What is Email coaching, and does it work?
You may have heard of email coaching and wondered what it entails, how it actually works, and indeed if it even works at all.
So what is email coaching? Well, somewhat unsurprisingly, email coaching is coaching delivered through the medium of email!
Joking aside, email coaching is a format that certainly has its place and can be a great solution for some people and in certain circumstances. It’s not for everyone, nor for every situation, but if managed well it can provide huge value for those receiving it.
In this article we will describe the benefits and drawbacks of email coaching. We also introduce some of the different ways that email coaching can be provided. Each of these methods has their own nuanced benefits and drawbacks. However, there are some general pros and cons of email coaching, as follows:
What are the benefits of email coaching?
Get the support you need, when you need it. There is no need to wait until the next session, or to feel on the spot in the way you might do in a live session.
Time to reflect. Some people express themselves better in writing. With email coaching the client can take their time to craft their thoughts and read over the responses.
A record of the conversations. Clients have a written version of the conversations that they can refer back to in their own time, as needed.
Less hassle. Email coaching is delivered on the clients terms. No need to arrange and prepare for 2 hour zoom calls or live sessions.
More affordable. Due to the format, coaches can handle more clients which usually results in a lower price than traditional coaching.
What are the limitations of email coaching?
Rapport is an important ingredient for a successful coaching relationship. This can be lacking with email coaching.
It can be challenging to provide context and/or explain tricky concepts via email
Email coaching can seem more ‘transactional’ and focused on solving problems rather than looking holistically at how to make significant, lasting change.
At Quiet Leaders Academy, we work to address these limitations by including personalised video messages to bring some personality to the relationship. Videos and voice messages are also used to explain more challenging concepts and provide additional context and tone to the messages.
What are the different methods of email coaching?
As previously mentioned, there are different ways that email coaching can be delivered. For example, at Quiet Leaders Academy, we offer 2 distinct variations of email coaching.
On-demand email coaching
This service provides clients with customised support when they need it. With this option, there are no structured coaching pathways that clients walk through as they would in a regular coaching program. Instead, they simply have a coach available to them at all times to help them navigate whatever they happen to be dealing with at the time.
A client may need some support to prepare for a presentation that is coming up, or to handle a difficult conversation with an employee. They may be feeling a bit stuck, overwhelmed or at a crossroads and need the appropriate support to get them back on track. With the on-demand service, they would simply send a message to their coach who would provide on the spot coaching to address the situation at-hand.
It is important that clear terms are agreed up-front. A timeframe for responding to emails is essential. Also, some coaching providers place a limit on the number of emails a client can send each month. For example, at Quiet Leaders Academy we will respond to client emails as soon as we can, but certainly within 24 hours. We place no limits on the number of emails a client can send.
This coaching is particularly valued by busy professionals who need fast support in the moment rather than embarking on a deeper coaching journey. Clients appreciate that they can address specific challenges head-on, as they arise, just at the time they need it.
In order to avoid the coaching becoming too focused on solving problems, at Quiet Leaders Academy, we also supplement our on-demand coaching program by suggesting tools that the client can use to address matters at a deeper level.
Bespoke email coaching
This is a full service coaching program, providing the same journey and content as a face-to-face, signature coaching program, only entirely delivered by email.
Clients receive emails, with accompanying video content that takes them through exercises to clarify their vision, aspirations and goals, understand their personality, values and strengths. Behavioural change methods are used throughout to support clients in developing new habits and behaviours to achieve meaningful, lasting change at a deep level.
A turnaround time to complete each exercise is proposed to the client, but ultimately it’s up to them to decide what time frame works best for them. The client completes the exercise, then gets feedback, guidance and support to help solidify the findings and actions arising from the exercise. Email support is continuously on hand for any questions / clarifications.
At Quiet Leaders Academy, this personal, 1:1 coaching partnership is supplemented by the on-demand service so that the client also has access to support as and when they need it.
What Type Of Clients Benefit from Email Coaching?
Email coaching is not for everyone. Clearly, someone who works best by talking things through and/or is less comfortable expressing themselves in writing is not going to be a great candidate for email coaching. Neither do we profess that email coaching is a replacement for a face-to-face program.
However, at Quiet Leaders Academy we have seen our clients have tremendous results from email coaching. Many of our clients prefer to process their thoughts at a deeper level, so they benefit from not being on the spot in the sessions, or getting flustered and forgetting to say or ask what they wanted to in the moment. As many of our clients are introverts, they commonly express themselves well in writing and benefit from the process of translating their thoughts into written words.
Email coaching also works well for clients with busy schedules, budget constraints, or who may be anxious, or shy about discussing their issues face-to face.
Email coaching can be an excellent supplement to face-to-face coaching, or as a way of offering continuing support to clients who have already completed a full service coaching program and want to continue their journey at a lower cost.
Conclusion
There are downsides of email coaching, such as lack of rapport, feeling impersonal and challenges in managing nuance and complexity. However these can be somewhat mitigated by the use of technology, such as adding personalised video/voice content and using high quality documentation and tools.
There are also many upsides, such as flexibility, price, convenience in addition to being a great fit for more introverted personality types.
Despite the lower price point, it should not be offered as a cheap option by the coaching provider. The coaching provided should be customised and delivered by a qualified expert.
As with all coaching programs, the client needs to be willing to be coached and ready to put the work in. WIth all of this in place, email coaching can deliver great value for the right client, in the right circumstances, either as a stand-alone or supplementary service.
If you are interested in finding more about the programs available at Quiet Leaders Academy, click here or drop us a note at lead@quietleadersacademy.com