How to Become a Life Coach and Start a Life Coaching Business

Life coaches inspire others to personal or professional success by encouraging them to push through their limiting beliefs and holding them accountable to take action towards their goals. As a life coach some of your clients may be seeking a healthy work/life balance while others may be seeking to gain understanding about their life purpose. As a life coach you will ask provocative questions to help them explore what they want in their life and allow them find solutions for themselves.

Why does someone hire a life coach?

People hire life coaches to help them get going in the direction they want to go in their lives. Life coaches help their clients create road maps, hold them accountable for staying on track, and provide motivational support for overcoming any obstacles that arise. In the same way that people use personal fitness coaches to help them achieve their fitness goals, individuals hire life coaches to help them achieve their personal life goals.

What are the working conditions of a life coach?

Life coaches work primarily from their home offices. They spend their days coaching their clients via email, by telephone or face to face. Depending upon their coaching specialty, life coaches may also spend their time conducting seminars and writing books.

How much money does a life coach make?

Life coaches can earn anywhere to 20,000 to 500,000+ per year. Salaries are dependent upon many factors including, how many clients you have, how many sessions your clients have per and how much you bill per session. To reach the higher end salary range as a life coach you may need to create affiliated products to sell to your clients such as books, Cd's, DVDs, seminars etc.

What does it take to become a life coach?

There are no specific educational requirements for life coaches. They come from many different backgrounds such as teaching, accounting, arts, psychology, sales etc. You should, however, have some experience or training in coaching, inspiring or motivating others. If you do not have any experience, you can obtain formal training and certification by completing programs online, in a classroom setting or in a seminar format. For those wanting to forgo formal training for a more hands on approach, hire a mentor life coach to teach you and help you build your business along the way.

How do I get started as a life coach?

Once you are ready to start your life coaching business you will need to equip yourself with the necessary tools to run it efficiently. Here are some ideas to help you get up and running.

Create a business plan.

In order to focus your business activities you need a plan of action. What is your company's mission? What are your company's objectives and goals? Write them down and revise them as you grow your business.

Find a work location.

If you are working from home, you will need to designate a specific space to conduct your business. Much of your work will be done over the telephone. Therefore, you need a quiet place to work. If you are planning to work outside of the home, consider a virtual office or month to month rental to reduce your start-up costs.

Set up your business.

Contact your local small business office to obtain the necessary licenses or permits for your business. You will need some type of liability insurance. Also, you will want to create a separate bank account for your business. Consult with legal and accounting services for legal and financial considerations i.e. contracts, taxes etc.

Stock your office with the necessary business equipment and supplies.

As a life coach you will use standard office equipment and supplies. You will need a computer with an Internet connection, printer, fax machine, telephone with headset, business cards, business stationery i.e. letterhead for invoices, contracts, questionnaires etc., and basic office supplies i.e. appointment book/calendar, pens, notepaper, paper clips, file folders, stapler etc.

Obtain your first clients.

Determine the target market for your coaching business. Market your services to those individuals by networking with them through events. Develop a website. Create flyers and post them at local businesses to advertise your services. Hand out your business cards to everyone you meet. You never know who will need your services. Create brochures and information packages with your targeted audience in mind, Be certain that they highlight the benefits of utilizing your services. Volunteer your life coaching services to community outreach organizations i.e. employment training and development centers. This is a great way to gain exposure for your business, and provide a services to those who may otherwise have limited means to them.

Tips and Warnings

Find your own life coach/mentor and keep in touch with him/her regularly as you develop your business.

Continue to educate your self by taking professional development courses and attending seminars.

Remember, life coaches are not consultants (who provide their clients with solutions for specific problems). Life coaches are not therapists (who provide counseling and treatment to individuals experiencing personal and/or mental health problems). Life coaches assist mentally healthy individuals achieve a more fulfilling life.

Provide excellent service. Running a life coaching business requires you to be objective and respectful to your clients at all times.

Take care of yourself and enjoy the journey.