A terrific combination of comprehensive business planning, sales and marketing frameworks; practical action steps and real data to back up the advice. The book guides you through all the key steps required to succeed in this challenging professional services business.

Everyone starting an executive or life coaching practice should grab this book and read -- and reread -- each one of the book's 356 pages.

I originally purchased and previewed this book for a client who is getting started in coaching. To my delight I discovered a host of tips on building a successful business and internet marketing. Authors Fairley and Stout are clear, specific and share a wealth of information for both new and experienced life and executive coaches. As a social psychologist and the author of "The Mighty Power of Your Beliefs" (Dream, Believe, Prosper), their ideas represent solid recommendations void of hype, fluff and ambiguous terms. I highly recommend this book.

Note that this is NOT a book about how to coach. This is a great resource for someone who is looking for a well structured set of tips on how to establish a new coaching practice. It is also a great reference for experienced coaches to dip into. The networking and marketing sections are particularly useful. Experienced coaches will likely find some new ideas, but may get more value by being reminded of techniques that already knew about but have just forgotten to implement...

The book follows a logical progression for a new coach.

- What type of coaching you should focus on and why (business vs personal coaching)
- Which markets to target
- Planning - financial & marketing
- Networking - first impressions, relationships & referrals
- Finding your first clients
- Marketing tips & mistakes
- Internet marketing
- Traits & techniques of very successful coaches

There's also a section focusing on individuals from a professionally regulated field, such as psychology or counseling, who are considering transitioning to coaching.

I enjoyed the style of the book, which is quite "checklist" oriented. As someone who makes lists for everything, it very was easy for me to digest. More importantly is that it's a book that I continue to pick up and reference as it's so easy to dip into. Nicely laid out.

I also like the mini-interviews with successful coaches (usually just a page or so) providing tips & perspectives from growing their own businesses.

As a nuts and bolts description of how to operate & grow a coaching business, you can't go wrong with this book. Look elsewhere if you need a resource for developing coaching skills & techniques.

This book will be my coaching "Bible!" It is well-written and full of invaluable guidance for launching and sustaining a profitable coaching practice.

Out of 346 pages, just barely 7 full pages pertain to personal coaching! Hence, my claim to a misleading title. However, if you are looking into being a business coach, look no further than this book.