How to Become a Business Coach

Hey coach! Ever wondered what it really takes to step up and become a Business Coach? Maybe you’re already crushing it in your field but feel the call to guide others to success, or perhaps you’re just getting started and want to make a big impact.

We get it – the idea of becoming a Business Coach can feel like a mountain to climb, but we’re here to make sure you’re ready to conquer it!

In this blog post, we’re diving deep into what it takes to transform your expertise into a thriving business coaching career.

Oh, and by the way, we’re Cass and Tee, the dynamic duo behind Lovely Impact – your go-to resource for everything coaching.

With our combined experience and passion for empowering coaches like you, we’re ready to guide you on this exciting journey to becoming a successful Business Coach!

Understanding the Role of a Business Coach

Confidence can take you part of the way into the polished offices of some high-powered bosses.

However, understanding your role as a business coach is VITAL.

When you have the bigger picture of how you fit into a business, your impact increases 1000%. 

Let’s peel back the layers of the business coaching role. 

What is Business Coaching?

Business leaders set out to make a successful company. Good products and happy employees are the key to making it rain.   

BUT — sometimes success is just out of reach, or the vision is being squashed by some pesky barriers. 

Some things that are barriers for business leaders are:

1. Lack of vision. Along the way, a business leader loses the purpose and passion for their business that they once had. 
2. Burnout. The business becomes too much! Piling up tasks and managing people becomes a burden and saps their energy. 
3. Work-life balance. Is it ok to take one last call for the day? Will a little work on the weekend hurt? Some people might need help setting work boundaries. 
4. Lack of leadership. Are good leaders born or made? We’ll leave that to the deep thinkers to decide. However, bad leadership can stall a business or stop growth completely. 
5. Underdeveloped skills. Business leaders need the skills to pay the bills. 

These are just a few. There are so many nooks and crannies where deficiencies can be found. And in the business matrix, one loose screw can make the whole operation go ka-put!

That’s what business coaching tries to avoid. 

You delve into a business and tighten all the loose ends. You’re the secret weapon a business leader has to tackle barriers and go from gasping and struggling, to reaching the surface and getting a satisfying breath of fresh air. 

You help business leaders get their skills, passion, and leadership into shape so they can lead their businesses and employees at their highest potential.

What Does a Business Coach Do?

Before you get fitted with a sleek new business outfit, take careful consideration of the super important goal you need to have personally.

(Did we mention you look great?)

Your goal as a business coach is to foster trust. 

Biz leaders have a white-knuckled grip on their business. They hold on to control stronger than a palm tree blasted by a hurricane. 

If you want to be effective in your role, you gotta build trust. Period. 

Once trust is established, that’s when you get to unfurl the fabric of your business coaching strategy. 

As a business coach, you’ll:

• Uncover and refine the vision and desired results for the business. 
• Provide insightful feedback and a third-party perspective on blind spots. 
• Shape and polish skills for business leaders AND employees.  
• Develop a plan to improve productivity and KPIs (Key performance indicators. Yes, one of those can be increased profit!) 
• Provide undying accountability and support. 
• Create an action plan to crush goals. 
• Keep your business clients linked with a heart-string to their core values.
• Be a safe place for clients to talk freely.  
• Cultivate a positive mindset. 
• Build a robust team ready to take on the world.

This isn’t elementary stuff, coach! This is a heavy-weight matchup between corporate struggles and staying true to the human side of business. 

It’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?

Business Coach vs. Business Consultant: Key Differences

Cass and Tee, am I like a business guru who makes business-y decisions and helps turn companies around? Will I be able to predict the stock market with my business powers?!?!

Short answer: No. 

Long answer: You don’t make business decisions as a business coach. Instead, you mold and shape the decision-maker and guide them on a transformative journey.  

What you might be thinking of is a business consultant. 

A business consultant advises on improving overall business operations. 

They can focus on things like improving workflows, creating marketing plans, analyzing finances, or working on HR stuff.

You, on the other hand, get to work on a business in a more indirect approach through professional development. 

When you improve leadership prowess, and professional skills, and revitalize a business leader’s passion — you fine-tune a business-tenacious human being who can operate a business like a well-oiled machine. Whose employees show up ready to make things work. 

When you have well-rounded people working together toward a common purpose and vision, a business can skyrocket with potential. 

And it all starts with you bridging the gaps and making the results and outcomes a reality. 

Business Coach Job Description

Ready for “A Day In The Life of a Business Coach?” We got you covered.

Read on to get the sweet deets. 

Daily Activities and Client Interactions

You’re showered, dressed, fueled up by coffee, and ready to roll into a new day. 

As a business coach, your day is driven by a thirst for CEO transformation. 

