Everyone needs a team.
As a health coach, you can become an expert in a variety of areas, including nutrition, behavior change psychology, fitness and athletic performance, and stress management and recovery.
But no matter how many certifications you earn, you will inevitably encounter clients with problems that you don’t have the skills, training, expertise or legal rights to solve, and that impede your progress.
So, I mean…
you You may not be an expert in repairing marriages, treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, or counseling people with eating disorders, but others might be.
This is where a healthy referral network comes in handy.
By connecting them with your clients, you stay within your scope of practice and provide welcome business to respected colleagues. and Help customers solve their problems.
(Total. Super coach. Move.)
All of our certification programs include a section that teaches coaches how to build a strong referral network of professionals with the skills to solve common client problems.
In this article, we will show you how to do this. error We often see mistakes coaches make that, if you avoid them, you can give them advice with confidence.
Firstly, what is a referral network?
A referral network is a list of complementary professionals, businesses, and resources that can benefit your clients.
Networks may be local or virtual.
- Doctors, psychologists, registered dietitians, and other professionals who have the training and qualifications to help clients with issues outside their field of expertise. Scope of Work Worksheet.
- Fellow health coaches and personal trainers who have deep knowledge in areas outside of your own experience (for example, a client is interested in learning yoga, but has no idea how to do Sun Salutations).
- Workshops, fitness groups, webinars, food services, and other resources to support clients in their behavior change journey.
It takes some research to confidently refer your clients to skilled professionals with excellent reputations, so here are the main mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #1: Networking in front Launch a business.
For recently certified health coaches, the task of “creating a referral network” can also act as a procrastination tool, says Kate Solovieva, PN’s director of community engagement.
Coaches make a valiant effort to seek out more experts rather than take on clients, and to be prepared for every potential referral situation. But despite their efforts, their list is never “complete.”
it is…
“You can’t prepare for everything,” Solovyeva said.
solution
Once you’re certified, start taking on clients right away.
Yes! That may sound scary, but the best way to figure out your “gaps” is to actually get into practice and go beyond what you can offer to find out where your clients actually need help.
Over time, you will add people to your referral network.
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and other virtual networking sites
- Leverage your peer network (such as Precision Nutrition’s Facebook community)
- Connect with your local Chamber of Commerce members
- Chat with your family, friends and clients about the professionals and resources they love
- Attend health conferences and other community events that bring together a variety of health professionals
- Find (and try) providers based on your health needs
Who is part of your referral network?
Check out the following list of resources:
| resource | name | Website | contact address |
| Acupuncturist | |||
| Chiropractor | |||
| cooking class | |||
| Cycling, hiking, walking and running clubs | |||
| Exercise Physiologist | |||
| Coaches who specialize in plant-based eating, pre- and post-natal fitness, or other coaching areas that you don’t cater to | |||
| Marriage and Family Counselor | |||
| Massage Therapist | |||
| Meal delivery service | |||
| Mental Health Professionals | |||
| Orthopedic surgeon | |||
| Pelvic Floor Therapist | |||
| Doctor | |||
| physical therapist | |||
| Registered dietitian | |||
| Stress Management Classes | |||
| other |
Mistake #2: Assuming your referral list has you covered all Client needs.
As we said above, it’s impossible to predict every referral or client question in advance, and that’s okay.
This is especially true when coaching virtually to clients across the world.
(If you live in Toronto, Canada, you may know three great masseuses, but that knowledge won’t be of any use if your client lives in Wellington, New Zealand).
Similarly, certain experts and resources may work for one client but not for another.
(For example, you may be aware of several meal delivery options, but none of them are suitable for plant-based clients who are on a strict gluten-free diet.)
solution
Learn how to help your clients find the experts and resources they need.
Here are some possibilities:
- Ask your clients to describe their preferences. (Do they prefer to work with people of a particular gender? Would they prefer to meet in person or online? Do they like the enthusiasm and creativity of a new professional or the “I’ve seen it all” wisdom of a seasoned professional?)
- Together we will hold a coaching session to find potential experts and services online.
- Encourage your client to contact three experts, ask them questions, and then use what they learn to pick a winner.
Mistake #3: Letting social awkwardness ruin a networking opportunity.
