Overview
Over the last decade, the number of personal coaches available to assist individuals in setting and reaching goals has ballooned. If you're good at motivating and inspiring others to take action, you may want to consider starting your own personal-coaching business.
Step 1
Determine if you'll freelance or establish a separate business. You may want to freelance on the side as a personal coach until you build up enough of a client base to establish your own company and work full-time as a personal coach.
Step 2
Become credentialed in coaching. The International Coach Federation is the leading credentialing organization in personal and life coaching. Its official certification as a personal coach requires training, practice coaching and a set number of clients. While this credential is not required to start your own personal-coaching business, it is a great marketing tool and something that more and more clients are looking for when selecting a personal coach.
Step 3
Create coaching schedules and prices. How much a personal coach charges for services varies from one coach to another. Determine what rate you feel comfortable charging based on your experience, credentials, success rate and the community where you live. Establish a typical schedule for meeting and talking with clients. For example, you might meet with a client once in person and then talk on the phone twice each week.
Step 4
Establish an office. A significant portion of your time in your personal-coaching business will be meeting with clients. While you can meet clients at restaurants, coffee shops, local parks, clients' homes and many other places in your community, you may find it beneficial to establish an office as an additional place to meet clients. In addition, you can use an office to help you stay organized.
Step 5
Market your services and find clients. Getting the word out about the services you provide is essential to growing your personal-coaching business. While advertising will be essential in the beginning, word of mouth can become your best marketing tool after you've established yourself with some clients. Keep a stellar reputation to ensure you're referred.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : As a personal coach, you may find that it is beneficial to target your business to a specific niche or population.
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