5 Steps to Becoming a Life Coach
Dec 11, 2024
5 Steps to Becoming a Life Coach
Do you have a passion for helping people unlock their potential? Does the thought of inspiring and empowering others excite you? For many, becoming a life coach isn’t just a career choice—it’s a calling. Life coaching allows you to channel your natural gifts, your love for service, and your desire to make a meaningful impact into a fulfilling vocation.
What is Life Coaching?
A life coach specializes in helping individuals clarify their goals, overcome obstacles, and make positive changes to achieve personal or professional growth. Their approach is highly future-focused and goal-oriented, encouraging self-discovery and accountability through structured sessions. Unlike therapists, life coaches don’t address clinical mental health issues but rather emphasize mindset shifts and actionable strategies for success. Life coaches often undergo specialized training and certification through organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), although formal education is not required. Coaches partner with the client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
5 Steps to Becoming a Life Coach
Deciding to become a life coach means stepping into two important roles: a compassionate guide for your clients and a savvy business owner. To help you on this journey, here are five essential steps to becoming a successful life coach.
1. GET A LIFE COACH CERTIFICATION
As you explore Life Coach training schools, first decide what governing board you want to work with. There are a few out there. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the one that our school is accredited through. We feel they are the gold standard of the coaching Industry.
As you look into the education opportunities, by careful to read exactly what the schools offer. Schools that offer “ICF training” very inexpensively, may simply base some teachings on the principles, but not actually be accredited through ICF. Look for the terms: Level 1 or Level 2 Education provider to ensure the quality of training you are getting.
A Level 1 Education Provider will put you on the fastest track to becoming credentialed through ICF as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). Once you complete a Level 1 Training Course, you would be certified as a Life Coach through your training school. To earn the additional credential through ICF, you would need to log 100 hours of coaching, and then pass a final exam with ICF. Many companies and organizations will only hire Life Coaches with these credentials.
Most programs provide a general Life Coach Certification, but if you’re interested in a specific niche—like heart-centered, wellness, career, spirituality, or relationships—seek out a program tailored to that specialty. Becoming certified distinguishes you from competitors by because of your comprehensive training, mentorship, ethical practices, and you’ll have a support network to ensure coach success.
For an ACC credential, you’ll need at least 60 training hours, including 30 hours of real-time interaction with faculty and students and 48 hours focused on ICF Core Competencies. Choose a program that aligns with your goals and meets these requirements to build a strong foundation for your coaching career.
Evaluating the Price
The price is also a factor to consider. Becoming a certified life coach may cost you between $4,000-$24,000. Be sure to consider the number of hours a course offers, the delivery method of the education, and the focus of the program. Additionally, research whether the program is accredited by a recognized organization, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as this ensures the quality and credibility of your training.
Consider additional costs, if any, such as application fees, required materials, or costs
for continuing education. Look into the flexibility of the program—does it offer self-paced online modules, live sessions, or a mix of both? Finally, think about the value you’re receiving: some programs include mentorship, peer practice, and post-certification support, which can significantly enhance your success as a coach and justify a higher price tag.
2. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
During your life coach training, you’ll learn fundamentals like active listening skills, powerful questions and creating a trusting environment for your clients. These skills are the foundation of your success as a Life Coach. Practice is the most powerful way to improve on these skills.
Confidence will only come through competence.
Many new Life Coach students are nervous to begin working with paying clients. It is tempting to fall into the trap of, “When I…”. They may think: When I know more, when I am more confident, when I build a website, when I am good at this…then I will start taking on clients. Don’t wait to begin!
Experience is the fastest teacher.
No amount of additional book learning will help you become successful and confident as diving in to coaching and learning from experience. There are so many ways you can
continue to strengthen and refine your skills as you build your confidence. Here are three different ways you can start building your coaching hours and expanding your coaching skills:
Volunteer
There are most likely organizations in your town that would love free coaching sessions
for their members. Single parents could always use extra support. Your church congregation may have people in need. Offering your services to teachers in a school district, or those recovering from physical challenges would be worthy clients of your giving heart. Nonprofit fundraisers or auctions could also be a great form of service. Your gift of your time and skills may be the balm that soothes someone’s weary soul.
Other Graduates
Working with other Coaching students from class is a great way to practice your new skills. When I graduated, I kept working with my Peer Coach for 3 years! We took turns weekly coaching each other and it was incredible practice. You can support each other, give feedback, and help each other uplevel your coaching skills.
