3 Tips For Handling Rejection Professionally

Have you been in this scenario: your website got a professional makeover, your products and services are spiffed up and ready to sell, and you open your coaching doors waiting for that first client to find you. You’ll have some sales, some inquiries about coaching, and some sign ups to your email list, but then you’ll get feedback from people who don’t take that next step to hire you as a coach or the sales of your products will slow down to a trickle. You’ll get myriad reasons why prospects don’t sign on but it’s hard not to take that rejection personally.

Remember that they are not rejecting YOU personally; they are simply not ready right now to hire a coach (or by your eBook, or join your group coaching). How you handle this rejection will foretell how your business will grow over the years and can also help you with your marketing strategy. Here’s how you can turn the negative to something positive.

1. Thank your prospects for their feedback.

Many people shy away from giving negative feedback but it can only help you in the long run. Don’t be afraid to ask that question because how can you improve if you don’t know why you received that rejection? This is not the time to blacklist them on social media; quite the opposite. Continue following them, respond to their posts and comments, and show them and the world that you are available when they change their mind about coaching.

2. Offer a lower-priced coaching option.

If a prospect can’t afford your 1:1 coaching, suggest a group program, your eBook, or a home study course. You should have a library of products at varying price points so you can attract a wide array of clients, no matter what their economic level. If you don’t have a library yet, encourage them to opt-in to your email list so you can stay in contact and let them know when you have new products added. Remember that while they can be interested with what you offer, they are also thinking of ways on how to save money while also investing on things like this. Coaching businesses can offer quite expensive services so you have to have other low cost options as well to target different kinds of audiences.

3. Be consistent in your marketing efforts.

Don’t throw in the towel simply because your sales have slowed down. Do the opposite: find new ways to reach your target market. Be proactive with making offers to your email list. Post more frequently on social media to increase your visibility. Take advantage of real life networking events to meet local business owners. It’s tough to build a business from the shadows so make a determined effort to come into the spotlight and toot your own horn.

Most importantly, have a follow up plan with anyone who has turned down your coaching. Maybe the timing isn’t right. Maybe they need to grow their own business before hiring you. Maybe they need to handle some family expenses first before focusing on their business. You just never know when the timing will become right, so always find a way to follow up or stay in touch.

Also, ask for referrals. The timing may not be right for Prospect 1 but maybe they know someone in their circle who would be your ideal client. It bears asking because you never know when a personal introduction can lead to your ideal client.

Are Your Prices Turning People Away From Your Programs?

If you’re concerned that your prices don’t reflect the value of your offerings, it’s time to re-evaluate and accurately calculate your pricing structure. That’s the topic of my next class, “How to Get Paid What You’re Worth,” which is a 4-part live stream class which you can complete in the privacy of your own home, as your schedule allows. Each lesson has its own workbook with checklists so you can take serious action and match your pricing to your offerings.