Life Coaching

What Is Life Coaching?

A life coach works with clients to improve their lives in specific areas. A life coach is there to speak with clients about any issues the clients might have. They help clients set motivating goals or navigate through important personal and/or professional decisions. A life coach works with clients to improve a clients performance. As a life coach you should centre your coaching to an area about which you are really passionate. A few examples include health coaches, special needs life coaches, relationship coaches, career coaches, and executive coaches.

As a life coach you need to be a good listeners and advisor. You need to have the ability to teach others how they can put principles to work for them in their career or personal life. Clients might need advice related to their health, careers, relationships or family. Life coaches can help clients deal with anxiety and stress. You are expected to help clients with personal decisions and issues. It can mean helping to navigate emotional situations.

Almost everyone on this planet wishes to better themselves. But many need a special someone to push them to get started. Even though they have the ambitions, many struggle to make significant improvements to reach their goals in life. This is where a life coach comes into play.

Qualifications To Become a Life Coach

Life coaching does not require any specific degree or education. However, there are some skills and qualities that will help you become a successful one. Background in psychology, self-help, education, wellness or even business will benefit you greatly.

Even though a coaching certification is not required, it can give you credibility. The three most common levels of certification are associate, professional, and master. However, the most critical skills to become a successful life coach are things you can develop. Here are a few of the skills and qualifications that you need as professional life coach:

• Active listening skills
• Communication skills
• Psychological skills 
• Motivational skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Entrepreneurship skills
• Budgeting skills
• Marketing skills
• Networking skills
• Creativity skills
• Leadership skills

This is a business where you need to have the capacity to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. You need to be passionate and empathetic with your clients. Listening to clients will be a big part of the gig. Especially, without judging them. Rid your personal opinions. Your job is to ask questions and help your clients understand their own feelings and how they impact their life in a good or bad way. Be challenging in a nurturing and parenting way that causes your clients to face the reality surrounding them with clarity, focus, and honesty. Be observant. Communicate well with your clients and preserve your integrity at all times. Your relationship with your clients depends on trust.

Find Your Niche

Before you become a life coach, you need to pick a niche or various niches that you would like to coach clients in. Your specific area of focus. You can always expand and branch out to more niches in the future. But start with something you have most expertise and knowledge in. Life coach niches include:

• Health 
• Relationship
• Leadership
• Business
• Career
• Fitness
• Personal improvement
• Spirituality
• Family

Get Your Life Coach Certification

Getting a life coaching certification is a great way to differentiate yourself and stand out. It will separate you from the pack and demonstrate professionalism. Everybody knows that holding a certification means that you’ve taken the time to study and master your craft. A life coach program will help you acquire and develop skills in the following:

• Psychology
• Establishing Trust
• Coaching
• Active Listening
• Questioning
• Communication
• Planning
• Motivation

Forming a Legal Entity

Before you start your life coaching business, you need to decide on of your business model. Establishing a legal business entity will protect you from being held personally liable if your life coaching business is ever sued. The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership and corporation. Each of these has its own tax structure and legal framework. You will have to follow them accordingly.

Getting a Liability Insurance

As a life coach, it’s important to protect yourself and your business with insurance. You need liability insurance. Your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. The most most common life coach insurance is known as a  General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance. An insurance protects your financial wellbeing in the event of a legal battle. There are many types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. Consult with the insurance companies to find the right one for your business.

Register For Taxes

You will need to register for state and federal taxes before you take your first client. This is not a difficult task. You simply need to apply for an EIN with the state. This process is free of charge and can be done quite easily. To have great success with your business, be lawful in paying and filing your taxes. I would advice you to use a certified tax advisor or accountant to keep your books and help you file all your taxes.

Open a Business Bank Account

There is an essential reasons to open a business bank account. Using a dedicated business banking is vital for personal asset protection. If your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets are at risk in the event your business is sued. A dedicated business bank account will separate your personal and business-related finances and prevent this.

Create A Life Coaching Website

Having a website is not a requirement. However, listing your portfolio on a professional website will absolutely help you win the hearts of your clients. Here are a few elements you should include on your website:

• Your niche
• Your service
• Your fees
• Your credentials
• Your qualifications
• Your experience

Rate Your Service

What’s the proper way to rate your service? Well, my advice is to start low and build your prices up as you grow your business, experience and reputation. The average salary of a life coach is around $35. The annual salary of a life coaching business can range from around $30,000 to $250,000. Your salary will depend on a bunch of elements. Here are a few factors that will affect your rate:

• Niche
• Location
• Your experience and credentials

Marketing Yourself As a Life Coach

When marketing yourself and your life coaching business, using social media platforms is absolutely the way to go. Social media gives you a powerful opportunity for marketing and to grow a following without any start up capital. I would advice you to set up business accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Also, update each of them on a regular basis. Link your website everywhere. Use Search Engine Optimization for your website to attract potential customers.

Use advertisement platforms such as Google and Facebook to promote your business. Incorporated this into your life coaching business plan. Offer free online meeting as an incentive to gain clients. Here are a few tips to make the most out of social media as you grow your coaching business:

• Create and share blog content on your social channels to drive more traffic to your website

• Join conversations on different platforms and share your knowledge and expertise

• Create short coaching video lessons and share them on social media platforms

• Find popular hashtags in your niche and post relevant content with those tags

• Join relevant groups on Facebook and LinkedIn

• Connect with other coaches in your niche

The Growing Demand of Life Coach

The demand for life coaches is growing. As peoples lives are becoming more competitive and more complex, people need coaches. They need guidance. Advice. Inspiration. Motivation. Positive mindset. Someone to help them organise their thoughts and lives. So your decision to become a life coach is without a doubt a good decision.