Do You Need One-to-One Small Business Coaching or a Group Coaching Program?
When you know you're ready to get some guidance on growing your small business, it’s time to search for a small business coach.
A small business coach is someone that can help a solo entrepreneur or CEO with a small team reach their goals more quickly and effectively with customized solutions and support.
There are different ways to work with a coach that can help you achieve your goals for your small business growth.
First, you have to decide if what you need is a small business coach, a mindset coach, or a life coach.
Once you’ve decided which coach is the right choice for you at the moment, you then have to figure out whether to work with them privately (one-to-one) or in a group coaching program.
What is Group Coaching?
Group coaching programs are generally a group of no more than 30 people (the number varies greatly among small business coaches and programs) who work together for a specified length of time (from 3 months up to a year, depending on the program).
The people in a group coaching program tend to have the same struggles or challenges and the coach works with them simultaneously using their specific group coaching framework.
Some group coaching programs can be tailored for:
people or entrepreneurs in a specific industry
entrepreneurs at the same point in their business
working toward solving similar problems or challenges
achieving similar goals.
What’s the difference between one-to-one coaching and group coaching?
Personally, I have had private coaches and have also been a part of group coaching programs.
As a small business strategist, I have one-to-one clients and have run my own group coaching programs.
With my experience and knowledge I can confidently say that there is no one best answer. Choosing to work one-to-one or in a group setting is an individual decision, but there are benefits and downsides to each.
bENEfITs Of oNE-TO-OnE CoaCHInG
In one-to-one coaching, you work exclusively with your small business coach.
You receive a set number of calls (via Zoom or however you and your coach decide), which lets you plan out the time commitment that you are going to need with them.
The level of personal attention is usually tailored to your exact business, personality and circumstances.
As a small business coach, that’s how I like to work with my clients.
I like to be very customized with each of my private coaching clients and while I have an overall framework and way to help them reach their goals, everything is very much tailored to each individual.
dRAwBACkS OF oNE-tO-OnE cOAcHInG
However on the flip side, one-to-one private business coaching can tend to be a higher cost investment.
While this isn’t true in every situation, it tends to be at a higher price point for small business coaches because of the level of personal and customized attention you receive.
Also, not every small business coach offers one-to-one help. So if you’re really interested in working with a certain coach, make sure to check their services, or reach out to ask if they offer one-to-one support.
And if you’re opting out of the group coaching program experience, you can miss out on what you learn from others in a group setting who are going through the same challenges as you.
Is one-to-one coaching right for you?
One-to-one private coaching is great for people that want very focused attention and advice.
So if you are incredibly busy or easily distracted, then one to one is probably better for you.
If you get overwhelmed by being in a group or aren't looking for new connections, then private coaching is likely a better fit.
And lastly, depending on what is happening in your life or with your business, it can often just feel better to be more vulnerable with one person than with many people.
So if you want to keep your situation private, or would feel more open to share with privacy, then one-to-one coaching is going to be best for you.
BenEFITs OF gROUp CoAChINg PrOGrAMs
In group coaching programs, you go through more of an intentional, group coaching framework to learn important concepts that can be really beneficial to building strong foundations in your business.
Group coaching can be a way of working with a small business coach without having to pay their one-to-one rate.
You may have a favorite small business coach you love to follow, but right now their one-to-one rate is out of your budget.
Investing in their group program (if they have one!) can often be a better fit for you.
Also, making connections with the other members of the group coaching program can be really beneficial in ways that are hard to quantify.
Having the support of your peers and knowing that you aren’t the only one going through your challenges can be encouraging but also necessary on your entrepreneurial journey.
And finally, the newfound friendships that you will often make with members of the group and even being able to leverage each other's audiences and connections to broaden your circles and get new business are benefits that live on past the end of the group program.
dOWNsIDEs OF gROUp CoAChINg
It’s important to note that group programs do not always cost less. There are plenty of 5-figure masterminds out there that show that just because something is a group program does not necessarily mean it’s a low investment price.
Also, some group coaching programs come with one-to-one support available, and others don’t.
For the ones that have some one-to-one support available, it may be limited or you may have to pay additional fees for the private coaching calls.
And other group programs have no private coaching calls whatsoever.
In a group coaching program, there may be more of a time commitment than with private coaching.
This is because in a group setting, the expectation is that you show up to receive support, but you also show up to give support and to connect with the members of the group.
The best way to approach group coaching is to add value for your peers and provide support as well.
Is group coaching right for you?
A group setting is ideal for people who enjoy making connections with entrepreneurs that may be facing a similar challenge or that are in similar places in their business.
If you are searching for a support network of other entrepreneurs and likeminded colleagues, then a group coaching program can provide the ideal environment to meet people that you may not have otherwise met but that share the same values, struggles, and goals.
Lastly, if you’re searching for support and guidance for your small business growth goals but the investment for private coaching is outside of your budget, then group coaching can be an excellent choice for you.
As a small business strategist, I have worked with many small business owners and entrepreneurs from both product- and service-based industries, and with those who are only making $1,000/month to multiple six-figures per year.
If you’re searching for a small business coach and are curious about my private and group coaching programs, book a free, no-obligation call with me.
