When the late Thomas Leonard created Life Coaching, it was new, interesting and unique. It was "happening in LA." Coaches were popping up all over the country. It was the talk of the party. It was in the news, on the radio and even in a few television shows. But was it a fad?

This has been a question that has been on the minds of Life Coaches for the past five years. Obviously it is not a fad, since their are more people today utilizing a Life Coach than ever before. For me, the much bigger question is, can you market yourself as a Life Coach and succeed?

I have discussed this with hundreds of Life Coaches all across the country. I have received mixed answers. Here is my basis for the question. Coaching is a lifestyle, a way of thinking, a way of looking at the big picture. It is a skill, tool, a technique. Once you learn this skill or technique you can dramatically and permanently improve the quality of your life and those around you.

What concerns me is that so many wonderful people put their name on a business card and they can't seem to make a living. A good coach knows that when the teacher is ready, students will appear. Beyond that statement, why do some coaches have such a hard time finding paying clients. I think it is their marketing package.

Here is my idea, and please remember, it is just my idea. I have no factual data to back this up. Coaching is like a tool. Imagine a man buying a new hammer and painting on his truck, man with hammer. How many jobs do you think he will get. He might get a few phone calls asking about the sign on his truck. Some people are just curious.

If in fact he is a carpenter, and not just the owner of a new hammer, he would do much better to advertise his services, like, porches rebuilt, room additions and other small homeowner jobs performed.

If you hire a carpenter, you expect him to have the tools to complete the job.

Here is another example, if you go to school and receive a PhD, you would not open an office and put on your business card, PhD, you would advertise what you do, like marriage counselor.

To me, Life Coaching is like receiving a PhD. Imagine LC after your name. That alone would not tell people what you do and why they would call you.

If someone is not happy with their life, feeling stuck, they need to know that if they see your sign or business card, that you are the person they need to call. Just advertising Life Coaching usually will not cause someone to call.

On the other hand, if they are reading a story about a professional who works with the mind through motivation and accountability, someone who helps individuals get more out of life, you might relate to that story and say, " hey I need to call this guy."

So next time you work on your marketing material, be sure to say what you can do for a client, instead of mentioning your training. If someone trusts you to work with their life, they will assume you have the necessary training.

Personally, I promote my services as Transformational Healing, since I am a massage therapist, life coach, reflexologist and energy healer. If you would like to share examples of how you integrate life coaching into your practice, please feel free to e mail me at Jeff@MasterLifeCoach.com