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Today, I will teach you how to write a unique value proposition (UVP) for your executive function coaching practice.
A well-crafted UVP will work wonders for your business and lead to:
Attracting the right clients to your business
Helping referral partners refer clients to you
Repelling the wrong clients
By addressing specific client challenges, you differentiate yourself from other coaches who may have a more generic approach.
Additionally, a strong UVP, supported by testimonials, demonstrates your ability to deliver on your promises.
Let's dig in.
Would you prefer to learn via video? Check out this video 👇
What is your unique value proposition?
Your UVP should do accomplish a couple of things:
Describe the transformation a client will experience as a result of working with you
Share your unique approach to bringing about change
In some ways, your UVP is your guarantee to them in exchange for their money. It is often written in some variation of this format:
(Your business name) helps (description of ages or types of clients)
Overcome (describe what your ideal client struggles with)
By teaching them (what do you teach?)
So they (what should they feel different in their lives after working with you?)
What mistakes do EF coaches make when crafting their unique value proposition?
Many novice executive function coaches struggle with creating an effective UVP. Here are three common pitfalls:
Being too broad
A vague UVP fails to attract potential clients because it doesn't clearly communicate who you help and how. An example of this might be:
I help children and adults with executive functioning.
While you might think you are limiting yourself by creating a narrow value proposition, the truth is you are going to attract more people because you've identified a clear customer profile.
Focusing on yourself
Coaches often talk too much about their qualifications and experience rather than addressing the specific challenges faced by their clients.
To be blunt, people don't care about you; they are about what you can do for them. So, focus on how you can help.
Misunderstanding the niche
Some coaches mistakenly believe they must solve all problems or equate executive function coaching with life coaching, which can dilute their message.
It's better to solve one specific problem than to oversell your services and deliver nothing.
A Three Step Guide to Crafting Your UVP
Journal about these questions or download the worksheet to develop a compelling UVP.
1. Identify Your Target Audience
Who do you help?: Be specific about the demographic you serve. For example, "I help high school students struggling with time management and organization."
What challenges do they face?: Understand the specific problems your clients are dealing with, such as missing assignments or poor study habits.
2. Focus on Client Outcomes
What do you help them overcome?: Clearly state the issues you address. For instance, "I help students overcome procrastination and earn better grades."
What do you teach them?: Highlight the skills and strategies you provide, like "I teach effective time management and organizational techniques."
The more narrow you get the better. For example, "I teach students how to email their teachers with confidence using the PING method."
3. Use Client Language
Speak their language: Use the words and phrases your clients use in their feedback, reviews, and testimonials. This helps your UVP resonate more deeply with your audience.
We call this "singing the lyrics" and the idea is that when you use their language, it resonates with them, making them feel understood and supported.
Summary
Your unique value proposition is the cornerstone of your coaching practice. It not only helps you attract the right clients but also builds trust and credibility.
Take the time to craft a UVP that truly reflects your strengths and the unique value you bring to your clients and everything else will be easier. Here are steps you can take today:
Specify who exactly you would like to serve
List out their most pressing challenges
Identify what you will teach them to resolve their dilemmas
Describe how they will feel after working with you
Share you UVP far and wide!
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
P.S. These are skills that executive function coaches work on with their students. If you want to try working on them with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
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