Establishing Credibility as a New Coach: 14 Ways To Gain Credibility

Are you a new coach? Are you wondering how to build your credibility and at least land your first paying client? Don't despair, these 14 ways are sure to help.

After months of studying, researching, and preparing, getting certified with high-quality certification courses, you've finally started your coaching business. You’re so excited about finally leaving your 9-5 job and focusing on what you believe is your dream business of helping people and impacting lives.

But now comes the tricky part: how do you establish credibility as a new coach. You have never really coached anyone. A few you’ve done were social coaching - one of your friends and a family member. You know your target tribe wants someone with experience, someone with a reference. They are certainly looking for certain qualities you know you don't have yet.

What is credibility anyway? According to business experts, credibility has a higher bar than success. It means others look at you as a reliable resource and decision-maker. It lets those who rely on you know they can count on you, trust you, do business with you, and align with you. Credibility is one of the best ways to get coaching clients.

Establishing good credibility as a new coach means gaining the trust, respect, and attention of your potential clients and extended network. While credibility can't simply be bought, it can be established by learning and executing the right marketing strategies. So, how would you gain credibility as a new coach so you can stop feeling like a fish out of water?

14 Sure Ways To Gain Credibility

Be Consistent

Whatever you are doing now, be consistent with it. Everything you do, say, and think should be consistent. The messages you're sending out, the actions you take, and the things you allow into your heart and mind, even your thoughts should all be in total alignment with who you are, who you want to be, and what you do. Credibility only happens when everything is consistent, from the inside out.

People Who Know You

Using the people who already know you is a great way to build credibility. Go back to people you’ve worked with in the past who already know you and know what is great about you. They will be able to give you references and testimonials and help establish your credibility which will boost your confidence.

Build Confidence

Let your confidence be on point even though your tribe does not yet know your worth and may not trust you easily. But you know your worth and believe in yourself. So, be confident in that and the fact that you can deliver on your promises.

Work With Established Mentors

Having established people around you and working with them will help you establish credibility faster. People will get to know you as that person’s protege and soon they will begin to trust you because of that person. You can equally associate yourself with brands that people have heard of, thereby gaining social proof.

Trust Your Knowledge

We all experience some self-doubt at some point, but you've earned this opportunity because you've studied and put in the effort and you know it thoroughly. You stay up to date on any advances in the profession and be constantly on the lookout for new ideas. If something isn't working, be willing to shift gears.

Let your tribe know that you're flexible, and you're willing to accept their feedback. But also let them know that you have the ability to make them improve and that they'll be far better when they finish with you than they were when they first met you.

Be Trustworthy

To cultivate credibility you must build trust, earn trust and get trust. If people like you they will trust you, and if they trust you they will do business with you. Your trust account is more important than your bank account.

Be Competent

Become an expert in your field, someone with the ability to analyze a situation and develop several potential solutions. Be confident in your capabilities so people know you are the one they can count on.

Be Genuine

You need authenticity to cultivate credibility; when you're trying to win trust, you can't rely on the "fake it till you make it" approach. The basis for establishing your business or your leadership is a solid foundation that provides tremendous, lasting stability, no matter what changes may be ahead.

Be Sincere

Being credible means being sincere. It means you don't say everything you think, but you mean everything you say. You cannot claim it; you just have to be it. Sincerity requires commitment and dedication and the willingness to be steadfast, unmovable and always straightforward--no matter what.

Be Respectful

Holding other people's feelings in respect may mean nothing to you, but it could mean everything to them. Treat everyone with respect--not because you expect something, but because you know they deserve it. Titles are granted, positions are given, but it's respect that earns you credibility.

Be Principled

Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to be yourself-- the principled person you are, standing tall for the values you believe in. Always strive to improve yourself to become better today than you were yesterday, work to serve those around you and the world with the core conviction that is uniquely you.

Be Accountable

To establish credibility, you must be accountable for your decisions and actions. When you make a mistake, own up to it and take steps to correct the error. When you aren't sure, say so.

Be Loyal

Your credibility grows when you are out for the best interests of those around you. It's about serving and protecting others. Loyalty is the sense that is a mutual commitment to success.

Be Honest

Part of establishing credibility is developing a reputation for speaking with candor and honesty. Transparency is the fundamental keystone to business and the core source of credibility.