As a life coach trained to assist individuals in various areas of life, I understand the excitement and anticipation of starting a coaching business. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, securing that first coaching client can be a nerve-wracking experience.
It’s crucial to establish credibility, gain experience, and build a client base. Coaching is a rewarding and challenging career path that requires patience, perseverance, and dedication. As you navigate the process of securing your first coaching client, it’s important to keep in mind the value that the coaching process can offer not just to your clients but also to your future online course ideas.
With my experience assisting hundreds of experts and creatives in their coaching endeavors, I am confident I can guide you through the necessary steps to secure your first paid client. In this article, I’ll share valuable examples and best practices to help you achieve this important milestone in your coaching journey.
4 Ways To Land Your First Client As A Coach
1. Learn About Their Pain Points
The pain points of your audience will shape your marketing strategy and messaging. When starting to think about how to get your first coaching client, it’s helpful to consider a few questions, such as
- your ideal client’s goals,
- the obstacles they need to overcome,
- their values, and
- what they need to do to live the life they deserve.
There are different ways to obtain answers to these questions, including surveys, polls on social media, and direct messages or emails to current clients or engaged audiences.
The answers to these questions will influence your marketing content and how you lead potential clients through a discovery call. You want to demonstrate how you can help clients set achievable goals with your guidance, identify and overcome obstacles, and lead them toward the life they deserve. You can use social media, website copy, and results achieved through your work to help clients visualize their desired outcomes.
Using the language of potential customers will allow you to connect with them more profoundly and provide more effective coaching. Understanding your audience’s pain points will enable you to tailor your approach to their needs and build a successful coaching business.
2. Create A Package They Can’t Resist
Once you have completed your research, it’s time to create a one-on-one coaching package that meets your audience’s needs. Use the information you have gathered about their hopes, dreams, and struggles to craft your sales copy and clearly outline the transformation they will experience through your coaching. In the first year of coaching, working with as many people as possible is essential to understand your ideal clients better.
Although single coaching sessions may be easier to sell, they can create long-term strain. Encourage clients to commit to a three or six-month package to build a strong relationship and provide a sustainable source of income. This is particularly important when starting and trying to secure your first coaching client.
Your signature package should be designed to serve your clients best and provide you with a reliable source of income for the first six months of your coaching journey. Clearly outline the number of sessions included, the expected outcomes, and the communication methods for clients between sessions to set boundaries.
If you are still figuring out pricing, consider offering a flexible range to tailor your pricing to individual clients better. You can also assess your current costs and how much you value your time per hour. Additionally, offering introductory prices can be a great way to attract new clients.
3. Start Showing Up To Your Potential Clients
You have completed your market research and crafted an irresistible package for your first clients. Your next step is to spread the word and encourage potential clients to book discovery calls.
Choose one platform to focus on for a whole month before diversifying, as we often underestimate the time it takes to complete a task, a phenomenon known as time dysmorphia. Starting small and building consistency on a stronger platform can help manage time better.
If you’re unsure what to post, refer to what you know about your audience’s problems, aspirations, and values. Create content that connects with them and gives them first access to who you are. Sharing your journey can also show them how you overcame challenges. Begin by focusing on one social platform, Instagram, which allows you to create a simple call to action, such as “book a discovery call,” in your bio. Encourage people to reach out, and don’t be cryptic.
Remember, the key to getting your first coaching client is to start conversations and talk to as many people as possible. With each conversation, you’ll gain more experience and confidence in selling yourself.
4. Get On A On-on-One Call With Your Ideal Client
The initial conversation with a potential client is crucial as it will shape their perception of your business. Investing time and effort to ensure the client feels at ease during this call to establish a positive tone for the future relationship is vital. The discovery call lets you understand the client’s needs and determine if they align with your packages.
It is important to remain attentive and focused during the call, actively listening to the client and using the information provided to tailor your package to their specific requirements. Offer two package options at different price points based on the required duration or type of support.
Encourage the client to share their thoughts, feelings, and needs, and take notes to personalize your follow-up email. Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions to ensure a clear understanding of their needs.
If you are still unsure about your pricing strategy, be open to asking questions to help you determine the client’s budget and better understand the market. This information can help you assess whether this client aligns with your worth and whether they are a suitable match for your business.
5. 4.1 Don’t Give Up! Follow-Up Is Important
To continue; you should develop a strong follow-up plan that caters to your potential client’s needs. This plan may include an updated package tailored to their needs, a detailed breakdown of what you can offer them, the communication systems you use, your current rates, and the next available start date. It’s essential not to be afraid to follow up with potential clients multiple times, as people can be busy and forget to respond.
During this process, you may encounter people who are not interested or find your prices unsuitable for their budget. However, this experience will help you develop resilience and persistence, making handling rejection easier and building confidence in your sales skills. Remember that you are not selling, but instead, you are sharing how you can help people change their lives.
Creating a new client relationship can be difficult, but it is also highly rewarding. Your first coaching client will provide valuable lessons in setting boundaries, clarifying expectations, establishing ground rules, building trust, and developing safety. Remember that the effort you put in now will pay off in the long run.
Make sure to map out the next steps for each area to establish a strong relationship with your audience and lead them to action.
Love From Your Coach
In conclusion, getting your first paid coaching client can be a challenging and rewarding experience. By doing market research, creating an irresistible package, and focusing on one platform, you can attract potential clients and offer them a transformational experience. Setting up a comfortable discovery call, actively listening to the client, and tailoring your offer to their needs can make a huge difference in converting them into paying clients.
Following up with potential clients and being persistent are crucial to building your client base and confidence as a coach. Remember that every “no” is an opportunity to learn and grow and that the hard work now will pay off in the long run. With dedication and consistency, you can successfully build a thriving coaching business and positively impact people’s lives.
This is just part one of the series. The second part will give you more tips to kickstart your coaching business ad earn your first client. Till then, start working on these.