A day could play out like this:

1. Get the morning started by hosting workshops or collaborating with other business coaches.
2. Work on marketing and client-getting strategies until lunch.
3. After lunch, bring on the electrifying business coaching sessions you live for!
4. Provide ongoing support for clients into the afternoon — troubleshooting, being a mirror for self-reflection, and a safe place for clients. 
5. Finish the day off with a dinner fit for champions. 

Keep in mind, some days you could have coaching sessions back to back or you might have non-coaching days where you work on back-end tasks (invoicing, content creation, scheduling, etc). 

It could also be a mix of both. 

Don’t forget to always make time for marketing your business, learning, and self-development! 

➡️ If you’re looking for a little extra support, our Daily Money-Making Activities Workbook for Coaches has got your back. It’s full of practical steps to keep you focused on the things that move the needle in your business. 

Long-Term Objectives for Business Clients

As a business coach, you’re in it to create a legacy. 

That’s right! Your guidance isn’t temporary. 

It should spur on lasting change in your client’s professional development and their business.

Refining and powering up a business leader is an important piece of the business puzzle. When your final coaching session comes to an end, your client should be equipped to build the business they have always dreamed of!

Here are some long-term goals your client might want to pursue. 

• More profit. There’s no greater sign of a strong healthy business than more profit. You plant the seed needed for the stronger leadership that makes this happen.
• Innovation. When a business has a robust foundation, there’s more capacity to innovate and get even better.
• Brand awareness. A common long-term goal. The more people are aware of brands the more likely they’ll trust and purchase from them.
• Reputation. When consumers know that a business will always make things right, or employees know they will be taken care of, that’s a beautiful impression to have!
• Work-life balance. Work can slowly creep back up. Maintaining a well-balanced life is key to a successful business. 

The wonderful thing about this is you’re not just impacting one person (your client). You’re impacting employees and beyond! Isn’t that mind-blowing?!

The Path to Becoming a Business Coach

Here’s something we want you to know — something to make you even more excited!

Business leaders can tell quickly when their ship has a few holes in it, and their business is sinking fast! That means they’re looking for solutions. 

In other words, they’re looking for you to help steer the ship into a safe harbor and get things fixed!

Ready to strap yourself in and get on this high-intensity ride?

Let’s get you primed to take on this awesome role as a business coach!

Relevant Educational Background

Diplomas, degrees, and certificates are great things to have. 

Especially if they’re in economics, business, business management, or marketing. 

These show you have the formal education and understanding of how the business world operates. 

What if you don’t have a degree?

Not to worry! We have good news! 

You don’t need a degree to be a business coach. The most important aspect of being an impactful coach is having experience that highlights your awesomeness. 

Gaining Business and Coaching Experience

What truly makes you a looker in this career? 

Experience!

The best business education comes from having been down the entrepreneurial path yourself. 

Or any related business path. 

If you can stand in front of clients and proudly say you’ve built a 7-figure business with blood, sweat, and tears…

… YOU’RE HIRED!

Because you know a thing or two. 

If you don’t have the education gained through the trials and hardships of building a business, don’t worry. 

The easiest way to start getting experience is to get certified. The International Coaching Federation is a good place to start your search. While getting your certification you’ll learn the ins and outs of business coaching and gain confidence along the way. 

Offer your services to friends and family for free. When you have absolutely no experience, this is the path of least resistance for you. Treat it like the real thing and gain the skills and coaching framework you’ll need to get into a paying position. 

Get a mentor or business coach. If you have the change to spare, nothing beats first-hand experience!

Embrace an intern role. It’s more than just getting coffee. Drop yourself in like bread in a toaster and get into the nuts and bolts of a business. 

If you do each of these, you’ll have the relevant experience to be a business coach superstar in no time!

Top Business Coach Certifications

Let’s roll out the red carpet for some shining business coach certifications that’ll prepare you for success!

• First up, is the Entrepreneurship and Business Life Coach Certification.

Why we love it!  ➡️ This course helps bring clarity to your business coach journey by helping you align yourself with your IDEAL clients. It also gives you a coaching program structure to prepare you to be an impactful coach. This wonderful guidance comes at a super affordable price of just $15.99! The price of a California club sandwich for lunch!

• Second up is the  WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC).

Why we love it! ➡️ This certification is for the advanced business coach who has some client experience under their belt. The program is evidence-based and research-informed – This course is a heavy hitter! It rigorously trains you to advance your skills and competencies. PLUS, you must get recertified regularly. This is for the SERIOUS business coach who loves to keep up with self-development!   

• Third, we have the Mindvalley Certified Business Coach.

Why we love it! ➡️ This is a 16-week ICF-accredited course that takes you from wandering the internet to having a clear roadmap into your business coach journey. The course helps you get into the minds of your clients so you can help them knock down barriers and get unstuck! The deal is sweetened with a risk-free 15-day trial!

Certifications are more than just a file kept on your computer or a piece of paper on the wall. They provide clarity to your coaching journey so you’re not left guessing!

