If this was my first introduction to Steve Chandler, perhaps I would have rated it higher. But I don't think it introduced much new over "The Prosperous Coach," which was excellent. I really like Chandler's work, this books just didn't really provide much new over what I've already heard from him.
Steve's overall approach to acquiring clients is to serve. Show people what coaching can do by coaching. See problems and offer to help.
"If I failed, it would mean I was a failure. Later I saw that failing at something merely meant that I failed at something. Made more sense. I didn't have to make it my personal identity. It was just something that happened. It wasn't who I was. If I go to sleep for a while it doesn't mean I'm a "sleeper," and if I fix the backed-up toilet, it doesn't mean I'm a plumber, and if I rearrange the books in my office, it doesn't mean I'm a librarian...."
"When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life." -Brenda Ueland
"your future... it's for you to create. It won't be something that happens to you. And for it to be created quickly, powerfully and gracefully, you might want to begin by learning (and then integrating) the benefit of creating your future from the future, instead of allowing it to be created from the past."
"It's not the problem that causes the suffering; it's your thinking about the problem." -Byron Katie
What does the potential client want? What's their biggest fear? How would they want their life to change? What have they tried so far to make the change? What are their limiting beliefs that show in the conversation? Remember that the final decision to use your services will always occur in the potential clients world, not yours. So even when they ask about you, keep it brief and to the point, but return immediately to curiosity.
"Curiosity is love and caring in action. It is experiential proof to your perspective client of your commitment to understand them, to see their challenges clearly, in an optimistic and nonjudgmental way." "Don't talk about yourself until you're invited to. And even then, tell a short case history story about a client you helped, or about how coaching helped you. But have that story be related to what your prospect wants. then finish that story with another question to them so you quickly get back to their world. You don't want to remain in your world, tempting as that may be.
When you are wondering who you can connect with to acquire clients, look through the last 50 emails you received and look for ways that you could help people solve their problems. Then offer to do so for free. If Facebook friends post problems, private message them and offer them time to talk about it. Always be looking for ways you can help.