Step-By-Step Guide To Starting An Online Coaching Business

Let’s cut the fluff, shall we? Ditching your 9-5 or starting a side hustle to pursue the dream of becoming an entrepreneur is a BOLD move. 

But since you’re tuning in to today’s lesson, I’m willing to bet you’re an ambitious go-getter willing to do whatever it takes to make your goals a reality. Amiright? 

You know you’re meant for so much more than sitting inside a stuffy cubicle, clocking in and out, for the rest of your life. You have year’s worth of knowledge to offer the world, but you’re just not sure where to start. 

I get it. A few years ago, I was sippin’ on stale coffee from my company’s cafeteria, dreaming of the moment I could *finally* walk out those doors and never look back. But, like you, I wasn’t sure where the heck to begin. 

But I was determined, and through *a lot* of trial and error, I built a full-time coaching business in less than two years. Yes, you heard that right!

And in that time, I learned creating a successful online business isn’t nearly as hard as many entrepreneurs make it out to be. I’m looking at you over-analyzers!

There are six key steps you need to get started, and I’m spilling the tea on each one. Grab a notebook and pen—class is officially in session! 

Choose A Profitable Niche

I consistently preach your messages need to align with your target audience. Which means you need to *know* who you’re talking to. As much as we’d like to think we can help everyone (maybe that’s true), the best way to make an impact is to find a niche you’re passionate about and center your business around it. 

For example, my niche is helping ambitious online coaches turn passion into profit using passive income, email marketing, and evergreen sales funnels. Pretty specific, right? My clients come to me because they know I’m an expert in those particular areas. Once you’ve picked a niche, you’ll have an easier time building a community of loyal fans who need your genius. 

Develop Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) 

You’ve probably heard the term USP floating around the internet, but do you know what it means or how to create one? USP is simply referring to what makes you and your business unique. What YOU offer is completely different than anyone else (at least it should be), but you may need to dig deep to figure it out. Determine your USP by asking yourself these questions: 

• What’s unique about my personality, my ideal client, and my business? 
• Why should people choose my coaching services over someone else? 
• What experience do I bring to the table? 

Your USP should be short, snappy, and to the point. Be sure to include it on your website or any other marketing materials so you can start attracting the type of client you want to work with. 

Begin Marketing Yourself On Social Media 

Once you have your niche and USP nailed down, you can start marketing yourself on social media to build your online presence. If you’re a perfectionist, you might feel a little uneasy sharing your business with the world without having everything figured out, but that’s okay! Remember, messy action beats perfect inaction every day. And that line of thinking needs to stay with you throughout your entire entrepreneurial journey. 

Start creating connections with people you consider your ideal client. Notice how I didn’t merely say follow them on Instagram. Don’t be afraid to begin a conversation with them—you need to build a loyal following of people who are excited about your services, and you won’t do that by being a virtual wallflower. 

Build A Website To Sell Your Services 

While I could argue all day long you don’t NEED a website to start working with clients, it does make you look more professional and helps you stand out from competitors. Your website should give visitors a sense of who you are, who you serve, what you offer, and why you offer it. 

Don’t worry about hiring a designer or buying expensive templates. Sites like Squarespace, WordPress, and ShowIt allow you to easily build beautiful, customized websites for little to no cost. Purchase your domain name, pick a web provider, and begin creating your site. 

Sign Up For The Tools And Software You Need

While you might take on a client or two without a streamlined system in place, I promise you won’t want to do it for long. Not only does it make for a clunky experience for your client, you’ll waste a ton of time manually sending proposals, emails, invoices, etc. Think about all the time you can get back if you automate your processes or at least have everything ready at your fingertips. Here’s a few service providers you should consider signing up for:

• Email: MailChimp, Constant Contact, or ConvertKit 
• Invoices: Stripe, Quickbooks, or PayPal 
• CRM: HubSpot, Honeybook, or Zoho 
• Social Media Management: Later, Planoly or HubSpot 

While it might all feel overwhelming at first (what doesn’t), I promise you’ll feel at ease when you can immediately send an invoice after a client asks. But if you’re looking for a platform that integrates everything you need into one easy site, then look into Kajabi. I use it for my business, and it’s a lifesaver for sending emails, taking payments, creating courses, and more. 

Start Actively Pitching Your Services 

Congratulations! You’ve picked a niche, developed your USP, created your social media channels, built a website, and signed up for critical software—you’re officially ready to start pitching your coaching services. *pops champagne* But if you’re like me, you’ve been drumming up business throughout each of these steps because you have big goals.  

Remember to be confident and don’t undervalue your services. If you based your niche around your corporate experience, you’re not a beginner, and you should get paid for the value you’re bringing to clients. And don’t forget to announce your business to everyone you know—you might pick up a client or two from the most unexpected places (or people). 

If you’ve always dreamed of being an entrepreneur and starting your own online business, don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way! Getting a business off the ground is a ton of work, but it’s worth all the time, energy, and money you invest in it. And I guarantee you won’t look back after you receive your first client payment—there’s nothing more rewarding than getting paid for work you made happen all by yourself.

I can’t wait to see you implement these six steps and create a business that allows you to chase your passions, pursue independence, and make a life-changing impact. If you want to learn more tips on how to scale your business and make your first five figures, catch me on Instagram. See you there!