Reciprocoach
Reciprocoach is a great company and resource for new coaches. For a reasonable fee (to cover administration costs) you can sign up to be in a round of coaching. They will assign you someone to coach, and someone to coach you. You will get to do 3 sessions of coaching and you will get 3 coaching sessions for you. It is helpful to see differing coaching styles! It is also supportive knowing that they are also on your same coaching skill level. This can help build up your coaching hours and your confidence.
3. DETERMINE THE OFFERING
As you begin your journey to becoming a life coach, you’ll naturally determine your style of working with clients and define the specific services you’ll offer. Coaches like Sarah Landon and Mark Rivera demonstrate how varied these offerings can be, each tailoring their approach and packages to their strengths and the needs of their clients.
Packaging
Sarah, for instance, focuses on personal growth and leadership coaching. She
emphasizes the importance of clarity and goal-setting from the outset. “Whether I’m helping someone build confidence, navigate a career pivot, or improve their communication skills, we start with a clear, achievable goal,” she explains. She prefers three-month coaching commitments. “That timeframe allows enough progress to see tangible results, whether it’s developing a habit or completing a milestone,” she says. Before formalizing any coaching agreement, she offers a free consultation. “It’s important to ensure coaching is what they need—and that our partnership feels right for both of us.”
Mark, on the other hand, offers a tiered structure for his coaching services, catering to different needs and budgets. His packages include the Catalyst Session (a single 60-minute deep dive), the Transformation Program (a series of 10 one-hour sessions), and the Sprint Package (two intensive 90-minute sessions designed for quick results). He believes that how you structure and price your services depends on your coaching style and target audience.
Group Coaching
You may find that working with groups feels more appealing to you. Setting up a Group Coaching program can be supportive for people looking for community. Choosing a topic that would draw on your area of interest and having a clear vision of how to help your clients get from where they are, to where they want to be, will help you set up your coaching program structure.
There is more than one way to do group coaching. You may highlight one person each week that gets coached in front of the group. You may also do mini sessions each week with each member. You may choose to have group discussions, learning and questions weekly, while you offer a private coaching session during the week for each person in the coaching group. There could be online content or worksheets to guide them through the process.
Pricing Your Services
A common question is, “How much do life coaches make?” While helping people transform their lives is invaluable, coaching is also a business, and determining your rates is essential for sustainability and success.
Pricing as a life coach depends on your approach and offerings. Customize your rates to the services you provide. Are you charging by the month? Is travel required? What feels right for an hourly rate? Do you offer discounts for bigger packages? If you do group coaching, what is the overall cost of the program? Determining how to structure your work is a critical first step in setting your prices. The life coaching market offers a wide range of earning potential. On average, life coaches charge between $75 and $1,000 per hour, with several factors influencing where you might fall within this range:
- Experience and Credentials: Entry-level coaches often start around $75–$150
per hour, while highly experienced or certified coaches may charge $300–$500 per hour. - Niche Focus: Coaches specializing in executive leadership or business often command higher rates, with fees reaching $1,000 per hour.
- Location and Market Demand: Rates tend to be higher in metropolitan areas or regions with higher demand for personal development services.
- Session Structure: Many coaches move away from hourly billing and offer
packages, which can range from $500 for a series of basic sessions to $10,000 or more for comprehensive coaching programs.
You might choose to offer packages, such as:
- Monthly Packages: Combining weekly or biweekly sessions, priced at $500–$2,000 per month.
- Intensive Programs:
For clients seeking transformative results, you can create three- to six-month packages priced between $3,000 and $10,000 or more.
Start by evaluating your expertise, the value you provide, and your market. Whether you opt for package pricing or a coaching program, ensure your fees reflect the transformation you offer. Coaching is a rewarding career, both personally and financially, when priced thoughtfully and aligned with your target audience.
4. SET UP YOUR BUSINESS
As you step into the role of a life coach, you’re also embracing the challenges and rewards of becoming a small business owner. Building a life coaching business involves careful planning, so here are some key steps to help you get started.
1. Register Your Business
One of the first steps in setting up your life coaching business is deciding on your business structure. Options like a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation each come with different legal and tax implications. For example, Maya Carter, a new life coach specializing in career transitions, decided to register as an LLC. “I wanted the legal protection an LLC offers, but I also liked the flexibility for taxes,” she explains. She used her state’s secretary of state business search to ensure her chosen name, “Carter Coaching Collective”; was available. You can also check with GoDaddy to see if your chosen business name is available as a URL for a future website.
