Business action plan for newly qualified coaches - Part One

Hooray!   You’ve completed your life coaching qualification, got the credentials, and now you’re officially in business as a coach. The anticipation has been bubbling for months - but now that you’re here, the big question is: What do you actually do next?

The early days as a new coach can feel like a whirlwind of excitement, self-doubt, and way too many Google searches about "How to get coaching clients."  To avoid falling into a productivity black hole, here’s a step-by-step roadmap to get you moving forwards.

Step 1:  Laying the Foundations

1 - Find Your Marketing Lens

The number one topic I get in mentoring sessions? Niche.  

For some the choosing a ‘niche’ becomes a challenge, but I’d like to invite you to look at it differently.  Your ‘niche’ is just a marketing lens that helps people to find you.  

I have an imperfect metaphor for you here (stick with me..):   If you’re a lighthouse, you’re visible to all those lovely big boats who can travel towards you (I told you it was imperfect). But you’ll also attract yachts, dinghies and the occasional dolphin. However, if you keep your light off…nobody can find you!

Take some time to identify: 

• Who do you want to coach? (Entrepreneurs? New parents? Managers?) 
• What problems are they experiencing that coaching could help them to untangle? 
• Why should they choose you over someone else?

Pro tip: If you’re struggling, think about the challenges you’ve overcome in your own life - those experiences often make for a powerful marketing lens.

2 - Set Up Your Social Media Online Presence 

Having an online presence is a no-brainer - social media is free marketing!  

Here’s your quick-start checklist: 

●    A call booking system (I recommend Calendly) 

●    A LinkedIn or Instagram profile that makes it obvious that you are a coach for hire

●     Some pieces of content on your profile that connect the dots between the two (for example “If you’re ready to work with a coach in 2025, click the link in my bio to book a call”), inviting people to book a call with you (and sharing your call booking link).

Pro tip: Don’t overthink it. Get something up and running that you can direct people to when you’re out and about. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

3 - Define Your Coaching Offer & Pricing  

New coaches often struggle with pricing. Remember that you are exchanging value, and charging for your coaching allows people to make a commitment to themselves…and show up fully!  Before you set your price, take a look at your coaching offer. 

It should be: 

●    Clear: What do clients get when they work with you? (think about possible transformations here) 

●    Structured: Will you offer single sessions, packages, or group coaching? 

●    Compelling: Aim to have a few testimonials that align with your offer- if you don’t, see if you can paint a story about your expected results for your clients.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about pricing, pick a ‘for now’ price that feels a little stretchy, and research what other qualified coaches are charging. I promise you’ll be positively blown away.

Step 2: Building Momentum

1 - Get Your First Clients  

Now you’ve got the first few bits set up, it’s time to turn your attention to finding your first few clients. Whilst we’re getting your online presence up and running, it’s typical that your first client might come from:  

●    Your network (friends, ex-colleagues) 

●    Referrals (even if someone doesn’t need coaching, they might know someone who does)

●    Discovery calls (but make sure they’re structured… and not just free coaching)  

Stay open and remember that the first client is your gateway into a thriving business. You’ll learn a lot about the process of signing, working with and hopefully renewing, a paid client.  

Pro Tip: You can offer a lower rate to the first few people to begin with. Remember to explain this to your new client - so that they don’t go and refer you at your lower rate forever more!

2 - Create Content That Attracts the Right People  

No, you don’t have to become a full-time influencer, but social media is a powerful way to attract potential clients. And as I already mentioned….it’s free marketing!   

Lots of coaches get really stuck here because self-promotion can feel a bit…'icky'. Remember, you are serving your clients by giving them an opportunity to find you. 

I have heard many stories of clients saying “Thank goodness you put that post up - you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for!”, so don’t be afraid to give people the chance to work with you.

Some easy ways to start: 

●    Think about what your ideal client wants to read and hear about  

●    Keep it simple - one platform, one format of posting

●    Ignore the social media trends. You don’t have to dance around your kitchen (unless you want to!)

Pro Tip: The goal is to be seen as a credible coach - not to go viral. Consistency is always better than perfection.  

3 - Keep Refining Your Coaching Skills

The biggest one! It can be easy to get caught up in business building and forget that YOU are the product.  

To keep improving: 

●    Record and review some of your coaching sessions (with permission) 

●    Take out a membership with an accrediting coaching body: The Association of Coaching, The EMCC or the ICF 

●    Consider Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Coaches 

●    Seek mentorship from more experienced coaches 

●    Reflect regularly on what you want to improve  

Pro Tip: The learning is never done - and you’ll never feel finished. Allow yourself to be curious about just how brilliant you can get, and then go and take action!

Laying the Foundation for Long-Term Success 

Building the foundation of your coaching business is like planting a seed. With the right focus, tools, and mindset, you’ve taken the first steps toward helping your practice grow. From finding your niche to attracting your first clients, every action you take now is setting the stage for a flourishing, impactful coaching career. Remember, progress beats perfection every single time.   

However, there’s still a lot to explore. Once the groundwork is laid, how do you sustain and scale your business? What systems can help you stay organised? And how do you ensure that, while growing your practice, you keep taking care of the most critical part of your coaching business - you?

Look out next week for Part Two of this step-by-step action plan, guiding you through creating sustainable systems to streamline your process, crafting your elevator pitch to amplify your impact, and building a business that leaves room for self-care and balance.   Your next chapter as a coach is just getting started, and we’re here to make sure you stay inspired, equipped, and energised for the exciting road ahead!

About Author:    

Tanya Edgar is a Coaching Academy Graduate who went on to forge a successful career as a full-time Leadership Coach in the Tech industry. As a Forbes Coaches Council Member and Ex-Coaching Sales Director, she blends sales psychology, coaching methodologies and marketing magic to help qualified coaches build high-integrity, high-converting coaching businesses inside her group programme, IGNITE.