How an Easy Monthly Coaching Program Helps Clients & Could Get You More Business! by Lisa Honold

Coach running a Monthly Group Program

I've found the secret to helping clients who want to change and build my business at the same time—work in groups and celebrate success monthly!

We say Happy New Year on January 1st, and then seconds later people start thinking about resolutions: "I've got to... go to the gym more, go on a diet, keep the house clean, not yell at the kids" etc.

TOP TIP: This program could also run alongside the school year, starting in September and running through June.

For many, the first 3 months of a new year brings a renewed focus on personal growth. We're excited to change and for the first little while, it feels great. But does it last? Well, as you probably already know, rarely.

What most resolutions lack is accountability and supportive feedback

We've all seen research that points to new habits taking at least 21 days to solidify. And we all know it's tough to stay motivated alone and without encouragement during the habit-changing process.

So at the beginning of every year, I help people align their lives with their core values and intentions—and plan their year ahead. We share insights and laugh while writing and coloring in our journals.

This year-long program that meets monthly, designed for people who are ready to live intentionally, offers clients a supportive community—and accountability.

How I started Celebrate You—a 12 Month Program to Support My Clients

Almost 10 years ago I started hosting small in-person coaching groups (6-8 people) and called the program "Celebrate You".

The group started with a 3 hour meeting for everyone to get to know each other. Members receive journals filled with inspirational questions and quotations ready for them to celebrate the previous year—and set some goals for the year ahead. And for the next 11 months, I facilitated a monthly 2 hour mastermind session.

Here's what it looked like:

  • I made sure everyone had a chance to speak
  • I held members accountable for previous commitments
  • Each month I took 15 minutes to present personal growth tools to enhance the group's knowledge.
  • Each member had 10-15 minutes to share successes from the previous month and bring a challenge to the group for brainstorming.
  • Lastly, each member chose a word to guide their year, and then monthly, people shared at each meeting how their word of the year had inspired their choices during that month.

Here's an example of how the 'word of the year' works: One member chose "boundaries". It's given her license to explore her relationship with her kids and husband, her clients and her extended family. She's realized how powerful she feels when she defines boundaries for herself and sticks to them. She's also realized how sometimes she imposed limits on herself without even realizing it. "I can't go away with my friends for a girls' weekend; my family needs me." We looked at her assumptions and she discovered, oh yes she could! So she enjoyed 4 days away with friends, doing only what she wanted to do, and came back completely refreshed and inspired.

5 Tips to successfully lead a monthly group like this

  • Invite people you know are interested in change. The first year I invited friends, not people necessarily interested in change. Unsurprisingly, some people wanted to socialize not grow. The second year I invited only those people who were already on a path of growth, both friends and near strangers. Although on the surface members have little in common, they've bonded as a group because they're dedicated to intentional living and growth.
  • Define up front what the group is and who your ideal members are. For my group, it's a safe place to be real and share successes and struggles. My core belief is that each person can do their own work and find their own answers and the group's job is to witness the growth and support them. This is not a therapy group nor is it a place to rehash all the problems from childhood.
  • Require that people commit to all 12 sessions. Creating a safe group dynamic means that the same people show up with continuity. This way it doesn't take 15 minutes to get caught up and feel safe again.
  • Get out a timer and give everyone the same amount of minutes to share (generally 10-15).
  • Follow up on what people committed to last time. Did they promise to have a tough conversation? It's my job to ask how it went. If they didn't do their homework, it's important to know why. Did something else truly become more important or did they procrastinate? It's important to remain nurturing and safe as I ask. Members trust me with their dreams and struggles, and I'm in their lives to support, not berate them.

I've heard two things over and over from members

  1. First, they never would have spent 3 hours planning for the new year on their own. They're surprised at how meaningful it feels to say goodbye to the previous year and build on what they learned to make the new year amazing.
  2. Second, members told me how much they look forward to monthly meetings and valued the time to reflect on their progress as well as support others.

Lastly, here are 8 related ideas of how to increase business

  1. Invite your current client and prospect list to the first meeting. Yes, all of them! Over the three hours, they'll be inspired to think about changes they'd like to see in their lives and many will book private sessions or ask to join one of your groups.
  2. Offer individual life coaching to members looking for specific support.
  3. Offer additional sessions to create dream boards, lead guided meditations, start a self-help book club.
  4. Continue the conversation and support in a private online group.
  5. Add a weekend retreat filled with workshops and relaxation time.
  6. Partner with an organization dedicated to positive life change, like the YMCA, and offer your group to enhance their program offerings.
  7. Create and sell the journal template that members use to document their dreams and goals throughout the year.
  8. Offer a discount to members who bring a friend (a friend who's committed to growth, that is).

Wrap-up

This easy 12 month program is such a simple way to help clients grow. And it's super straightforward to implement.

So, what inspiration did you take from this? What new ideas do you have for your groups?

Let's help clients end the cycle of resolving to change and then failing by facilitating and supporting their personal growth throughout the year!

If you liked this article on creating groups for coaching, you may also like:

Lisa Honold Headshot

Contributing Author:

Lisa Honold is a parent, CPA, Life and Business Coach who shifted her focus to found The Center for Online Safety to help parents set up a safety system on the internet and protect kids from cyberbullying, online predators, sexting, harmful content and other dangers. Lisa is now a national public speaker on digital wellness, cyber safety and peaceful parenting. Her podcast, Unplug and Plug In, is described as “the go-to-guide for parents on using tech intentionally”.

Learn more about Lisa & see all their articles here >>

Image of Woman talking to group of young people by Rawpixel.com via Shutterstock

4 Comments

  1. Susan Wis

    Hi Lisa,

    I am currently working on on a monthly group similar to yours. I have a small yearly group on Facebook but I want a support/grow group.

    What did you charge per person and did they pay monthly?

    Reply
  2. Lisa Honold

    Hi Susan,

    That is the magic question, isn't it? 🙂 2017's Group members paid $399 for the year and they all paid in the first month, no payment options.

    If you'd like more details on how to apply the concepts from "Celebrate You" to increase your client base, I'm hosting a free training Wednesday March 29th at 1pm Pacific. Here's the sign up: http://www.celebrateyouacademy.com/workshops/2017/3/29/how-do-i-create-celebrate-you-groups

    I hope to connect with you!

    Lisa

    Reply
    • Peggy

      Hey,

      Lisa i am a health and wellness coach for mom with kids on the autism spectrum. I have a
      young adult who is high funtioning. I want to show they how to manage stress and take time
      for themselves. I'm having trouble finding clients. I' ve done networking. Joined a few groups.
      I do have a 90 day intensive program that is 997.00 for 12 months. Call are 1 a week or more if needed. I also have a stress management program. 247.00 and a 14 day reset cleanse 99.00.
      I would like to do group programs online or off. Have know idea how to start. Any information would be appreciated.

      All The Best,
      Peggy

      Reply
      • Lisa Honold

        Peggy, I'm so sorry for the delay--I didn't see this comment. Yes! Sometimes it's tough to get people to understand why they'd benefit from a group. You target a specific audience that absolutely could use some self care.
        As far as support for building groups, I have a Facilitators Training that covers how to market groups, how to lead the groups and what else you can add to the experience that's tailored to your audience. I'd love to talk with you more 🙂

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