The Right Way to Start a Coaching Business

Yesterday, one of my groups of beginning coaches again reminded me of the basic truth about start-up coaching businesses. That basic truth is that every business is unique because so much depends on the coach themselves. Many of us begin on a part time basis as a route to being able to leave a career that no longer fits us. Others, jump in with both feet immediately and are flying before you know it. I remember in my first coach training class, one of my friends had a website up within 6 weeks of the class starting. It took me a year to get to that point.

More than five years later, my fellow coach is no longer way ahead of me. I needed to start and learn and do in the way that was right for me. He did as well. There is a proliferation on products and systems on the market that encourage coaches to build there businesses in certain ways. CDs, books, membership sites and more all tell the coach that they have THE secret to being successful and this is not always a service to the new, often confused coach. Many of these programs are very valuable, but only if you know how to pick and chose programs and techniques that work for who you are as a coach. When I wrote my e-book for startinga coaching business, I devoted a large part of the book to helping the new coach learn about themselves. Only if you do this work can you then go out and know what systems and products will be helpful to you.

One of my coaches in group said it well when he said, “I can get myself to do things, but if I am not clear on why I am doing it, what is the point?” A new coach must ponder, experiment and learn about themselves as a coach, about the world of business and about what they want their business to be. The growth of a business is best done as an intentional and planned process. Avoid believing the hype that a certain coach’s system or product is the answer, but learn from them about marketing, sales and business. Notice what you like and don’t and then apply it in a away that works for you. The bottom line is that the right way to build a coaching business is whatever is right for you, the coach and business owner.