Here, you’ll learn: 

• How a VA can help you build your business 
• Where to find good VAs
• How much to pay a VA

And much more.

Ready?

Let’s dive in!

Jump straight to…

• What is a VA?
• Which tasks can you outsource to a VA? 
• What are the benefits of a VA?
• How do you hire a VA?
• Where can you find VAs?
• What skills does your VA need?
• How much should you pay your VA? 

P.S. If you prefer learning in video format, I also put together this video for you:

What is a virtual assistant for coaches?

Simply put, a virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who helps you remotely.

They tackle a mix of tasks — from technical and administrative to creative ones.

In the online business space, they basically occupy what would be operations and customer service roles in other types of businesses. 

A virtual assistant for coaches isn’t just any VA, though.

They specialize in working with coaches.

They get the coaching industry’s ins and outs. And they understand the specific needs and challenges you face as a coach.

They might do your customer support, maybe do a bit of tech-related tasks like tweaking your website and sending out newsletters for you. 

Think about all those tasks you juggle daily.

An experienced VA takes those off your plate.

This way, you can focus more on what you do best — coaching and growing your business. 

I’ll explain the benefits of hiring a VA more in a bit.

But first, let’s see how a VA can make a difference in your coaching business.

What exactly do they do?

What does a virtual assistant for coaches do?

What can a VA do for you as a coach? Let’s break it down:

• Scheduling appointments and meetings: They set up your coaching sessions and meetings, so you’re always organized.
• Managing calendars and to-dos: They keep track of your daily schedule and important tasks.
• Responding to calls and emails: They handle communication and pass the important stuff on to you.
• Drafting and editing documents: Need help with writing? Your VA can take care of client agreements, coaching materials, and so on.
• Running social media accounts: Keep your online presence active and engaging without spending hours online.
• Publishing blog posts: Maybe you or someone you hire writes your blog posts, but a VA can help you publish them. 
• Managing and sending out newsletters: Sending out your newsletters is a task in itself – and one you can outsource to a VA. 
• Bookkeeping: They track your finances, from invoicing to following up on payments.
• Managing customer service inquiries: Make sure your clients get quick and professional responses.
• Organizing events: Planning workshops or webinars? Your VA can take care of all the details, from logistics to follow-up.
• Research and analysis: Your VA can do market research, competitor analysis, or get client feedback. 

When hiring your first VA, follow what I call the “ten-hour rule.”

Meaning, hire a VA when you have at least ten hours of work a month to outsource. 

Early on in your business, you don’t have a lot to outsource. You’re probably working with a few clients and connecting with new clients.

At this point, you should take care of your own marketing because that’s the lifeline of your business.

After all, you want to know how to do all the tasks in your business so that you can effectively outsource to other people. 

But once you’re past 5-10 clients, you’re going to start growing your business – and adding on more things.

For example, you might start building an email list or become more active on a social media platform. Those are things a VA can take off from your plate. 

But how do these tasks translate into benefits for you and your business?

We’ll go over that next.

Benefits of hiring a virtual assistant as a coach

What benefits can you expect from hiring a virtual assistant for coaches?

Here are nine important ones:

Boost productivity

A VA takes on routine tasks like scheduling, email management, and social media. This streamlining lets you pack more into your day. You have extra hours each week which you could use for client sessions or finding new clients. This way, you maximize your productive hours and do more of what adds value to your business.

Higher income

With a VA covering the administrative side, you get to zero in on what truly grows your business and increases your income. Think sales activities and improving your coaching.

Flexible business model

VAs are great for handling fluctuating workloads. Because they work on a contractual basis, you can scale up or down as needed. Need more help during a busy season? A VA can work more when you’re launching something big and less during quieter times.

For instance, during a course launch, you need extra help with marketing and answering questions. A VA can step in to manage these increased demands. This way, you’re not stuck with a full-time staff when you don’t need one.

Stay systematized and organized

To make it big in any industry, you need a well-organized business with solid systems. VAs help develop and maintain those systems. This keeps your coaching business organized and running smoothly. They can set up a filing system for client records, manage your calendar, and so on.

No more lost notes or forgotten appointments. Plus, when everything’s in order your clients also get a much smoother experience.

Better work-life balance

Handing off tasks to a VA means you have more time for personal goals and self-care. A good balance between work and personal life is key. After all, you didn’t start your coaching business to have another job, but to build a life that serves you. 

Save money

One of the best things about coaching businesses is that you have far less overhead than other businesses. And hiring a contractor like a VA helps you keep your business profitable without having to manage employee-related expenses.

Plus, they can also take on different tasks. For example, instead of hiring a full-time bookkeeper, a VA can manage your invoicing and expenses (if you hire VAs with those skills). Likewise, they can step in as a social media manager or handle marketing tasks.

Better client experience

A VA improves the client experience. They manage scheduling, send out reminders, and handle inquiries. This makes your clients feel valued and well-cared for, which in turn leads to increased client retention and referrals.

Scalability

As your coaching business gets bigger, a VA helps you scale. They can help with things like market research, client outreach, and even launching new products. Their support lets you take on more clients and expand without letting the quality of your work slip.

But WHO you hire matters a lot.

Let’s look at how you can pick the right VA for you.

How can you hire the right virtual assistant for your coaching business?

When picking your VA, there are a few things to look out for.

Let’s go through the steps together.

Clarify what you need help with

Before starting your search, know exactly what you need help with.

List out tasks that consume your time but don’t contribute directly to your success. 

Are you:

• Drowning in emails
• Struggling to keep up with social media
• Needing help scheduling your coaching sessions

Understanding the tasks lets you find someone with the right skills and qualifications.

And creating a clear job description based on these needs attracts the right candidates.

For instance, if you need help with bookkeeping, look for a VA with financial experience.

Because you don’t want to hire a “jack of all trades.” 

Outsource different tasks to people who have specialized skills – like site design to a site designer or copywriting to a copywriter. 

Once you know what you need help with, it’s time for the next step.

Start your search

Now, where to find your VA?

Begin with your network. Ask family, friends, fellow coaches, or business contacts for referrals.

Social media and professional websites like LinkedIn are also great places to search.

When searching, think about the level of expertise you need.

Do you need a top-tier “A player” or a “B player” who’s competent and willing to learn?

Your choice influences where you look and how you approach the hiring process.

If you only want to work with the best of the best, this tends to be pricier.

On the other hand, “B players” are more time-consuming because you have to train them more. And while they may be happy to do their work, they might not necessarily want to grow a lot in their roles.

However, I personally think “B players” are great hires in many cases. If someone wants a relatively secure VA role but isn’t motivated to grow into new roles, that type of person could be a great fit for you. 

After all, your coaching business most likely doesn’t need people who want to grow constantly – because most of their tasks won’t change that much. 

Interview candidates

Start by having candidates do a short test task before interviewing them. This task should be similar to the type of work they’ll actually do. 

So if you’re hiring someone to take care of your newsletters, have a short test that walks them through taking those same steps. Then, you can hold a short interview.

Discuss their previous experience, how they work, and their availability.

Be clear about your expectations and ask about their schedules and payment expectations.

When you find the right fit, it’s time to make them an offer…

Make an offer

Include the necessary details in your offer, like:

• Pay rate
• Work hours
•  Contractual obligations

Being specific at this stage helps avoid misunderstandings later.

How much you offer depends on several factors:

• Your budget
• VA’s tasks
• VA’s experience
• Required skill level

All these factors play a role in creating a fair and attractive offer. (We’ll talk about the specific costs later on.) 

Once they’ve accepted your offer, you bring them into your business through onboarding.

Onboarding

Onboarding is where you set the tone for your working relationship.

Explain your preferred communication methods and how you’ll track their tasks and performance.

Be clear about your expectations from the start.

For example, if you expect daily updates or weekly reports, let your VA know.

Finally, have standard operating procedures in place AND document them.

This includes how to:

• Handle client inquiries
• Manage your social media
• Process payments and invoicing
• Schedule coaching sessions

And so on.

This documentation helps your current VA know what they have to do. And it also makes it easier to bring in additional VAs later on.

Once you’ve got your onboarding process down, the next step is to create a regular feedback system.

Give feedback and grow with your VA

Regular check-ins and feedback are a must.

They help both of you adjust and improve.

It gives your VA a clear idea of what you need and lets them improve skills that are useful for your business.

Also, consider their long-term potential. As your business expands, could they take on more responsibilities?

Let’s say your VA begins by just handling your email communication. Over time, they could learn more about things like client management.

A VA who feels valued and sees opportunities for growth is more likely to stay and grow with you.

That’s how you build a loyal team that evolves alongside your business.

For example, I work with a very loyal team. We continue to grow together, and I pay them above average.

I know that investing in my team’s growth is investing in my business’s future.

And this approach has created a strong team, where each member is motivated and aligned with my business goals.

Plus, it saves me time. Because even with efficient systems, onboarding new people always takes up time and energy.

You now know how to find the right VA. But where do you look for them?

We’ll cover that next.

Where can you find virtual assistants for coaches?

One of the reasons why many coaches still don’t have a VA is because they simply don’t know where to look.

Let’s make it easier for you.

Here are three great platforms to start your search:

Upwork

Upwork is a massive freelance platform.

You can either:

• Post a job listing with your specific needs
• Search for freelancers and invite them to apply

Upwork’s review system is a big plus. It lets you see feedback from previous clients.

This gives you a good idea of the VA’s reliability and quality of work.

Fiverr

Fiverr is another popular platform. It’s known for its project-based gigs.

Besides its review system, the main advantage is its upfront pricing and package deals.

This makes it easier to plan your budget.

Instead of posting a job ad, you pick from ready-made packages.

While Fiverr was at first known for its very cheap services, it now also has ‘Fiverr Pro’ for really skilled freelancers.

Zirtual 

Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, Zirtual is designed for pairing you with a VA.

All their VAs are based in the U.S. and have a college education and administrative experience.

Because of their personalized service, Zirtual is more premium. Plans start at $549 per month.

That said, not having to look for a VA yourself saves you a lot of time and energy.

Knowing where to find virtual assistants is one thing; next, we’ll cover what skills to look out for.

Skills to look for when hiring a virtual assistant for coaches

When searching for a VA, think of your specific needs and the tasks you expect them to handle.

Here are some key skills any VA should have:

• Previous experience working with coaching businesses (this isn’t a must, though, because you can train them)
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Tech knowledge
• Autonomy
• Customer service skills
• Project management skills
• Willingness to learn
• Flexibility to adapt
• Problem-solving capabilities
• Attention to detail
• Time management skills

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With these skills in mind, you’re all set to find the perfect VA for your coaching business.

But how much will a VA cost you?

Let’s answer that question next.

How much does it cost to hire a virtual assistant?

How much a VA costs depends on several factors, including their:

• Experience
• Background
• Location
• Tasks

A good rule of thumb is $20-$30/hour.

In other words, if you hire a VA for 10 hours a month, you’d pay them $200-$300. 

Now, if you’re looking for someone with specialized skills, like a site designer, you also need to pay them more. (In fact, site designers seldom work as VAs – and skilled designers will cost several thousands.) 

So, take those types of skills into account when hiring your first VA. 

Next steps

There you go!

That’s everything you need to know about working with a virtual assistant for coaches.

A VA can help you build a true Freedom Business that gives you more freedom and flexibility. But hiring is just one part of a successful coaching business.

You also need the right strategy. 

That’s what I share in my coaching business blueprint.

Get it here: 

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When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

The Best CRM for Coaches

Email Marketing for Coaches

The Top Coaching Tools

The post How to Hire a Virtual Assistant for Coaches (+top VA sites) appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

As a coach, choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can save you TONS of time.

That’s true whether you’re just starting out or want to scale your business.

In this article, we dive into the top 10 CRM tools that stand out in the coaching industry.

Sounds good?

Then let’s dive right in.

You’ll learn:

• What CRM for coaches is
• The #1 CRM platform
• 9 other CRM platforms
• How to choose the right CRM platform

What is a CRM for coaches?

First, what is CRM?

And why do you need it as a coach?

A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, for coaches is a specialized software tool.

It helps you:

• Track client progress
• Schedule sessions
• Manage billing
• Handle marketing
• And much more

However, you might think a CRM  is expensive and just for big businesses. 

But the right CRM tool can be a tool that optimizes all aspects of client management and business operations, regardless of how big your business is. 

It can help you work smarter instead of harder.

Note, though: I personally don’t use a CRM in my coaching business. 

And I typically don’t recommend my clients to get a CRM, unless that’s something that helps them manage their business.

I like using whatever tool works best for a specific purpose. 

For example, Calendly for call scheduling or an email marketing platform for managing my email marketing. 

That said, if a CRM helps you manage your coaching business better, then this article is for you. I list the BEST tools, including my #1 pick. 

With that, let’s take a look at the best CRM tools.

What is the #1 CRM platform?

So, which CRM platform is the top pick?

Based on the reviews on G2 that would be ActiveCampaign.

G2 is a professional software review platform. There, ActiveCampaign has a solid 4.5 review rating from over 10,579 reviews.

What makes ActiveCampaign stand out is that it offers much more than just CRM. And from personal experience, I can also recommend it as an email marketing platform.

When it comes to CRM, ActiveCampaign goes beyond typical CRM functions. It integrates advanced marketing automation, sales automation, and more.

This makes it a good choice if you also want to improve your digital marketing.

Features: 

• Comprehensive email marketing: Set up personalized email campaigns and send custom emails. When your messages are personal and relevant, clients are more likely to read them (and preferably even look forward to them!)
• Advanced marketing automation: Automated marketing features save you hours. Set up campaigns once, and let them run on their own.
• Simplified sales processes: Sales automation tools help you track leads and convert them into clients.
• Combined CRM and marketing: Manage client interactions and marketing in one place — so you don’t need to switch between different tools.

Pros: 

• User-friendly interface: ActiveCampaign’s intuitive design means you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
• Advanced marketing tools: Extensive features for email marketing and automation.
• Powerful automation capabilities: Streamline your business process. Automating tasks gives you more time to focus on coaching.

Cons: 

• Learning curve: With so many features, it can feel like a lot at first. 

