You can bring a horse to water...But can you make it drink?

Every time I see someone post about a legal issue or mistake that was 100% preventable, my heart sinks. It’s my job and mission to spread the legal love but I can only do so much, you know the saying “you can bring a horse to water...but you can’t make it drink.” 

So riddle me this: If your client’s success requires them to actually be coachable or take certain actions to get the desired result … what do you do when you are giving them what they need to breakthrough to the next level but steadfastly they resist the coaching? (Have you ever had a quickly passing fantasy about pinning down one of those horses which refuse to drink and introducing them to a firehose!! :)) #ihearyou

I can show you the way and give you everything you need to protect yourself, your business and your family from avoidable consequences, but YOU still have to take the steps to implement it.  Hello, you can relate right⁉️

So here is a coaching tip that I got a long time ago (about something I was resisting - “paying others for expertise” - web designer, accountant, etc.) that I now pass on to you today … the exact reasons you are resisting (legal) are the same exact reasons you need to have it in your business now.

So step up and get those bulletproof contracts and legal protections that are required fully integrated into your business … if they are not already there. You don’t need to get them from DL, but you do need to get them.

No doubt that legal is an investment. Especially if you are newer in your business.  But legal is a foundational investment that allows you to AVOID these mistakes that can cost you time and A HECK OF A LOT OF money (I have seen ALL of these happen in the last two weeks): 

1. Have to rebrand your mastermind or group program in the MIDDLE of your launch because of a trademark issue 
2. Lose a pay-in-full sale because an unhappy client asks for a refund and there was no contract in place 
3. See YOUR online course show up on a bogus site with somebody else selling it 
4. Have a client share their membership site details with two of their friends 

Not good right?!  I want you to think about how you cannot afford NOT to get legally protected in your business. Whether you are starting out in your business or even if you’ve been in business for a while and have never gotten things legit you’re not really thinking about the legal protection you probably don’t have.  But this is a dangerous place to be!   

So some things to keep in mind...

“Contracts are not going to change your relationship with money…

BUT they will give you the power to keep the money you have” - The Dalai Lama 

(#disclaimer - actually I said that)

We all have things to work on in terms of money mindset, if you are like me, this is a CONSTANT.  Whether it’s raising prices, upleveling in my business, or overcoming a dip in sales, doing the inner work is something that must be done.

Worrying about refunds and losing sales is something that can definitely mess with your head, but it doesn’t have to.  By having contracts in place to PROTECT that money, you can keep expanding your mindset, make more money, and seriously step into abundance.  

Having a client contract isn’t going to get your schedule fully booked…

BUT it will ensure the clients you DO book respect the integrity of the relationship you have with them. 

Contracts are about more than just making sure you keep your cash. Yes, that's a big and important part. But they are also about creating boundaries, setting expectations around communication and setting both you and your client up for success. They outline when you are available to respond to messages, how much time they need to give you to cancel a call (and what happens if they don’t) and guide you on what to do if something goes wrong. 

Having your legal foundations won’t solve all of your problems and turn you into an overnight success, but THEY WILL protect you and make building your business way easier and less stressful.  

Not sure exactly what you need? OR Not sure you have all your bases covered? OR  Don’t know where to start? I’ve put together a ton of bingeable Guideposts, Articles, Podcasts and resources over at Legal-U. If you still need help, that’s what we’re here for - Drop Me a Line and let’s connect.

Sarah Kornblet Waldbuesser, Esq.
Attorney for Coaches & Online Business Owners

After several years at a law firm and a few career jumps, she ended up falling in love with online business and loves helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams in a smart and protected way. She is also an adventurer, traveler, and food and wine lover. When not at her computer, she loves hanging with her family, having wine with friends, flying around the globe and connecting with other online business owners.