When women ask me how career coaches make money, I think they’re picturing something much bigger and more complicated than it really is.
This week on the podcast I’m sharing Part 2 of my live masterclass, Break Free From the Wrong Career. If you missed Part 1, I’d start there first. You can read about it in how to turn your career experience into a coaching business.
In Part 2, we get into the practical side. How the income actually adds up, why I don’t want you charging by the hour, what a 15-hour coaching week can look like, and the questions you asked me in the live chat.
You can listen right here:
Here’s a little more about what we talk about.
How career coaches make money (it starts with one offer)
You don’t need five offers to start. You need one.
The way I teach it, you start with one offer. Then, when that’s working, you add a digital product. Then a group program. Each one builds on the last, and that’s how the income starts to add up over time.
I do share some income numbers in this episode. They’re examples to show you how multiple offers can add up, not a promise. Your results really do depend on your effort and your market.
Why I don’t want you charging hourly
Hourly sessions feel like the natural place to start. It’s what most of us picture when we think about coaching.
But charging by the hour ties your income directly to your time, and it doesn’t give your client much room to actually change. A 90-day program works so much better. Your client commits to the process, you get to walk alongside her through real progress, and you’re not starting from scratch every single week.
What a 15-hour coaching week can look like
This is the part I love sharing, because so many women tell me they want to do this but they just don’t have the time.
In the episode I walk through what a 15-hour coaching week can look like, even if you still have a day job or a really full schedule. It doesn’t have to take over your life. Small, focused blocks of time add up more than you think.
The mistakes I see new coaches make
I share the mistakes I see new coaches make over and over. I’m not going to give them all away here, but I will tell you number five is the big one. It’s worth listening for.
If you’re just getting started, knowing what to watch for can save you so much time and frustration.
Certification is a shortcut, not a permission slip
I get asked about certification a lot, so I wanted to be really honest about it.
A certification isn’t what gives you permission to coach. Your experience and your story already matter. What a good certification does is give you a shortcut, so you’re not figuring it all out alone.
Getting clients without living on social media
One of my favorite questions from the live chat was how to get clients without spending hours on social media.
I answer that one in the episode, along with a few others. If the idea of posting all day makes you want to give up before you start, please listen to this part. There’s another way.
A few questions I get a lot
How do career coaches make money?
Most start with one offer, like a 90-day coaching program. Once that’s working, they add a digital product and then a group program. Multiple offers are what help the income add up over time.
Should new coaches charge by the hour?
I don’t recommend it. Hourly pricing ties your income to your time and doesn’t give clients enough room to change. A 90-day program helps your client commit and see real results.
Do I need a certification to become a career coach?
Certification is a shortcut, not a permission slip. Your experience already matters. A good one helps you get there faster, so you’re not figuring it all out alone.
Ready to talk about your next step?
If you’ve been wondering whether career coaching could be your next chapter, let this be your sign to explore it.
I’d love to talk with you about becoming a certified career coach. You can book a free strategy call here.
You’ve got this.
Anna
P.S. Want more episodes? You can find them all on the podcast page, or start with my business plan course.
