Everyone needs a team.
As a health coach, you can become an expert in a number of areas including nutrition, the psychology of behavior change, fitness and exercise performance, stress management and recovery, and more.
But no matter how many certifications you acquire, you will always encounter clients who have issues that prevent them from progressing because they lack the skills, education, expertise, or legal rights.
The problem is this…
you They may not be experts at improving marriages, treating acid reflux, or counseling people with eating disorders, but they are.
This is where a healthy referral network becomes important.
By connecting your clients with these people, you can stay within your scope of practice and provide welcome business to respected colleagues. and Please help us solve our customers’ problems.
(All. Supercoach. Move.)
All of our certification programs include a section that teaches coaches how to build a strong referral network of experts who are skilled at solving common client problems.
This article will walk you through the steps to navigate to the top and how to accomplish the task. mistake We see what coaches do. If we avoid them, we can confidently recommend them.
First, what is a referral network?
A referral network is a list of complementary experts, businesses, and resources that can help you.
Your network may be local or virtual.
- Physicians, psychologists, registered dietitians, and other professionals who have the training and qualifications to help clients with issues outside your scope of practice. (For an in-depth review, see: Scope of Practice Worksheet.)
- Peer health coaches and personal trainers who have deep knowledge in areas outside of your experience (e.g., a client is interested in learning yoga, but you have no idea how to do a sun salutation).
- Workshops, fitness groups, webinars, food services, and other resources to support your clients’ behavior change journey.
If you want to confidently refer clients to a skilled practitioner with a great reputation, you need to do some upfront work. Here are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #1: Building a network ~ before Start a business.
For newly certified health coaches, the task of “building a referral network” can be a procrastination tool, says Kate Solovieva, director of community engagement at PN.
Instead of accepting clients, these coaches seek out more and more experts, and they try valiantly to prepare for every potential referral situation. But no matter how hard they try, their list is never “complete.”
The reason is…
“You can’t prepare for everything,” Solovieva said.
way out
Start getting clients as soon as you get your certification.
Yes! It may sound scary, but the best way to identify your “gap” is to start practicing and see where your customers need more help than you can actually provide.
Add people to your referral network over time.
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and other virtual networking sites
- Join a peer network (like the Precision Nutrition Facebook community).
- Connect with members of your local chamber of commerce
- Talk to your family, friends, and clients about their favorite experts and resources.
- Attend health conventions and other local events that bring together diverse health professionals.
- Search and try providers based on your health needs!
Who is in your referral network?
Use the following list of resources as inspiration.
| will | name | Website | Contact Information |
| Acupuncturist | |||
| chiropractor | |||
| Cooking Class | |||
| Biking, hiking, walking, and running clubs | |||
| Exercise Physiologist | |||
| Coaches who specialize in plant-based diets/prenatal/postnatal fitness/other coaching areas you don’t cover | |||
| Marriage/Family Counselor | |||
| massage therapist | |||
| Meal delivery service | |||
| mental health professional | |||
| orthopedist | |||
| Pelvic floor muscle therapist | |||
| Primary care physician | |||
| Physical therapist | |||
| Registered Dietitian | |||
| Stress Management Class | |||
| different |
Mistake #2: Assuming your recommendation list will include: every Customer requirements.
As mentioned before, it’s impossible to anticipate every recommendation or customer question in advance, but that’s okay.
This is especially true when coaching virtually to clients around the world.
(You may know three great massage therapists if you live in Toronto, Canada, but that knowledge won’t help you if your clients live in Wellington, New Zealand.)
Likewise, some experts or resources may be effective for some clients, but not for others.
(For example, you may know of several meal delivery options, but none of them may be suitable for a plant-based customer on a strict gluten-free diet.)
way out
Learn how we help our clients find the experts and resources they need.
You can:
- Ask your clients to describe their preferences. (Do they prefer to work with a certain gender? Do they prefer to meet in person or online? Do they prefer the passion and creativity of a new professional or the “I’ve seen it all” wisdom of a seasoned professional?)
- Conduct coaching sessions where you research potential experts and services together online.
- We encourage customers to contact three experts, ask them questions, and then vote for a winner based on what they learn.
Mistake #3: Social awkwardness ruins networking opportunities.
