So, You Wanna Launch a Coaching Business?
At some point in your life you may wake up and say to yourself, “wow, I know a lot about a lot.”
And, I’m willing to bet that you’ve thought to yourself many times before — if only I could make more money sharing what I’m most passionate about.
I’ve had the honor of being the go-to guide for many people who reach this point, and I’ve helped them go from passive thoughts of wanting to launch a coaching or consulting business to making passive income putting their passion to work.
But what does it take…really… to build this kind of business? What’s the time commitment? What’s the process? What tools do you need? How much does it cost? In this article, I’ll break it down step-by-step and share exactly what it takes.
Why? Because for me these are my favorite projects. They’re a lot of work upfront — they require thinking ten steps ahead and building systems and scale — but there’s nothing more rewarding than empowering a passionate person who has a heart for helping others make an even bigger impact through building a successful business.
The Basics of Launching a Coaching Business
The coaching industry is projected to make over $6 billion in 2024. Read that again! With countless social media platforms and readily available camera and editing tools, it seems that everyone and their mother is selling advice online. Many of these attempts never make it to the next stage: generating a profit and acting as a full-time business operation. So, what are the defining factors that separate the so-called online experts from those who are generating a serious revenue stream from a coaching business?
Keep reading for a COMPLETE coaching business checklist, realistic time expectations, and actionable advice from someone who has successfully made it happen. Confidence, positioning, skills, and ambition are essential to bringing this dream to life.
WE Inc. offers digital marketing services in Charleston for women in business, by women in business. We offer affordable packages that kickstart your company’s online presence and release content (like this) that can give you amazing tips to guide your entrepreneurial journey.
THE PROCESS
Let's set the scene: you are a business coach who has the ability to effortlessly guide others through roadblocks and challenges to pursue the career of their dreams. You’re great at it, and better yet - you love it! You are ready to take the leap into charging appropriately for the services being provided, but how do you start a coaching business?
In this article, you will learn the tips and tricks needed to establish the coaching model of your dreams and how to avoid the common pitfalls many consultants run into in the initial stages of building their business. This process takes time, but with the right guidance, you will be earning a self-made income in no time. It’s your era for valuing all that knowledge you possess and getting paid for it - take it from someone who has done it before!
THE SKILLS
As a woman entrepreneur, you have a long list of to-dos and the ability to pick up new skills quickly. Starting your Charleston coaching business will challenge you in many ways, but you've GOT THIS! Below is a list of skills that may come in handy when starting out. Remember, you can always hire someone to handle areas where you feel less comfortable.
With that being said, here are the most important skills you (or someone on your team) needs to have before getting in deep:
Brand Strategy
Business Strategy
Marketing & Sales Strategy
Product & Pricing Strategy
Graphic & Systems Design
Web Design and Development
Tech Stack Selection, Set-up, and Configuration
Copywriting & Copyediting
TECH & TOOLS
To start your coaching business, I recommend creating a website first and foremost. This will serve as the main hub for your brand and business operations, so make sure it represents you well! Check out our rates for pay-as-you-go packages here to simplify the process and ensure your budget is being put to great use.
To start a website for your coaching business, you will need to invest in software(s) to help operate your daily tasks in an efficient manner. Pay close attention to this list, as you can set yourself up for a scalable and successful business when you build a strong foundation from the beginning.
Checklist for technology and tools needed to get your coaching business started:
Domain Provider
Hosting Provider
Email Provider
Social Media Account(s)
CRM
Scheduling Tool
Virtual Meeting Software
Payment Processor
File Storage Provider
Video Storage Provider
THE DELIVERABLES
To start your coaching business fast and with the best practices in mind, work with WE Inc. and pass off the confusing, time-consuming processes to experts like Melissa Barker. She is the owner and operator with expertise in digital marketing and branding from industry giants like Coca-Cola, FIFA, and The Olympics. She has dedicated her career to amplifying the voice of women in business by providing streamlined processes that get small businesses to start strong with beautiful and impactful websites and marketing strategies.
Consider the Message Maker package: one one-on-one coaching session with our talented strategist, Erica Breuer, that gives your brand the external voice and messaging it needs to thrive from the get-go. This will establish your marketing approach so you can focus on the rest of the items featured in the checklist below.
This list is to get you to start considering the details that can have a significant impact on the success of your consulting business. Be thinking about these pieces of the puzzle, and how they can help you reach your target audience.
Your WE Inc. Marketing Checklist:
Brand Style Guide
Brand Asset Library
Primary and Secondary Logo
Logo Color and Orientation Variants
Icon(s)
Custom Vector Graphics, Patterns, and Backgrounds
Brand Photography
Photographer Selection
Location(s) Consult
Wardrobe, Props, Poses, and Expressions Moodboard
Website/E-Commerce Storefront
Podcast, Book, App, Keynote, and/or Online Course
Video
Script Writing
Editing & Producing
Email Design & Development
Signature
Sales Funnel
Onboarding Series
Newsletter Template(s)
Social Media
Profile and Cover Photos
Static, Carousel, Story, and Reel Template(s)
Launch Your Coaching Business - Consult with Women Entrepreneurs Inc.
What are you waiting for? Reach out to us today to get your coaching business started! We have the years of expertise and a network of women entrepreneurs to bring your business to life quickly, and to get it performing competitively. This is a daunting list when handled for a first-timer, all while trying to focus on the coaching service itself. Do not overload yourself, give us a call and focus on what you LOVE to do. You won’t regret it!
