Could a home-based coaching business be the right move at this point in your career?
Ask most coaches who have gone into business for themselves and they’ll likely tell you that starting a home-based coaching business can be so fulfilling. But there’s also another side; going into business for yourself as a coach can also feel so confusing.
It’s one thing if you work for a company as a coach. But if you are trying to start a home-based coaching business from scratch, you will quickly discover that you have a lot to learn. And there’s no shortage of advice out there for aspiring coaches either. Too much information, in fact. But starting a home-based coaching business is a great option for those who have a passion to serve, especially if you are bringing years of education, knowledge and experience working in your current field.
When I decided to pursue Health Coach training to learn more about holistic methods of working with my clients, it didn’t occur to me that I might pursue a career change to become a coach. After years of being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, changing professions to coaching was not something I had even factored into my career trajectory.
I went to health coach training as a form of continuing education and personal development. And the program was quite beneficial to increase my awareness of how nutrition impacts many aspects of our lives including our physical and mental health.
But when I would network with other coaches who were launching their coaching practice, I learned quickly that the struggle of building a coaching business is something that most of us are simply not prepared for. It can seem really hard. But it’s also not impossible to get a coaching business off the ground.
First, you’ll have to figure out your target audience. Second, you must get comfortable promoting yourself. And finally, you definitely have to start creating content on a regular basis; otherwise, no-one will ever know the benefits of working with you.
To give you a headstart, I’ve created a FREE Online Course, 5 Step Content Planning Course for Coaches. Sign up for my informative newsletter and get free access to this course now.
If you’ve stumbled upon this article because you’ve been in a helping profession for years and you’ve considered coaching as a way to transition into a less “clinical” career, I’m going to share with you everything I’ve learned about coaching over the past 3 years. I’m going to teach you how to start a home-based coaching business that doesn’t absorb all of your time and deplete your energy.
So rest assured, my friend, you are in the right place.
Coaches can work from home, offering their services to a broad audience in a wide variety of niches. Keep reading to learn more about coaching career options and how to get started. And this article is an all-in-one guide that will give you a no-fluff overview and step-by-step roadmap of what it takes to start and grow a coaching business from home.
If you are a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and/or a Certified Health Coach, like I am, you’ll appreciate knowing the real deal when it comes to transitioning into a career in coaching. And in case you’re wondering there are many other professionals out there – from Psychologists, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and more – who have migrated from clinical office settings and transitioned into running a coaching business from home.
So if you’re someone who has already established a career in another field – like the ones I mentioned above – but you’re wondering about what it takes to get started as a coach, I’m going to break it all down for you.
And even if you don’t have a degree in a counseling field, coaching is still very much an option. As you’ll see below the criteria of qualified coach includes even those without a college education or degree.
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What niches do coaches work in?
Coaches can work in a variety of niches. If there’s a skill that someone wants to master, most likely there’s a coach for it! Here are some of the most common areas where coaches work:
- Business Coach
- Career Coaches
- Financial Coach
- Health and Wellness Coach
- Relationship Coach
- Speaking Coach
- Weight Loss Coach
And these are just the tip of the iceberg with coaching. Each of these areas can be further broken down into sub-specialties. For instance, within the niche of Health and Wellness Coaching, you have those who specialize in weight loss, stress management, meal planning, fitness, or post-partum weight loss. And there are even Health Coaches helping their clients deal with specific conditions such as Chron’s disease, IBS, or migraines. And within Financial Coaching, there are those who focus strictly on budgeting, credit repair, getting out of debt, growing wealth, and much more. The list goes on and on. You name it, there’s a coach for it.
But is all of this coaching really legitimate? Is “coaching” just a way to earn a living without having to go to college? Well, there’s a mixed debate on this. Some degreed professionals would argue that coaching is a copout for having to acquire a degree that yields “real” skills and competence. Although many coaches have attended some sort of training program, even those training programs are sometimes questionable.
So how can you be sure that if you become a coach, you are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and capability to help people meet their goals, transform their lives and fulfill their potential?
Let’s take a look at training next.
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How much can coaches make?
The range for earning potential for coaches is very broad. And if you’re looking to start a home-based coaching business, the range is wide open. But let’s start by looking at what goes into getting a job as a home-based coach. If you’re seeking employment as a coach, your earnings or salary is largely dependent on a few things such as:
- Whether you have a degree in coaching or a related field
- How long you have been coaching
- Your prior work experience in areas within your niche
- Your training and/or certifications
As you can see there are quite a few factors involved in working for a company that provides coaching services.
On the other hand, if you’re looking into starting a home-based coaching business, you probably won’t be surprised that many variables could affect how much you earn as a coach. While some of the above variables definitely play into your earning potential as a home-based health coach, the amount you earn as a coaching business owner is largely dependent on these factors too:
- Your niche
- Your online presence (yes, this matters… a great deal)
- How “tech-savvy” you are
- The types of services or programs you offer
- Whether you “monetize” your business outside of one-to-one coaching sessions
Being business-savvy is a great advantage that can pay off well if you are starting a coaching business on your own. There are many pieces that must be put into play to build a thriving coaching business. For instance, coaches who set up a website, develop a smart system to market and promote their business, and are good networkers or collaborators have a better chance of getting the exposure that would yield more clients and thus more revenue.
Some coaches are running multi-million dollar businesses while others struggle to pay their mortgage each month. If you’re trying to transition into the coaching field, your success will hinge on your determination to put in the hard work to grow a successful coaching business; not a “quick win” mindset.
Being focused and persistent is the key; not slick marketing “hacks.”
The bottom line is that building a successful coaching business that produces a great income is definitely not an overnight process in most cases.
So you may be wondering, “Should I get a job as a coach or work on my own?”
Many coaches are self-employed, but the reason most of them started their coaching business – possibly leaving a 9-5 job behind – is a very common one I hear: the desire for more freedom, flexibility, and work-life balance. And while running your own coaching business is definitely one path to more freedom and flexibility, it may not necessarily give you the work-life balance you desire. #thetruthaboutcoaching
But the great news is there are many different paths to achieving success as a coach, and running your own coaching business is just one of the option that appeals to many.
But here’s the thing, if you want to be successful in running your own online coaching business, there are a few things that are a few non-negotiables.
1. You must figure out who your target audience is.
2. You must get comfortable promoting yourself.
3. And you absolutely have to start creating content on a regular basis; otherwise, no-one will ever know the benefits of working with you.
To give you a headstart, I’ve created a FREE Online Course, 5 Step Content Planning Course for Coaches. Sign up for my informative newsletter and get free access to this course now.
Are you ready for a deeper dive?
Are you ready to learn everything about starting a home-based coaching business? I’m covering all of it in my FREE 5 Day Online Course, 5 Step Content Planning for Coaches..
This course is for you if you’re ready to lay the groundwork to start attracting people to your coaching business. Sign up below, and grab a cup of tea before you dive into Lesson 1. I’m going to spill everything that I’ve learned about how to properly set up a content plan for your online business.
You’ll learn the vital elements to get up and running fast, the technology and tools you’ll need, and a roadmap for creating consistent content. Believe me, you need this course if you’re serious about coaching as a legitimate home-based business.
As someone who worked in the clinical mental health field for many years, my migration to coaching has been a rewarding path. Building a coaching business at home can seem like a daunting undertaking, but the course I created is an easy-to-follow roadmap that will make the path much easier for you.
Enroll for free.
Take the 5 Day Content Planning Course
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