It takes courage to approach a stranger. You have to put yourself out there, explain who you are and what motivates you, and risk being ignored or rejected.
Tony Bauer, PN’s director of coaching and training operations, says this is where many coaches struggle.
As a result, many coaches may put off having the conversation.
way out
Turn networking into a challenge. Coach Solovieva calls it “Operation 100.”
- Set a goal to reach out to 100 experts over 12 months.
- Try to work toward your goal for about 20 minutes each week.
- For those who do not respond, we will follow up with them once or twice.
- Instead of expecting a “yes” from everyone you approach, understand that only about 10% of people will respond to you.
Bauer suggests drafting an elevator pitch to adapt to the challenge.
Don’t overthink it. Your pitch doesn’t have to be a multi-page, persuasive essay. It doesn’t have to have a magical topic. Just be yourself.
Elevator Pitch: How to Introduce Yourself to Potential Referrals
When writing your elevator pitch, get inspiration from the examples below.
“I am a wellness coach who works with corporate executives. However, some of my clients could benefit from someone with your expertise. I would like to recommend you to my clients when that need arises. Would you be willing to do so?”
or:
“I am a health coach who works with athletes. Sometimes my clients need guidance that I can’t always provide. I admire what you do and would like to refer people to you. If you would be so kind, could we have a quick 15-20 minute meeting to discuss what that preparation would look like?”
Or simply:
“I’m a health coach and I’m creating a list of practitioner referrals. I’d like to refer a client to you. Are you currently accepting new patients?”
Mistake #4: Using outdated persuasion strategies.
If you use LinkedIn, you’ve probably encountered the old-school cold selling tactic: direct messages from strangers who don’t read anything on your profile and know nothing about you.
These spam messages are as welcome as a stranger coming up to you in a bar and saying, “Would you like to come back to my house?”
We’re not trying to discourage cold outreach. It has its place. But we want to introduce a rarely used technique to increase response rates.
way out
Get to know people before asking questions onlineCoach Lago Solovieva suggested.
Follow them, read their content, download and use their free resources, comment on their posts, celebrate their career successes, and join their online life.
do That, And people will remember you. More of them will respond to your messages. Plus, the information you gather by building relationships will help you avoid…
Mistake #5: Not personally reviewing recommendations.
How do you refer your clients to empathetic professionals who truly know what they’re doing?
This involves more than just checking out someone’s website or social media profile.
If you only look at someone’s website or social media posts, “you’re just validating their confidence and their copywriting skills,” says Solovieva. “If you’re lucky, confidence and copywriting go hand in hand, but that’s not always the case.”
way out
Try their services. Take someone’s yoga or Zumba class. Book a massage. Ask a medical professional to look at your creaky knee.
This way you can see experts in action.
If you’re thinking, ‘Some of the services my customers need, I don’t need!’, you have a few options.
- Meet with a professional for 30-60 minutes to ask them a few questions, learn about their treatment philosophy, and discuss any referrals they might have for you.
- Connect with people in local social networking communities, such as NextDoor.com. Ask group members if they have seen a therapist, and if so, ask if they would recommend one.
Mistake #6: Overselling Your Customers Through Recommendations
When you recommend a personally vetted expert, it’s natural that your customers will want to take action.
However, despite your efforts, some clients may not make an appointment with that specialist. That’s okay.
“Let your clients grow up,” said Coach Bauer.
Each client has their own reasons. Perhaps their insurance doesn’t cover the service, or they’ve decided to see someone else.
“It’s not your responsibility to make your relationship perfect or blossom,” says Bauer.
Cycle of Support
Some coaches are afraid of referrals because they see it as “handing over the business.”
But when you actually refer a client to a solid professional, the client simply feels like you are backing them up. (i.e. They will I am more likely to recommend it to friends and family. you.)
The same applies when you send business to other respected colleagues. you I got on their radar for cross referrals.
This is good for customers, good for business, and good for the health professional community as a whole.
If you are a coach, or want to become a coach…
People can help build Sustainable We’ll teach you the nutrition and lifestyle habits that will dramatically improve your physical and mental health while you live a good life doing what you love. We’ll show you how.
If you’d like to learn more, consider: PN Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification.