Of course, ActiveCampaign isn’t the only CRM tool that can make your life easier.

Let’s take a look at the other nine that made the list and see how they stack up for your coaching needs.

9 other CRM platforms

There are SO many CRM platforms, here are nine powerful ones.

Note: I haven’t used these myself but I based their rankings on their G2 reviews.

Also keep in mind that the number of reviews can impact the overall ranking.

Because the more reviews you get, the harder it becomes to maintain a great ranking.

HubSpot

HubSpot CRM is a marketing and sales software that helps you:

• Bring in potential clients
• Turn them into leads
• Make more sales

It’s an all-rounder for managing contacts and tracking sales activities.

Plus, with its integrated marketing suite, you can run complete campaigns all from one platform.

Rating: 4.4 review rating out of 10,899 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Centralized contact management: Keep all your client data in one place.
• Real-time sales tracking: Stay updated on your sales progress without extra hassle.
• Integrated marketing: Run your marketing campaigns, including emails, social media, and ads, directly from within the CRM.
• Sales pipeline overview: Get a clear picture of your sales funnel so that you can plan and prioritize better.
• Tools for creating custom landing pages and forms: To capture leads and client information, you need landing pages and forms that fit perfectly with your coaching brand.
•  Reporting and analytics: Discover key insights into how your sales and marketing efforts are doing. Which of your campaigns are hitting the mark and which ones aren’t? 

Pros: 

• All-in-one platform: Combines CRM, sales, and marketing tools. This makes your workflow much more organized.
• Ease of Use: It’s known for its user-friendly interface, which reduces the time spent learning new software.

Cons: 

• Limited customization: It might not offer the level of customization some coaches need.

TrueCoach

TrueCoach is built for service businesses in the fitness niche.

It’s got the exact tools you need to help your clients become fit and make your coaching stand out.

Rating: 4.6 review rating out of 252 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Custom workout plans: Easily create workout routines that match your client’s goals. You can upload your own exercise videos or use the 1,200+ exercise videos from their library.
• Track client progress: Keep an eye on how your clients are doing and adjust their plans as needed.
• Video feedback: Give clients pointers using videos. This makes your feedback more personal and clear.
• Chat directly with clients: Need a quick way to motivate or check in with clients? The TrueCoach app lets you talk with your clients in real-time.
• Nutrition plans and tracker: With the nutrition tracker, you can also help clients with their diet, not just their workouts.

Pros: 

• Designed for fitness coaches: It’s got everything you need for fitness and nutrition coaching.
• More interactive: Video feedback and messaging make working with clients more engaging.
• All-in-one client care: From exercise to diet, handle it all in one place.

Cons: 

• Specific focus: It’s best for fitness coaching, so if you have a different niche, it’s not as useful.
• Integration limits: It does not link up as well with other business tools compared to more general CRMs.

Zoho CRM 

Zoho CRM is a cloud-based platform for mid-scale and large-scale businesses.

It covers every angle of CRM, from contact management to advanced sales and marketing features.

Besides its CRM, Zoho offers a help desk, email service, and accounting. However, these platforms are add-ons that you need to buy separately.

Rating: 4 review rating out of 2,502 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Multiple pipelines and lead management: Capture leads from several sources and guide them through your sales pipeline. It includes ‘lead scoring’ which is a system that ranks potential clients based on their likelihood to convert. This lets you focus your efforts where they count.
• Integration: Connect third-party applications such as Google Workspace, Office 365, MailChimp, and Zendesk.
• AI-powered assistant: Get smart insights and AI assistance to improve your client management.
• Multichannel communication: Connect with clients through various channels, including email, live chat, phone calls, and social media.
• Marketing automation: Manage your marketing campaigns and reach out to potential clients without the hassle.

Pros: 

• Simple and modern: The intuitive interface is easy to use. This leads to a minimal learning curve and less time wasted getting to know the platform.
• Ease of integration and implementation: Integrates smoothly with several applications, making it easy to fit into your existing business processes.

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Cons:

• Reporting functionality: Creating custom reports or extracting specific data could be more user-friendly.

HoneyBook

If you take care of the entire sales process on your own, Honeybook can be a great option.

It’s designed for small business owners and makes handling your end-to-end customer relationships much smoother.

The platform helps with everything. For example, you can manage your:

• Leads with basic sales pipeline features
• Current clients with invoicing, contracting, and scheduling tools
• Finances with profit and loss statements

Rating: 4.5 review rating out of 155 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Task management: View and track different stages of your projects.
• Automated reminders: Set reminders for tasks and send clients automated payment reminders based on due dates.
• Secure online payments: Offer easy and secure payment options right within the system.
• Digital contract signing: Simplify contract processes by letting clients sign contracts digitally.
• Third-party integrations: Connect with tools like Calendly, QuickBooks, Zapier, and more for smooth workflows and data synchronization.

Pros: 

• Advanced sales features: Customize your sales pipelines and sales dashboards. It also comes with a sales forecasting feature. Plus, you can set up a marketplace app and a price book for your products.
• Easy and intuitive: The platform is easy for you to use on the backend and also intuitive for your clients to interact with on the frontend.

Cons: 

• Misses advanced CRM features: While it’s perfect for small-scale businesses, it doesn’t have the complex CRM tools bigger businesses need.
• Clunky scheduling tool: Some new tools, like the scheduling feature, still feel a little clunky.

Keap (formerly Infusionsoft)

Keap is an all-rounder CRM that combines business automation with email marketing.

Its target audience is small businesses and coaches. And it’s designed to make managing your leads and growing your revenue easier.

It helps you:

• Simplify your sales and marketing
• Automate tasks
• Keep track of your clients

Plus, Keap is big on personalization, so everything feels tailored to your specific needs. 

While setting everything up takes some time, if you ever feel stuck, they’ve got coaching, training, and a supportive community to help you out.

Rating: 4.2 review rating out of 1,460 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Client management: Easily collect new leads, organize client records, and automate processes to advance people through your sales funnel.
• Automation: Save time by setting up automations for repetitive sales processes and marketing campaigns.
• Integration: Connects with over 2,500 platforms and tools so that you can handle several aspects of your business with more ease.

Pros: 

• Email and text marketing: Engage with your clients and potential leads through targeted email AND text campaigns.
• Mobile accessibility: Manage your coaching business on the go with their iOS and Android mobile apps.

Cons: 

• Complex setup: Can be challenging to set up and use, especially if you’re new to such software.

Dubsado

Dubsado is a highly customizable CRM tool.

This makes it a great fit if you want to add a personal touch to your client interactions.

However, because of its advanced features, it also comes with a steep learning curve.

Rating: 4.3 review rating out of 69 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Customizable form templates: Create forms that match your brand — be it contracts, questionnaires or proposals.
• Easy-to-pay online invoices: Create online invoices and automated reminders so that clients never miss a payment.
• Interactive client portals: Each of your clients has their own client portal. There, they can see project details and documents, pay invoices, and so on.
• Built-in scheduler: Let clients book sessions via their scheduler so that you spend less time coordinating and more time coaching.

Pros: 

• Migration of workflows and templates: They’ll move your existing workflows and templates over for you.
• Seamless sales process: Send proposals, contracts, and invoices all in one go.
• Very customizable: Tailor everything to fit different project needs. You can create custom fields, proposals, contracts, and more.

Cons: 

• Setup and learning curve: It’s a bit complex to get started, especially if you’re not tech-savvy.
• Limited advanced features: Misses some advanced features like project management and task boards.
• Not ideal for bigger teams: Lacks some functionalities for larger businesses. For example, if you have several employees and want to track their communication with clients, Dubsado doesn’t offer this feature yet.

Bonsai

Bonsai calls itself “The only business management tool that combines CRM, invoicing, bookkeeping and banking.”

Their target audience is solo entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Bonsai is designed to streamline your workflow and keep things organized. It offers many automation and invoicing features and makes tracking your clients and projects a breeze.

While it shines for individual use, it has some limitations if you’re planning to expand your team.

Rating: 4.2 review rating out of 65 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Banking: You can open an account and card for business expenses, with FDIC insurance up to $250,000.
• Streamlined tax prep: Managing expenses and income is simpler, making tax season less daunting.
• Time-saving automation: The invoicing features make getting paid quicker and easier. Automatic reminders let clients know when payments are due. Plus, you can customize and send invoices in seconds. 
• Professional-looking templates: Create contracts, invoices, and proposals that make you stand out.

Pros: 

• Finance management: Keep your finances and contracts streamlined and automated.
• User-friendly: Intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Ready-made templates: Handy and professional templates for contracts, proposals, and invoicing.

Cons: 

• Mainly for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers: Not ideal for small businesses with employees or high-volume operations. For example, it lacks flexible user permissions. It only offers ‘partner’ access to all details or limited ‘collaborator’ roles.
• High payment processing fees: Something to consider when setting up payment options.

Nudge Coach 

Want to build your own app but don’t have the resources or expertise for that yet? Then Nudge Coach is for you.

It lets you create a coaching app entirely in your own branded style — without the usual hassle.

This makes it easier to keep clients accountable while also boosting their engagement.

Rating: 4.3 review rating out of 4 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Customizable client tracking: See how your clients are doing and help them stay on track.
• Messaging: Chat with your clients one-on-one or in groups to keep them engaged.
• Forums and challenges: Scale your business and make things more interactive with social forums and challenges.
• Client management: Keep all your client info in one spot and check it on the go. Easily see how each client is progressing in their journey.

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Pros: 

• Builds community: Being part of a community increases motivation and engagement. Nudge Coach helps you create this for your clients.
• Fully customizable: Customize the app to make it fit your unique coaching style and brand.
• Perfect for habit-based coaching: Awesome for coaching programs that need regular check-ins and tracking.

Cons: 

• Limited automation features: While user-friendly, it lacks some of the more advanced automation features of other CRM tools.
• Takes time to set up: You need to invest some time to get your custom app up and running.

Simplero

If you’ve been thinking of expanding your business with an online course, Simplero  could be for you.

It’s a single software where you can manage your:

• Website
• Sales funnels
• Email marketing
• Online courses
• Membership sites

Whether you’re creating courses, managing affiliate programs, or launching an email marketing campaign, Simplero puts everything in one place.

Rating: 4.2 review rating out of 10 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Online Courses: Control your course content in detail. You choose who sees what content when.
• Community building: Create paid membership sites with engaging features like membership badges and forums. Unlike social media platforms, these sites are 100% yours and don’t depend on an unreliable algorithm.
• Mobile app: Give your clients easy access to your courses while they’re on the go.
• Landing page builder: Use high-converting templates to grow your business.
• Strategic sales features: Use the Upsell, Downsell, and Order Bump tools to maximize sales.
• Affiliate system: Earn passive income and motivate affiliates with leaderboards during special events.

Pros: 

• Digital and physical products: Simplero is great for selling both physical and digital products, like PDFs, audio recordings, online courses, and so on. Its advanced tools for online courses makes it stand out.
• Flexible and customizable: You can adapt most features to fit with your specific coaching style and brand.

Cons: 

• Not super beginner-friendly: The interface is intuitive, but setting everything up isn’t the easiest for less tech-savvy beginners.
• Limited integrations: Doesn’t sync with Google Calendar and lacks integration with some common tools, like Gmail, Slack, and Mailchimp.

Coaching.com (formerly CoachLogix)

Coaching.com is perfect if you’re planning to grow your coaching business with a team.

The platform supports managing your coaching business with features like integrated video chat, collaboration tools, and automated workflows.

Rating: 4.3 review rating out of 14 reviews on G2

Features: 

• Integrated chat and video conferencing: Hold coaching sessions on your phone or desktop.
• Goal setting/tracking: Measure the real impact of your coaching
• Program creator: Bundle your coaching services into structured programs.
• Coach matching: If you run a coaching organization or a team of coaches, you can assign coaches to clients through customized workflows.

Pros: 

• Supports business growth: Easily add coaches and collaborate on the platform.
• Free basic version: Start with no cost for up to 3 clients.

Cons: 

• No email marketing: You need a separate email marketing tool.
• Learning curve and setup time: The learning curve is quite steep and setting everything up is time consuming.

You now know the top ten CRM platforms, but how do you pick the right one for you?

That’s what we’ll cover next.

How do you choose a CRM platform?

What do you need to look out for when picking a CRM for your coaching business?

Here are seven important factors to keep in mind:

• Business model: First, what’s your business about? Do you sell coaching products, offer services, or both? Your CRM should be able to handle everything you do, like keeping track of sales, looking after your customers, and helping with your marketing.
• Team size: Got a small team? A simple, easy-to-use CRM could be enough. But if you have a big team, you often need more advanced features, like team collaboration tools, extensive client databases, and detailed reporting.
• Specific needs: What are your unique requirements? Do you need advanced marketing automation? Are integrated sales tools important? Or maybe you want on-the-go access with a mobile app? List down your personal must-haves and find a CRM that ticks these boxes.
• Integration: Look for a CRM that works well with the tools you already use (like email services, social media platforms, or accounting software).
• Scalability: As your business grows, your CRM should be able to grow with it. Will it be able to handle more customers and info over time?
• Cost and ROI: Think about what the CRM costs and what you get from it. Sometimes, spending more is worth it for the extra features. But make sure those features are something you’ll really use.
• Ease of use: A CRM should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Also, check if they offer help and training. A steep learning curve can take up a lot of time — time you were hoping to save by getting a CRM in the first place…

And if you want more coaching tools, take a look at my short video here:

Next steps

There you have it! These are the ten best CRM platforms to streamline your coaching business.

The less time you waste on unnecessary tasks, the more you can coach your clients,help them get results, and grow your coaching business.

But ultimately, building a sustainable coaching business that offers freedom and flexibility doesn’t depend on one tool.

Instead, you need to get the foundations right from the start. 

So, how do you build a highly successful coaching business that lasts?

That’s what I share in my blueprint for building a six-figure coaching business. In it, I show you exactly how to turn your current skills into a rewarding business.

Want to Build a 6-Figure Coaching Business So You Can Achieve More Freedom?

