How to Make a First Impression That Sparks Curiosity, Speaks Your Truth, and Attracts Your Dream Clients
You know that moment when someone casually asks, “So… what do you do?”
Whether you’re standing in line at a networking event, replying to a DM on social media, or chatting with a friend of a friend at your daughter’s school fundraiser…
It can be one of the most uncomfortable moments for new and aspiring coaches.
You freeze up. You overthink it. Or you launch into a carefully rehearsed elevator pitch…
And watch the other person’s eyes glaze over.
If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do in a way that feels true to you AND makes people lean in, you’re not alone. Most coaches find it challenging to package the depth of the transformation they can deliver into a single, punchy, engaging sentence.
But there is good news: you don’t need to memorize yet another one-size-fits-all elevator speech to spark people’s interest and naturally draw them in…
You just need to avoid a few common messaging mistakes and learn how to speak from the heart to get your message across, pique people’s curiosity, and start attracting your dream clients.
Let’s break it down.
Why Talking About What You Do Matters (But Not in the Way You Think)
If you’ve ever felt awkward “selling yourself” or dreaded having to pitch what you do, there’s a reason.
You probably think you have to sound like a polished expert with a flawless sales pitch and perfect delivery. Or you fear sounding fake, uptight, or corporate.
And no matter the amount of time you spend crafting your introduction in advance, when you actually say it, it never feels genuine, professional, or compelling enough.
But here’s the truth: Most people aren’t looking for polish. They’re looking for real.
They want to know what you can help them with. They want to hear a story that resonates. They want to feel seen.
Talking about what you do as a transformational life coach isn’t about impressing people.
It’s about painting a credible, appealing picture of what’s possible for them.
It’s about human connection—not performance. And when you approach it that way, everything changes.
So let’s look at the five most common mistakes coaches make when trying to describe their work—and what to do instead.
Mistake #1: Leading with Your Title Instead of Their Transformation
You know the drill. Someone asks what you do, and out comes, like a knee-jerk reaction:
“I’m a certified transformational life coach.”
You’ve worked hard for that title. Of course, you’re proud of it! But let’s be honest—most people don’t really know what that means. And it rarely sparks curiosity.
Why? Because it’s all about you, not them.
Here’s a simple shift: instead of leading with your title, lead with the transformation you help people create.
For example:
“I help women stop people-pleasing and start living a life that actually lights them up.”
Now that’s intriguing. That makes someone say, “Oh, tell me more.”
It’s a subtle but powerful change in your communication skills. You’re making the person you’re talking to the center of the story—and that’s when true connection happens.
Mistake #2: Sounding Like a Walking Resume
Another common trap? Listing all your credentials, modalities, and training the moment someone shows interest.
“I got certified in NLP, energy healing, and I trained with three different coaching institutes…”
And suddenly, it’s like you’re on an elevator ride with a potential employer who never asked for your full resume.
Yes, credentials matter. But people don’t connect to your qualifications. They connect to your story.
So instead of leading with your toolbox, lead with your “why.” Share a piece of your journey.
For instance:
“A few years ago, I looked successful on paper—but inside, I felt empty. Now I help other women in midlife reconnect with their true purpose and design a life they actually love.”
When you share from that place, you don’t have to “sell” anything. Your authenticity does the heavy lifting.
Pro tip: Feel free to use this approach on the “About” section of your website to engage your audience.
Mistake #3: Using Vague Language That Confuses People
This one’s especially common for spiritual coaches.
We say things like:
“I help people align with their highest self and activate their soul’s blueprint for expansion.”
It sounds beautiful to you, and maybe to other coaches.
But to the person standing across from you at a professional networking event or reading your post on social media, it might be completely unclear.
If people don’t understand what you do, they won’t ask questions. They must quickly and effectively grasp the transformation you can provide. Otherwise, they’ll just nod politely and change the subject.
So here’s the reframe: Use clear, grounded, everyday language.
Try this instead:
“I help people who feel stuck or lost figure out what they’re meant to do next—and give them the tools to take action.”
That speaks directly to the heart of your ideal client. It’s simple, relatable, and real.
