In this episode, Emily Merrell and branding expert Calvina Nguyen dive deep into the branding essentials for coaches. They discuss common pitfalls, emphasizing that the foundation of effective branding lies in understanding your messaging, audience, and industry positioning before getting lost in visual elements like logos and colors. Calvina stresses that many coaches need to prioritize their logo and design over the core aspects of their brand, which can lead to wasted time and ineffective outreach. Instead, she encourages coaches to focus on refining their message and understanding their audience first, allowing for a more authentic connection that translates into successful branding.

As they explore practical branding tools, Calvina highlights the benefits of using Canva, particularly its Pro account features that streamline the branding process. She advocates for building a brand kit within Canva to ensure consistency across marketing materials, which saves time and enhances professional presentation. The discussion underscores the importance of leveraging design tools and strategic planning to create a brand that resonates with your audience. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your brand, this episode provides invaluable insights and actionable advice for coaches at any stage of their journey.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Understand the significance of articulating your brand message before focusing on visual elements.
• Prioritize getting to know your ideal audience to create authentic connections.
• Assess where you fit within your industry to tailor your branding approach better.
• Don’t get sidetracked by designing a logo or choosing colors initially; these should come later.
• Establish a solid brand foundation that can be revisited and refined over time.
• Recognize when it’s the right time to invest in professional design, typically after gaining traction in your business.
• Leverage Canvas Pro account features, including the brand kit, to streamline your branding efforts.
• Keep your initial branding efforts simple; don’t overcomplicate your design process.
• Use AI features within Canva to generate designs quickly and efficiently based on your brand elements.
• Regularly revisit and update your brand strategy to reflect growth and changes in your business.

Listener Links:

Website: https://calvinaphotography.com/about-me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrandspark/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinanguyen/

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR Inc.

In this re-launch episode of the Ready Set Coach Podcast, Lexie Smith and Emily Merrell catch up on life, coaching, and the whirlwind of Q4 as they navigate the busy end-of-year season. Together, they explore the challenges coaches face as they strive to stand out in a crowded industry, emphasizing the importance of grace and self-acknowledgment during hectic times.

As they discuss the myriad emotions at year-end, the duo also introduces the new RSC Insider membership, designed to connect coaches with potential clients and foster a supportive community. Listeners can expect insightful conversations in the upcoming season, featuring guests tackling topics ranging from burnout to branding and beyond. Tune in to discover how to embrace the ebb and flow of coaching, celebrate your wins, and find the balance you need to thrive as we enter the new year!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Em and Lex emphasize the need for coaches to prioritize their well-being amidst busy schedules.
• Insights on handling the emotions and challenges that arise as the year ends.
• Introduction of the RSC Insider membership to help coaches gain visibility and connect with potential clients.
• The significance of giving yourself grace during overwhelming times and recognizing when to ask for help.
• Strategies for coaches to stand out and market their services effectively in a crowded space.
• Real-life anecdotes about juggling responsibilities and the importance of self-reflection.
• Understanding the natural fluctuations in coaching businesses and how to adapt is essential.
• This is a preview of upcoming episodes, featuring expert guests who will discuss topics such as burnout, branding, and nervous system regulation.
• Encouragement to celebrate thriving and surviving moments as part of the coaching journey.

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR Inc.

This week’s episode focuses on high ticket sales and how to sell without feeling sleazy. Em and Lex discuss the psychological motivations behind purchases, emphasizing the importance of understanding clients' basic needs. They share insights on improving sales strategies for small business owners and coaches, including personalizing the approach and extending invitations rather than making assumptions or convincing.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Tips on how to sell your coaching offering if it’s not selling as hoped
• What role the logical and emotional sales mindsets have in selling your offering
• Tips on auditing yourself on how you buy and sell
• Tips on identifying your trigger moments when selling or buying and why you invested in something for your business
• Understanding how trigger moments play into the marketing and sales process
• The importance of call qualifiers
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR Inc.

This week’s episode focuses on navigating challenging client situations. Em and Lex discuss their experiences with difficult clients—aka the “Karents” of coaching—emphasizing the importance of handling these situations tactfully and professionally. They review common and less common challenges coaches may face with clients, including procrastination and lack of follow-through, and emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Strategies for managing argumentative and unprepared clients
• Tips on how to set expectations upfront and how to reset if needed
• Different moments that Em and Lex have had with difficult clients, and how they navigated them
• What they’ve learned from those moments
• Different ways to handle certain financial conversations with clients
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR Inc.

This week’s episode discusses reimagining your group coaching program. Em and Lex discuss the opportunity to co-create and evolve a group program at different stages of your coaching business and how to do so authentically and strategically. Em and Lex also introduced the Ready Set Coach (RSC) Accelerator group program. They discuss what it is, how they came up with the idea, who it is serving, and what it means for the future of their programs.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How group programs can evolve through different phases of your business and life
• Tips on figuring out when it’s time to reiterate a group program
• How RSC has evolved and changed with different cohorts
• What Em and Lex have learned from each cohort
• Tips on how to reimage your group program thoughtfully
• What the RSC Accelerator is
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR inc.

This week’s topic covers how to attract qualified leads for your coaching business. Em & Lex discuss how to define a qualified lead, how to set up parameters to weed out those who are unqualified, and what type of marketing is needed to find them in the first place.

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

• What a qualified lead is, and what factors make a lead qualified
• Tips on attracting the types of people who understand and need what you are selling
• Different considerations of what makes a lead qualified for your business
• Tips on identifying your qualifiers for your business
• How to set up lead qualifies throughout your business
• Tangible things that you can do to weed out the non-qualified leads
• Tips on making sure your branding is attracting the type of clients you want to have
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR inc.

This week’s episode is a wellness check-in for ALL coaches. Inspired by a recent personal health event, Em and Lex share their experiences identifying wellness red flags and how to navigate your business and life through different seasons of health.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Real talk on wellness as a business owner
• Tips on identifying red flags ahead of time and focusing on preventative care instead of reactive care
• What Em and Lex have started doing as they continue to get even busier with business and life.
• You can’t pour from an empty cup
• Tips on maintaining your wellness and self-care to be able to pour into your clients
• Ideas on finding solutions that allow you to avoid hitting rock bottom physically, mentally, and emotionally etc.
• Tips on creating a list of things that will support you holistically
• Having your business plan solidly in place so your team can help you if you have to take time for wellness
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR inc.

This week’s episode discusses managing client expectations in the coaching industry. Em and Lex discuss how to help set and manage expectations with potential and active clients from the sales call through the end of a coaching engagement.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Tools that Em and Lex use while they are working with clients to help set expectations
• Why it’s important to set expectations early on in the coach-client relationship
• Meeting your clients where they are and operating with a solution-driven mindset
• Your role as a coach
• The importance of boundaries as a coach
• How Em and Lex have set boundaries for themselves to maintain being able to show up for your clients
• How setting expectations at the get-go can help your clients appreciate and value your time together, coaching more
• And more!

Listener Links:

• Follow Em & Lex on Instagram at @readysetcoachcommunity
• Sign up for the Ready Set CLIENTS Conference/Learn More: https://www.readysetcoachprogram.com/clients
• Join the Ready Set Coach Community: www.readysetcoachcommunity.com
• Learn more about Second Degree Society and THEPRBAR inc.