Get Instant Access To My FREE Ultimate Guide Below!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

The Top Coaching Apps

Top Online Coaching Platforms

Top Coaching Resources

The post TOP 10 CRM for Coaches (Reviewed in 2024) appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

You’re in the right place!

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you will and won’t be doing as a coach or therapist.

Plus, you’ll learn how your much-needed coaching services can fill a gap in the market.

Ready to dive in?

Let’s go!

You’ll learn:

• The difference between a coach and a therapist
• Comparing coaching with therapy
• Do you need a coach or a therapist?
• How do you choose the right therapist?
• How do you choose the right coach?

What is the difference between coaching vs. therapy?

Let’s start by clearing up a common question: 

What’s the difference between a coach and a therapist?

Therapists 

• Credentials: Licensed health professionals who can only work in states where they’re licensed.
• Diagnosis: Can diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
• Medications: Depending on the state, they can prescribe meds.
• Education: Need a higher level of education and usually hold a master’s or even a doctorate degree.
• Focus: Their primary goal is to treat mental health issues.
• Scope: Trained to address different mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to more severe psychiatric disorders.
• Relationship: Usually a long-term relationship with a lot of professional distance.

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Coaches 

• Credentials: Generally, no licenses or certifications are needed, although some niches do require them. Specifically, health and mental health niches.
• Diagnosis: Not trained to diagnose mental illnesses, but there to strengthen mental fitness.
• Medications: Can’t prescribe meds, but can forward clients to medical professionals who can.
• Focus: Action-oriented and goal-focused. You work with clients to create positive changes and achieve specific results.
• Scope: Usually specialize in a particular niche for quicker, more effective results.
• Relationship: Often for a limited time — until the client’s goals are reached. But it can be long-term too. There’s less need for professional distance.

These are some key differences between coaching and therapy.

Now, let’s dive deeper into how they compare in practice.

Comparing coaching with therapy

One in four people have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. So, there’s demand for both coaches and therapists.

On the coaching front, the global revenue generated by coaching grew by over 60% over the past few years.

This shows people value personal development and mental well-being more than ever.

Both therapy and coaching can greatly improve people’s quality of life, but they do so in different ways.

Let’s take a closer look.

Goal

• Therapy: The main goal is healing from mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
• Coaching: Very results-oriented. The focus is on helping clients achieve concrete and specific goals.

10 examples of coaching goals in different niches are:

• Creating a better work/life balance
• Navigating big life transitions
• Improving communication skills
• Reaching financial independence and security
• Mastering time management
• Finding a fulfilling spiritual path
• Overcoming public speaking fears
• Discovering creativity 
• Developing a business plan
• Cultivating a positive mindset

Of course, therapists also work with goals — ’healing from mental illness’ is a goal in itself.

But in coaching, they are clearer and more specific.

If a client comes with a general idea like “improve health” or “strengthen mental fitness”, coaches make this actionable.

They break it down into achievable milestones and then divide these into subgoals.

This makes progress easier to track.

Plus, this results-oriented approach fits well with coaching’s focus…

Focus 

• Therapy: Huge focus on understanding the past, or recovering from any past trauma, to move forward.
• Coaching: Mostly present and future-oriented.

While therapists dig into the ‘why’ of a client’s patterns, coaches look more at the ‘how’ of moving toward specific outcomes.

So, rather than exploring the past to make sense of current behaviors, coaches figure out what needs to be done now to reach future goals.

That said, experienced coaches do understand how the past influences the present. Just as how psychotherapists guide clients toward personal milestones.

Plus, certain therapeutic approaches are more present-focused than others. Solutions-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are two examples.

Another difference is the type of client you work with.

As a coach, you work with “healthy” clients who:

• Feel stuck and need some direction
• Don’t know how to achieve their goals
• Struggle to make changes on their own
• Are looking for excellence or extraordinary results in their lives

While coaches set out to offer a transformative experience, they don’t try to change deep-seated personality traits.

The idea isn’t to change who clients are at their core. Instead, it’s about building on what they already have and making things better.

Now, let’s see how this focus plays out in the structure of therapy and coaching sessions.

Structure

• Therapy: Therapy sessions usually happen in person, though online therapy is becoming more common. The way sessions are structured varies a lot.
• Coaching: Coaching sessions have a clear structure but are flexible in format. They can take place anytime, anywhere.

Despite these general trends, some psychotherapists offer services over the phone or online. And some coaches have physical offices.

Because there’s less of a need for professional distance in coaching, coaches might meet clients in public spaces like parks or coffee shops. This isn’t common for therapists.

Psychotherapists are also bound by location-based restrictions.

For instance, they need a state-specific license to practice, whereas coaches can work across the U.S. and even globally.

However, always check for any specific rules. Especially if you’re coaching in specialized areas like (mental) health.

In contrast to these restrictions, therapy’s structure is more open-ended. This gives room to explore issues as they come up.

Coaching sessions, on the other hand, are very structured. Because the focus is on specific outcomes each session is purposeful and goal-oriented.

Next, let’s take a look at the different methods.

Methods 

• Therapy: The methods depend on the therapeutic approach. Common ones are CBT, EMDR, and talk therapy. Sometimes, therapists might also prescribe medication to manage symptoms.
• Coaching: Coaches never prescribe medication. But they use the format of setting goals, creating a roadmap, tracking progress, and accountability. 

Many coaches integrate techniques from various fields like:

• Evidence-based coaching psychology
• Positive psychology
• Learning theory
• Motivational interviewing
• Neuroscience
• And so on

They use these techniques to help clients express their goals and develop strategies to overcome challenges.

Therapists are, once again, bound by stricter regulations. They only offer services in areas where they’re trained. For example, to use CBT or EMDR, a therapist must have completed training in these methods.

Coaches don’t deal with such strict rules, although you need real-life experience to offer clients great results.

Given the different tasks and methods, it’s no surprise that the educational requirements are quite different too.

Education 

• Therapy: Therapists need to have completed higher education and training. Plus, they need a state license to practice.
• Coaching: Apart from some niches there are no formal requirements.

As a growing field, coaching doesn’t have fixed educational standards yet.

This means practically anyone, even without any formal training, can become a coach.

While this openness has its upsides, it can be tricky.

Some might offer coaching without having the skills to help. They could even set back their clients’ progress.

That’s where the power of testimonials and referrals comes in, but more on that in a bit…

Therapy and coaching also have different rules when it comes to ongoing education.

Therapists are legally required to continue their education for license renewal.

Coaches don’t have this legal requirement, but staying up-to-date and improving is still the right thing to do.

The best coaches see coaching as more than just a job. It’s about “walking the talk” and living the advice you give. This includes self-care and personal growth.

But what are the different dynamics in coaching and therapy? Let’s dive into that next.

Relationship format 

• Therapy: Usually a long-term, professional relationship. There’s a clear boundary between therapist and client. And clients are often referred to as ‘patients’.
• Coaching: Works within a specific timeframe and has a more equal partnership. 

Coaching relationships tend to be shorter because they’re focused on specific outcomes. Once these goals are met, the coaching is done.

In contrast, therapy often addresses complex, deep-rooted issues. This requires a longer-term commitment.

Another difference is the nature of the relationship.

As a coach, you position yourself as an expert, but there’s less need for professional distance.

Coaching relationships are more relaxed and open. And you’re likely to share personal experiences and anecdotes.

In other words: You can be yourself and let that shine through in your coaching.

Finally, let’s look at the different costs associated with coaching and therapy.

Costs 

• Therapy: Rates are standardized and many therapeutic services are covered by insurance.
• Coaching: Clients mostly have to pay out of pocket. Rates also vary widely.

Because coaching is more about personal growth than medical issues, it’s not usually covered by insurance.

However, plenty of workplaces tend to cover the cost of coaches who helps their employees develop themselves. 

In therapy, rates tend to be standardized. But in coaching, they depend on several factors, including the:

• Niche
• Experience
• Duration

This is why coaching offers a lot more freedom for you as an entrepreneur.

For instance, many well-known coaches charge five to six figures for a contract.

And while I recommend my students to start with $1,500 coaching packages, most go on to charge three to five times that amount once they have enough experience.

In this video, I discuss the concept of coaching in-depth:

Now, with these differences in mind, how do clients know whether they need a coach or a therapist?

Let’s explore that next.

Do you need a coach or a therapist?

Whether you need a coach or a therapist depends on your goals and what you need help with.

Here’s a guide to help you make the right choice.

You may want to work with a therapist if you:

• Deal with a mental health condition that needs a trained professional’s treatment or medication
• Require healing from past trauma, depression, PTSD, or similar issues
• Experience intense emotions or behaviors that disrupt your daily life
• Need help managing a diagnosed mental illness

A coach might be best for you if you:

• Want to boost your mental fitness and work on your mindset
• Have specific personal, career, or financial goals you want to reach
• Generally aim to improve your life

Mental health is a spectrum.

Some people experience severe symptoms, while others have milder ones.

But no matter where you are on the scale, if you’re dealing with mental illness, a therapist is your go-to.

As we’ve seen, there’s a lot of overlap between coaching and therapy, and they can be complementary.

You might start with therapy and move to coaching as you heal, or begin with coaching and later find therapy more suitable.

Deciding on whether you want to work with a therapist or coach is just the start.

You also need to find someone who meets your specific needs.

Let’s look at that next.

How do you choose the right therapist?

First, note that nothing in this guide constitutes medical advice. Always consult medical professionals before you decide on what therapist to consult.

When it comes to picking a therapist, there are two important things to look out for:

• Expertise
• Approach

The right therapist specializes and has experience in the exact issues you’re seeking help for, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• OCD
• Eating disorders
• And so on

Why is this so important?

Because they’ll have the targeted knowledge and methods for your situation.

That said, expertise isn’t everything. Their approach matters just as much.

Opening up about personal issues is already challenging enough. So, for the best results, you really need to feel at ease with your therapist.

Many offer a complimentary discovery session to see if you connect.

This lets you figure out if they’re the right fit before committing.

Does their approach make you feel safe and understood?

If not, it’s best to keep looking — no matter how much expertise they have.

How do you choose the right coach?

When choosing a coach, look out for their:

• Methodology and approach
• Experience
• Reputation

Here, expertise matters too.

But because coaches don’t have a set, regulated path like therapists, you can’t just go by their training or education.

What really matters is their track record. 

How good are they at helping their clients get the exact results they’re after?

To figure this out, you need to look at what others say about them.

This is where referrals, testimonials, and online reviews are key.

These external sources give you A LOT more information than anything a coach claims about themselves.

They help you see whether a coach can deliver on their promises and support you in reaching your goals.

After all, a coach’s true worth is measured by their ability to offer clients a transformative experience.

What’s next? 

There you have it! You now know the difference between coaching vs. therapy.

Running a coaching business offers you a lot of flexibility.

But getting started can seem complicated.

It doesn’t have to be though…

In my six-figure coaching business blueprint, I lay out exactly how to build a highly successful coaching business from scratch.

Want to Build a 6-Figure Coaching Business So You Can Achieve More Freedom?

Get Instant Access To My FREE Ultimate Guide Below!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

The Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring

The Difference Between Coaching and Consulting

How to Find an Online Business Coach 

The post Coaching vs. Therapy: What is the Difference? appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

That’s what you’ll learn today.

Through years of helping 3,000+ people build coaching businesses, I’ve distilled the top coaching skills into a set of skills every coach must have.

These skills set TOP coaches apart from the rest.

And today, I’m sharing them with you.

Ready?

Let’s dive right in!

1. Communication

Being a great communicator is one of the most important coaching skills. 

After all, that’s how you guide your clients effectively. 

But what makes communication good?

Here are five important factors:

• Action-oriented
• Specific
• Clear
• Empathetic
• Respectful

For example, if your client is overwhelmed, you could say:

“I hear your fear. Let’s break this down into one immediate step you can take. I know you can handle it.”

Or perhaps a client is feeling unmotivated? Then a good response could be:

“It sounds like you’re finding this hard. Can you share a time when you felt more motivated? What was different then? Let’s explore that together so we can bring back that energy.'”

You offer support AND a clear path forward.

Now, besides speaking, a big part of communicating is also listening…

2. Active listening

You know when you’re talking to someone and it seems like they’re just thinking of the next thing to say? 

Well, active listening is the opposite. 

You pay full attention and really listen.

When clients feel understood and listened to, they’re more open and ready for change.

Plus, by asking probing questions, you get a clear idea of your client’s goals and struggles.

This lets you shape your coaching to fit them perfectly.

Because instead of projecting things on them, you see their point of view.

3. Empathy 

While listening closely, you step into empathy to really connect with your clients.

Empathy plays an important role in every coaching session.

That’s because it helps you read your client.

You can tell what your client needs at what moment. Tough love? Some motivating words? A moment of silence?

Besides connecting better, it also makes your client feel understood.

With empathy, you tune into your clients’ needs, but with the next skill you give them the honest feedback they need for success.

4. Candor

Candor is about being honest with your clients — even when it’s tough to hear (and say).

To grow, your clients need feedback when their actions don’t match their bigger goals.

When done right, this type of confrontation can be powerful.

It helps clients change and get better results.

This is also where the previous skill comes in handy. Because you need to confront with care and empathy to avoid defensiveness.

5. Leading

Besides honesty, your clients look to you for expert guidance.

You help them achieve THEIR goals, but you can’t just follow your clients — you also need to lead.

The trick here is to do this without being overbearing.

In other words: Lead your clients to lead themselves.

Rather than always fixing their problems, get to the core of the matter. And teach them to find their own solutions.

For example, is your client not doing the work without you checking in? Then that’s a motivation issue that you can address with the next skill.

6. Motivating

When we aim for something big, having someone in our corner who’s been there and done that, can be a huge motivator.

That’s your job as a coach — to make your clients believe they have what it takes to achieve their goals.

Now, to make this happen, you need to actually believe in your client.

This belief can’t be faked.

Research like the Pygmalion effect shows this: Expecting more from someone improves their performance, while low expectations hold them back.

Use this to your advantage to help your clients get results.

7. Problem solving

When a client hits a roadblock, even after following your plan, it’s time for problem-solving. 