Mistake #4: Trying to Be Everything to Everyone
Here’s one I see all the time:
“I help anyone who wants to change their life.”
I get it. The coaching techniques and spiritual laws you’ve learned apply to anyone. They just work.
In addition, when you’re new and scrambling for clients, you’re tempted to cast a wider net to get someone (anyone) at your door.
So you use general language, hoping to increase your chances of finally enrolling a client.
You may even tell yourself that it feels inclusive—but it’s actually vague.
When you try to appeal to everyone, no one feels like you’re talking directly to them.
The more specific you are about who you serve and what you help them with, the more magnetic your message becomes. (This is a counter-intuitive marketing secret that many new coaches miss.)
For example:
“I help women in their 40s and 50s who have spent their whole lives taking care of everyone else and now feel like it’s *their* turn to do something meaningful.”
That’s powerful. It resonates. It makes someone say, “Wait… that’s me.”
Don’t be afraid to narrow down. That’s not excluding people—it’s tailoring your pitch to speak to the person who needs you most.
Mistake #5: Overthinking It and Saying Nothing at All
Let’s be real—sometimes the biggest mistake isn’t what we say…
It’s that we don’t say anything.
You get asked what you do, and you feel your confidence dropping while you fumble for words. You get invited to introduce yourself at a workshop, and your heart races. You want to post on social media, but you stare at the blank screen and freeze.
Why? Because you’re afraid of getting it wrong. You don’t want to sound salesy, rehearsed, awkward, or like you’re delivering an elevator pitch.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need to get it “perfect.” You just need to speak from the heart.
Prepare a few simple, authentic ways to share what you do—without pressure.
Try something like:
“I help people who feel like there’s something more they’re meant to be doing—but they don’t know where to start.”
That one sentence can open the door to a powerful conversation—and potential client connection.
(If you’d love to learn confidence-building exercises for coaches, click here.)
What to Say Instead: A Simpler, More Authentic Way to Share What You Do
Here’s a framework I love that I encourage you to experiment with. It’s not stiff. It’s not complicated. And it works in real-life conversations, DM chats, or social media bios.
It’s this formula:
“I help [who you help] overcome [the challenge they’re facing] so they can [the outcome or transformation they want].”
Here are a few examples:
“I help women in midlife stop playing small and finally go after the dream they’ve been sitting on for years.”
“I help sensitive, spiritual people build confidence and clarity so they can launch their own business.”
Play with it. Make it your own. You don’t have to memorize it word for word—just let it guide the way you talk about your work.
The goal isn’t to come up with perfect elevator pitches that would impress people at a hiring manager’s dinner party.
It’s to share your truth in a way that clicks with the right people.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect—Just Real
If you’ve been putting pressure on yourself to “say the right thing,” I want you to take a breath right now.
Let it go.
The market is NOT too saturated for your voice. You DO have what it takes to make this your full-time vocation. And you don’t have to wait until your message is flawless to start showing up.
What matters most is connection. Clarity. Truth.
When you speak from a place of service and share the transformation you’re here to offer—people will listen. They will feel it. And the right ones will lean in and say, “How can I work with you?”
Ready to Find the Words That Attract Your Dream Clients?
If you’re ready to finally get clear on your message, stand out in your space, and attract aligned clients with confidence, I’d love to invite you to our upcoming challenge:
Join the “Master Your Message Challenge” here
This is an event tailored to coaches’ needs, where you’ll learn how to:
- Clarify your unique voice and story
- Speak directly to your ideal client’s heart
- Create a content strategy that builds momentum
- Attract leads consistently—without sounding like a sales pitch
Whether you’re just getting started or trying to build real traction in your coaching business, the Master Your Message Challenge will give you the tools, structure, and inspiration to move forward—quickly and effectively.
This is your chance to stop second-guessing yourself and start showing up with confidence and purpose—on social media, in conversations, and everywhere in between.
Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your place early. I’ll be guiding you personally, and I can’t wait to help you unlock the message that sets you apart and draws your dream clients in.
Because you don’t need another elevator pitch.
You just need your voice. The real one.
Let’s bring it out—together.
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