Yay for Business with Courtney Chaal

How Offering 100 Free Coaching Calls Changed My Business Forever

Episode Summary

Hi friends! In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story from October 2022—when I offered 100 free coaching calls—and how it completely transformed my business. I’ll take you behind the scenes to explain why I did it, what worked (and what didn’t), and how this bold experiment reshaped how I teach service providers to attract clients.

Episode Notes

If you’re feeling stuck in your business, wondering how to create traction, or tired of waiting for clients to knock on your door, this episode is for you. I’ll show you how to position a free mini service that delivers incredible value while leading to paid clients, and why this strategy is a game-changer in today’s crowded market.

Plus, I’m inviting you to join my Free Mini Service Challenge happening December 2–6, where I’ll walk you through creating your own free mini service to set yourself up for a booked-out 2025!

Here’s What I Talk About in This Episode:

Join Me in the Free Mini Service Challenge (December 2–6):
If you want to take action and start booking clients in 2025, this free challenge is for you! I’ll guide you step-by-step through creating and marketing a free mini service that attracts your dream clients.

What You’ll Get in the Challenge:

Sign up here: http://courtneychaal.com/free-mini-service-challenge-reg 

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Connect with Me:

Quote of the Episode:
"Offering 100 free calls wasn’t about working for free—it was a marketing strategy. And that strategy resulted in over $50,000 in sales. This is the power of leading with value and building relationships."

 

Episode Transcription

How Offering 100 Free Coaching Calls Changed My Business Forever

When I started my business journey, I never imagined offering 100 free coaching calls in a single month. Yet, in October 2022, that’s exactly what I did. It was one of the most transformative experiences of my career, not only for what it taught me about my audience but for how it completely reshaped the strategies I teach service providers to attract and book clients.

In this post, I’ll share:

If you’re tired of waiting for clients to knock on your door and wondering how to build momentum in your business, keep reading. This strategy might just be the game-changer you’ve been searching for.

Setting the Scene: October 2022

Two years ago, I was coming back to my business full force after having my daughter. In October, she had just started full-time daycare, and I finally had the time and energy to dive back into work. But coming back wasn’t as seamless as I’d planned.

Even though I’d prepped for maternity leave and kept my business running smoothly while I was away, I hadn’t accounted for how different I would feel when I returned. I needed to rebuild momentum in my business. I wanted to do something big, bold, and exciting to kickstart growth.

At the time, my main offer was my $10,000 coaching program, Yay for 100K. It was designed for established service providers who already had clients and wanted to scale their businesses. But I kept hearing the same thing from potential clients:

"I just need to book a few clients first, and then I’ll join."

This feedback gave me a hypothesis: there was a gap in my offerings. Many potential clients weren’t ready for Yay for 100K but needed help getting to the point where they could confidently enroll. I realized I needed to create something smaller—a stepping stone program to help people consistently book clients before joining my high-ticket offer.

But before I created anything, I needed to test my theory. That’s where the 100 free coaching calls came in.

The First Attempt (And Why It Flopped)

Initially, I thought offering free calls would be an easy win. I sent out an email saying, “Hey, want a free consult? Let’s talk about launching your course, booking clients, or whatever you need.”

To my surprise, no one booked. Zero. Nada.

It was humbling, to say the least. If you’ve ever offered something free and been met with crickets, you’re not alone. At first, I thought maybe my audience didn’t value free calls. But then I realized the real problem:

When I reflected on it, I realized I needed to treat these free calls the same way I would a paid service. People needed to know exactly what they were getting and why it was worth their time.

The Pivot: The 100K Roadmap Calls

After brainstorming with my team, I decided to reframe the offer. Instead of vague “free coaching calls,” I created 100K Roadmap Calls. These were specific, actionable sessions designed to help service providers map out their path to earning $100,000 in their business.

Here’s what I did differently:

Positioned the Calls as High-Value: I treated these free calls as if they were worth $500 each. My messaging emphasized the value participants would receive.

Created a Sales Page: I built a clear, compelling sales page that explained exactly what the calls were and who they were for.

Marketed Daily: I talked about the calls every day on Instagram and in emails. I kept the energy high and gamified the process by tracking sign-ups and celebrating every new booking.

Prepped Participants: I required everyone who booked a call to watch my free training on reverse-engineering a six-figure business. This ensured they were ready to dive straight into actionable coaching during the call.

The Results

This new approach worked. The calls started booking quickly, and by the end of the promotion, I had hosted around 50 calls (not the full 100, but enough to validate my idea).

During these calls, a few key things happened:

These conversations validated my hypothesis: there was a need for a program that helped service providers consistently book clients. This feedback became the foundation for Yay for Clients, my signature course designed to help service providers reach $50K-$100K in revenue.

Why Free (or Paid) Mini Services Work

Offering a free or paid mini service isn’t about working for free—it’s about strategic marketing. Here’s why this approach is so powerful:

  1. Builds Trust: High-value, personalized interactions create trust faster than any ad or social media post.
  2. Validates Your Offer: These sessions help you test and refine your ideas based on real client feedback.
  3. Generates Leads: Participants who benefit from your mini service often become paying clients.

My Best Tips for Offering a Free Mini Service

If you want to try this strategy, here’s how to set yourself up for success:

  1. Make It Specific: Clearly define the purpose and outcome of the service.
  2. Market It Like a Paid Offer: Position it as valuable, even if it’s free.
  3. Pre-Qualify Participants: Require them to complete a short action (like watching a training) before participating.
  4. Celebrate Wins: Track and celebrate each booking to stay motivated.
  5. Listen and Learn: Use the experience to gather insights about your audience’s needs and desires.

Want to Try This for Yourself?

Join me for the Free Mini Service Challenge happening December 2–6! Over five days, I’ll walk you through creating, marketing, and delivering a free mini service that attracts your ideal clients.

You’ll get:

Sign up here!

Offering 100 free coaching calls transformed my business in ways I couldn’t have imagined. If you’re feeling stuck, I hope this inspires you to take bold, strategic action to attract the clients you deserve.

Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!