Here, you draw from your experience to find new paths to their goal.

You need to think outside the box and adapt strategies to fit their unique situation.

Your ability to solve unexpected problems can be the difference between a client giving up versus finding a new way forward.

However, don’t simply pretend to know ALL the answers, which leads us to the next coaching skill…

8. Integrity

Integrity means staying true to your values and being honest. It’s about doing what you say and saying what you mean.

Why does this matter?

For one, your clients trust and respect you more when they see you’re true to your word.

But secondly, as a coach, you’re a role model to your clients.

When clients see you being dependable and resilient, they learn from you.

That’s why leading by example is key.

9. Boundary-setting 

We often confuse being boundaried with being mean. But in reality, you’re actually doing your client a service by setting boundaries.

Because without them, you create an over-reliant client who doesn’t learn to take responsibility. 

Healthy boundaries are also a form of self-care. They help prevent burnout.

Overdelivering is great, but NOT at the cost of your well-being.

After all, your business should bring freedom and abundance, not constant stress.

10. Intuition

Developing your intuition makes you a better coach.

Here’s why. Your intuition:

• Builds your confidence because you’re relying on your inner wisdom, not just guesses.
• Leads to spot-on observations that help your clients grow.
• Grows your business by choosing the right clients and knowing when to refer them to others.

With intuition, coaching becomes a lot easier.

And when you combine it with active listening (skill #2), you get an incredibly deep understanding of your client’s needs and emotions.

11. Addressing limiting beliefs 

Limiting beliefs block progress.

What makes them especially tricky is that they often feel like undeniable truths. (Even though they’re NOT!)

Or, they’re unconscious. 

Breaking these beliefs is key to progress.

As a coach, you offer tools to change these ingrained beliefs that hold your clients back.

However, it’s just as important to confront your own limiting beliefs.

Once these beliefs are uncovered, the next step is to take action. That’s how we prove to ourselves that our old beliefs are indeed very wrong.

12. Action-taking 

Uncovering limiting beliefs is just the start.

The real transformation happens through taking action.

What we do shapes who we are.

So, encourage your clients to take small, consistent steps toward their goals.

This builds their confidence AND cements new habits. These habits are crucial in moving clients closer to their goals, rather than away.

Now, how do you know which actions to take? By working with goals…

13. Goal-setting 

Setting goals triggers new behaviors and tells you what to focus on.

The BEST goals are:

• Specific
• Challenging
• Achievable

The key is to break down large goals into smaller milestones.

For example, if a client wants a better career, the high-level goal might be a job promotion or a career shift.

You map out how to get there month by month:

• Month 1 = Develop skills
• Month 2 = Network strategies
• Month 3 = Prepare for interviews

And you lay out subgoals for each milestone.

This step-by-step approach sets your clients up for success instead of disappointment.

14. Organizational skills 

So far, we’ve looked at skills that are important to help your clients get results. But the next ones are what you need to build a successful coaching business.

First up: Organizational skills.

How productive are you with your time and energy?

If you’re juggling coaching as a side gig, this one is SUPER important.

Rather than trying to do it all, zero in on the most important tasks to drive sales.

15. Able to take rejection

Fear of rejection can really hold you back. But as an entrepreneur, you can’t afford to let it. 

You need to detach yourself from rejection.

What helps with that is remembering that rejection isn’t personal.

In my early days, I faced many rejections. But instead of letting them get me down, I focused on improving. Eventually, that first ‘yes’ came, along with a $5,000 client.

But when we give up too early, we don’t give our ‘YES’ the time to come through…

16. Being obsessed

Handling rejection is just one part of being a successful entrepreneur. For the best results, you also need to be a little obsessed.

Hear me out…

Setting up a business takes work. But having a healthy obsession means you’re always looking for ways to grow.

When I started, I focused on improving EVERY aspect of my business:

• Coaching skills
• Products
• Overdelivering
• Systems
• EVERYTHING

This helped me hit seven figures so quickly.

And honestly, I’m still as healthily obsessed as ever. The main difference is that I have years of experience and everything takes me less time and effort now.

17. Backward looking

Another part of the entrepreneurial mindset is looking backward.

Not in the sense of being nostalgic, but rather of seeing how far you’ve come.

Don’t fall into the trap of laser-focusing on all that’s still left to achieve. That will only make you feel dissatisfied.

Here’s a different approach:

Celebrate your current wins, no matter where you are in your journey.

Just signed a $1,500 client? Instead of stressing about not hitting $10k yet, appreciate your milestone.

And remind yourself, “Look how far I’ve come!”

18. Coachability

Being coachable means that you’re open to learning and growth. You also recognize that there’s so much that you don’t know yet.

Working with the right coach can make a huge difference, but coachability doesn’t mean that you NEED to get a coach.

Rather, it’s about being open to guidance and insights, wherever they may come from.

This way, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. 

I discuss the concept of coachability more in-depth here:

19. Patience

To make it big, you need to be impatiently patient.

Here’s what that means:

‘Patient’ refers to having patience for the long-term goal.

Don’t set rigid goals like, “I need to have made X amount of money by X amount of time, or I give up.”

Instead of imposing unrealistic deadlines, commit to however much time is needed to make it work.

‘Impatiently,’ on the other hand, means actually doing the work to achieve your goals.

Because when we don’t take action, we end up waiting forever.

20. Able to reframe failure 

As an entrepreneur, how you handle failure matters.

Why see it as the end, when you could use it as a learning step?

It’s not “I failed, so it’s over,” but more like “I failed, what can I learn?”

Truth is, every successful entrepreneur has faced (multiple) failures.

The problem is when we dwell on these setbacks.

Instead, prepare for them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

21. Humility 

This one is more of an attitude — but one that makes a HUGE difference.

To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to cultivate your mindset for success.

This way, you avoid self-sabotaging your business.

When we don’t believe in something, the chances of it working out for us are next to nothing.

So, instead of wasting mental energy and time thinking about how things won’t work for you.

Always think: How CAN I make this work for me?

And then, take the necessary steps to make it happen.

Next steps

That’s a wrap on the 21 life key coaching skills.

Ready to put what you’ve learned into action?

Then check out my comprehensive blueprint for building a six-figure coaching business. There, I reveal how to turn these coaching skills into a highly profitable business.

Want to Build a 6-Figure Coaching Business So You Can Achieve More Freedom?

Get Instant Access To My FREE Ultimate Guide Below!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

What Makes a Great Coach?

The Best Coaching Styles

What is Coaching?

The post 21 Life Coaching Skills You MUST Have as a Top Coach appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to launch a successful strength and conditioning coaching business. 

Ready? Let’s get started.

Today, you’ll learn:

What is a strength and conditioning coach?
What does a strength and conditioning coach do?
What skills make a good strength and conditioning coach?
How to become a certified S&C coach
How much does a S&C coach make?

What is a strength and conditioning coach?

A strength and conditioning coach (also known as an S&C coach) helps their clients enhance their physical performance and capabilities. They place an emphasis on improving strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall conditioning.

Their primary focus is to help their clients develop a particular skill and improve performance over time with a tailored training plan. These plans include elements like strength training, aerobic conditioning, plyometrics, and agility drills.

But they can also help with other elements of fitness and wellness, including injury prevention, injury recovery, and nutrition.

S&C coaches work with a few main client bases: Institutions, professional athletes, and non-athletes.

Institutions and professional athlete settings can mean high school and college-level athletes as well as professional athletes on major sports teams. 

In these kinds of settings, they work in tandem with sports coaches to evaluate the players and come up with a plan regarding what they should be working to improve. They might also maintain the S&C facility and put policies and procedures in place to keep everyone safe.

A great strength and conditioning coach can work with all types of fitness levels.

For example, an S&C could help amateur runners learn proper form to enhance speed and reduce their risk of injury. 

Strength and conditioning coaches can even work with people who aren’t athletes at all or simply don’t have an athletic goal.

For instance, an S&C coach might work with seniors to improve their daily movements to prevent falls and injuries.

Non-athletic clients could also see S&C coaches to improve things such as their mobility, stability, agility, endurance, power, and movement quality.

Regardless of a client’s athletic ability, there are several benefits of working with an strength and conditioning coach, including: 

• Improved performance
• Greater strength
• Faster recovery
• Fewer injuries
• Greater health

Now that you understand what an S&C coach is, let’s talk about their main responsibilities.

What does a strength and conditioning coach do?

A strength and conditioning coach has two equally important focus areas.

The first is improving an individual’s athletic performance to enhance speed, form, power, strength, and endurance.

This is done by creating plans that:

• Focus on stride mechanics, explosive movements, and agility drills
• Improve exercise and movement techniques
• Incorporate plyometric exercises to increase strength and speed
• Target and build specific muscle groups to promote overall strength
• Focus on functional fitness
• Offer aerobic exercise and interval training to improve stamina

Their other focus is preventing and reducing athletic injuries through flexibility and mobility training, core strengthening, introducing new recovery strategies, and more.

Of course, the client you’re working with will change your approach.

With non-athletes, you’ll focus primarily on functional fitness. 

In other words, you’ll help find ways to make everyday activities easier and less likely to cause injury. You’ll work with clients on things like balance, mobility, posture, strength, and stamina. 

Clients who are athletes but not on a team (amateur athletes like runners) will focus on improving their technique and performance.

Programs for professional athletes will be more rigorous, but it all depends on the time of the season. In-season conditioning is often less difficult than off-season, as it focuses primarily on maintaining an athlete’s conditioning instead of improving it.

But what do S&C coaches actually do?

As a strength and conditioning coach, you’ll be responsible for:

• Assessing client strengths and weaknesses 
• Creating training plans that target specific muscle groups, movements, and energy systems
• Working with sports coaches to monitor and measure an athlete’s performance and progress, as well as formulate strategies
• Collaborating with sports medical professionals to improve an athlete’s recovery processes
• Instructing clients on correct exercise techniques and proper form
• Designing training programs for athletes based on sport, position, and training objectives
• Regularly conducting fitness assessments to monitor a client’s strengths, weaknesses, and training requirements

Strength and conditioning coaches can work in a variety of settings. The setting you’ll work in will depend on your expertise, preferences, and client base. 

In addition to institutions and with sports teams, you could work with clients in:

• Youth sports organizations
• Fitness centers and gyms
• Private training facilities
• Physical rehabilitation clinics
• Corporate wellness programs
• Military and law enforcement

Or you could work online. As research shows, online health coaching is as effective as face-to-face coaching. 

And if you’re looking for flexibility and freedom, launching your online strength and conditioning coaching business is the best way to get it.

Want to find out if you have what it takes to be a good S&C coach? Keep reading!

What skills make a good S&C coach?

To be a good – or even great – strength and conditioning coach, you should be able to:

• Believe in your client: On a self-improvement journey, it’s crucial to have someone on your side. Get your clients to believe that they can achieve their goals, even if you can’t promise results. 
• Offer candor: When your clients don’t want to hear the truth, it’s up to you to have those tough conversations that help them reframe and move forward when they’re struggling. 
• Hold clients accountable: When a client’s dedication starts to waver, remind them of what they’re working toward and emphasize the steps they’ll have to take to get there.
• Actively listen to your clients: Be present in the conversation and provide feedback, ask clarifying questions, and paraphrase what the client is saying to show that you understand.
• Set the right goals: One of the most important parts of coaching is helping your clients set realistic, achievable goals based on where they currently are, where they want to be, and what’s keeping them from achieving them.
• Solve problems that your clients encounter: If one of the plans you’ve put in place for your client isn’t working, don’t just say you’re not sure why. Instead, work to find and solve the problem so they can improve.

With these skills in mind, let’s move on to how you can become a strength and conditioning coach. 

How to become a certified S&C coach

The truth is that becoming a strength and conditioning coach is about more than just your skills.

You also have to have the right kind of strategy and know exactly which steps to take, like finding your niche, getting certified, and marketing your services.

And right now, I’m going to show you exactly what you’ll need to do to be successful.

Education 

If you want to work with organizations or schools, a Bachelor’s degree in a health science or fitness-related field will be enough. That includes majors like kinesiology, sports medicine, and exercise science.

Higher-level clients, like professional athletic teams, prefer S&C coaches with a Master’s degree. 

That said, if you’re self-employed and own a strength and conditioning coaching business, you likely won’t need a degree or license to work with individuals. 

But it’s important to note that this can vary based on your niche (such as nutrition), so be aware of any requirements before you start coaching.

Find a niche

Speaking of niches, finding yours is crucial!

S&C coaches with a niche stand out in the field and attract clients because they specialize in something specific.

To find your niche, think about your experience. Who do you help, and how?

You may have helped your grandparents enhance their well-being with functional exercises and balance improvement. That’s a niche!

Or maybe you’ve found your passion in helping young athletes get comfortable and confident playing their sport. That’s also a niche.

Specializing in a specific audience, like college-level athletes, is also a niche.

Other niches include:

• Adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities
• Sports conditioning and nutrition
• Corporate wellness
• Post-rehabilitation conditioning
• Specialized sports performance

Want a hand in coming up with your niche? Check out my list of 100 of the most profitable ones here. 

Get a strength & conditioning certification  

Depending on your niche, you probably don’t need to get certified as a self-employed S&C coach.

But a certification is typically required if you want to work for someone else. 

When choosing one, I always recommend making your decision based on the program’s accreditation. 

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is often regarded as the golden standard for credentialing in the S&C field. 

Here are a few accredited S&C coaching certifications to consider:

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

This exam is made up of two sections: Scientific Foundations and Practical/Applied. 

The Scientific Foundations section will test you on exercise science, sports psychology, and nutrition. In the Practical/Applied section, you’ll answer questions about exercise technique, program design, organization and administration, and testing, monitoring, and evaluation.

Format: In person

Cost: $475

International Sports Science Association (ISSA) Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification

This self-paced course will teach you communication skills, athlete anatomy, body mechanics, how to create plans, the fundamentals of sports psychology, and more. You’ll also have access to an online textbook, practice exam, online exercise lab, and free professional website.

The final exam is untimed and open-book.

