Are Freelance Coaches Worth the Money?

There's no shortage of coaches popping up online "" from life coaches to business coaches. So it's no surprise that there are coaches targeting freelancers.

Most coaches make grandiose promises about how they can help your freelance business and they charge hundreds of dollars for their services. They promise to help you win clients, manage your time, make more money, and achieve your dream lifestyle.

Are freelance coaches really worth the money, or is coaching a bunch of hype?

Whether you are a brand new freelancer who is going after your first big client or an experienced freelancer who feels stuck and wants to take your business to the next level, hiring a coach may be a good option. But if you're not careful it could also be a huge waste of time and money.

I have worked with several paid mentors and coaches over the years to help me boost my freelance writing business. I've had some great experiences and some so-so experiences. My great coaches were attentive and freely shared resources and advice. On the other hand, I worked with a coach that I didn't really "click" with and it wasn't as beneficial.

Here are some questions to ask before signing up for any coaching program.

1. Is the coach qualified?

These days anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a coach. There are currently no regulations for the coaching industry, so that can leave consumers vulnerable to scams and unqualified coaches.

Before you sign on the dotted line and fork over hundreds of dollars, do some digging to make sure the coach is truly qualified to offer you business advice. Check out their website. If the coach is a veteran freelancer offering a mentoring program, what kind of portfolio do they have?

One of the coaches that I worked with to help me write a book proposal has published many books in her career. Another of my coaches has 100+ magazine writing credits. On the other hand, if a coach doesn't have much to showcase their expertise (e.g. a graphic design coach with a skimpy portfolio) "" run fast!

Many business coaches have completed specialized training. Again, there are no regulations in the industry, but if you're looking for a more official business coach a great place to look is the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF website has a directory of trained coaches. Most of your fellow freelancers who have started their own coaching program will not hold any certification, but that doesn't mean they aren't qualified to help you.

2. Do you ‘click’ with the coach?

I learned my lesson on this one. Just like any other area of life, you won't connect with every coach or mentor out there. It's important to know if the coach will be a good fit for you before you pay.

Pay attention to your email exchanges with a potential coach to get a feel for their personality. Also, arrange to speak to the coach on the phone so that you can hear them interact in real time. A free consultation call of about 20 minutes isn't too much to ask if they are charging hundreds of dollars for their services. If a coach refuses a free consultation or isn't very responsive to emails, move on to another coach. Trust your gut to avoid wasting money.

3. Do you need a cheerleader?

One of the great things about working with a coach is that you have your own personal cheerleader rooting you on every step of the way.

Coaches are also great for accountability. Let's say you hire the coach to help you launch a new product or service for your business and you must check in with your coach each week to report on your progress. That built in accountability may be what you need to stay on track.

Many freelancers succeed in building successful businesses everyday without the help or expense of a coach. But if you could use the added boost of having an experienced freelancer in your corner, it may be money well spent.

What experiences have you had with freelance coaching? Has a coach helped you grow your freelance business?

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by Aaron Patterson.