions or learnings.
  10. You can also add an image to represent the workshop at the top next to the workshop title.
  11. Finally, put your company name and logo in the 'header' area of your worksheet - and your phone/email and website in the 'footer' area.
    Note: If you're not sure what headers and footers are or don't know how to use them, you may find this article on how to add your information to headers/footers in our tools helpful.

Well done - you've created a coaching worksheet!

WORKSHOP/SEMINAR TIP: Any of the headings or questions make great group exercises - get them brainstorming in small groups, write on post-its/large sheet of paper and then share back with the larger group.

Final LAYOUT Tips to Create a Great Looking Exercise or Handout:

Build a Bridge Coaching ExercisePeople are more likely to hang onto something if it looks attractive! So once, you've finished, take a look at your worksheet and review these bullet points:

  • Give less space to answer rather than more - it will look less daunting and more inviting. So, keep the answer space to NO MORE than 3 lines or it can seem overwhelming. If they're inspired they can always turn over and write on the other side!
  • Add white space between responses and keep the worksheet uncluttered. This will look more professional.
  • Do take the time to find relevant images and use colour - they not only make the worksheet more fun, but graphics help people access their creativity - giving people ideas and cementing learning.
  • Even a Business, Executive or Career-focused seminar can have graphics and colour - but make sure the images you choose are appropriate to your audience. The image example at the top of the page would be better for business world use - and the example here has extra colour and fun for a more personal coaching workshop.

If you liked this article about creating your own exercise/handout you may also like:

Emma-Louise Elsey Headshot

Contributing Author:

Emma-Louise Elsey has been coaching since 2003 and is the Founder of The Coaching Tools Company and Fierce Kindness.com. She's passionate about coaching and personal development. Originally a project and relationship manager for Fortune 500 companies she combined her love of coaching, creativity and systems to create over 100 brandable coaching tools, forms and exercises including 30+ completely free coaching tools. She now serves coaches and the coaching world through her exclusive newsletter for coaches, Coaches Helping Coaches Facebook Group and many other great tools, resources and ideas for your coaching toolbox. The Coaching Tools Company is an official ICF Business Solutions Partner.

Learn more about Emma-Louise & see all their articles here >>

Categories: Articles for Specific Niches, Coaching Tools & Resources, Marketing and Sales, Workshops & Webinars, Your Products & Services

24 Comments

  2. Doulla

    Thank you for this latest learning / advice. It is exactly in line with what I am looking to get done in my business, that is, promoting and marketing my workshops / events.

    As the buddhist maxim says, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

    Wishing you continued joy and success,
    Doulla

    Reply
  3. Kirsten

    Thank you. Perfect as i am in the process of preparing ADHD awareness week presentations. Having a template is always a great starter.

    Reply
  4. Linda Maul

    Thanks, I love looking at tools others use in their coaching practice and you have triggered some new ideas for me as well. Appreciate this latest '10 easy steps' - love a process.

    Reply
  6. Monica J. Foster

    Oh wow! What WONDERFUL timing! I'm so excited to use this for my coaching with women with disabilities and female disabled veterans who feel stuck, want to feel more empowered, beautiful and strong inside and out.

    Reply
  7. Carol

    Thank You!! This is so very timely. I appreciate all of your templates and products as they are so helpful.

    Reply
  8. trevor fonjeng

    great this has gone along way to help me in my serminars and my conferences and i think my audience will be satisfied when they leave my serminars

    Reply
    • Emma-Louise

      Dear Trevor, thanks for taking the time to comment! We're so glad you found this article helpful. Good luck with your seminars (although it sounds like you won't be needing luck as you will be thoroughly prepared!!!). Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply
  9. Dee Mony

    Wow! Thank you. This is exactly what I needed. I am participating in writing my first workshop material and it can be daunting at times. With this simple breakdown, now I can organize my thoughts better and gauge how well the worksheet I have created rates. I will be exploring your website further for more advice. Thank you.

    Dee

    Reply
    • Emma-Louise

      Dear Dee,

      I'm so glad you found this helpful! It can be time-consuming to create your own handouts, but it isn't as difficult as many people think. And it's totally worth it! Good luck with your worksheets and workshops! Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply
    • Emma-Louise

      Dear Franziska, I am so glad you found this article helpful! And thank-you for taking the time to comment and say so 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply

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