Written by: Amanda Rose, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Over the years, the online coaching space has become less and less safe for prospective buyers and clients. The coaching industry has ballooned into a MULTI-BILLION dollar industry. Add to all of this that coaching is an unregulated industry, meaning that anyone at anytime decide to can call themselves a coach. Between 2015 - 2019 alone, the number of people in the industry grew by 33%.
More and more frequently, buyers are being scammed, mistreated, and underserved by people masquerading as “coaches”. These people use sleazy marketing tactics that promise grandiose results; they overpromise and under deliver. They manipulate people by dangling their hopes and dreams in front of them and promising them, that if they just hand over their credit card, they’ll get everything they’ve ever wanted. Sadly, this lure is powerful, and an alarming number of people have been scammed under these false pretenses.
Add to all of this those coaches have become a "protected class." It has become taboo to leave a negative or even neutral review for a coach, which in any other industry is acceptable.
Looking at all of these pieces, you can see how we have a perfect storm forming…
Some of the many disgusting things happening behind closed doors:
Clients being abandoned after they pay
Abusive and invalidating behaviours
Not delivering agreed upon services
Abuse
Unethical sales behaviors, such as extortion, negging, and humiliation.
Manipulation
Victimization
Harassed
Coaches not properly vetting clients
Warped marketing tactics that include bold face lies
So-called "gurus" who hate the work but put on the facade to rake in the cash
The following are a few anonymous excerpts from those brave souls who have risen up to share their negative coaching experiences:
“My first bad experience was this time last year, I was pushed into purchasing and wasn’t given a chance to think, told I wasn’t ready to do the work if I wasn’t willing to pay and put it on a credit card. Even though I really wanted to work with this person at that point. Once I got in, I realised it was a lot of toxic masculinity. She wouldn’t allow me to ask questions, it was just do as I say otherwise don’t come to the calls. She then made me feel awful for not signing back up and made out I was never going to be successful that I wouldn’t pay over $900 a month.”
“Being in the metaphysical community, many "healers/teachers" gaslight and manipulate. As a client, I have been told "I have dark energy" or "you have so much healing to do". I've watched a peer tell a client “We can end their marriage so you can get your lover back"; another said, "your father's soul is very unhappy with your choices". This is to seem authoritative and suck dollars, trust, dependence out of people looking for answers. My healing coaches either love-bombed me or hazed me.”
“Six weeks of coaching: 3-4 phone calls a week was the plan. At week 3, he mentioned someone else he was working with that was similar to me. I think it was to motivate me. Which it did. Week 4, half of the 1-hour conversation he talked again about this person plus another and how well they were doing. Nothing about me other than where I was at. No advice, no suggestions...etc. Beginning of week 5 - 20 min call instead of the usual hour. The final 2 weeks I never heard from him. He ghosted me. Ignored my messages/emails. etc.”
“I wasn’t making much money in my business and saw a coach in my industry start making money fast. I had seen she was posting that she wasn’t making any money either. Then within a matter of a few weeks, she was making multiple 5 figures then 6 figures. I decided to message her and asked what changed. Instead of her answering, she had me get in a call with her and I ended up Being sold a 6 session 1:1 coaching for $10,000 with the belief she could help me make $50K within the month."
"After the 3rd session and no money, I started having a bad feeling. After the 4th session, I halted any further interaction for fear of not being able to continue with the payment she was asking about. She also asked me to wire her the remaining balance instead of the stripe payment, like I had made before. I have been coached to shame my prospects for not deciding to spend the same kind of money. I was coached to raise my prices even though I had no coaching clients at that time.”
These are just some of the horrid things happening in the shadows of the coaching industry. The repercussions for clients, who’ve suffered at the hands of their "coaches" who practice these terrible things, range from frustrating to abhorrent:
People spending thousands of dollars for nothing (sometimes these financial burdens lead to massive negative consequences, such as losing one's home or impacting relationships)
Mental and emotional abuse leading to mental health issues
Trauma resulting in a slew of symptoms
People abandoning their dreams and losing hope
Isolation because they feel they can't share their story
It's utterly horrific. We need reform and an overhaul of this industry.
There are truly phenomenal coaches and mentors out there. Prospects deserve to hire not just excellent coaches, but coaches that are the right fit for them as the unique individuals they are.
Where does change begin? It all starts with awareness. We must liberate the voice of those who have been silenced. We must begin sharing out stories.
Red flags to watch out for when you're considering hiring a coach:
Having to sign up within a certain time frame
A vague refund policy
Celebrity/Influencer marketing tactics
Income Bragging
Watch their content and how they speak - Is it the same as their videos/written etc.?
Love bombing
My way or the highway attitude
Constant talk of pain points
Telling you that if you don’t sign you don’t want results
Doesn’t have a formally registered business
No Contract
Hyper-enthusiasm you or your interests
Over focusing on pain points or limitations
Obsession with your ability or skill
Too good to be true promises
Making guarantees (other than a money back guarantee)
Tips on how to pick your dream coach:
1. Get on a call with the coach!
Do NOT sign up with a coach that you haven't been on a phone call with first. How in the world do you know if you're a good fit if you haven't talked? Even the best coaches, who do deliver, may not be your personal best fit; you are unique, and you need a coach who aligns with you & who teaches in a way that helps your learning modality.
Plus: a coach willing to sign anyone who'll pay is a very bad sign!
2. Review their testimonials
What do their clients have to say? Are the traits being praised the things you care about? Do you want a coach who kicks your butt or one who is very compassionate and nurturing? Get some insight.
*If possible, ask previous clients for their honest opinion in private!
3. See if they have repeat clients
Repeat business speaks volumes. When clients come back it means they love the service they are receiving and the coach.
4. Take a course first
Why not invest $20-to-200 before you invest thousands? Hiring a coach is one of the biggest investments that most people make outside of their house and car. Take your time deciding and be sure it’s the right fit for you. See what their training is like before you go all in.
5. Don't get blinded by "Income bragging"
All too common in the online space we will see a coach boast a $10K month or a $100K year, etc. These high-income statements create an emotional response in those who are seeing them, and then these people are totally blind from seeing if that coach us any good for them personally. Add to that, rarely will the person proclaiming these income statements break down for you if they mean sales or cash, net or gross; all of which matter greatly.
Many coaches making huge money are not income bragging because it attracts the wrong client, the "quick fixer". Don't let the cash-flash blind you. Find out if they are really the right fit before you hire them!
*NOTE: celebrating a great month or year is different from using income bragging constantly in sales copy as a marketing tactic!
6. Make sure they have a contract
A good contract protects both the coach and the client and clearly defines expectations for both parties. If the coach bails on you, then you have legal grounds to get your money back.
The No More BS Movement was formed because we need to bring your stories to light. We want to hear if you've had a bad experience. We want to know what's happening behind closed doors.
If you have had a bad experience with a coach, we invite you to share it.
Let's create real change!
Share your coaching stories here.
Amanda Rose, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Amanda Rose is the founder & director of The Infinite Power of You Inc., a multi-published multi-genre author, business, wealth, & mindset coach, actor, motivational speaker, and online course creator. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who has been in the online space since 2013 and a sales expert for over 10 years. It's her passion to help her clients build lives of freedom and joy, and thriving businesses with multiple revenue sources, through strategies combined with mindset mastery. Amanda's mission to shift human consciousness to create soulful abundance through mindset practices.
