What Do I Need to Start My Coaching Business? A Practical Coaching Business Checklist
You worked hard to become a certified coach. Putting in hours of time, effort with a prestigious school… And now what?
Discover the essential tools and steps needed to start your coaching business. This comprehensive coaching business checklist guides you through building a professional presence, streamlining client onboarding, and growing your email list.
01
A professional website and online presence.
When considering what you need to start your coaching business, establishing a professional website is right up there with the things you need!
Some people argue against a website, some for it.
I’m for it!
A website does not need to be complicated or expensive.
Your website acts as a digital storefront, offering potential clients insight into your coaching style and services. Making sure that it reflects your brand, showcases your methodologies, and provides valuable content that highlights the benefits of coaching with you.
I need a website. I can just do it myself.
While DIY website builders are available, crafting a site that truly resonates with your target audience requires time and expertise. Investing in a well-designed website can set the foundation for a successful coaching business.
You know that doing it yourself is a ‘free’ option. But, is it really?
Think about how much time it is going to take you to create a beautiful, chic, professional website that draws clients.
Not only that, if you’re not a designer, the outcome may well bring you to tears. The several thousand options of colour, layout, typography can be intimidating.
I build beautiful, professional websites that attract the right clients using the platform Squarespace.
02
A comprehensive client onboarding tool (that does it all!).
You’ve sat down to Google (or use ChatGPT) to find out how to automate processes… and now you’re sitting there thinking… sorry, what?!
There is an endless, and I mean it, endless supply of information out there detailing what tools you should have when it comes to managing your clients and your coaching business.
Efficient client management is crucial when starting a coaching business (whether it’s life, career, executive, business, leadership coaching).
Your customers want to feel safe. They want to feel taken care of.
Having your client onboarding processes well managed, automated but also customised leaves no room for the barrier to entry.
Scheduling, payments, contracts and email marketing… not to mention onboarding your new coaching client and staying on top of how many clients you have to avoid the dreaded burnout.
Using a platform that has been created BY a coach, FOR coaches is the best way to go!
Paperbell is fantastic. It’s been tried and tested by myself and many of my clients.
Not only is it affordable (at just $47 / month!!), but you’ll be able to remove the “admin hat” immediately and save tens of hours per month.
With Paperbell, you can:
receive payment
send contracts
send pre- and post-coaching surveys
host workshops
create courses
sell digital products
share coaching documents with your clients
have clients schedule their sessions with you (no back and forth!)
send reminder emails ahead of sessions
send other automated emails to existing clients about their coaching program
monitor how many clients you have
You don’t need any additional tools, except for Stripe / Paypal to receive payments and a Zoom link. The rest? You can go right ahead and delete them.
Think about how much you’ll be saving in subscriptions per month.
“You recommended using Paperbell, the platform for onboarding clients, which is extraordinary. It’s been fantastic. Something that used to be like all very bitty and all over the place now is just fantastically streamlined. I can use it for groups. And I know that there’s more that I could optimise through it!”
03
A platform to build your email list.
Building and nurturing an email list is a vital component of your coaching business checklist.
An engaged email list allows you to share newsletters, offers, and valuable content, fostering relationships with potential and existing clients.
Given the fluctuating nature of social media algorithms, having a direct line of communication through email ensures consistent engagement. Platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Flodesk can assist in creating effective email campaigns tailored to your audience.
With the ever-changing algorithms and landscape of social media, but also the perceived success by your follower ‘count’, this is a fickle space to build and nurture community.
Your ‘community’ could be gone tomorrow if the likes of LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook decides to pull the plug!
It’s brilliant for having a presence. But where the money really is, is in email communication.
With a simple platform like Kit.
Using Kit, you can:
build landing pages
create multiple forms
monitor your subscribers
write nurture email sequences
send newsletters
sell products!
What does this coaching checklist and toolkit look like, in terms of money spent?
Coaching certifications are a big investment. And rightly so.
The actual ‘business’ side of things is skimmed over, if at all, during these months. And this is where the work actually begins. It’s where your efforts can be minimised so that you can focus on the part that energises you and brings you joy: coaching clients!
Let’s break it down from a cost perspective:
Squarespace: $18 / month
Paperbell: $57 / month first 2 months free!
Kit: $25 / month for unlimited sequences / automations
What does this looks like, in terms of time, energy and sanity?
Squarespace: 21 days
Paperbell: 5 days
Kit: 5 days
What could this looks like if you use sunday?
Full service: $2500 delivered in just 4 weeks.
Save your time, focus and energy on getting your first paid clients.
If you’re looking for help in getting your coaching business built, let’s chat!