We highly recommend you start out by getting certified. You’ll get many of your questions answered and get closer to knowing who you want to work with, what kind of business coach you want to be, and how to set up your coaching program structure. 

➡️ Not sure who your ideal clients are yet? Our Niche Clarity Workbook will guide you through the process of identifying your perfect niche and help you stand out as a coach. 

Starting Your Business Coaching Practice

If you’re more excited than a toddler tasting ice cream for the first time, we have more to share!

Let’s address the elephant in the room. How do you actually start a business coaching biz?

There’s advice all over the internet, so we’re going to break it down into a step-by-step process so you can get your business coach biz up and running smoothly!

Step 1: Legal considerations: Choosing the right business structure

Coaching can be the wild wild west. That said, we want you to step into your new role fully prepared and protected. 

The best way to protect yourself is to choose the right business structure. We recommend getting an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation). 

An LLC is like a shield that protects things like your home and other personal assets if you get sued. It’s a fantastic way to keep your business separate from your personal life. 

If you want to add another layer of protection, get professional liability insurance. 

It protects you from things like slander and libel, negligence, sexual harassment, and breaking confidentiality. If a client wants to take you to court, professional liability insurance will cover the cost of legal fees and damages. 

We have done the work for you and selected The Best Insurance For Coaching Business Owners. Check out their differences, compare their plans, and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Step 2: Conducting market analysis

Ever wanted to be a private investigator? This is your moment!

Before you coach your first client, you need to know what’s going on in the market.

• What problems do your clients face each day?
• What core offerings do your competitors have?
• How much are their offerings priced?
• How are you different from your competitors?
• Where can you get the most contact with your ideal client — where do they like to hang out?

With the answers to these questions, you get a clear picture of how the market is for business coaching, how to structure your own coaching biz, and how to start attracting clients. 

➡️ Need some guidance? Grab our FREE Market Research Workbook here>>

Step 3: Developing your signature business coaching program

What is a signature business coaching program?

It’s the irresistible, perfectly packaged offer and outcomes you present to your clients.

When you start to piece together what you want to offer your coaching clients, think about these three ESSENTIAL things: 

1. Who are your ideal clients?
2. What outcomes do you want to help your clients achieve?
3. How will you help your clients achieve their outcomes?

Get forensic! The more specific you can get, the more your signature business coaching program will echo off the walls and straight into the hearts of your ideal clients. 

Step 4: Designing your brand identity

Your brand identity is pretty much your identity infused into your coaching biz. Give it the care and attention it deserves!

Think of it like this: What do you want to be known for?

If you’re a go-getter with a type A personality — you might want to be known for being energetic, highly motivating, and innovative. 

If you’re a calming and nurturing presence — You might want to be known as the business coach who can bring clarity, problem-solving, and a safe place for clients. 

Pick two or three traits that you feel resonate with you the most and infuse these into your brand identity.

➡️ ️Struggling to define your unique coaching brand? Our Brand Clarity Guide is exactly what you need to pinpoint your brand’s mission, personality and even colors. 

Step 5: Building a professional coaching website

Business cards are the go-to way to share your information. But let’s take your message from microphone strength to FOGHORN strength and get you NOTICED. 

To get noticed by thousands of people online you need a website. If you share your business by word of mouth, you’re limited to a few conversations every once in a blue moon depending on how many business mixers and networking events you can go to. 

With a website, you can get your message out so much easier. 

Your website is the heart and soul of your business. It’s where you put your offering on display for all to see! 

Take care of it like a brand new car and make sure it sparkles and shines! And that it stays true to your brand identity. 

➡️ Not sure where to start? Meet Jordan, our Business Coaching Website Template. 

OR we can do it for you. We offer a 8-week coaching website design service >>

Step 6: Launching your business coaching services

There are two things you need to launch your business coach services. 

1. A launch date. Yep, coach. A date makes it real, gives you a deadline to work towards, and prevents you from getting cold feet! Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to work with but also not too much time that you end up never going forth and realizing your dream!
2. Promotion. It’s time to get loud and proud! Promotions are to get the buzz going for your services and to bring awareness to them, too. You can use emails, social media, flyers, or business cards left in highly trafficked local places. 

Make your promotions exciting and exclusive. The more hype you can get around your business, the more likely you’ll be noticed by a potential client!

Step 7: Attracting and retaining business coaching clients

The problem with an “I’ll-take-any-client-that-can-pay!” mindset is that clients come from all sorts of backgrounds and have different needs. 

Taking anyone who signs up will set you up with more nightmare clients than you’ll want to admit! Yikes!

The best way to attract your IDEAL clients is to get to know them. So get detailed and decide who you want to work with: 

• Small business owners who provide online services. 
• Fortune 500 CEOs.
• Veterans pursuing entrepreneurship. 
• Middle-aged women with business. 
• Corporate giants who create sports equipment and products.
• Physicians with online practices. 

