Should you aim to be a local or global business coach?
If you’re considering a business coaching franchise, it might not even be a question you can ask. In most cases, business coaching franchisors restrict you to a local market.
They say it’s a benefit. But is it really?
The fact is, in 90% of cases it’s easier to go global than it is to go local because the number of people in your set target market is going to be infinitely bigger and you can leverage technology today in ways you just can’t with a local market.
In the past, I’ve seen coaches with franchised or licensed business coaching systems who slice up their territories into little boxes. The coaches feel like, “Great! I own this area and no one else can come in. It’s all mine!”
Who really benefits from a local restriction?
But think about this logically for a moment. Who really benefits from a local restriction?
Well, obviously the person who sold you the franchise for that little patch of ground benefits from that arrangement. It allows them to slice up an area and sell more franchises and licenses!
You, on the other hand, get no real benefit from limiting yourself geographically.
The person who sold you the franchise for that little patch of ground benefits from that arrangement. It allows them to slice up an area and sell more franchises and licenses! You, on the other hand, get no real benefit from limiting yourself geographically.
I even heard one coach say “I own this area, it keeps competitors out.”
Well, I’ve got bad news for you. It doesn’t keep any competitors out. It restricts other people in the same license or franchise group as you. For everyone else, your patch is wide open.
So should you be a local or global business coach?
Don’t try to be local. National makes sense, especially if you have a live face-to-face component to your program or you run events.
But if you’re a coach with expertise or a message to share, then global is where it’s at.
For me the answer is: local is difficult, national is easy, global is easiest of all.
What else should you consider before buying a business coaching franchise? Explore our FREE due diligence ebook, The Business Coaching Franchise Buyer’s Guide.
