How to Start a Life Coaching Business – 15 Tips on How to Help Others and Be Profitable

Simply put, a life coach is someone who trades their time and expertise to help other people achieve their life goals and be better versions of themselves. But is it a business that you can run on a full-time basis and is it profitable? If you looking for answers to these questions and perhaps more, then you’ve found the right article.

Starting your own life coaching business might just be the career choice for you! Yet, it can be a daunting prospect if you lack experience. Fortunately, this ultimate guide will provide you with all the step-by-step information needed to get your small business off the ground.

From industry basics to marketing strategies and building up a coaching client base, we’ll take you through each step you need to take to secure success in the life coaching niche.

By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to jumpstart your life coaching career and become a successful business owner.

Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen. – Pete Carroll

The Basics of Becoming a Life Coach – An Overview

Starting a life coaching business requires careful consideration and preparation. There are various steps involved in creating a successful business, such as creating a business plan, obtaining certification, and finding your niche in the industry.

It’s also important to understand the life coaching industry and current market trends. The life coaching field is growing rapidly, with an estimated global revenue of more than $1.4 billion in 2023. In the U.S. alone, the industry growth rate is estimated at 3.2% per year.

This growth is largely attributed to an increased demand for professional guidance and support fueled by Millennials and Gen Z who are looking for alternative ways to achieve personal growth and career advancement, making life coaching a business with a low failure rate.

Moreover, there has been an expansion in the scope of life coaching services, which now encompass areas like stress management, leadership development, wellness advice, spiritual counseling, financial planning, and more.

 

 

Do Your Research

Being a good coach requires an abundance of passion. But to be a great coach who leaves a lasting impact on a client’s life requires more than talent. You need to know the life coaching industry and which type of business and coaching program you want to pursue as a new coach.

There are many different types of life coaching businesses such as career coaching, executive coaching, and health/wellness coaching. What works for somebody else may not work for you, so it’s important to start by taking the time to evaluate all aspects of the business and what type of life coaching is right for you.

Researching prices and competitors, studying potential markets, tracking industry trends, and reviewing the best practices in the field are all great ways to start building a successful life coaching business.

Create a Winning Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is an essential step to launching any successful life coaching business. In order to create a winning plan, there are several key elements that need to be considered.

• First and foremost you need to have a business name. Name your business in such a way that it’s memorable and legal. These business naming tips can help you choose.
• It’s important to set clear goals for your business. Think about what you hope to achieve and create either short-term or long-term objectives that will help guide your decisions as you develop your strategy.
• It’s also important to identify who your target market is and understand their needs so you can tailor services accordingly.

When creating your business plan, be sure to include details such as:

• pricing structure and the coaching packages you will be offering
• marketing plan
• location and office requirements, hours of operation, staffing needs (if necessary),
• financial forecasting, insurance requirements, and estimated start-up costs.

Having this information in place will give you the foundation for success. If you intend to source business credit or when it comes time to scale your business and you need your bank to help you, a sound business land will help you.

Choose a Business Structure

As a life coach entrepreneur, you have the choice of establishing either a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC). But which one do you choose?

A sole proprietorship is a smart way to go if you’re going it all alone and your operations will be mostly virtual. It’s low-risk, with little to no setup cost (depending on which state you set up shop).

What about an LLC, you’ve probably heard about it. An LLC can offer you excellent personal asset protection. If something goes wrong with your business—like bankruptcy or lawsuits—then you don’t have to worry about your personal assets being put at risk.

There’s a lot more paperwork to be filled out and it does cost a bit more money to set up but if you want to separate your assets from the life coaching business, it’s worth it.

Ultimately, it’s your choice but whichever business structure you choose to go with, setting up is straightforward. However, I recommend working with a business setup company so you’re sure you’ve got everything covered.

 

Get Certified

Getting your coaching certification may not be an absolute requirement for starting a successful business but can profoundly impact the success of your venture. Obtaining certification credentials provides both validation of your life coaching skills and also gives you credibility in the eyes of potential clients.

Depending on how specialized or broad your service offerings are, certification can range from attending workshops and seminars to obtaining degrees from accredited Universities in fields like psychology or social work.

Do you need to have a business license to operate a successful coaching business? Here in the United States, there’s no federal or state requirement.  But here’s the deal…

Receiving accreditation from a reputable organization such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or the International Authority for Professional Coaching and Mentoring (IAPC&M) provides assurance that you have gone through a program based on industry standards and will project confidence to your customers about the quality of your services which can ultimately lead to greater success for your business.

