What Is the Difference Between Group Coaching and a Mastermind?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between group coaching programs and masterminds? I've been in the entrepreneurial world for a while, and these are terms that have been popping up in that space for years. Lately I've seen more and more photographers offering masterminds and group coaching programs, and so I thought it would be helpful for you to know what those things are and how they are different. If you are looking to reach the next level in your business, knowing the difference may be helpful.
Full disclosure, I run a group coaching program called the Six-Figure Studio. I've also participated in a number of high-end group coaching programs and in some very high-end masterminds. Both experiences have been amazing for me and for my business, but they are not for everyone and are very different.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Differences Explained
The biggest difference between a traditional group coaching program and a traditional mastermind is the curriculum.
Group coaching programs almost always have a set curriculum. When you join a group coaching program, you are joining to learn a particular skillset. In the case of the Six-Figure Studio, we have a set branding, marketing and photography business curriculum that has been tested and proven to get results, and everyone who joins the program works through that curriculum. Then we all hop on a Zoom together twice a month and talk about where people are at in the program, where they feel stuck, we answer questions and we help people problem solve as they work through the material.
This is where group coaching really shines, because unlike an online course, you have the opportunity to get one-on-one support when you feel stuck. This also keeps you accountable, because there is nothing worse than signing up for a program and not finishing it.
I am a certified teacher and know that students learn better when they are taught by their teacher and then supported through the material by their fellow students. That's the model we use inside the Six-Figure Studio. The group aspect of everyone working through the same material and speaking the same language really helps our students get better results.
On the other hand, traditional masterminds don't have a set curriculum. A mastermind is a group of people who come together to support each other, but what they work on tends to be fluid and based on the immediate needs of the of the people in the group. In a mastermind, what you are working on is always changing.
Both models have their pros and cons. I found that group coaching programs are a great first step, and they also tend to be more affordable.
If you are looking to learn and master the business side of your photography business this year, I'd love to invite you to check out the Six-Figure Studio. It is a six-month group coaching program that walks you step-by-step through how to build an instantly recognizable photography brand, how to effectively market that brand without having to pay for ads and how to set up a system within your business so that you are always working smarter not harder.
The great thing about this program is that it's tested and proven to work. We've had over 200 photographers from around the world go through the program—family photographers, newborn photographers, branding and sports and food photographers—and have seen just some amazing results! We've had students double their income, hitting six figures and beyond, ranking on the first page of Google, booking out their calendar, etc.
If you'd like to see what we teach in the program, I'd love to invite you to watch my free training, "3 Marketing Mistakes Every Photographer Needs to Avoid". In the training, I share some common marketing mistakes photographers make and how to avoid them, but I'll also share the exact framework that I teach inside of the Six-Figure Studio that gets our students incredible results.