Format: Online self-study

Cost: $639.20

Performance Enhancement Specialist certification (PES)

Created by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, you’ll work through four sections: Anatomy and Physiology for Sport, Sport Performance Testing, Olympic Lifting, and Sport Nutrition.

The final exam consists of 100 questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

Format: Online self-study
Cost: $599

Get S&C coaching clients

Here are some tried-and-true ways to land your first paying client.

Reach out to your friends and family.

Leverage your existing network by offering your expertise to friends, family, and coworkers who are already familiar with you and what you do.

Chances are, at least one of them would be open to improving their athletic performance.

Trust me – reaching out to this close circle can be one of the easiest ways to secure your initial clients, even if it feels a bit awkward initially.

Join social media.

Social media platforms are a great way to get yourself out there.

Take some time to identify online communities relevant to your niche and actively engage in conversation! But don’t offer your services right away – instead, offer valuable insights and build relationships first.

And if you can, post some helpful videos on platforms like Instagram. For example, a video about perfecting your running form could be beneficial for new runners.

This approach establishes you as trustworthy and credible rather than just a salesperson.

Volunteer for guest posts and podcasts.

There are hundreds of blogs and podcasts dedicated to S&C – why not use them to position yourself as an expert?

Appearing in publications or on podcasts that align with your expertise increases your visibility and can help your ideal clients find you.

Start with just one of these approaches first. Only once your client roster grows should you consider expanding your outreach strategies. 

I’ll show you how to market your strength and conditioning coaching business effectively in this article.

Create a S&C coaching package 

I get it – pricing your services can feel uncomfortable. After all, how do you set a price that shows your value without being too expensive?

I always recommend that new S&C coaches price their services per package instead of per session or month.

That’s because when your clients pay for a specific package – such as three or six months – your coaching and pricing become results-oriented. 

Because you’re a new S&C coach, $1,500 for a 3-month package with two monthly calls is a great price point. 

I break down packages and pricing in this video:

Become a great S&C coach

The crux of building a successful business lies in conducting effective S&C coaching sessions. 

While scripting every word isn’t necessary, sessions should be well-structured and goal-oriented. 

More importantly, every call should work toward the client’s overarching goal. 

The key to this? Setting subgoals.

Subgoals work together to propel clients toward their ultimate goal. 

Between sessions, your clients will work on these subgoals. Their progress will allow you to better structure your calls, track progress, and keep them accountable.

In this guide, I’ll teach you to plan and structure your coaching sessions.

Keep reading to learn how much you’ll make as an S&C coach!

How much does a strength and conditioning coach make?

There’s never been a better time to break into fitness as a strength and conditioning coach – as of 2022, the fitness industry was worth over $87 billion! 

And even better, the employment of fitness trainers is expected to grow by as much as 14% each year. That’s a far better outlook than most careers.

So, what about the salary?

On average, strength and conditioning coaches make $63,157 per year – almost on par with health and wellness coach salaries, which clock in at $63,500. 

But you have to remember that these numbers are the averages. 

Truthfully, your salary depends on you. What you make is determined by things like your credentials, niche, and position. 

Of course, you can earn far more than the average, especially if you own your coaching business. In fact, most self-employed coaches make $100,000 or more per year.

After all, business owners always have higher earning potential than employees.

So there’s no reason that a self-employed, full-time strength and conditioning coach with a profitable niche can’t earn six figures or even multiple six figures.

And remember, you’re just starting out. Don’t stop after you’ve helped a few clients reach their goals – you have what it takes to scale your business! 

Your earning potential will multiply as you enhance your skills and expand your client roster.

Next steps

Now you know what it takes to become a successful strength and conditioning coach.

Are you ready to build a profitable strength and conditioning coaching business that lets you have a real impact on people’s lives? 

Then grab my FREE step-by-step guide to building a six-figure strength and conditioning coaching business here:

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We’ll cover all the steps and information you need to become a successful leadership coach.

Ready?

Let’s dive straight in!

You’ll learn:

• What leadership coaching is
• The difference between leadership coaching and executive coaching
• What a leadership coach does
• How to become a certified leadership coach
• Benefits of leadership coaching
• How much you can make as a leadership coach

What is leadership coaching?

Let’s start by nailing down what leadership coaching means.

Leadership coaching is about boosting the skills and performance of ‘leaders.’

Leaders can be:

• Managers
• Executives
• Entrepreneurs
• And so on

The focus? Improve their performance and help them lead better.

You give them the tools to:

• Make better decisions
• Improve communication
• Navigate complex team dynamics

Leadership coaching has different formats.

You can work one-on-one with a client. 

Or, you can offer group sessions or leadership coaching to entire teams.

In that case, you work on a team’s leadership skills. 

There’s also the option of running group sessions with leaders from different fields. 

That said, if you’re new to coaching, I recommend you start with private one-on-one sessions.

Now that we have a clear picture of what leadership coaching is, let’s compare it with executive coaching.

What is the difference between leadership coaching and executive coaching?

Leadership coaching and executive coaching are sometimes confused.

Let’s clear that up.

Leadership coaching is about helping all kinds of leaders.

It’s not just for current managers but for anyone who wants to lead better — no matter where they are in a company.

The focus is less on personal or life goals and more on becoming skilled leaders.

Executive coaching is more specific.

It’s for the top people in a company, like CEOs or managers.Executive coaches focus on: 

• Strategic decision-making
• Visionary leadership
• Organizational transformation 

So, leadership coaching is for anyone who wants to lead, while executive coaching is specifically for those who are already in executive positions.

With this in mind, let’s explore what you’ll do as a leadership coach.

What does a leadership coach do?

Alright, let’s dive into what a leadership coach does.

Here’s an overview of tasks you might take on:

• Boost performance and productivity: Support clients to perform at their best.
• Guide through limitations: Help identify and break through personal limitations.
• Set goals: Work with clients to set clear, attainable goals.
• Create strategies: Put together plans for each client’s unique leadership challenges and needs.
• Track progress and offer feedback: Keep an eye on how your clients are doing and give them constructive feedback. You help them see what’s going well and where there’s room for improvement.
• Improve leadership skills: Your main goal is to sharpen leadership qualities. This includes communication, decision-making, team management, and so on.

Through your coaching, leaders can excel in their roles.

And in turn, they inspire and guide others.

Sounds good?

Then let’s look at how you can become a leadership coach.

How do you become a certified leadership coach? (5 steps)

How do you become a leadership coach?

The process isn’t too complicated.

There are five key steps.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Find your niche

The first step is picking your niche.

Yes, leadership coaching is a niche. But specializing even more increases your coaching impact.

Plus, you can earn more too.

Let me explain…

Clients hire a coach because they’re looking for specific advice and solutions.

When you have deep knowledge in an area, your advice is more targeted.

This expertise lets your clients achieve their goals quickly.

And that’s what GREAT coaching is all about: Getting awesome results within a specific timeframe.

Now, how do you find your specialty?

Ask yourself:

• What leadership skills do you have experience in?
• Which type of leaders or organizations do you want to help?
• What challenges will you solve?

By combining these three elements, you have a unique offering.

Here are some examples of leadership coaching niches:

• Leadership coaching for women 
• Leadership development for startups
• Conflict resolution and communication skills for team leaders
• Strategic leadership coaching for business owners
• Team building and collaboration coaching for remote teams
• Innovation leadership for tech industry managers

Not sure what you’ll specialize in? In this video, I break down how to find your niche:

Once you’ve picked your niche, it’s time to develop your coaching skills.

2. Develop your leadership coaching skills

To help your clients get the BEST results, you need coaching skills.

Here are four essential ones:

• Experience: Real-world experience is INVALUABLE. Know the nuances of leadership challenges and how to solve them. Of course, you also need to know how to coach. That’s why I always recommend my students to start coaching ASAP. (But more on that in a bit…)
• Empathy: This skill helps you connect with clients on a deeper level. It lets you give targeted advice that fits their situation.
• Communication skills: As a coach, you need to communicate clearly. But communicating isn’t just about talking — you also have to listen. That’s where empathy comes into play.
• Self-awareness: To be a great coach, you have to be self-aware. Reflect on your coaching style and how it impacts your clients.

Becoming a skilled leadership coach is an ongoing process.

You learn as you coach.

That’s why it’s best to start with a few clients at a lower rate.

This approach lets you refine your skills through real-life feedback and results.

The trick is to view each coaching session as a learning opportunity.

Over time, you improve your skills and thus also the value you provide your clients.

3. Get a leadership coaching certification 

First: You don’t NEED a certification to be a successful leadership coach.

What matters most is whether you have the right experience to help your clients get results. (Some businesses might require or value certifications, though.)

That said, if you want to call yourself a certified coach, you need a certification.

Plus, some organizations might require one. So, always look up the requirements for your specific niche.

Decided you’ll get certified? Then go for accredited certifications.

For instance, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a respected organization.

To become a certified leadership coach, you’ll first need to complete an accredited coach training program.

After that, you can earn a credential from the ICF or the CCE.

Here’s a quick look at the different ICF certification levels:

• ACC (Associate Certified Coach): 100 coaching hours (75 paid) with 8+ clients and 60 training hours.
• PCC (Professional Certified Coach): 500 coaching hours (450 paid) with 25+ clients, plus 125 training hours.
• MCC (Master Certified Coach): 2,500 coaching hours (2,250 paid) with 35+ clients and 200 training hours.

Apart from accreditation, there are some other factors to keep in mind when choosing a program:

• Location: Is the program offered online or in person?
• Flexibility: Can you balance the training with your current responsibilities?
• Duration: How long will it take to complete the program?
• Cost: Does it fit within your budget?
• Curriculum: Does it cover the topics you’re most interested in?

Once you’ve sorted out if you want to get certified, it’s time to create a coaching package that delivers results.

4. Create a leadership coaching package 

Why work with coaching packages when you could simply charge by the hour?

Let’s break it down:

When you charge by the hour, it’s all about the clock.

You’re trading time for money, which puts a cap on your potential earnings.

On the other hand, coaching packages shift the focus to what your clients will achieve.

That’s what clients are willing to invest in: RESULTS — not just your time.

Another great bonus is that coaching packages offer clarity. Clients get a clear picture of what they can expect.

Now, how do you create your coach packages?

Here’s my advice:

Start with a three-month program. This timeframe is long enough for meaningful change but not overwhelming.

For your sessions, aim for regular, spaced-out meetings. Bi-weekly sessions, paired with consistent email support, are perfect.

This gives clients the time to put strategies into action and see progress. Plus, if things aren’t working as planned, you can adjust the course.

As for pricing, a great starting point is $1,500 packages.

With more experience and testimonials, you can then increase your rates.

For example, most of my experienced students offer +$5,000 packages.

With your coaching package set up, you can offer clients a real transformation.

Now, all that’s left to do is find your clients…

5. Find leadership coaching clients 

Finding your first clients can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

You just have to know where to look.

Here are three great options to find leadership coaching clients:

• Tap into your network: Maybe someone around you can use leadership coaching or knows someone who does?
• Engage on social media: LinkedIn and other professional networks are perfect for leadership coaches. Join relevant discussions and offer tips. The key is to create real connections while also positioning yourself as a leadership coaching expert.
• Feature on leadership podcasts: Podcasts are a great way to get noticed. Besides hosting your own you can also feature on someone else’s. This lets you reach listeners who already trust the host. And that trust can then transfer to you.

Looking for more strategies to find your first paying clients? Then check out this video I put together for you:

These were the five steps to becoming a (certified) leadership coach.

But what benefits can your clients expect to see?

Let’s explore that next.

Benefits of leadership coaching

As a leadership coach, you have a big impact on an even bigger scale.

Here’s what you help your clients achieve:

• Boosted performance: Help teams, individuals, and entire organizations reach peak performance levels.
• More motivation: Inspire leaders to be proactive and driven.
• Better work culture: Make workplaces happier and more productive.
• Stronger confidence: Work on key areas like decision-making and communication to build leadership confidence.
• Higher productivity: Teach teams to work smarter and achieve more.
• Increased success: Good leadership often boosts a company’s revenue.

Research backs these benefits.

A study shows leadership coaching can improve self-awareness, confidence, and even personal lives.

Also, about 75% of people say leadership coaching is worth much more than it costs.

Clearly, leadership coaching is incredibly useful.

But is there a real demand for this service?

And how much can you expect to earn? 

Let’s delve into the financial aspects next.

How much can you make as a leadership coach?

Leadership coaching is a high-demand niche.

70% of organizations offer some type of leadership coaching. And over 40% of them are increasing their budget for it.

So, how much can you actually earn as a leadership coach?

How much you charge depends on several factors like:

• Location
• Niche
• Industry
• Experience

Let’s look at some numbers.

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for leadership coaches ranges from $70K to $116K, with an average of $89,760.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) reports an average hourly fee of $272 and an average annual income of $67,800 for coaches in general.

These are just averages, though. They’re NOT the limit.

Here’s why:

Leadership coaching is a high-end service.

With the right strategy, you can earn more than the norm.

Many of my students make six to multiple six or seven figures a year.

You see, being your own boss comes with a nice perk: 

You’re free to set your own rates.

That’s one huge difference with regular 9-to-5 jobs.

And it’s one of the many reasons why I call this kind of business a true ‘Freedom Business.’

Next steps 

That’s everything you need to know on how to become a leadership coach!

Achieving a six-figure income in this field is absolutely possible.

Want a clear path to success?

Then get my six-figure coaching business blueprint.

It lays out exactly how to build a highly successful coaching business step by step.

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The 10 Biggest Benefits of Business Coaching

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I’ve gathered all the essential information you need to become a successful marketing coach.

Ready to start learning?

Let’s dive in!

You’ll learn:

• What marketing coaching is
• What a marketing coach does
• Who marketing coaches can help
• The difference between a marketing coach and a consultant
• How to become a marketing coach
• How much marketing coaches charge

What is a marketing coach?

First, what exactly does a marketing coach do?

As a marketing coach, you help clients get the most out of their marketing investments.

This includes both online and offline approaches.