For example, if you’re working or plan to work with executive-level clients on issues such as leadership development and career advancement, having additional qualifications such as an MBA could help make you stand out from the competition.

If you specialize in areas such as stress management or wellness advice, being trained in alternative therapies like meditation and mindfulness could give you an edge over other coaches who are less experienced with these modalities.

Find a Niche Market

When you’re first starting your life coaching business, you need to know there are many specific niches (sub-niches). What type of clients do you want to work with? Finding the right niche market is crucial when starting a life coaching business. Consider your skills and what type of clients will best fit those skills.

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself to help you build a business:

• Are you most passionate about working with young professionals? You could be a career coach.
• Do you want to help stay-at-home parents make their own career paths? You could be a small business coach
• Or do you want to specialize in helping in relationships or family situations? You could be a relationship or parenting coach respectively.
• Are you a health and fitness enthusiast who wants to help people stay fit and healthy? A health and fitness coach could be your calling.

Understanding which type of clients will benefit most from your guidance can help narrow down any demographic, lifestyle, or situational factors that would be helpful to factor into your decision, and help you build a business you love.

Crafting this specific target customer base can ensure the success of your business and empower those who are seeking out your services.

Build a Website

These days it’s very easy to set up a website but here’s my personal advice if you’re not tech-savvy and/or don’t have time: Outsource the whole website-building process. It will get done faster and look more professional. That’s my two cents.

A website is the foundation of a successful life coaching business; in essence, it is the face and voice of your enterprise. It establishes your credibility, helps market your services, and even opens doors to potential customers who may not have otherwise found you.

Building a website can be intimidating but taking it one step at a time can make the process manageable and rewarding. The most important thing is to focus on design basics like consistent branding, relevant content, and an intuitive user experience.

Once set up, a well-crafted website will give life to your business and help make it stand out among your competitors in the industry.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

How will you let people know about your life coaching business?

As a life coach, marketing your business is essential for gaining new clients. To determine the best way to market your business, it is important to create a well-thought-out strategy beforehand.

Reaching out to family and friends can be a great start as they can help spread the word about your services. Networking through trade shows or meetings aimed at entrepreneurs and other professionals who may need life coaching can be beneficial as well.

Most importantly, utilizing digital marketing tactics is the way to go in our increasingly digitized world.

Here are some practical tips:

• Make sure you have a social media presence. Create a Facebook page. Join professional networks such as LinkedIn. Create long-form and short-form videos for YouTube, Instagram and Facebook reels, and for TikTok.
• Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) so people in your location can find your online coaching business when they search Google and other search engines. If you can outsource this, I recommend you do it as well.
• Use paid advertising such as Facebook Ads, Google, or Microsoft Bing Ads.
• Email marketing campaigns. Ensure you’re collecting emails from people who visit your site and/or social media handles.

By having a planned marketing strategy in place, you will be better positioned to increase awareness of your life coaching business so that potential clients know you are available and offering this valuable service.

Setting Competitive and Fair Fees

How will you set competitive and fair fees for your services? Setting competitive and fair fees for life coaching services can be a tricky balancing act. Knowing how much to charge is key. It’s important to factor in not only what other coaches are charging, but also the amount of value you are providing, your experience level, and your desired income.

Here’s what to do if you don’t know how much to charge:

• Research what other life coaches in your area charge
• Assess the overall business costs and any additional certifications or practicum training required.

Once you have determined a competitive and fair rate for yourself, take time to reflect on what that rate represents – you’re worth it!

Knowing your unique value proposition in relation to other coaches can help you create an attractive fee structure while remaining competitive and charging fairly.

Starting a Life Coaching Business with No Experience

Everyone has got to start from somewhere. Starting a life coaching business may seem daunting to those without prior experience, but it is an achievable goal with some dedication and effort.

Here is an overview of the steps to starting a life coaching business from scratch. Some of these have already been discussed in detail in the preceding paragraphs:

• Research the market and get certified
• Define your niche and create a business plan
• Build a network and establish an online presence
• Offer free consultations and continuously improve skills
• Focus on branding and marketing
• Set up a legal structure and determine price
• Develop a coaching process and create a portfolio
• Network with potential clients and utilize technology
• Offer ongoing support and stay organized
• Stay up to date and build a referral network

By following these steps, you can establish a strong foundation for your business and increase your chances of building a profitable coaching business.

