Telephone Coaching Strategies: The Five Minute Window to Make a Successful Connection

The clock is always ticking when it comes to building a new connection.

How fast do you suppose a client will decide if a certain conversation will truly be of use to them? Psychologists believe that an impression is made within just moments of someone making a connection with you. These impressions are tested constantly and they will become stronger every time they are proven accurate. If you’re coaching via the telephone, you have just five minutes or less to make that connection for success.

Your clients need connection and expect it to push them forward with confidence. The most important tools in your tool chest for building that connection and making it stronger are tone of voice and rapport building.

The tone of voice is key

The first part of understanding between you and your client is established not with words but through vocal qualities like cadence, pitch, tone, rhythm and tempo. These are influenced by a larger intention to connect carefully and thoughtfully with the client who is on the other end of the phone line.

Even though you are not able to see any facial expressions, you can notice the subtle differences in someone’s voice which will let you automatically know when to make any adjustments in order to build a stronger rapport with your client. Before the conversation starts, get yourself ready to really connect with the client by staying fully focused the whole time.

Building rapport

While you’re listening to your client start the conversation, take this opportunity build both connection and attention by feeding back the same syntax, jargon, phrases and words which your client is giving you.

If you don’t do this and decide instead to paraphrase what you are hearing, the conversation can shift. If the connection with your client is strong they might accept this shift because of the way you phrased your feedback. If your client does not accept the shift then you will know that the rapport failed and you’ll have to start rebuilding again.

A much safer way is to keep with the client’s own phrases and words. This will show the client that you’re focused and listening to them.

The benefits of a strong connection

When you really connect with your clients you’ll be able to move deeper and faster. The more you understand tone of voice and hearing what is not being said the better your coaching will be.

Don’t lose heart if you feel the connection with your client is lost at any point, just work at rebuilding it. It may have just been a misunderstanding that a few choice questions can clear right up. Just be very aware of your client’s shifts in tone and follow their lead.