Being ghosted is incredibly frustrating, no matter where you are in the coaching relationship. Here is what to do when a coaching client ghosts you at various stages of the process.
What To Do When a Coaching Client Ghosts You During the Enquiry
It’s easy to get excited when a potential coaching client enquires about your coaching program. But don’t get ahead of yourself. Not all enquiries will convert to coaching clients. At this stage of the coaching relationship, there may be many reasons why a coaching client ghosts you:
- They saw your email come in and told themselves they would read it later – and forgot.
- They are processing information you gave them and just need time to think
- Their circumstances have changed since getting in touch, and they’re uncertain if they can commit to working with you
- They changed their mind and no longer want to work with you
- They were enquiring for some time in the future, not right now
You have no way of knowing which category your lead falls into so it is best to treat it like they’ve forgotten to get back to you and just follow up.
Keep your follow up email polite and to the point.
Hey NAME,
Hope you’re well.
I’m excited to learn more about you. Are you still interested in working with me? Let’s book a discovery call if so.
Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer.
Thanks,
YOUR NAME
Follow up twice before you close out the enquiry.
What To Do When a Coaching Client Ghosts You After You Send the Invoice
The prospective coaching client seemed really interested in working with you. But then you sent the invoice and …. crickets!
Give your coaching clients the benefit of the doubt. They might just be busy. Follow up and see if they are still interested.
Hey NAME,
Hope you’re well.
I sent the invoice to you on DAY but haven’t yet received a response. Are you still interested in working together?
Please let me know if you have any questions. If you’ve changed your mind, no hard feelings, just let me know so I don’t bother you with follow-up emails.
Thanks,
YOUR NAME
Follow up twice before you close out the enquiry.
What To Do When a Coaching Client Ghosts You in the Middle of the Coaching Program
This is perhaps the trickiest time to be ghosted by coaching clients. Delays in booking sessions may result in the coaching program running longer or arguments over unused sessions.
When a coaching client ghosts you in the middle of a coaching program, reach out as soon as possible. Contact them after a day’s delay in booking their next coaching session with something like this.
Hey NAME,
Hope you’re well.
I haven’t heard from you to book your coaching session next week and wanted to check to see if everything was okay. Please let me know if the times don’t work for you or if there is anything going on in your personal life that may mean you can’t yet commit to a time for your next session.
Thanks,
YOUR NAME
If you still don’t hear from them, follow up with a call in the next few days. Hopefully, life has just gotten in the way, and your reminder jogs their memory.
After extended period of no contact from your coaching client, you may need to take a firmer stance.
Decide how many missed sessions would lead to you firing your coaching client (this needs to be clear in your agreement document/contract). For example, some coaches may decide that if the client has been no contact for three sessions (without extenuating circumstances) that the coaching relationship will end. If the client has notified you of issues in their personal life, then use your discretion to decide how to handle that. Put your decision or leniencies in writing to protect yourself and your coaching client.
Email that coaching client to terminate the coaching relationship rather than just ghosting them back. Here’s an example of what to write:
Hey NAME,
Hope you’re well.
I haven’t heard from you since DATE. Is everything okay?
You have missed three coaching sessions. As per the agreement you signed when we started working together (attached), three missed sessions in a row terminates our coaching relationship. [Insert information about your refund policy, even if you just explain that they will not be able to claim a refund.]
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
All the best,
YOUR NAME
What To Do When a Coaching Client Ghosts You When You Ask for a Testimonial
Not everyone likes to give testimonials when you finish working together. If your client ghosts you after you asked for feedback or a testimonial, follow up with them. Some of your coaching clients may not have seen your email or forgot to fill it out. If they still haven’t responded after 1 follow-up, then leave it.
If you are consistently ghosted when you ask for a testimonial, consider doing an offboarding call rather than an email. You can conduct your offboarding and ask for feedback in a 30-minute call.