Exploring Different Life-Coaching Business Models

When it comes to life coaching, there is no “one size fits all” solution that works for everyone. Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some will provide better flexibility while others offer fixed rates and hours. Various approaches can also be taken, depending on how you want to structure your business.

For example, you may decide to focus on individual clients and create private packages, or instead use an online platform to offer group coaching program sessions and courses. If you are unsure of the best approach for you, it is worth taking time to thoroughly research the different models available to get a comprehensive understanding of their pros and cons.

Ultimately, by exploring the different life coaching business models and evaluating them based on your needs and goals, you should be successful in identifying the right model for your business.

Managing Your Expenses as a Life Coach

Starting a life coaching business requires careful money management to create and maintain financial health. As a life coach, you must plan for common expenses associated with your business such as:

•  A website
• Professional memberships
• Marketing costs
• Insurance fees
• Taxes
• Office space rental if needed, and,
• Continuing education events.
• Allocate the budget you have to the areas that are most important for your business and create monthly or annual spending plans accordingly.

To maximize the value of each dollar spent, use these tips:

• research vendor prices before buying
• take advantage of discounts or promotions available
• avoid potential financial pitfalls by setting yourself fiscal goals
• negotiate the terms of any loan or credit line but don’t overextend yourself
• cut unnecessary expenses and be creative with providers in order to maximize your budget – explore different options available before signing any contracts.

Having a budget plan that is monitored throughout the year will make it easier to track investments vs returns whilst keeping your life coaching business financially managed at all times.

Get insured

It is a smart move for life coaches to consider getting insurance to protect themselves and their businesses. Depending on the type of coaching they do and in which state or country they do the coaching, certain types of insurance may be necessary, such as Professional Liability Insurance.

Not only is this type of insurance important to protect against any potential accusations or lawsuits, but it can even help clients feel more comfortable working with you by demonstrating that you are professional and prepared.

To get the best rates, shop around with different providers to compare coverage types and costs. Make sure you know what exactly each policy covers before making a decision.

Depending on your needs, you may also want to look into other kinds of insurance like Business Owners’ Policies (BOPs), and Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

By taking these steps now, you’ll be able to continue helping your clients without worrying about unexpected liabilities later on.

Conclusion

If you’re feeling stuck in life but know you have a passion to help others be better and are ready for a change, why not start your own life coaching business? It may seem daunting at first, but with the guide on learning how to start, it’s easy to get started. And the best part is that you can be your own boss and help others change their lives for the better. So what are you waiting for? Take the first step today!

FAQs – Steps to Starting Your Life Coaching Business

How much does it cost to start a life coaching business?

Starterstory.com reports the average cost of starting a new coaching business is around $22,000. The cost of starting a life coaching business will vary depending on several factors such as the type of services offered, equipment and office needs, staff requirements, and marketing budget.

Generally speaking, you should anticipate spending anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars in initial set-up costs. This could include items like office space rentals, furniture, software subscriptions, licensing fees, and website development. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with marketing your business such as advertising and promotional materials.
Is a life coaching business profitable?

Can you start your own life coaching business?

Yes, it is possible to start your own life coaching business. To do so, you will need to create a business plan, obtain the appropriate business licenses and permits, and secure any necessary financing or investments. You will also need to develop marketing materials and a website to promote your services.

Additionally, you may want to join professional organizations such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in order to gain credibility and access to resources. Starting your own life coaching business can be a fulfilling endeavor; however, it requires dedication, determination, and hard work in order for it to be successful.

Are life coaches in demand?

Yes, life coaching is in demand, as people seek out support and guidance in achieving personal and professional goals. With the increase in stress and uncertainty brought on by recent events, many individuals are seeking help in navigating their personal and professional lives.

Additionally, the growth of remote work and virtual communication has made life coaching more accessible and convenient for clients. Many life coaches offer their services virtually. However, the demand for life coaching can vary depending on location, niche, and market saturation. When you’re ready to start you can come back to this article.

Is a life coaching business profitable?

Running a life coaching business can certainly be profitable if managed and promoted well. The revenue potential for these ventures is vast, with some coaches charging as little as $50 and others garnering over $300 per hour – especially those with a full roster of clients.

But the same with any other small business, setting up and maintaining a life coaching endeavor involves certain costs that must be taken into account when strategizing. So be sure to consider both your expenses and income when you embark on this exciting journey!

The secret to making a profit is to niche down in your selection. Niching down means you’ll need to brand your business as say, “Relationship Coach” as opposed to generally saying you a “Life Coach”.