So, You Want to Be a Life Coach? Here’s the Business Plan You Need (No Fluff, Just Facts)

Imagine this: You’re sitting at your desk, scrolling through social media, and seeing coaches out there absolutely killing it—helping people, making money, and living life on their own terms. And you’re thinking, ‘Why not me?’ But then, reality hits. You have no idea where to start. Sound familiar?

Let’s be real for a second—you’ve got the skills, the passion, and the drive to help others, but when it comes to actually starting your online coaching business… you might feel a little overwhelmed. Don’t worry; you’re not alone! 

Creating a life coach business plan from scratch sounds like a snoozefest, but trust me, it’s the secret sauce to making your dream a reality.

If you’ve been Googling how to start an online coaching business until your fingers hurt, you’re in the right place. Grab your coffee (or wine, I don’t judge), and let’s break it down step by step. 

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Step 1: Define Your Coaching Niche (Because Saying “I Help Everyone” Helps No One)

Let’s talk about the biggest mistake new coaches make—trying to help everyone. You wouldn’t go to a general doctor for brain surgery, right? Same idea here. Your niche is your portal to success. Are you a mindset guru? A career transition expert? A wellness warrior? Get specific.

Pro Tip: Ask yourself what problems you LOVE solving and what do people always ask you for advice on. Boom, there’s your niche. Check out this blog post for more ideas about your life coaching niche.

Step 2: Get Street Legal (Yes, You Need Contracts, Friend)

Look, we all love the idea of diving straight into coaching, but you need to protect yourself first. Contracts and legal policies aren’t just for fancy corporate types—they’re essential for keeping your coaching biz legit – online and offline.

Lucky for you, services like The Contract Shop have ready-made coaching contracts that save you from a potential legal nightmare. There’s no need to Google ‘free coaching contract template’ and pray it’s not outdated or incomplete.

Step 3: Set Up Your Coaching Business (Because Winging It Isn’t an Option)

Here’s where things get serious. You need systems that make your life easier, not harder. Sign up for a resource like Paperbell, which helps you schedule sessions, accept payments, and manage client relationships all in one place. No spreadsheets or chasing payments, no stress.

Your To-Do List:

• Choose a business name that doesn’t scream I made this up in 5 minutes (AI can help you with that)
• Register Your Business and Get ID numbers to make it legal in your area
• Get a business bank account
• Set up your appointment scheduling and payment system (hello, Paperbell)

Step 4: Build Your Online Presence (Because Clients Need to Find You)

Your website is your digital storefront, and your social media is the vibe that attracts clients. If your Instagram is just selfies and dog pics, it’s time for a fresh profile.

Essentials:

• Find out where your dream clients hang out on social media and create a fresh account for the business (Pro tip: This can be a faceless account for people coaching as a side hustle to a full-time job)
• After you have coached a few people and have a niche, create a simple, clear website with your services, testimonials, and a way to book a discovery call, or stick with Paperbell until you need a more powerful CRM and automation tool like FG Funnels.
• Advanced Coaches often use all-in-one marketing platforms like FG Funnels, a powerful marketing platform that includes websites, email, text messaging, courses, membership areas, and even your own app. It’s way too much for a beginner coach. Still, once you are ready to develop multiple income streams, it’s a great option because of the training, support, and community of certified tech experts you can hire to set it up for you.

Step 5: Create Your Offer (And Stop Undervaluing Yourself)

If you’re charging peanuts, people will think your coaching is low quality. Price yourself based on the transformation you provide, not what you think people will pay. If you have no idea, use our Coaching Revenue Calculator to get ideas.

A good coaching offer should:

• Clearly solve a problem
• Have a set structure (think 3-month package, not “let’s see how it goes” session to session billing)
• Include boundaries and expectations (your time’s valuable)

Step 6: Market Like a Boss (Even If You Hate Marketing)

Marketing isn’t about sleazy sales tactics; it’s about showing up and helping people see why they need you. You can use tools like ContentCaptain.io to create a content marketing strategy and automate the posting schedule so you can consistently put out content that attracts your dream clients. Remember, your first few clients will most likely come from networking events or word of mouth. Social media and content marketing take time to attract strangers, stick with it.

And remember—your audience doesn’t know you exist unless you tell them. Repeatedly. In different ways and on different platforms.

Step 7: Get Clients and Deliver an Unforgettable Experience

Once the clients start rolling in, it’s go-time. Deliver quality coaching, be on time, communicate professionally, and most importantly, be yourself. The better the experience you provide, the more referrals you’ll get.

Wrapping It Up: Your Life Coaching Business Plan Cheat Sheet

Let’s sum it up real quick:

1. Pick Your Niche: Specialize, don’t generalize.
2. Get Legal: Set up your business and use clear policies like those at  The Contract Shop..
3. Set Up Shop: Use a trusted platform like Paperbell to manage client onboarding, appointments, and payments like a pro.
4. Build Your Online Presence: Website + social media + consistency = success.
5. Create a Signature Offer: Don’t sell yourself short.
6. Market Consistently: Be visible and valuable.
7. Deliver Value: Happy clients + Happy coach = thriving business.

Starting your coaching business doesn’t have to be complicated. If you take focused action before you know it, you’ll be coaching clients and living the dream.

Ready to turn your passion into a thriving business? Let’s go! You can download your free Coaching Business Plan Template here.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. This is not legal or business advice. Most people who start a life coaching business make little to no money initially. Please use your judgment and seek professional advice when making business decisions.