Last updated on June 28, 2021
Jonathan Clery is a life coach in Killarney, Ireland. He helps other coaches launch and grow their business.
You can find him on Instagram (@jonathanclery).
Tell us about your journey as a coach.
We’ve all been there, working a job you don’t really like because it’s “secure.” It was the end of the tourist season here in Killarney and I hated the idea of doing another season. After weeks of thinking-up what else I could pursue, I answered a few questions like “what am I good at?” and “What do I like to do in my spare time?”
After brainstorming I came across coaching and loved the idea of helping people. After dozens of hours of hard work I finally got certified and couldn’t wait to share with the world that I am a certified coach. Friends and family loved it, loads of support but… no clients. Great.
I thought once I got certified it was a given? Guess not. After months of working 10-12 hour days trying to get clients I finally signed my first client, but not for long. I had no idea how to attract ideal clients or how to retain them. I then went down the loophole of “automation.” Great, I thought, I’ll sell an e-book, have fancy email marketing, build a website and write a few blogs, run some ads and I’ll have loads of clients in no time. Then… no clients.
Eventually after months of this I hired a business coach and he showed me what to do week in week out. Finally I was starting to turn my passion into profit and work with amazing people. Phew! What a relief, after signing a few clients I noticed coaches asking me how did I do it?
So, I put together a program, asked myself “What did I NEED starting out?” Now, I’m helping coaches from around the world sign consistent clients, and I’m working full-time as a coach.
What are some coaching programs or certifications you’ve taken part in?
- Achology, Kain Ramsey was a great teacher for Life Coaching.
- HIC (Zander Fryer) was an incredible Business Coach.
- TIR (Proctor Gallagher Institute) Mindset training was very beneficial.
What are some of your favorite mantras, thoughts, or journal prompts?
- 3 small things to be grateful for today.
- When decision-making: “Does this get me closer to my goal?”
- “Those who work all day have no time to make money” – Rockefeller.
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in recent memory?
A white board – allowing me to brainstorm new product & service ideas.
What advice would you give to a new coach trying to get her first few clients?
ASK MORE! If I was to ask them “Let’s say you have 500 followers, how many of them could tell me exactly what you do?” Don’t think you’re going to hit to “funnel lotto” ads and funnels are complex, instead, build proper relationships and ask for referrals.
When you feel stressed or overwhelmed, what do you do?
Don’t feel bad and tell myself this is normal. FEEL my feelings. Always connect with my why and remember that there are coaches out there who really need my help.
How has a failure (or apparent failure) set you up for later success?
Automating early on. I spent thousands on ads and trying to do email marketing/e-books. I thought it was a failure but it just allowed me to understand what actually works in coaching.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Working from the inside out rather than the outside in. I found once I started to do the internal work everything in life seems more simple, I’m more aligned as to what matters and I get less stressed. Developing your internal self-image is vital.
What would you put on a billboard, getting a message out to millions or billions?
“Those who work all day have no time to make money.”
People get so caught up in the doing, work on your business instead of in it and understand there’s more to life than money.
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