Online, you help with:

• Social media
• Blogging
• Podcasts
• Ad campaigns
• Websites

Offline, it’s about:

• Events
• Conferences
• Workshops

And as a marketing coach, you can help transform your clients’ businesses. 

And the US, as the biggest advertising market, spends about $300 billion on it.

By becoming a marketing coach, you’re tapping into this huge market. 

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly you’ll be doing.

What does a marketing coach do?

What will be your tasks as a marketing coach?

Let’s break it down:

• Identify niche and audience: Help clients discover their specific market and target audience. Who are they selling to?
• Develop a marketing strategy: Work out a big-picture roadmap so that clients can visualize (and reach!) their goals.
• Create a marketing plan: Break down the marketing strategy into actionable steps.
• Review marketing materials: Go over all content, ads, and promotional materials so that they’re hitting the mark.
• Analyze marketing data: Look at the numbers, and help clients understand what is and isn’t working.
• Provide feedback on campaigns: Give advice on how to improve marketing campaigns.
• Grow sales and business revenue: Show how to sell more with marketing.

You help clients get the most out of their marketing efforts and see their business grow.

But who benefits the most from hiring a marketing coach?

Let’s cover that next.

Who should hire a marketing coach?

As a marketing coach, the clients you work with are typically solopreneurs or businesses not seeing results from their marketing.

Maybe their strategies aren’t working, or they lack the support to follow through with their plans. Or they want to add on a marketing strategy they haven’t used so far. 

This is where you step in. You identify the gaps in their marketing and provide solutions.

How you do this depends on your niche and the size of the company.

We’ll talk about your niche in a bit, but first, let’s go over your coaching role in small versus big businesses.

Small business marketing coaches

Small businesses often don’t have their own marketing team.

As a marketing coach, you help them:

• Choose the right marketing tools: Which tools get the best results while also fitting the client’s budget and needs?
• Set effective processes: Streamline all marketing.
• Build a team: Give advice on hiring the right marketing talent.
• Develop key marketing assets: Design memorable logos, websites, ad materials, and so on.
• Find the right clients: Create targeted marketing strategies to attract ideal customers.
• Improve pricing: Prices should reflect the value of the products or services AND fit the target audience’s budget.
• Scale up: Keep track of demand and ramp up at the right time.

Big business marketing coaches

Big businesses generally already have a marketing team. But they might need help with adding on a strategy or improving what they already have.

You’d:

• Review current plans: Figure out what is and isn’t working — and why.
• Create new strategies: Develop up-to-date strategies that align with changing marketing trends and techniques.
• Identify new opportunities: Find untapped markets or channels.
• Optimize marketing strategies: Optimize and systematize team performance and how marketing strategies are implemented. 

Whether you work with small or big businesses, as a coach, you take on the role of an expert partner.

That’s what sets you apart from marketing consultants.

Let’s go over that distinction next.

What’s the difference between a marketing coach and consultant?

Not sure what the difference is between a marketing coach and a marketing consultant?

Let’s clear that up.

A coach is someone who acts as a partner with clients to:

• Ask questions
• Set goals
• Develop skills
• Tackle marketing challenges
• Review results
• Adjust strategy

When a client wants to learn the ropes and needs step-by-step guidance, a marketing coach is the go-to.

Coaches keep clients accountable. They show how to find solutions AND teach clients the skills to solve future challenges on their own.

A consultant is more of a service provider who helps with specific tasks. This is often on a short-term basis.

If clients want an expert to take charge so they can focus on other tasks, a consultant is great.

Finally, there are also marketing agencies.

An agency offers a full range of marketing services. This makes them ideal for an all-in-one marketing solution on a larger scale.

That said, coaching and consulting is often fairly similar. In fact, my preferred approach to coaching is “coach-sulting,” a mix of coaching and consulting. 

I talk more about coach-sulting here: 

With this cleared up, let’s go over how you can become a marketing coach.

How do you become a marketing coach?

Let’s start with some good news: Becoming a successful marketing coach isn’t too complicated.

There are no strict prerequisites.

BUT you do need experience in the field to help your clients get results.

The process of becoming a marketing coach involves four key steps.

Let’s walk through them.

Find a niche

Step number one is finding your niche.

In other words: What will you specialize in?

Picking a niche has many benefits:

• It sets you apart as an expert
• Clients are quicker to trust you
• You deliver better and faster results
• You can increase your rates because your coaching is so targeted

When choosing your niche, ask yourself:

• What aspects of marketing are you good at and have experience in?
• Who do you want to help?
• What problems or challenges do you want to solve?

Perhaps you’re great at branding and want to help startups.

Or maybe you’re a social media expert and want to help fitness entrepreneurs boost their online presence.

Still not sure what your niche is? Then this video will help you out:

Of course, picking your niche is just the first step.

You’ll also need to get coaching clients.

Get marketing coaching clients

When it comes to finding coaching clients, I always tell my students to start with just one.

Why?

Trying to juggle too many clients at the start can be overwhelming.

Instead, keep it simple and manageable.

Plus, you learn a lot by doing. You see the results and get immediate feedback.

Use this to improve your coaching for future clients.

Not sure how to land your first client? Here are three great options:

• Your network: Your personal and professional networks are goldmines. Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues. They might need your coaching services or know someone who does.

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• Social media: Social media platforms are perfect for showcasing your marketing expertise. Share valuable content, engage in conversations, and offer useful tips. This helps you build relationships with your audience. Plus, it grows your reputation as a go-to marketing coach. The key is to focus on those platforms where your ideal clients hang out. Master that platform before expanding to the next.
• Podcasts: Being a guest on marketing podcasts or starting your own is great for reaching a wider audience. You get to dive deep into marketing topics and can share your unique approach. Here’s another benefit: On someone else’s podcast, the audience already trusts the host. This means they’re more likely to trust you too, making a personal connection easier.

For more advice on landing your first client, check out my video:

Once you’ve got a plan for attracting clients, it’s time to create a coaching package that gets them results.

Create a marketing coaching package

A coaching package is a complete, structured program.

Working with packages is much better than billing by the hour.

Here’s why:

When we work with hourly rates, we focus on how many hours we put in.

This structure caps your income potential. It turns your coaching business into a time-for-money trade. (Similar to most 9-to-5’s…)

In contrast, coaching packages shift attention to the results your clients will see.

It becomes more about the changes and growth they experience instead of the number of hours you put in.

This focus on transformation and outcome is what clients are willing to invest in.

They’re not just paying for your time — they’re investing in their own progress and success.

A third benefit is that coaching packages offer a clear roadmap.

Clients see what they can expect at what point.

This transparency makes them feel more secure and committed to the coaching process.

Here’s how to set up your packages:

• Begin with a three-month program: Three months is long enough for a real transformation, but not too long to become overwhelming.
• Regular but spaced-out sessions: Bi-weekly or monthly sessions coupled with regular email support work best. It gives clients time to implement strategies and see results.
• Smart pricing: I recommend starting with $1,500 packages — but this isn’t the limit, though. With more experience and testimonials, you can charge increasingly higher rates. For example, most of my students go on to offer +$5,000 packages.

With a well-structured package, you’re ready to offer value to your clients.

Now, all that’s left is actually doing the coaching.

Let’s look at that next.

Work with marketing coaching clients

The fourth step is coaching your client.

Here, the transformation you offer is key.

How will your coaching change their lives for the better?

Here are some transformative examples for the marketing niche:

• A struggling company recovers thanks to record-breaking sales
• A coach creates a webinar series that triples their client base
• A non-profit halves its marketing budget while still doubling its fundraising
• A public speaker’s personal branding leads to speaking engagements and collaborations
• An artist doubles their artwork sales and finally thrives financially from their passion

Now, how do you help your clients see such impressive results?

This three-step formula will help you out:

1. Start with a big goal: Figure out the main goal your client wants to achieve.
2. Set milestones: Break this big goal down into smaller milestones.
3. Subgoals for each meeting: Divide these milestones into subgoals for each coaching session.

Here’s why this approach works:

Setting goals keeps you focused. Breaking them down into actionable steps keeps up the momentum.

In every session, you cover one or two subgoals.

This is easy to manage and lets your clients see they’re making progress.

It also gives you the flexibility to change plans if certain strategies aren’t leading to the expected outcomes.

You now know what it takes to become a marketing coach. But what benefits will your clients have?

Let’s take a closer look…

Benefits of a marketing coach

Through marketing coaching, you can have a big impact on your clients’ lives.

Let’s look at some typical benefits, and how you can achieve them.

Giving actionable advice

Clients need to implement what you share.

To make sure your advice is not just theoretical but actionable, start with a three-month plan that breaks down every step.

Each month could focus on a different aspect of marketing, like:

• Personal branding
• Advertising strategies
• Content marketing

This structured approach is invaluable, especially for new coaches. It helps you see what you’re working toward.

Now, to make every coaching call count, you’ll also need to clarify the goals further.

Clarifying goals

Remember the goals-milestones-subgoals formula?

Here’s how to put that into action:

Let’s say your client wants to improve their online presence.

You set this as the main goal, with relevant milestones. And you break these milestones down into subgoals.

This way, each subgoal is linked to a bigger milestone (which is, in turn, linked to the big main goal.)

• On the first call, you identify current marketing challenges and misconceptions.
• During the next call, you teach basic digital marketing strategies.
• Then, you help them implement these strategies. One session could be dedicated to developing a content calendar. Another might focus on analyzing the results of a small ad campaign.

You offer feedback and adjustments based on their outcomes.

This approach transforms your client’s life step by step.

That’s how you set them up for success instead of disappointment.

Guiding and motivating 

As a coach, you’re not only an expert strategist but also a motivator.

You help clients believe in themselves and the possibility of achieving their goals.

Your experience and success stories reassure them that their objectives are within reach. 

They simply need the right approach.

That said, it’s not about constant cheerleading and empty positivity.

Your clients need the whole truth, even if it’s tough to hear at times…

Holding clients accountable

To keep clients on track, you need the right balance between positivity and candor.

You hold honest and straightforward discussions about their efforts and progress. And you help them spot their mental blocks and work through them.

This accountability leads to:

• Clarified marketing goals
• Marketing tools training
• Enhanced marketing strategy
• Improved marketing campaigns and results
• Professional marketing support
• Overall greater marketing success

Consider this: Organized marketers are nearly seven times (674%) more likely to report success.

This highlights the value you bring in helping clients stay focused and successful.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at how much you can charge as a marketing coach.

How much does a marketing coach charge?

How much a marketing coach charges depends on their:

• Niche
• Experience
• Education
• Location

According to Glassdoor, the average marketing coaching salary in the US is $70,842 annually. The average range is $53K – $94K.

That’s a typical salary though — as a coach, you can earn much more.

For instance, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) puts the average hourly coaching fee at $272.

But you don’t have to charge these rates. 

Let me explain…

Being your own boss means having the freedom to set your rates.

Many of my students earn six figures or more every year. 

With the right approach, you can do the same. 

Next steps 

That’s your guide to becoming a marketing coach!

Reaching a six-figure income as a marketing coach is completely possible.

Looking for the most straightforward way?

Get my six-figure coaching business blueprint. It lays out exactly how to build a highly successful coaching business.

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The post What is a Marketing Coach? How to Become a GREAT One  appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

Below, I’ve gathered everything you need to know to become a successful behavioral coach.

Ready to start learning?

Let’s go!

You’ll learn:

• What behavioral coaching is
• The difference between behavioral coaching and behavioral therapy
• What a behavioral coach does
• The benefits of behavioral coaching
• How to become a behavioral coach
• How much behavioral coaches charge

What is behavioral coaching?

Let’s start with the basics:

What exactly is behavioral coaching?

Behavioral coaching is a type of life coaching that combines:

• Psychology
• Behavioral science
• Neuroplasticity

We’ll go over what neuroplasticity is in a bit. But in short, these three elements are super useful for getting to the cause of clients’ core problems.

You see, to create long-term changes in our lives, we first need to understand why we do what we do.

That’s where behavioral coaching comes in.

Behavioral coaching is great for anyone who wants to:

• Create good habits
• Improve performance
• Overcome personal challenges

And it’s not just for individuals — companies use it too to help their teams perform better.

Next, let’s explore a key concept in understanding how behavioral coaching works: Neuroplasticity.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt.

Every time you do something, your brain starts getting the hang of it — like creating a shortcut.

Our brain loves saving energy, so it sticks to these patterns. But it also means unproductive or harmful habits can become deeply rooted.

In fact, around 40% to 90% of our behavior is done on autopilot.

The good news? Since most of our behavior is learned, it can also be unlearned. 

That’s neuroplasticity in action.

By forming new habits, you create new neural pathways.

This is super important in behavioral coaching. It means you can help clients ditch bad habits and pick up healthier ones instead.

What is the difference between behavioral coaching and behavioral therapy?

You might wonder how behavioral coaching differs from behavioral therapy.

Let’s clear that up.

Here’s what you’ll be doing as a behavioral coach:

• Hold client-led coaching sessions that are driven by the client’s needs
• Focus on the present and future
• Set goals and help clients achieve them
• Build on clients’ strengths
• Ask the right questions to guide the coaching process
• And so on

And here’s what you WON’T be doing:

• Diagnose mental illness or traumatic stress orders
• Delve into deep-rooted psychological issues

As a behavioral coach, you don’t need any official certifications.

That’s different for behavioral therapists, though, who:

• Are qualified health professionals
• Can diagnose and treat mental illnesses
• Have had specific training and education
• Often focus on a client’s past, including trauma
• Are equipped to deal with complex psychological issues

As a behavioral coach, your role is more about guiding clients toward self-improvement. Your approach is very goal-driven as you focus on achieving specific outcomes.

A therapist, on the other hand, tends to dig deep into the past to resolve mental health issues.

Next up, let’s explore how you’ll be helping clients as a behavioral coach.

What does a behavioral coach do?

What will you be doing as a behavioral coach?

Let’s break it down:

• Clarify objectives: First, you need to understand your client’s vision for the future. What do they want to achieve?
• Set goals: Together with your client, you set achievable and meaningful goals. (I’ll share exactly why this matters later in this article.)
• Create action plans: Besides setting goals, you also develop actionable plans to actually achieve them.
• Recognize behavior patterns: You show clients how their actions affect their lives. And you identify and analyze their habits to pinpoint what needs changing.

