How to coach as a shy introvert (and love it)
I've discovered a way to help people that doesn't burn me out.
Doing 1:1 coaching is one of those things I’ve always felt drawn to, but have also been terrified by. I’m a shy introvert. I have social anxiety. I get nauseous a full day before a scheduled call.
And so even though I have successfully coached people the traditional way in the past, I’ve still made the decision it’s not for me. I couldn’t possibly cope with having my weeks booked full of live calls. I’d be a nervous wreck all the time. I’d get nothing else done. I’d burn out.
But the frustrating part is that I still want to help people one-on-one. I want to connect more deeply with them. I want to apply my knowledge, experience, creativity and attention to help them feel seen, and reach their goals.
I am a huge proponent of productizing your knowledge and expertise: packaging what you’re good at into digital products that are scalable, that let you serve a lot of people without it taking any more of your time. This is the main way I make money today. By doing the job once, and then having it work for me over time. It allows me to - if you’ll excuse the cliché - make money in my sleep.
But there’s a limit to how far I want to take this. I could theoretically create one big course on, for example, how to grow an art business from scratch. And it would probably be a success. But I just don’t know how I could toe the line between being helpful in a concrete way, without resorting to one-size-fits-all advice. I have taken so many courses like that myself, and because of my easily influenced nature, have felt pushed into strategies and tactics that haven’t fit me. And I’ve wasted a lot of time in my business because of it.
We artists (and creatives in general) are such different people, with different personalities and preferences, operating in different markets all over the world, and with different types of offerings requiring different sales and marketing strategies. I refuse to lump all of us together. I don’t believe in easily replicable formulas. I believe in advice that also takes into account the individual’s intuition, strengths, weaknesses, and personality. So that they can grow their business in a way that’s both successful and sustainable long-term.
That’s why I decided to give 1:1 coaching one final go, and this time try it in a format I’ve seen some other coaches and consultants use: voice note coaching.
Instead of scheduling live calls and dealing with tech issues, time zone clashes, pre-call nerves, and webcam-induced self-consciousness, I’m making myself available to my clients via Telegram (my chat app of choice.) Instead of spending a mere hour or so together, we spend a whole day, chatting back and forth, sending voice notes and links and images. We can do other stuff at the same time: work, family, chores. We can reply when it suits us, without stress. And when we’re done, our whole conversation is neatly saved in the chat log for future reference.
I’ve had my first few clients this way now, and I’m thrilled about how easy and pleasurable it was for me. I could show up for them, without nerves. I could give them my very best advice and responses. And we could have that organic back-and-forth that haven’t been possible with my audits. (My other coaching format.)
Voice note coaching works so well for me, for two main reasons:
I get to do research and plan my responses. So, no anxiety about not being able to give good answers “on the fly”. Which means I’m more relaxed. Which means I can be my best self, and have access to more of my brain. Which makes me a better, and happier, coach.
It works with my schedule. I’m not a full-time coach - I do this on the side of my regular art practice, YouTube filming schedule, marketing activities, et.c. This way, I can fit it into my business as a whole, without it being too disruptive.
And so I’m putting this out there for my fellow shy introverts who feel that same pull towards coaching, but are worried it won’t work for their personalities or schedules. There are many ways to show up and serve as a coach. I’m well aware that this particular format won’t work for all of my potential clients, but that’s fine. I can’t be for everyone anyways, and neither can you.
Give this format a try! You can see how I’ve structured my coaching on this page, for inspiration.
And if you want to give this a try with me, I’m currently taking bookings from mid-June and onwards. Would love to be of service to you in whatever you need support in. 🙏🏻
Hi, I'm Louise - a watercolor wildlife artist, YouTuber and creative coach. I paint - mostly birds. I create courses for beginner artists. And I support creative solopreneurs with my digital products and coaching.
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