Business action plan for newly qualified coaches - Part Two

Welcome back to the second part of our two-part action plan for new coaches. In Part Two, Coaching Academy graduate and mentor Tanya Edgar shares practical methods to create long-term sustainability in your coaching business.

If you’re just starting out, this guide will help you implement systems, refine your messaging, and protect your energy so you can build a coaching business that grows sustainably.

Quick Recap: Part One

In Part One, we covered the foundations for new coaches:

• Step 1: Laying the Foundations – Clarifying your niche and purpose.
• Step 2: Building Momentum – Taking practical steps to attract early clients.

Step 3: Sustainability in Your Coaching Business

1. Establish Systems That Save Time

Admin tasks like invoicing, scheduling, and tracking client progress can become overwhelming. Putting systems in place early ensures your business runs smoothly as you grow.

Essential systems for coaches:

• Scheduling tool (e.g., Calendly, Acuity)
• Client contracts (Google Docs or e-signature tools like DocuSign)
• Progress tracking (Google Sheets, Notion, or coaching-specific CRMs like Delenta)

Pro Tip: Set up your systems before your calendar is full. The smoother your backend operations, the more time you free for coaching.

2. Refine Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch helps people understand what you do quickly  and makes it easy for them to refer you.

How to craft your pitch:

• Start with: “I help my clients to…”
• Show outcomes: “My clients typically see an improvement in…”
• Keep it conversational and memorable.

Pro Tip: Focus on the client, not yourself. Your pitch should make it clear how you solve problems or improve lives.

3. Prioritise Your Self-Care and Boundaries

New coaches often overcommit, but your energy and wellbeing are essential to long-term success.

Watch out for:

• Taking on too many clients too quickly
• Saying yes to draining clients
• Allowing unlimited client access

Set boundaries by:

• Defining contact hours clearly in your contract
• Blocking out regular “recharge days” with no meetings
• Using the BAMFAM method (“Book A Meeting From A Meeting”) so you’re never chasing clients for follow-ups

Pro Tip: Protect your energy. Boundaries not only support your wellbeing, but they also help clients respect the coaching relationship.

Key Takeaway

The early days of building a coaching business often feel like trial and error. By focusing on systems, communication, and self-care, you’re creating a foundation that supports sustainable growth.

You’re not just building a business  you are building a career with impact. Stay consistent, trust your process, and revisit these steps whenever you need to reset.

About the Author

Tanya Edgar is a Coaching Academy Graduate and full-time Leadership Coach in the Tech industry. A Forbes Coaches Council Member and former Coaching Sales Director, she blends sales psychology, coaching methods, and marketing to help coaches build thriving practices through her programme, IGNITE.