Approaching a stranger requires a certain amount of courage: you have to put yourself out there, explain who you are and what your motivations are, and take the risk of being ignored or rejected.
This is where many coaches get stuck, says Toni Bauer, PN’s director of coaching and academic affairs.
As a result, many coaches may put off having the conversation.
solution
Turn your networking into a challenge. Coach Solovieva calls it “Operation 100.”
- Set a goal to reach out to 100 professionals in 12 months.
- Spend about 20 minutes each week working towards your goal.
- Follow up once or twice with each person who doesn’t respond.
- Instead of expecting a “yes” from everyone you approach, understand that only 10 percent of people will respond.
To help you navigate the challenge, Bauer suggests drafting your elevator pitch.
Don’t overthink it: your presentation doesn’t have to be a persuasive, multi-page essay, or have to include magical talking points. Just be yourself.
Elevator Pitch: How to Introduce Yourself to a Referral
Use the examples below as a guide when crafting your elevator pitch.
“I’m a health coach who works with corporate executives, but some of my clients could benefit from someone with your expertise. I would love to recommend you to my clients when that need arises. Would you be willing to do that?”
or:
“I’m a health coach who works with athletes. Sometimes my clients need guidance that I can’t always provide. I’m impressed with your work and would love to introduce people to you. If you’d be willing, we could set up a quick 15 or 20 minute meeting to discuss what the arrangement would be like.”
Or simply:
“I’m a health coach and I’m building a professional referral list and would like to refer my clients to you. Are you currently accepting new patients?”
Mistake #4: Using outdated persuasion tactics.
If you use LinkedIn, you’ve probably been the target of the old-fashioned hard sales tactic: direct messages from strangers who clearly haven’t read any of your profile and know nothing about you.
These spam messages are as welcome as a stranger sneaking up to you in a bar and asking, “Hey, come over sometime.”
I’m not advocating against the use of cold outreach — there are appropriate times for it — but I want to introduce some lesser used techniques to help increase your response rates.
solution
Get to know people before you ask questions onlineCoach Solovyeva suggests.
Follow them, read their content, download and use their free resources, comment on their posts, congratulate them on their career successes, and become a part of their online lives.
do that, This will help people remember you. They’ll be more likely to respond to your messages. Plus, the information you gain from building relationships will help you avoid:
Mistake #5: Not personally screening referrals.
How can you refer your clients to caring professionals who really know what they’re doing?
It involves more than just checking someone’s website or social media profiles.
Looking solely at someone’s website and social media posts “is just scrutinizing their confidence and copywriting skills,” Solovieva says. “If you’re lucky, confidence and copywriting go hand in hand with ability, but that’s not always the case.”
solution
Try out their services, join someone’s yoga or Zumba class, book a massage, see a medical professional to check out that creaky knee.
That way you can see the pros in action.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t need all the services my clients need,” you have a few options.
- Pay the professional a fee to meet with you for 30 to 60 minutes to ask some questions, understand their treatment philosophy, and discuss referring clients.
- Engage with people in local social networking communities like NextDoor.com. Ask group members if they’ve seen a doctor and, if so, if they would recommend that person.
Mistake #6: Overselling to clients through referrals.
When you recommend a professional that you have personally vetted, it’s only natural that you want your client to take action.
However, despite all your hard work, some clients may not get an appointment with the relevant professional, and that’s okay.
“Make your clients adults,” Coach Bauer says.
The customer has their reasons: perhaps their insurance doesn’t cover the service in question, or maybe they decided to see someone else.
“It’s not your responsibility for your relationships to be perfect or thrive,” Bauer says.
Support Cycle
Some coaches fear referrals because they think they will “take away business.”
But the reality is, when you refer your clients to a trusted professional, they feel like you are supporting them. They are More likely to recommend to friends and family you.
Furthermore, when you ask a respected colleague for business, you You will be on their radar for mutual introductions.
It’s good for your customers, good for your business, and good for the entire community of medical professionals.
If you are a coach or want to be a coach…
You can help people build Sustainable Here’s how you can develop good nutrition and lifestyle habits that can dramatically improve your kids’ mental and physical health while helping them live great lives doing what they love.
Want to learn more? PN Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification.
