It’s easy to believe that the fifth, tenth, or even twentieth session is where transformation really takes place.
But what if I told you that the *most important session* is actually the very first one – even if it’s free?
**Why Consultations Are the Cornerstone of Change**
In our coaching franchise programmes, we often hear franchisees undervalue the initial consultation. It’s seen as a formality, a precursor to the “real work.”
But the truth is, if done well, the consultation is where 90% of the work is already done.
**”When you sell someone on hope and belief, you’ve already sold the result.”**
That’s why our training places so much focus on this part of the process. It’s not just about checking boxes. It’s about guiding clients into a powerful emotional state – one that makes transformation inevitable.
Your first job isn’t to fix their problem. It’s to *show them* that the problem is fixable.
**The Healing Begins with Belief**
Years ago, I slipped while abroad and fractured my ankle. I came back to the UK to see a surgeon. The first one was clinical and cold. He told me I’d need surgery, pins, a long recovery, and that my foot would never be the same again.
I didn’t doubt his skill, but his prognosis felt heavy and hopeless. That was not the future I planned for myself.
Luckily, I had private healthcare. I got a second opinion. The next surgeon looked at the same X-rays and said:
“This will heal fast. You’ll be weight-bearing in a week. No surgery. It’s going to be perfect.”
And just like that, I felt strong. Capable. Hopeful.
*Even if I had needed surgery, I would’ve wanted it from the second guy.*
Because he saw me as someone who could heal – and I believed him.
And that’s exactly the kind of influence we want to have in that very first session with our clients.
**You’re Not Solving the Problem – You’re Selling the Possibility**
You don’t need to give them the solution in your consultation.
You need to give them belief.
That’s the seed.
From there, clients are more likely to:
– Return for paid sessions
– Engage deeply with the work
– Trust in their own capacity to change
This is why our coaching franchise doesn’t leave consultations to chance. We give you exact scripts and question structures to follow – not to manipulate, but to inspire.
Because when people leave their first session with you, they shouldn’t feel the issue is solved. They should feel certain it’s solvable.
**The Coaching Franchise Advantage**
We don’t guess our way through consultations. We train for them like they’re the main event – because they *are*.
If you’re part of a coaching franchise like People Building, this is the stuff that sets you apart. It’s not just tools and techniques – it’s the ability to help someone see a different version of their future from the moment they sit down with you.
That’s power. That’s impact. And it all starts with your very first words.
by Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai)
