-
What do you need from a coach? Are you
strictly looking for help with the sound of your voice – or do you also
need help with delivery, confidence, writing packages, teleprompter,
etc? Not all coaches focus on the same thing, so be clear what you want
from one first.
-
What are your goals? Do you want only
want to focus on sounding better… or do you need help with delivery
also? How will you know you’ve achieved your aim… new job? Next market?
News director will stop plugging his ears when you talk? It’s a good
idea to have some idea of how to gauge your ultimate success… hopefully
your coach will give you even more!
-
Do you have a friend/agent/news
director… or someone you trust who can give a good recommendation?
Naturally, beginning your search with the known is always easier; and
some kind of endorsement from a trusted source is generally a good
thing.
-
What is this coach’s experience?
Ideally, you find a voice coach who also has broadcast chops. Singing
coaches often say that they do broadcast voice coaching – and sometimes
they can be fabulous. While it’s true that a voice is a voice… it’s when
the time comes to apply the voice work to your venue that you’ll want to
be sure this individual has successful experience with broadcasters. Do
they have a track record? Who have they worked with… you want to know
that their background will help you get to your next step.
-
What does this coach specialize in?
Voice only? Writing? Delivery only? Usually a competent coach knows
where their specialty lies… mine is in the performance realm, which
includes voice, vocal and on-camera delivery, confidence and the like.
Others come from a hardcore journalism background – and can give
invaluable help with writing, package assembly and most delivery
aspects… but not specifically the voice (they can tell you that your
voice sounds too young, but can’t tell you how to fix it.). Knowing what
you want – and what a coach can give you is crucial to a successful
relationship.
-
When you first talk to a coach on the
phone… do you feel that they really listen and hear your concerns? Or do
you feel that they would say the same thing to anyone who called? You
want to know that this person can respond to your specific needs and
create training that will apply to you.
-
Do they offer customized training –
and are they flexible – or do they only offer a standard cookie cutter
program? If you’re looking for individual coaching, you want to know
that time and money you spend is for training that applies to your
particular concerns.
-
Can they explain themselves and their
process clearly? If, after speaking with a potential coach, you still
aren’t exactly clear about their methods and how they work – or it just
doesn’t make sense to you, then they probably aren’t for you.
-
Are you encouraged to spend lots of
money right off the bat – or told that you can’t expect results without
lots and lots of coaching? Most good coaches can give you worthwhile
help and information in 1 session. I don’t mean it’s the sort of thing
where they can fix everything – but where you can walk away with 2 or 3
good tips that you can put into practice right away and see some
improvement.
-
How do you feel when talking to this
coach? Do you feel heard, valued, like your intelligence is being
acknowledged? If you run into someone who uses subtle put-downs or fear
tactics to get your business… run!
-
By the end of your conversation – do
you have a sense of what you could expect from them? Both in terms of
their technique and their approach to you? And… do you feel like you
could learn from them? While it’s not a popularity contest, it’s
important that you feel some kind of connection or bond to your coach.
It’s a personal journey you’re about to embark upon. You need to feel
comfortable with this individual – and like you can trust them to handle
you effectively.
-
For more information on this and related topics,
please visit the articles database at MoFo Mountain Productions.