2. Plan Your Startup Costs
Next, outline your initial expenses and create a business plan. Consider costs like:
- Certification programs
- Marketing tools
- Liability insurance
- Website hosting and design
- Any physical or virtual meeting space
For Maya, starting her business on a budget meant keeping overhead low. She opted for an all-digital model, leveraging video conferencing tools for sessions. “Without renting an office or buying extra supplies, my upfront costs stayed under $2,000,” she says. This included her website setup, liability insurance, and a professional email domain.
3. Create a Marketing Plan
Attracting clients is a cornerstone of launching a successful coaching business. Maya started by offering free 30-minute strategy sessions to her LinkedIn network. “I reached out to former colleagues, friends, and even my alumni group,” she recalls. These sessions helped her secure her first five paying clients. Here’s a breakdown of Maya’s marketing plan:
- Word of Mouth: She encouraged her first clients to leave testimonials and share her services with others. If they’re happy with your services, ask them to spread the word to people in their network.
- Social Media Presence: Maya focused on Instagram and LinkedIn, where her target audience—mid-career professionals—spends time. She posts twice weekly, sharing tips, success stories, and short videos about her coaching philosophy.
- Networking: She attended local career fairs and online coaching conferences,
building connections with potential collaborators and clients. - Content Creation: Maya launched a blog offering free career advice, which
drove traffic to her website.
4. Build Your Online Presence
A strong digital presence is essential. When you are ready, create:
- A professional website with testimonials and a clear breakdown of your services.
Wix has website templates that are easy to use. - Active social media profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- A branded email address for all business communications
For Maya, her website became the hub of her business. She included a booking
calendar for free consultations, a blog section, and links to her social media profiles.
Starting a life coaching business is a step-by-step process, but with thoughtful planning
and a focus on building your reputation, you can successfully grow your practice—just
like Maya, who landed her first clients within two months of launching. Whether you go
all-digital or include in-person services, the key is to stay organized and focus on
delivering exceptional value to your clients.
5. START COACHING
You’ve prepared your business and attracted interest—now it’s time to begin coaching
and turn prospects into loyal clients. Here’s how to smoothly transition from initial
interest to impactful coaching relationships.
Respond Quickly and Offer a Warm Welcome
When someone expresses interest in your services, respond promptly to demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm. Offer a free or discounted consultation session to help them feel comfortable and confident about investing in your coaching. This initial session is your chance to showcase your approach and build trust.
Once a client agrees to work with you, guide them through a seamless onboarding
process:
- 1. Introduce Your Coaching Style: Share how your sessions are structured, the
tools you use, and what clients can expect. - 2. Provide Resources: Send a welcome packet or email that outlines how to
prepare for sessions, any materials they’ll need, and tips for getting the most out
of coaching. - 3. Formalize the Relationship: Use contracts or agreements to clearly outline
terms such as confidentiality, payment schedules, cancellation policies, and the
responsibilities of both parties.
Payment & Booking
Set up an easy-to-use payment and scheduling system. Options like Venmo, Stripe, PayPal, or coaching-specific platforms such as CoachAccountable make it simple for clients to book sessions and pay without unnecessary back-and-forth. Calendly is also a simple program for booking.
Maximize the Impact of Coaching Sessions
To deliver transformative results, focus on these strategies:
- Make Sessions Action-Oriented: Provide exercises, tools, and accountability
measures that empower clients to take meaningful steps toward their goals. - Personalize your Coaching: Regularly ask for feedback on your clients
coaching experience and refine and enhance how you work with them in each
session. - Set and Celebrate Goals: Collaboratively establish measurable goals and
celebrate milestones. Recognizing their progress reinforces their achievements
and motivates them to continue their journey.
Getting Started: After securing a new client, coach Melinda Christensen sends a welcome email with a link to their contract, a video explaining her coaching philosophy, and a worksheet to help the client clarify their initial goals. She uses a booking platform where clients can schedule sessions and make payments in one step. Create your process with new clients and simplify the experience so you can focus on results! By creating a structured and supportive environment, you’ll not only help clients succeed but also build a thriving coaching practice fueled by trust, results, and referrals.
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