How to go from zero to five coaching clients per week

Over the course of any given week, I have the privilege to speak with various entrepreneurs who are building their online businesses and expanding the reach of their message-based platforms.  I enjoy these conversations for many reasons.  They're insightful.  They stimulate my creativity.  They also give me insights into what works for others and how other people are succeeding in the online space.

Some people are dedicated content creators.  I would put myself in that category.  There literally isn't a single day of the week that I'm not creating audio content.  I also have systems in place that allow me to create video and written content several times each week as well.  But a content strategy isn't the only way to earn a living online.  In fact, some would argue that certain aspects of building your platform through the digital content you create will, by nature, take time to develop momentum.

Typically, a faster way to monetize your platform is through the services you offer, and one of the best-performing services continues to be online coaching.  

Have you ever paid for online coaching?  What kind of help did you seek?  How much were you willing to pay?

Online coaching has been one of the best investments I have made in my own development as an entrepreneur.  Without a doubt, I can testify to the fact that online coaching has helped me refine my ideas and make faster progress than if I had attempted to do what I'm doing without welcoming the influence of others to help shape my perspective.

I have paid various amounts for coaching.  The lowest being right around $50, and the highest being just shy of $20,000.  In every case, I can honestly say I got my money's worth.

If you're attempting to build your online platform, and you'd be interested in offering more coaching, how much would you charge?  How much coaching would you be willing to offer?  If you could replace your current income by developing a steady stream of coaching clients, would that interest you?

The average daily salary in the United States is somewhere around $160, give or take.  The average cost of a 60-minute coaching call is anywhere from $150-$250.  That means that if you charged the average amount for coaching, you would only need to work with five clients per week to replace a standard income.

Does that appeal to you?  Does it even seem accessible to you?  Where would these clients come from?  

When I first started offering coaching, I used to wonder that as well.  Now, coaching is a very regular part of my weekly schedule.  On a yearly basis, it has also become a healthy contributor to my annual income.

If you're genuinely interested in doing more coaching, please allow me to suggest a few practical ideas that can help you connect with clients so that you can host at least five coaching sessions per week, but hopefully even more than that, if this is the kind of work that genuinely appeals to you.

1.  Be very clear about the kind of help you are best positioned to offer.

When people make the decision to find an online coach, they do so with a specific problem or need in mind.  If they decide to work with you, it won't be because you're a generalist.  They'll work with you because you have a track record or a specialty in their area of need.

The coaching I offer fits within several specific categories.  People reach out to me because of my expertise in online business, leadership development, marriage, and spiritual growth.  They don't reach out to me for help with cooking, physical therapy, or auto repair.

2.  Use your digital content to attract attention.

Most of the content I create is given away for free.  Without charge, I share my podcasts, videos, and blog articles online every single day.  My content serves people well, and it meets several specific needs.

As people discover my content and make it their pattern to regularly use what I'm creating, they also frequently reach out to me for more individualized help.  That's where my coaching services are utilized, but it was the content I created that helped me get on my clients' radar to begin with.

3.  Mention what you do through conversations.

As you're attempting to connect with new clients, don't be afraid to let people know that you're offering coaching services.  You don't have be be sales-y as you do this.  Just be conversational.  Even if the people you're speaking to aren't interested in your coaching, they may remember what you said and recommend you to someone else.

If no one knows you offer coaching and you continually hesitate to bring it up, you're going to miss out on many clients.

4.  Keep building your online authority.

The only reason anyone will pay you for your services is because they consider you an authority on your subject matter.  That means you need to keep showing up in your field of expertise.

Write guest blog posts.  Do interviews for other people's shows.  Host free webinars that solve critical problems.  The more you do these things, the larger your online footprint will grow and the greater your authority will expand.

5.  Incentivize referrals.

There are few things quite as helpful for your business as referrals from those you have helped in the past.  It's an honor to receive a referral from a previous client.

When possible, I would encourage you to thank those who refer others to you with a tangible gift.  Maybe you could offer them free or discounted coaching, or you can pay them a commission for referring you.  Either way, never take referrals for granted.  They can be a big part of your overall business success.

6.  Create a simple funnel on your website.

A funnel is a simple online tool that encourages those who regularly consume your content to join your email list.  When someone joins your list, you'll be given additional opportunities to share about your services with them.

When I have extra time in my schedule, typically when I'm between semesters (since I teach at a local university), I usually attempt to increase my coaching availability.  I announce my availability to my email list, and I often encourage sign-ups by offering a temporary discount.

Wrapping Up...

If you begin to gradually implement these suggestions, I'm convinced you could build a pipeline of coaching clients that meets or exceeds the goal of five clients a week.  It's entirely possible that you may find yourself with more requests than you have time to accommodate.

I wish you all the best in your efforts.  Please don't hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how it all goes!

© John Stange, 2025