The end goal? A real transformation that leads to a more fulfilling life.

To make this happen you’ll use different Cognitive Behavioral Coaching/Therapy Techniques:

• Positive psychology interventions: You focus on clients’ strengths, not just what they struggle with, to boost confidence and motivation.
• Motivational interviewing: You help clients find their personal ‘why’ behind the changes they want to make. Then, you guide them to make those changes themselves.
• Reframing: You help clients develop more constructive viewpoints. You show them how to find new solutions and how to turn obstacles into growing opportunities.
• Experiential learning: Learning by doing is so much more powerful than just talking about it. You encourage clients to try out new behaviors AND create opportunities to experiment. This can be through real tasks or practice activities.

These techniques don’t create just temporary change — they give your clients the tools to keep growing on their own.

That’s the real transformation.

Now that you have an idea what your role will be, let’s look at why someone might hire a behavioral coach.

What’s in it for them? 

What are the benefits of hiring a behavioral coach?

Curious about the impact you’ll make as a behavioral coach?

Here’s what you can offer your clients:

• Building confidence
• Personal growth
• Better decision-making
• Easing mental load
• Improving relationships
• Finding purpose
• More self-awareness
• Problem-solving strategies
• Healthier lifestyle
• Developing emotional intelligence
• Better work-life balance
• And so on

In other words, you can have a huge impact and help clients change their lives. 

Want to know how to get started?

Let’s go over it.

How to become a behavioral coach

Becoming a successful behavioral coach isn’t too complicated.

It all comes down to the right strategy and following the right steps.

There are five important steps you’ll have to follow.

Here’s what each one involves.

Find a niche 

The first step is finding your niche or specialization.

This could be personal growth, corporate coaching, or even financial behavior.

Specializing helps you:

• Become the go-to coach: Focusing on a particular area sets you apart as the expert in that field.
• Draw in the right audience: Clients seek you out because your expertise aligns with their needs.
• Improve your skills: By diving deeper, you sharpen your skills in that area.
• Find more clients: Happy clients are likely to spread the word, which helps you find more clients.
• Increase your rates: With targeted coaching, you deliver results quickly. That’s what clients hire you for, and they’re willing to pay for it.

Deciding on your niche means asking yourself some questions:

• What are you good at and have experience in?
• Who do you want to help?
• What problems do you want to solve?

Maybe you have corporate experience and see yourself coaching future business leaders. Or you’re creative and want to help other creatives.

Or perhaps you feel drawn to help clients with habit formation, life transitions, or communication skills?

Your niche is where your strengths and the needs of potential clients come together.

Unsure about your niche? This video will clear things up:

Get a behavioral coaching certification

First of all, a certification is not a MUST-have to be a great coach.

What matters most is how good you are at helping your clients see the results they’re after.

This requires a lot of practice.

And it’s why I generally advise my students to start coaching ASAP.

Because the more you coach, the better you get at it.

That said, some niches like health and mental health coaching do have stricter rules. So, always look up the specific regulations in your state.

Not sure what your options are when it comes to behavioral coaching certifications?

Here are two great programs:

• Wellness Workdays – Certified Behavioral Health & Wellness Coach Certification: This option is ideal if you’re interested in corporate coaching. It includes on-demand video training and live courses with flexible timing. You’ll learn to conduct one-on-one and group health coaching sessions. To apply, you need a degree in a related field and/or national certification. (Cost: $699.)
• PeopleKeys – Certified Behavioral Life Coach: This program uses the DISC system —  a tool that helps understand behavior styles. First, you dive into behavioral analysis. Then, you choose between two second-level courses. One focuses on practical DISC applications in business, while the other has a Christian-based approach. All training is self-paced and online, with some live webinars. (Cost: $1,190 — $695 for level one and $495 for level two.)

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After looking into certifications, your next task is to set up your packages.

Build a behavioral coaching package

I always teach my students to work with packages.

Why?

It shifts attention to the outcomes your clients will see, rather than just the amount of hours you put in.

Here’s a straightforward way to set up your coaching package:

1. Focus on the outcome: Highlight the changes your clients will experience. This shifts their attention from hourly costs to the real value they’ll gain by working with you.

2. Begin with a three-month program: This length is perfect for seeing real change without feeling too long. It’s also a good period to see if you and the client work well together.

3. Regular but spaced-out sessions: I recommend bi-weekly coaching sessions with regular email support. This timing allows your clients to apply what they learn and see the results.

4. Pricing your package: A starting price of around $1,500 is a good balance. It’s affordable for clients but also values your service. As you gain more experience and testimonials, you can gradually increase your rates. For example, most of my students charge +$5,000 for their coaching services.

Once you’ve got your coaching package ready, it’s time to find those clients who need what you offer.

Get behavioral coaching clients 

To start coaching, you need your first client.

Yes, just ONE for now.

Offer that first client a transformative experience. And only then move on to the next.

This approach helps you avoid the trap many new coaches fall into:

Setting unrealistic goals that only lead to disappointment.

Not sure how to find that first paying client? Here are some great strategies:

• Your network: Start with people you already know. Maybe someone in your network would like to work with you, or they know someone who could use behavioral coaching.
• Social media: Build relationships and engage with people on social media. The trick is to focus on the platform where your target audience is most active. Master that platform before expanding to the next one.  
• Podcasts: Get featured on podcasts or start your own. This lets you delve deeper into topics and gives you the chance to showcase your expertise.

For extra help with your first client, check out my video:

Work with behavioral coaching client

The fifth step is coaching your client.

To call your coaching successful, you need to offer a genuine transformation.

Here’s a great formula to make this happen:

1. Establish the main goal(s) you’ll be working toward
2. Break this main goal down into smaller milestones
3. Divide these milestones into subgoals for each coaching session

Why work with goals?

They trigger new behaviors and tell you what to focus on.

In each coaching session, you tackle one or two specific subgoals.

This makes the process manageable and lets your client see real progress.

For more insights on setting the right goals, check out this video I put together for you:

You now know what it takes to become a behavioral coach. But how much will you be earning?

Let’s take a closer look…

How much does a behavioral coach charge?

How much a behavioral coach charges depends on their niche and experience.

Glassdoor puts the average behavioral coaching salary in the US at about $64,000 annually, with a range of $51K – $80K.

Does that mean you can’t earn more than that?

Definitely NOT.

You see, being your own boss comes with a special bonus: you get to set your own rates.

This type of business offers not just a great income, but also freedom — the freedom to shape your career and life on your terms.

Many of my own students in various coaching niches make six figures, multiple six figures, or more every year, while working less than they did in their corporate jobs and having more time for the things that really matter to them. 

Next steps

And there you have it — your roadmap to becoming a behavioral coach.

Coaching is a great way to build a Freedom Business and quit your day job. 

However, taking your coaching business to the six-figure mark can feel…well, impossible. 

Want the simplest strategy for building a six-figure coaching business?

Get my six-figure coaching business blueprint, which lays out exactly how to build a highly successful coaching business.

Want to Build a 6-Figure Coaching Business So You Can Achieve More Freedom?

Get Instant Access To My FREE Ultimate Guide Below!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

The Definitive Starting a Coaching Business Checklist

How to Market Your Coaching Business

How to Become a 6-Figure Mindset Coach

The post What is Behavioral Coaching? How to Become a GREAT One appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

Then you’ve found the perfect starting point.

A coaching business is not only a way to help your clients in a big way, but it can also offer freedom and flexibility.

And in this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I’ve taught 3,000+ coaches to set up your own trauma recovery coaching business. 

Let’s get started!

You’ll learn:

• What trauma recovery coaching is
• The difference between trauma recovery coaching and therapy
• What a trauma recovery coach does
• The type of training you need as a trauma recovery coach
• How to become a trauma recovery coach 
• The best trauma recovery coaching certifications
• How much trauma recovery coaches charge

What is trauma recovery coaching?

Trauma Recovery Coaching (TRC) is designed to address trauma.

In the U.S., about 70% of people have faced at least one traumatic event. And trauma can leave a profound impact on people’s lives. .

As a trauma recovery coach, you help your clients rebuild a life that feels normal and good after what they’ve been through.

You can help with different areas:

• Childhood trauma
• Developmental trauma
• Nervous system regulation
• Relationship trauma
• And so on

However, to offer your clients a truly transformative experience, it’s best to become the go-to expert in one specific area (but more on that in a bit…)

In coaching, you actively guide your clients to a better place.

You take a very direct approach and offer expert advice. This is also what sets you apart from other people working in the mental health field…

What is the difference between a trauma recovery coach and a therapist?

Trauma recovery coaches and therapists are not the same.

Let’s break it down, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.

Here’s what you’ll be doing as a TRC:

• Focus on the present and future: Rather than digging into past trauma, you work with clients to navigate their current situation and create a better future.
• Use coaching strategies: You teach clients how to set good goals and boost their resilience. You also work on developing a toolkit of coping methods to deal with life’s challenges.
• Be client-led: The best type of coaching is “coach-sulting” – a combination of using traditional coaching techniques and giving advice to help your clients get results. However, the client ultimately sets the pace. You’re there to help them achieve THEIR goals.

And here’s what you WON’T be doing:

• Diagnose
• Prescribe meds
• Assess clients’ mental health status

Now, tTere’s no standardized requirement for becoming a trauma recovery coach. This gives you some flexibility in how you approach this career.

Trauma recovery therapists, on the other hand, are medical professionals with specific credentials and licenses.

They focus on mental health, and it often revolves around healing past trauma.

They can:

• Diagnose
• Treat severe mental health issues
• Prescribe medication

Often, clients start with a therapist for medical or psychological treatments and then move on to a TRC for ongoing support.

Next, let’s explore the specific ways you’ll be helping your clients.

What does a trauma recovery coach do?

As a trauma recovery coach, you play an important part in your client’s ongoing journey.

But how exactly will you make a difference?

You’ll:

• Spot trauma: Your job starts with noticing if someone is showing signs of trauma. You don’t diagnose, but you understand how their trauma affects their life.
• Set goals: Help clients figure out what they want for their future. And guide them to set clear, achievable goals.
• Create a safe space: To explore the link between their past experiences and how they act now, clients need to feel comfortable and safe with you. (This might take a few sessions to establish.)
• Teach coping skills: Show clients healthy ways to deal with their trauma symptoms and day-to-day challenges.
• Give tools for a new life: Offer clients the skills and knowledge to build a life after trauma. This includes teaching them how to be resilient and maintain positive relationships.

Traumatic experiences often keep people from being their fullest, happiest selves.

You play an important role in helping clients reclaim their lives and overcome roadblocks. 

But do you need any kind of training for this? We’ll cover that next.

What kind of training do you need to become a trauma coach?

Here’s what you need to know about training and qualifications.

First off, the field doesn’t have strict qualification requirements.

This means that you typically don’t NEED certifications or a degree to become a trauma recovery coach.

However, you do need relevant experience.

I’ll explain this more below, but in short:

To be a successful coach you have to offer your clients a transformative experience.

And the ability to deliver this comes from real-life experience.

The more you coach, the better your offer becomes. That’s how you get your clients the results they’re after in a way that’s faster, better, and easier.

That said, some states require specific certifications or degrees for certain mental health coaching services. So, always check the local requirements for the coaching services you want to offer.

Ready to learn how to become a health coach? Then let’s dive into the next section.

How do you become a trauma recovery coach?

Not sure what it takes to become a trauma recovery coach?

Let’s break down the four steps.

Choose a niche

First, what’s your niche?

In other words: What area will you focus on?

Here are some examples:

• Complex and development trauma
• Childhood trauma
• Relationship trauma

The right niche can turn your coaching from good to amazing.

That’s because you’re no longer ‘just any coach’ — you’re the coach for a particular someone facing a specific kind of challenge.

Now, how to pick your niche?

Start with what you know best. For instance, maybe you’ve got a background in understanding childhood trauma? Or you’re great at helping people navigate rocky relationships?

Choose a path that:

• Fits your skills and experience
• Meets a real need out there

In other words:

What are you good at and have experience in?

And what challenges and/or target audience do you focus on?

Need help finding your niche? This video will clear things up:

Get trauma coaching clients 

Next, it’s time to land your first client.

Here’s a strategy that works:

Start small.

Focus on getting just one client to begin with.

This approach lets you provide impactful coaching without getting overwhelmed.

Plus, you avoid one of the most common mistakes new business owners make:

Taking on too much too soon. (And being disappointed when they don’t live up to their unrealistic expectations…)

How do you find this first client? Here are three great ways:

• Your network: Maybe one of your friends, family members, or colleagues is interested in trauma recovery coaching? They could become your first client or refer you to someone else.
• Social media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook, or even trauma-focused forums, are great for finding clients. Join discussions and offer helpful advice. This way, potential clients get to see the value you offer first-hand.
• Podcasts: This one’s a bit unconventional but very effective. Either start your own trauma recovery podcast or be a guest on someone else’s. It’s a great way to reach a broader audience and establish your credibility, especially if you tap into someone’s existing audience..

Need help landing your first client? In this video, I show you how it’s done:

For the best results, you’ll need a solid plan for your clients.

That’s the next step.

Build a trauma coaching package

Getting your coaching package together is the third step.

First, define what clients can expect from working with you.

Figure out the changes they’ll see and how you’ll bring them there.

That’s how you create GREAT packages — packages that really transform your clients’ lives.

Why packages?

It’s simple: Coaching packages focus on the end result rather than the hours you spend. 

Packages also offer structure. They give clients a clear idea of what to expect and when.

Now, what should your coaching package look like?

I recommend my students to start with a three-month package for $1,500.

This includes bi-weekly sessions that last between 45 to 60 minutes and ongoing email support.

As you grow your coaching skills and get more testimonials, you can then raise your rates.

You see, as an entrepreneur, you set your prices.

This flexibility makes a six-figure coaching income completely doable. In fact, many of my students end up earning even more.

Curious about maximizing your earning potential? I explain the process here:

With your coaching package set, you’re ready for the next step.

