The entrepreneurial world has changed drastically over the past twenty years as more businesses move online. Most traditional brick-and-mortar companies also have an online presence and sell their products and services online. Aside from these companies, millions of online businesses generate revenue solely from the internet without a physical building.

Many people are starting to use their talent and skills to build a portable business that offers more flexibility and work-life balance. Online coaching is a great way to do this, as the industry is worth over 14 billion dollars. As an online coach, you can freely serve people from anywhere in the world while living the life you want. Once you have a unique skill set, you can use those skills and experience to teach others.

Many creators and professionals are using their skills to build their businesses and have more control over their income and schedule. Creating an online coaching program allows you to scale your business over time and choose when and where you will work. Despite what some people think, starting an online business is not easier than starting a traditional brick-and-mortar business.

Building any successful business will be hard work. But if you’re considering starting an online coaching business, there are ways to simplify the process. Here are five initial steps to get you started in the right direction. 

Choose Who You Want to Serve

The first thing you should do if you’re considering an online coaching program is decide who you want to help. There are millions of programs in all industries that cater to a specific group of people. You can be as general or specific as you prefer. But it will be much easier to market your coaching program if you are very specific about who you want to help.

There’s a big difference between how you would market a personal finance coaching program for the general public and a finance program designed specifically for healthcare professionals with student loan debt. You may feel tempted to create a program that fits everyone.

You don’t need everyone as a client. You only need the clients that find your program highly valuable. Take time to decide who you want to coach and think about your ideal client. This brainstorming will make each of the following steps much easier as you work to build your business plan. 

Discover What Sets You Apart

The thing that sets you apart is commonly referred to as your unique selling point (USP). You can identify your USP in many ways, but the easiest way is to start with the thing that excites you the most. If you want to start a health coaching program, will your program focus on coaching lay people or will you create a program that teaches other health coaches? Which one excites you the most?

If you’ve worked in the industry as a certified health coach for several years, you have a lot to offer a group of new aspiring health coaches. If you’re a fitness coach who creates a program for people who are obese, that’s great. But it’s even better to be a formerly obese fitness coach who creates the same program. Find the thing that sets you apart from the rest and build your business around that unique thing. 

Outline Your Program

Technology has made it much easier to create customized digital products for your coaching program. Depending on the type of coach you are, there are a variety of platforms you can use to communicate with your clients. You can also use bubble developers to create an app for your coaching program. Outlining your coaching program is essential because the details of the program will determine how you will reach your target audience.

If you’re a fitness coach, you can use an app to send customized workouts and meal plans to your clients. If you’re a life coach, you can have weekly sessions with your clients using Zoom or Facebook Messenger. The possibilities are endless, and you will discover new opportunities as you work on designing the program. 

Create a Price List

Knowing who you will help and what you will offer them can provide you with the information you need to price your program. Consider the value you bring to the industry, your USP, the time you invest, and the money you spend to create the program. Use all of these things to guide you in making a price list. If you create an online fitness coaching program and you work with a nutritionist to create customized meal plans for your clients, include it in your price.

The more valuable your coaching program, the more people will spend to be in it. If you’re new to coaching and you have no idea how to price your services, research what your competitors are charging and use that information as a starting point. 

Create a Marketing Plan

Your marketing plan is how your clients will find out about your program. The best way to create an effective digital marketing campaign is to keep your ideal client in mind. There are several ways to market your business online, including social media, a business website, and search engine optimization. You will know which platforms to use by discovering who you are targeting.

Do your coaching services target a specific generation? If you’re coaching millennials on living healthier lives, you will likely find most of them on a different social media platform than boomers. Remember to consider your USP and your ideal client when you create your marketing plan. 

Final Thoughts 

Online coaching businesses are growing exponentially, generating billions of dollars in the industry. More people are looking for coaching programs that specifically address their personal needs and the lives they want to live. Building an online business is not easy, but there are some simple steps you can take to get on the right track.

Start by deciding who you want to serve and what sets you apart from your competition. Use this information to create an outline, price list, and marketing plan for your online coaching program. Once you’ve completed these steps, you will be on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur with a thriving coaching business.