The more specific you get, the more you can cater to the needs of your clients. Once you attract your ideal client the best way to retain business coaching clients is:

1. Provide AMAZING business coaching. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on how you’re doing and how you can improve. Ask them what they would like to see more of. Then roll up your sleeves and incorporate their feedback. 
2. Build up a network and referral system with your clients. Ask for referrals. If you don’t ask, you’ll never get anything sent your way. 

➡️ Want to connect with your clients on a deeper level? Use our FREE Ideal Client Avatar Worksheet to outline your ideal client’s hopes and dreams, so you know exactly how to speak to them. 

Why Choose Business Coaching as a Career?

We’ll be honest, coach. The business world is a fast-paced roller coaster ride! It’s not for everyone. 

But if fancy suits and working with important people isn’t convincing enough, we want to put the spotlight on the reasons why being a business coach is an incredible career path for you. 

Making an Impact on Businesses and Entrepreneurs

The impact you can make is HUGE! When you get down to the nitty-gritty of your newfound occupation, you’re basically molding the decision-maker of a business. And the decision-maker has the power to affect thousands of people! 

No pressure! In fact, it’s just the opposite. Be grateful for the talent and opportunity you can share with the world. 

It’s mind-boggling the effect your positive influence can have on the lives of your clients, customers, employees, and their families!

When working with entrepreneurs you can provide the confidence and motivation they need to bring fresh new ideas to the market and help people. 

That’s truly a fulfilling and rewarding career!

The Growing Demand for Business Coaches

Sounds like a great career path! But is it worth it to be a business coach? 

Entrepreneurship is on the rise like never before! The internet has spurred a lot of people to explore new areas of passion and ways to increase their income. 

More entrepreneurs means more demand for business coaching.

PLUS, a study done by the IPEC showed that there are 1.5 billion search engine queries for business-related coaching each month!

Your clients are out there searching for solutions AKA — YOU!

The industry is bustling, and we’ve got a good feeling you’ll find your place as a unique and talented business coach. 

Frequently Asked Questions

We know becoming a business coach is an exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming journey. That’s why we’ve pulled together some of the most frequently asked questions to help you navigate the process with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, these answers will give you the clarity and insights you need as you step into your role as a successful business coach.

What does a business coach do?

A business coach helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and executives achieve their goals by offering guidance, strategy, and accountability. Think of a business coach as your trusted partner who helps you identify areas for growth, develop a plan for success, and overcome challenges along the way. Whether you’re working on scaling your business, improving leadership skills, or streamlining operations, a business coach brings an outside perspective and expert advice to keep you moving forward. Their goal? To help you unlock your full potential and achieve the success you’re after!

How much should a business coach cost?

The cost of a business coach can vary widely depending on their experience, expertise, and the type of coaching they provide. On average, you might expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 per hour for individual sessions, while more seasoned coaches with a proven track record could charge even more. Some business coaches offer package deals or group coaching options, which may lower the cost per session. It’s important to find a coach whose pricing aligns with your budget but also reflects the value and results they deliver. Remember, investing in a business coach is an investment in your business growth!

Is it worth paying a business coach?

Absolutely! Paying a business coach is often a game-changer for those who are serious about growing their business. A good business coach will not only help you set actionable goals but also provide the tools and strategies you need to reach them faster and more efficiently. They’ll hold you accountable and keep you focused, which can lead to significant improvements in revenue, productivity, and personal development. The return on investment from working with a business coach often far outweighs the cost, making it well worth it for those committed to leveling up their business.

Who is the #1 business coach?

There are many influential business coaches out there, but it’s hard to pinpoint just one as the absolute best. Some top names in the business coaching world include Tony Robbins, known for his transformational coaching style, and Marie Forleo, who focuses on helping entrepreneurs create businesses that align with their passion and purpose. The “#1 business coach” really depends on what you’re looking for in terms of style, focus, and expertise. The right coach for you will be someone who resonates with your business goals and personal values.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide gave you a clear roadmap to becoming a successful business coach!

To recap, we started by explaining what business coaching is and how it differs from consulting. Then, we explored the daily activities and long-term goals of a business coach, followed by the steps to begin your own coaching practice—from choosing a business structure to attracting your first clients. Finally, we discussed why business coaching is such a rewarding career and how it can make a lasting impact on businesses and entrepreneurs alike.

Now, we’d love to hear from you:

What’s the first step you’re most excited to take on your journey to becoming a business coach? Are you going to dive into certifications or start developing your signature program? Or maybe you’re curious about launching your business coaching website.

Whatever it is, drop us a comment below and let us know! We’d love to hear your thoughts, answer your questions, and support you on your path. And if you found this blog helpful, don’t forget to share it with your fellow coaches!