How To Host A Retreat In Your Coaching Business
Ever wondered how to create a retreat that’s not only enjoyable, but also drives real results for your clients AND your business? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my retreat planning process, sharing the strategies I’ve used to host 12 successful retreats. Plus, I’ll give you a sneak peek into my upcoming retreat, Project Attraction, designed specifically for coaches looking to master client attraction.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t build your entire business model around retreats. Instead, view them as the cherry on top of your existing offers.
- Make sure your retreat aligns with the needs and desires of the clients you already serve.
- Consider your own schedule and preferences, as well as the availability of vendors and amenities.
- Factor in all expenses, from lodging and food to marketing and surprises.
- Don’t overload your itinerary. Leave space for downtime, personal reflection, and fun activities.
- Help your clients leave with tangible outcomes they can apply to their businesses.
- Delegate tasks like food preparation and logistics to free up your energy for coaching and connection.
- Use the energy of the retreat to gather valuable feedback from your attendees.
The magic of coaching retreats is their ability to spark deep personal and professional shifts. As I always say, “a retreat container is unlike anything else that happens inside of business.” It’s not uncommon for people to arrive with business goals in mind, only to leave with life-changing personal breakthroughs.
I’ll never forget my first retreat experience—it solidified for me that the intertwining of personal and professional development is where real transformation happens. In that moment, I realized, “this whole business thing isn’t going to shift if I don’t really shift as a woman.”
The Power of Immersion
My retreat methodologies reflect my belief in the power of immersion. From leading sweaty morning workouts to jumping into the lake on a whim, I’ve seen firsthand how these shared experiences foster growth and connection. It’s about more than just the structured content; it’s about the spontaneous moments that create lasting memories and inspire change. This approach requires us as coaches to be flexible and attuned to the needs of our attendees, creating a space where they feel safe to be vulnerable and connect with others.
Planning Your Own Retreat: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Budgeting and Logistics
Let’s talk about the practical side of hosting a retreat. Start by defining your target audience and aligning your retreat objectives accordingly. Next, create “a clear budget proactively around [your] best guesses of what [you] might include” to avoid financial surprises. This means factoring in all potential expenses—from the venue and catering to marketing and those special surprise elements—to ensure your retreat is both financially viable and delivers the high-quality experience you promise.
- Crafting a Curated Itinerary
When it comes to content planning, my philosophy is to create a retreat that feels less like a random collection of activities and more like a “curated experience.” As I like to say, “everything I do is reverse-engineered.” This means taking a detailed, top-down approach to programming, ensuring that each segment aligns with the overarching goal of transformation.
The Ripple Effect of Retreats
- Client Retention and Business Growth
Retreats are a powerful way to deepen connections with your clients—connections that often lead to increased retention and referrals. As you “build the expertise that you have,” you create an environment where clients feel so inspired and supported that they become your biggest advocates. Retreats can also open doors to new business opportunities, allowing you to introduce or expand your offerings, ultimately growing your revenue streams.
- Maintaining Momentum Post-Retreat
The post-retreat phase is just as important as the retreat itself. Remember, the idyllic setting can create a powerful transformative experience, but as coaches, it’s our responsibility to prepare attendees for re-entry into their everyday lives with actionable plans. It’s about the lasting impact, not just the retreat high. This includes thoughtful follow-up offers and ongoing support to ensure the momentum continues long after the retreat ends.
Retreats are an incredibly powerful tool in a coach’s toolkit. When designed with intention and executed with passion, they can transcend mere business add-ons and become defining experiences that shape both the coach and the client. I’ve shared my blueprint for creating immersive, personalized retreats that foster growth, offering insights into both their practical development and their potential for lasting impact on your coaching practice. By integrating these insights, you can design retreats that not only resonate in the moment but also echo into the future, strengthening the bond between coach and client and fulfilling your mission of catalyzing change.
Special Invitation:
Join me for Project Attraction, my upcoming retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona, from September 23rd to 26th. It’s almost full, so don’t miss out! Head over to https://amanda-walker.com/retreat/ to snag one of the last spots.
If you’re considering hosting your own retreat or have questions about Project Attraction, send me a DM or visit my website. Let’s create a transformative experience together!
Remember: Don’t let fear or objections hold you back. Saying yes to this experience could be the catalyst for incredible growth in your business and personal life.