Work with trauma coaching clients

In coaching, the transformation you offer is what matters most.

That said, it’s not just about the end goal — it’s also about setting smaller milestones. You then break these milestones down into achievable subgoals for each coaching session.

This method lets you guide your client in a structured and supportive way.

A trauma-sensitive approach is crucial here. You need to understand the impact of trauma on your client’s life and behavior.

You want a safe environment where clients feel understood and respected. This means being empathetic and avoiding anything that might re-traumatize them.

Now that you know how to become a trauma recovery coach, let’s take a look at the top certifications.

The best trauma recovery coaching certifications

Thinking of getting certified in trauma recovery coaching?

Let’s unpack how to choose a certification program that moves your career forward (instead of being a complete waste of time and money…)

How to choose a trauma recovery coaching certification program

There are so many trauma recovery certification programs out there. But how do you pick the right one for you?

Here’s what you should look out for:

• Accreditation: Go for programs that are recognized for their quality. For example, NBHWC-certified programs are known for their high standards.
• Program cost: How much can you spend on getting certified? Higher cost doesn’t always mean better, but very cheap might not be good enough.
• Course length: Can you balance the course with your current commitments? Look for a program that’s valuable yet manageable.
• Flexibility and mode of learning: What’s your schedule and learning style? If you’re very busy, an online, self-paced program might be best. But this also requires more self-motivation and discipline.

To help you out, I’ve selected four great trauma recovery coaching certification programs.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification (TICC)

The Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification (TICC) program is very comprehensive.

To enroll, you either need to:

• Have a coaching certification
• Complete their Trauma-Informed Coaching Basics

TICB covers everything from coaching mindset to ICF standards and ethics.

The TICC program dives deep into:

• Trauma-informed practices
• Trauma types
• The brain-body connection
• Client regulation
• Behavioral responses
• And so on

The program includes coaching practice with mentors, supervision, and exams.

However, it’s more focused on a ‘trauma-informed approach’ than direct ‘trauma recovery.’

• Costs: $6,250 for TICB+TICC+ICF mentoring
• Duration: 8 days (TICB) + 12 days (TICC) + 600 minutes (ICF mentoring)
• Accreditation: ICF-accredited

International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching (IATRC)

The International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching (IATRC) is a globally recognized association. Their focus is on childhood neglect and abuse survivors.

The courses are science-based, and they offer an effective model for trauma recovery coaching.

Learning materials include:

• Videos
• Audio files
• PDFs
• Bi-weekly Zoom classes

They offer various certifications, including Initial and Advanced Trauma Recovery Coaching.

The IATRC is not accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), but it’s still highly regarded in the field.

It offers a more trauma-recovery-specific approach. Plus, its focus on childhood trauma makes it a great choice if you want to specialize in helping people recover from such traumas.

• Costs: $2,800 (for individual certification)
• Duration: Five months (initial certification) and three months (advanced certification)
• Accreditation: None

Coach Training World (CTW) 

Coach Training World (CTW)’s Trauma-Informed Training is perfect for beginners.

The course is split up into six modules.

You’ll learn about:

• Identifying trauma types
• Trauma’s impact on clients
• Your role as a trauma-informed coach
• Dealing with chronic stress
• Tools and techniques for supporting clients
• Professional boundaries
• And so on

Plus, the course includes a 12-hour practicum for hands-on learning.

Because it only takes six weeks to finish, this option is ideal if you want to get certified ASAP.

The modules are delivered via Zoom, and as all sessions are recorded, you can revisit them anytime.

• Costs: $597
• Duration: Six weeks
• Accreditation: ICF-accredited

Now that you’re informed about certification options, let’s see how much you can earn as a trauma recovery coach.

How much does a trauma recovery coach charge?

Can you make a great living as a trauma recovery coach?

Absolutely.

Your income depends on:

• Certification
• Experience
• Location
• The transformation you offer

While there are no exact figures for trauma coaches, life coaching salaries give an idea:

• According to Salary.com, the average US life coach earns about $54K ($47K – $60K range)
• Glassdoor reports an average US life coach salary of $70K ($53K – $93K range)

At the same time, the International Coaching Federation reports that the average hourly coaching fee is $244. The average monthly income in North America is $67,800. 

Is this the limit of what you can earn?

Definitely not.

Remember, as your own boss, you set your own rates.

Hundreds of my students have built successful six and multiple six–figure businesses in various niches.

And with the right approach, you can too.

Next steps

There you have it! You now know how to become a (certified) trauma recovery coach.

But how do you make your coaching business sustainable AND profitable?

Check out my blueprint for building a six-figure coaching business for that. It shows you exactly how to turn your current skills into a highly successful business.

Want to Build a 6-Figure Coaching Business So You Can Achieve More Freedom?

Get Instant Access To My FREE Ultimate Guide Below!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

When you sign up, you’ll also receive regular updates on building a successful online business.

Read more:

Checklist for Starting Your Coaching Business

How to Become a Mental Health Coach

How to Become a Recovery Coach

The post What is a Trauma Coach? How to Become a GREAT One appeared first on Luisa Zhou.

Today, I’ll show you how to build your own marriage coaching business and trade your 9-5 for a career that offers freedom and fulfillment.

Want to learn more? Keep reading!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What is marriage coaching?
• What does a marriage coach do?
• What is the difference between marriage coaching and marriage counseling?
• What are the benefits of marriage coaching?
• How do you become a marriage coach?
• How much can you earn as a marriage coach?

What is marriage coaching?

Marriage coaching is a form of coaching that helps couples create healthy and fulfilling relationships. Couples learn to navigate the challenges of marriage more effectively, deepen their intimacy, communicate better, become more connected, and feel more fulfilled. 

Instead of focusing on the past, marriage coaching is all about what’s happening in the present and what goals couples want to achieve in the future. 

But how exactly do you help your clients as a marriage coach? That’s what we’ll look at next.

What does a marriage coach do?

As a marriage coach, you provide a space in which couples can grow together.

You’ll ask them probing questions about the present and future of their relationship and help them find solutions. You’ll also equip them with the right tools, strategies, and skills they need to improve and deepen their relationship.

Most importantly, you’ll hold both partners accountable for managing conflict, improving communication, and setting their goals throughout the process.

Marriage coaches can help couples with several issues, including:

• Communication issues
• Mental health issues
• Infidelity
• Financial stress
• Decision-making
• Family dynamics
• Intimacy issues
• Attachment styles
• Parenting differences or styles
• Substance abuse
• Major life changes

However, it’s important to remember that you’re offering marriage coaching – not marriage counseling. Keep reading to learn about the difference.

What is the difference between marriage coaching and marriage counseling?

There are two significant differences between marriage coaching and marriage counseling.

The first is what counseling and coaching are each focused on.

Marriage counseling is focused on insights. It looks at what happened in the past and how it has contributed to the issues the couple is currently facing. 

Counselors help each partner address past events and process trauma by getting to the root of the issue.

On the other hand, as a marriage coach, you’ll help a couple transform their marriage by focusing on their present and future.

Coaching is more about taking action. You’ll help the couple set a goal and develop a plan that allows them to take actionable steps to reach it.

The other difference is that, unlike marriage counselors, marriage coaches aren’t medical professionals. 

Marriage counselors are formally educated and hold a license. They’re able to diagnose and treat mental health issues.

Marriage coaches don’t typically need to be educated or even certified – they just need first-hand experience and a proven method to get results.

As a marriage coach, you don’t focus on helping people with their mental health (even though your coaching can improve your clients’ mental health). You don’t diagnose, prescribe, or treat illnesses for your clients.

But who are your clients? 

Let’s talk about who can work with a marriage coach.

Who can benefit from marriage coaching?

While most people assume that marriage coaches only work with couples on the brink of separation or divorce, any couple who wants to improve their relationship can work with a marriage coach.

Marriage coaches can help couples who are:

• Fighting about the same issue repeatedly
• Discussing divorce
• Concerned about their future 
• Struggling in their sex life
• Experiencing change (such as children moving out or illness)
• Having unproductive arguments
• Overcoming infidelity
• Arguing about money
• Feeling disconnected

And marriage coaching can have a huge impact on their clients’ lives. For example, The Gottman Institute, a research-based organization that offers coaching to couples, has developed a method with which it can predict divorce with over 90% accuracy. 

At the same time, a majority of clients (73%) say that coaching has improved their relationships and enhanced their interpersonal skills (71%).

How do you become one, though? 

To learn about becoming a marriage coach, keep reading.

How do you become a marriage coach?

The most important part about becoming a marriage coach is making sure that you have the right experience and know how to help couples get the results they want.

But if you want to be a successful marriage coach, there are a few other things to consider, like finding a niche, getting clients, and providing outstanding service.

You can do it – and here are the steps. 

Find a niche

There are 23,000 certified coaches in the US alone – and if you don’t have a niche, you’ll never stand out.

Yes, you’re a marriage coach, but that’s pretty generic. You have to get specific to find success.

And that’s where having a niche comes in.

A niche is what will help you land your ideal clients because your services are specific to their situation.

For example, you might help couples resolve issues around money, intimacy, or politics. Or, you can teach them to communicate better during times of crisis. 

Those are niches.

Other niches that marriage coaches could have include: 

• Blended families
• Infidelity recovery
• Newlywed transition
• Midlife marriage
• Intimacy

Anything that you have experience in can be a niche – in fact, you can find 100 ideas here.

Whatever niche you choose, make sure there is an audience who is willing and able to pay for your services – for example by researching other coaches who provide the same service as you do. If there are other coaches, you can be fairly sure that there is a market for your coaching.

Get a marriage coaching certification 

You don’t have to be certified to be a marriage coach. You just need the right kind of practical experience and a proven method of helping people meet their goals.

But if you decide to get certified, remember to choose your program carefully. I recommend finding courses taught at reputable universities or approved by well-respected organizations, like the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Here are a few ICF-accredited marriage coaching certifications to get you started:

The Art & Science of Coaching

This course takes a solutions-focused approach to coaching and is based on neuroscientific principles. Coaches are trained to work collaboratively with each of their clients to reach their goals.

Format: Online or in-person

Price: $4,512

The Art & Science of Couples Coaching

Over the course of four weeks, you’ll study both healthy and unhealthy relationships to teach you how to identify them. 

You’ll also learn to assess a couple properly, identify each partner’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine if each partner is willing to put the work in. 

Format: Online, four 60-minute webinars

Price: $149

Couples Coaching Certification Program

This iPEC program is the most rigorous option, and you can expect weekly classes, webinars, workbooks, and study materials. 

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to help couples address obstacles, develop self-responsibility, learn to better connect, and more.

Format: Online or in-person

Price: $13,395

Get marriage coaching clients

Of course, you can’t have a marriage coaching business without a paying client.

Here are some of the easiest ways to do it find one:

Offer your services to your network. 

Your close circle of friends, family members, and coworkers already know you.

And they probably trust you, too.

Why not reach out to them and see if anyone needs your services?

Doing so might feel awkward at first, but trust me – it’s one of the easiest ways to land your first client.

Log on to social media.

Social media is full of communities with members who need your services.

Among them are r/MarriageAdvice on Reddit (46,000 followers) and Couples Coaching & Marriage Advice on Facebook (8,000 members).

When you join a community relevant to your niche, make sure not to offer your services right away. Instead, take part in conversations and offer value first.

Volunteer for guest posts and podcasts.

This is one of the easiest ways to position yourself as an expert marriage coach.

Take a few minutes to list a few publications or podcasts you’d like to get featured in and shoot them a pitch.

Note: Choose only one of these client acquisition strategies at first. You can always expand your reach when your client list begins to grow.

Learn more about marketing your marriage coaching services in this guide.

Create a marriage coaching package 

I know, figuring out what to charge for your services as a new marriage coach can feel nearly impossible. How do you avoid undervaluing yourself or overcharging your clients?

By finding a price that’s just right – not too low or too high.

You can learn about creating your package and setting prices in this guide, but I always recommend a $1,500 price point for a three-month package that includes two monthly calls and an extra way to reach you.

If you feel like that’s a bit low, remember that right now, you’re focusing on accessibility. This price point will help you land your first few clients, and you can always change it as your business grows. 

Check out this video to learn more about marriage coaching packages:

Hold the best marriage coaching sessions

Once you have your first clients, you need to figure out how to conduct the most effective coaching sessions. 

And believe it or not, you don’t have to plan them word-for-word. (Although if that helps you – go for it. I used to script out my first coaching calls for hours at a time because that helped me feel prepared for my sessions.)

Instead, focus on hosting a call that’s as structured and goal-oriented as possible. This is what will help each couple reach their overarching goal.

This is where sub-goals come in.

Sub-goals are smaller goals that work together to contribute to the overall goal. 

For instance, if a couple wanted to deepen their connection, their subgoals might include spending more time together or being more diligent with scheduling dates. 

The couple works on these sub-goals between sessions. In doing so, they provide the framework for your next call.

So, what kind of salary can you expect to earn as a marriage coach? Read on to find out.

How much can you earn as a marriage coach?

Relationship and marriage coaches earn an average of $63,251 per year with a total pay range from $69,000-$118,000– but those are salaries across all types of coaches (including employed ones). 

At the end of the day, your income all depends on you. A lot of factors, including things like your niche, the size of your client roster, and your package rate, will all determine what you earn. 

Plenty of my students, including relationship coaches, earn six figures, multiple six figures, and beyond. 

And remember, you’re scaling your business, not stopping after you’ve helped one or two couples. 

That’s why your earning potential will increase as you build your skills and ramp up the number of clients you’re helping.

Next steps

There you have it! Everything you need to know about becoming a marriage coach.

Building a marriage coaching business is one of the most fulfilling businesses out there if you want to help people improve their relationships. Plus, a coaching business offers a lot of freedom and flexibility – including the possibility to work when and where you want.

But to do so, you need the right strategy.

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Read more:

How to Become a Relationship Coach

What is Relationship Coaching?

How to Start a Successful Coaching Business

The post What is Marriage Coaching? + Top Certifications appeared first on Luisa Zhou.