You’ve done it—you’ve completed your life coach certification and are ready to start your own coaching business! This is an exciting next step, but it can also feel daunting, especially if you are uncertain where to begin.
The good news is that with careful planning and execution, you can set your new life coaching practice up for success. Here are the key steps to take after receiving your certification to launch your life coaching career:
Define Your Niche
One of the most important foundational steps to kickstarting your career after you get your life coach certification is to define the niche you want to occupy as a life coach. The coaching field is broad, so narrowing your focus to a specialty will allow you to uniquely position yourself and attract ideal clients.
Spend time clarifying the specific issues, challenges, and goals you most want to help clients with. Popular coaching niches include career coaching, small business coaching, health and wellness coaching, dating and relationships coaching, self-esteem coaching, and more.
Get very clear on who you want to work with, what problems you want to solve, and what outcomes you want to deliver. This will inform all your branding and marketing efforts moving forward.
Develop Your Service Offerings
Once you define your niche, you can develop the particular coaching services and packages you will offer clients. For example, you may want to offer a mix of one-on-one coaching sessions, multi-month coaching programs, group workshops, digital courses, and more.
Determine how you will structure your sessions and programs, what topics they will cover, and how long they will run. Make sure you can clearly explain the value clients will get from each offering. Having diverse services at different price points provides clients with options to fit their needs and budget.
Set Your Rates
Pricing your coaching services can be challenging. You want to charge rates in line with your experience level and operating expenses while remaining competitive. Research what other coaches with similar niches, certifications, and markets charge. Factor in what clients are willing and able to pay.
As a new coach, you may charge toward the lower end of the range you see. You can always raise rates over time as you gain more experience and credibility. Outline your rates for each service/package clearly on your website. Offer flexible options like monthly installments to ease payments.
Get Business Licenses And Accounts
While this step may seem mundane, it is vital for legitimately running your coaching business. First, choose and register your official business name. Then, determine what business entity and licenses you need based on your location—common options include LLCs and Sole Proprietorships.
Set up business banking and merchant accounts to accept client payments. Utilize accounting software to handle bookkeeping, transactions, taxes, and expenses. Handling these logistics properly from the start will save headaches down the road.
Build Your Website
In today’s online world, your website is your most critical marketing tool for attracting potential clients. Invest time and money into building a professional quality website that effectively communicates your niche, credentials, services, and ideal client outcomes. Make sure your contact information and booking links are easy to find.
You also want clear calls-to-action encouraging visitors to schedule consultations. Optimizing SEO will boost your search engine rankings and drive traffic. Utilize quality visuals, client testimonials, and strong written content to convey expertise.
Create Other Marketing Assets
Beyond your website, create additional marketing assets to reach clients. Business cards with your logo, tagline, and contact info are essential for in-person networking. Promotional flyers and brochures can educate prospects at networking events, community centers, and more.
Publish e-books, blogs, and videos with helpful coaching content to attract and nurture leads. Design media kits with bios and headshots for PR outreach. As you build materials, ensure they align with your niche, brand image, and ideal audience.
Network And Get Referrals
Networking with other professionals who serve your ideal client base is one of the most effective ways to build your caseload. Identify and contact professionals like therapists, trainers, physicians, etc.
Educate them on your services and offer cross-referrals. Attend chamber of commerce and business association events to connect with corporate decision-makers who may refer employees. Partner with related organizations like gyms, yoga studios, and learning centers to reach shared audiences. Speaking engagements and workshops also increase visibility. Leverage existing personal and professional connections, too.
Actively Market Your Services
You will need to be proactive, especially when starting out, to generate a steady stream of new coaching clients. Have an email list to send weekly tips and offers to warm leads. Make social media posts showcasing your expertise several times a week. Set up Google and Facebook ads targeted to your niche demographic and location. Distribute print materials around your community.
In addition, offer free mini-sessions, talks, or classes that will convert prospects into paying clients. Identify relevant podcasts, newsletters, and websites to request interviews with or contribute expert articles for. The goal is to implement multiple tactics to get the word out.
Define Your Process And Policies
To deliver a professional coaching experience, define clear processes and policies for your clients upfront. How frequently will sessions meet, and for how long? What is your cancellation policy? When is payment due, and how can clients pay? How will you handle rescheduling?
Establishing systems and expectations around scheduling, payment terms, and session formats will prevent misunderstandings and create more seamless coaching relationships. You want clients focused on achieving their goals, not administrative details.
Invest In Ongoing Education
As a new coach, it is important not to stop your professional development after certification. Regularly investing time and money in advanced coach training will help you further hone your skills in areas like powerful questioning, active listening, behavioral change, and coaching psychology.
Joining a professional coaching organization provides networking, mentorship, and training opportunities. Continuing education demonstrates your commitment to excellence and will keep clients confident in your abilities.
The Takeaway
Starting a coaching business after certification is thrilling but challenging. However, breaking the process down into achievable milestones makes it feel less intimidating. Define your niche, polish your services, set your marketing plan, and establish your policies. Moving forward methodically, continuing learning, and putting your passion into helping others will set you up for coaching success in both business and purpose.
