If you’re reading this, I already know one thing about you: you want to change people’s lives. Help them live up to their potential and support them in stepping into their best self. And you love the process of coaching. But can you actually get paid for doing what you love? Absolutely. Don’t know where to start?

Below is my list of how you can set strong and lasting foundations for your high-end coaching business.

1.Get Specific about Who You’re Serving

As a coach, you have the ability to reach and uplift people from all walks of life. My advice is to reach the widest possible pool of potential clients. But you have to know exactly who you want to work with. Who can benefit the most from your expertise? Work out what kind of clients you can help and then focus on them.

2. Take Massive Action

You want to earn six figures from life coaching or business coaching, and that means you have to think big.

3. Embrace Marketing

Start with telling everyone you know. A lot of people I meet struggle with marketing, even though they’re dedicated, positive people who have a wide network of friends and acquaintances. Just telling people what you’re doing is a simple way to get started, and you’ll be surprised by the support and enthusiasm you will receive. Begin by setting a goal to call five people in your network daily to share the good news of starting your own business. Give them a call, check-in, get to know how they’ve been and optimize your natural people skills.

Know that you also can’t avoid marketing. Make marketing easier by making it part of your personal philosophy. You’ll become a better coach once you learn how to market your business in ways that work for you personally.

4. Find Out What Works and What Doesn’t

Create KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to track the number of people you talk to every day. Keep a firm grasp on what success means to you.

5. Stay Motivated

Even if this is the job of your dreams, there are going to be days when you feel like skipping work. It’s especially hard to keep focus after you suffer a setback.

But your business will thrive if you find a way to keep working through the bad days. Work on yourself and find the best ways to keep yourself inspired. Having a community of supporters can help you swim when it feels like you’re going to sink.

6. Your Clients Need Results, Not Vague Solutions

Don’t just tell people about the service you provide. Instead, put the focus on the results. Again, it’s important to be as specific as possible and focus on the specific problems that people face in your chosen field. Avoid platitudes and vague promises, and emphasize the exact ways you can help. From the initial session, be clear with your client on the list of SMART Goals you aim to achieve with them.

7. This is a Business, Not a Hobby

Part of your pro coaching service is setting up clearly-stated and realistic goals for you and your clients. Know your current limits, and be honest and specific when you present what you are offering.

But here’s the other side of being a professional: you need and DESERVE to get compensated for your work. While it’s a great idea to offer free advice now and then, don’t hesitate to charge for your work. State your fees upfront and don’t apologize for them.

8. Get Mentorship

When you’re just getting started, the tasks ahead of you may seem insurmountable. But there are people who’ve walked down this path before. Get connected with the coaching community and follow the advice of professional coaches whose work ethic matches yours. Sign up for a call with me here.

One More Thought

Leaving behind my corporate job was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. But there are a few skills I retained from that period that helped me become a better business and life strategist. Whatever your story is, you already have some skills that will help your business soar. All you need is to trust yourself to meet this new challenge.