The simple 3-step strategy every coach needs to build a successful coaching business
Starting a coaching business is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—journeys you can take on. It’s deeply fulfilling to guide others toward transformation, but let’s be real: the path to building a successful coaching business isn’t always clear.
If you’re just starting out, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to figure out: How do I attract clients? How do I set up my business for success? Where should I focus my energy?
If you’re already coaching but struggling to create the success you’d love, you might wonder what you’re missing.
I’ve been in your shoes.
When I decided to leave my teaching job and pursue coaching full-time, I was thrilled about the possibilities. In just six months, I replaced my teaching salary and felt unstoppable. But when I decided to make coaching my full time career and put in my notice, fear set in. What if I couldn’t sustain my success? What if my clients dried up? At one point, I even thought about asking for my old job back!
Thankfully, my mentors at the Brave Thinking Institute helped me see that fear wasn’t a sign to stop. Instead, it was an indicator that I was stepping into new, exciting territory—and that was a good thing.
Here’s what I realized: I didn’t need to have every step figured out to succeed as a coach. I only needed to commit to three things:
- A mindset aligned with success
- The skillset to coach and run a business effectively
- Bold, consistent action
These principles are the foundation for any successful coaching business, whether you’re a new life coach wondering how to start a coaching business or an experienced coach aiming to scale. Let’s dive deeper!
1. Mindset: Your Most Important Tool for Success
The foundation of a successful life coaching business begins in your mind. At Brave Thinking Institute, we teach that changing your results begins with your thoughts. If you think small, you’ll create small results. If you think expansively, you’ll create opportunities beyond your wildest dreams.
When I started my coaching business, my mindset was riddled with limiting beliefs. I wondered:
- “Who am I to call myself a coach?”
- “Will people really pay me for coaching services?”
- “What if I fail?”
These thoughts held me back. I found myself procrastinating on the most important income-generating activities—like hosting workshops or reaching out to potential clients—because I didn’t feel “ready.”
Here’s the truth: you will never feel ready. Growth requires you to act before you feel 100% confident.
Once I shifted my mindset, everything changed. I replaced my doubts with empowering beliefs like:
- “I am uniquely equipped to serve my clients.”
- “There are people who need exactly what I offer.”
- “Every step I take brings me closer to success.”
Your mindset doesn’t just impact your confidence—it shapes how you show up in your business and the results you create.
Mindset Action Steps:
- Identify Your Limiting Beliefs: Write down one thought that’s holding you back, like, “I don’t know enough to start a coaching business.”
- Replace It: Craft a new, empowering thought that aligns with the successful coaching business you want to build. For example, “I am the perfect guide for my ideal clients.”
- Practice Daily: Repeat your empowering thought every morning and whenever doubt creeps in.
2. Skillset: Coaching and Business
Many coaches pour all their energy into becoming better at their craft. They take courses, practice coaching techniques, and read every personal development book they can find. While this is important, it’s only half the equation.
To build a truly successful coaching business, you need to master two skillsets:
- Transformational Coaching Skills: These are the techniques and tools that help your clients achieve life-changing results.
- Business and Marketing Skills: These are the skills that help you attract clients, design a profitable coaching program, and grow your income.
As you get started, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of focusing on coaching skills that you neglect the business side of things. But no matter how great a coach you are, you can’t create a sustainable business if you don’t know how to market yourself or set up your business systems.
This is the area where life coach certification and mentorship became so valuable in my coaching journey. I would have been lost without the incredible programs that taught me to harness the power of vision-led, transformational coaching and my mentors.
Skillset Action Steps:
- Choose Your Coaching Niche: Identify what type of coaching excites you most. Narrowing your focus will help you attract your ideal clients.
- Invest in Training: Join programs or hire mentors to strengthen both your coaching and business skills. A structured program can save you years of trial and error.
- Practice Enrollment Conversations: Learn how to confidently present your coaching services and address objections. This skill is critical for converting potential clients into paying clients.
3. Bold Action: The Key to Consistent Growth
No matter how strong your mindset or skillset is, success won’t happen without bold, consistent action. This was the hardest lesson I had to learn.
In the early days, I avoided the most important income-producing activities—like reaching out to potential clients or hosting live workshops—because they felt uncomfortable. But here’s the thing: success lives outside your comfort zone.
The most successful coaches prioritize actions that generate revenue and attract clients. These include:
- Hosting speaking engagements (online or in person)
- Promoting their coaching programs through social media or email
- Following up with leads and scheduling enrollment conversations
It’s easy to get distracted by tasks that feel productive but don’t directly grow your business—like designing a logo, tweaking your website, or brainstorming new ideas. These activities have their place, but they should never take priority over connecting with potential clients.
Action Steps for Bold Growth:
- Set Daily Priorities: Each morning, identify three actions that will directly grow your coaching business, like reaching out to potential clients or scheduling a webinar.
- Track Your Progress: Use a journal or spreadsheet to monitor your progress. This keeps you accountable and shows you what’s working.
- Overcome Fear: When fear arises (and it will!), remind yourself that it’s a natural part of growth. Commit to taking action even when it feels uncomfortable.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid
Even the most passionate and skilled coaches can fall into traps that slow down their progress. Awareness is the first step toward avoiding these mistakes. Let’s explore some common pitfalls and how to navigate them effectively:
1. Waiting for Perfection
This is one of the biggest roadblocks for new and experienced coaches alike. Many think they need the perfect website, logo, or social media presence before they can start attracting clients. While having professional branding helps, your business’s success depends more on your ability to connect with your ideal client.
