Business action plan for newly qualified coaches - Part Two

A Quick Recap

In Part One, we shared Steps 1 & 2 where we laid the groundwork with actionable tips on finding your niche:

• Step 1:  Laying the Foundations
• Step 2:  Building Momentum  

If you missed Part One, be sure to first go back to read it here:  Business action plan for newly qualified coaches - Part One | The Coaching Academy

Today, we share Step 3 where we’re focusing on sustainability in your business. Whether it’s implementing systems that make your admin a breeze, crafting the perfect elevator pitch, or prioritising your own self-care, these next steps are all about creating a coaching business that works for you - not the other way around. Think of this as your toolkit for building a practice that’s balanced, efficient, and rewarding.

Step 3: Sustainability in your Business

1 - Establish Systems  

Coaching is fun. But invoicing, scheduling, tracking payments and sessions? Not so much. You can choose to go down one of two routes: an all-in-one CRM system, which will have a cost but may make life simpler, or some basic tools and trackers that will be free or low cost, but will take a little bit of work to get set up.   Either way, you'll want to consider how you’ll stay on top of the admin as you grow.  

Your basic systems: 

●    A scheduling tool (I mentioned Calendly earlier) 

●    Contracts (can be google docs, or online e-signature service) 

●    Tracking client progress (Google Docs, Notion, or there are CRMs tailored for coaches such as Delenta)  

Pro Tip: Get your systems sorted before you have a diary full of clients. The smoother your backend systems, the more time you have for coaching (and, you know, having a life).    

2 - Get Your Elevator Pitch Working For You 

Here’s your long-term strategy coming into play - the more people who know about what you do, the more likely they are to refer you, remember you or sign up with you.   Practice answering the question “So what do you do?” as much as possible. The aim is to make it easy for your listener to repeat what you said to the next person they talk to…turning them into a referral machine for you!  

Pro Tip: Focus on the client, not you. Use statements like “I help my clients to…” and “My clients typically see an improvement in….”. This helps to paint the picture of what it’s like to be coached by you.      

3 - Take Care of YOU  

Many coaches support their clients with self-care but forget to practice it themselves. Especially as you churn your efforts into building that dream coaching practice, it can be easy to put yourself last.  

Watch out for:

 ●    Overcommitting to too many clients too soon 

●    Taking on clients who drain your energy 

●    Allowing clients to contact you whenever they like  

Boundaries will be your best friend. Make sure your contract clearly states how and when/if you can be contacted, and try and have a regular ‘recharge’ day for yourself with no meetings.

Pro Tip: To manage your diary, use a little trick I learnt from the sales world called BAMFAM, which stands for ‘Book A Meeting From A Meeting’. At the end of every call, get the next one in so you aren’t chasing your clients constantly.  

In conclusion, your first early days as a newly qualified coach may feel like a whirlwind of trial and error, unexpected wins, new learnings, and, yes, even a bit of imposter syndrome. But remember, it’s all part of the process. If you stay focused on your goals, take consistent, intentional action, and maintain a sharp awareness of your own energy and boundaries, you’ll be laying the foundation for a business that thrives. 

You’re crafting something special - not just a coaching business, but a meaningful career that has the potential to transform lives, including your own. Stay the course, trust in your abilities, and don’t hesitate to revisit these steps whenever you need to realign. You’ve got what it takes to succeed, and the world is waiting to see what only you can offer!

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.

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