Solution: Focus on taking imperfect action. Begin offering your coaching services even if your website isn’t ready or your Instagram grid isn’t perfect. Start by reaching out to people who already trust you and could benefit from your coaching.
2. Avoiding Marketing
It’s easy to see marketing as “salesy” or inauthentic. However, marketing is simply about sharing your message with people who need it. Without it, your potential clients may never know you exist!
Solution: Reframe marketing as service. When you promote your coaching program, think of it as extending a hand to someone who’s struggling. Share stories of transformation and emphasize how your coaching services solve specific pain points.
3. Getting Stuck in Learning Mode
As a coach, you’re probably passionate about personal development. But there’s a fine line between ongoing learning and procrastination. Some coaches spend so much time taking courses or reading books that they forget to implement what they’ve learned.
Solution: Balance learning with action. For every hour you spend learning, dedicate another hour to applying those lessons in your business. Test what you learn and adjust based on real-world results.
4. Inconsistent Follow-Up
Studies show that most sales happen after five or more follow-ups, yet many coaches stop after one or two. Following up isn’t pushy—it shows you care about helping your clients make a decision that serves them.
Solution: Create a follow-up system. Use email templates, reminders, or a simple spreadsheet to track follow-ups with potential clients. Aim to provide value with each interaction, such as a relevant resource or success story.
How to Start a Successful Coaching Business Sustainably
Whether you’re just starting a life coaching business or scaling to new heights, sustainability should always be a priority. A sustainable business doesn’t just generate income—it creates a balance that allows you to thrive personally and professionally. Here’s how:
1. Transition to Group Coaching
One-on-one coaching is fulfilling but can limit your income and impact. By offering group coaching programs, you can serve multiple clients simultaneously while creating a sense of community.
Action Step: Design a group coaching program around a common goal your ideal clients share. For example, a career coach might create a 6-week program to help professionals transition to more fulfilling jobs.
2. Streamline Your Business Structure
Having clear systems and processes helps you operate efficiently and avoid overwhelm.
Action Step: Use tools like Calendly for scheduling, Kajabi for delivering your coaching programs, and QuickBooks for tracking finances. Automating repetitive tasks frees up your energy for serving clients.
3. Focus on Client Retention
Attracting clients is important, but retaining them can lead to deeper transformations and a more consistent income.
Action Step: Offer ongoing coaching packages or advanced programs for clients who’ve completed your initial offer. Check in regularly to ensure their goals are being met and celebrate their progress.
How to Attract Clients Consistently
Attracting clients is one of the biggest challenges for online coaches, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a step-by-step approach to building a steady stream of potential clients:
1. Use Social Media Strategically
Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook are powerful tools for connecting with your audience.
Action Step: Post consistently, share client success stories, and engage with your followers through comments and direct messages. Your goal is to build trust and showcase the value of your coaching services.
2. Offer Free Value
Workshops, webinars, and challenges are excellent ways to demonstrate your expertise while building relationships with potential clients.
Action Step: Host a free 5-day challenge focused on a specific outcome your ideal clients desire. For example, a health coach might create a “5 Days to More Energy” challenge.
3. Build an Email List
An email list is one of the most effective ways to nurture relationships and convert potential clients into paying clients.
Action Step: Create a free resource (like a checklist or e-book) that your ideal clients would find valuable. Use it as a lead magnet to grow your list.
4. Network with Intention
Personal connections can lead to powerful opportunities.
Action Step: Attend events, join online communities, or collaborate with other coaches in complementary niches. Referrals and partnerships can significantly expand your reach.
How to Scale Your Successful Life Coaching Business
Once you’ve built a solid foundation, scaling your business allows you to serve more people while increasing your income. Here are a few ways to scale effectively:
1. Diversify Your Offerings
Add products or services that complement your core coaching program. This could include digital courses, retreats, or masterminds.
Action Step: Survey your clients to identify additional ways you can support them. For example, if you’re a career coach, clients might benefit from resume templates or interview prep workshops.
2. Leverage Speaking Engagements
Speaking engagements help you establish authority while reaching larger audiences.
Action Step: Pitch yourself as a speaker for industry events, podcasts, or local meetups. Focus on topics that align with your coaching niche.
3. Hire Support
Scaling often requires a team. Hiring an assistant or marketing expert can free up your time for high-impact activities.
Action Step: Start by outsourcing one area of your business, like social media management or client onboarding, to see the benefits of delegating.
Mindset, Skillset, and Bold Action: The Success Formula
By now, you can see that building a successful coaching business isn’t about luck or complicated strategies. It’s about mastering your mindset, refining your skillset, and taking bold, consistent action.
- With the right mindset, you’ll have the confidence to pursue your dreams despite challenges.
- By developing your skillset, you’ll create transformations for your clients and run a thriving business.
- And by committing to bold action, you’ll consistently grow your business and income.
Take the Next Step Toward Coaching Success
Are you ready to take your coaching business to the next level? Join me for my free 5-day challenge: The Life Coach Accelerator.
By the end of this challenge, you’ll:
- Learn how to attract clients with confidence
- Gain clarity on your next steps to start or grow your coaching business
- Break free from subconscious blocks holding you back
- Discover the exact steps to create a coaching business you love
Click here to sign up for free, and let’s build the successful coaching business of your dreams together!
You already have everything it takes to succeed. Now, it’s time to commit to your vision, take bold action, and create the impact you were born to make. Let’s do this! 🌟
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