There are many different types of coaches out there. It can be a bit overwhelming for people wanting to offer coaching services for the first time.
The first question you need to answer is, “How can I help people the most, using the skills I currently have?”
Once you’ve figured out the answer to that question, the rest is just window dressing.
What is a coach?
A coach is someone who helps others improve their life. According to the Internation Coaching Community, the essence of coaching is:
- To help a person change in the way they wish and helping them go in the direction they want to go.
- Coaching supports a person at every level in becoming who they want to be.
- Coaching builds awareness empowers choice and leads to change.
A coach can focus on a single aspect of someone’s life, such as their finances or relationships, or they can focus on their life as a whole.
Choose a coaching niche for the most impact
Once you’ve decided what type of coach you want to be, you need to figure out what niche you want to serve. It’s important to narrow down who you serve so you know to whom you’re marketing your services.
A general Life Coach is too broad and will lead to people wondering if it’s for them or not.
But a Life Coach who serves mothers who are returning to work and are worried about balancing their responsibilities will be able to attract the exact type of person they can help.
When researching the profitability of your niche, think about these questions:
- Do these people know they need help? Are the activly searching for help?
- Do they have the financial resources to invest in coaching?
- Will they be willing to invest in more than one session?
Types of Coaches
This list is a starting point but in no way exhaustive of the types of coaches out there.
Life Coach
A Life Coach helps individuals to evaluate their thoughts and feelings, set goals, make changes and take action to change their lives.
Niche possibilities: Divorcees, Mothers returning to work, Retirees.
Financial Coach
A Financial Coach works with individuals or couples to take control of their finances and help them spend, save and plan for the future.
Niche possibilities: Newly married couples, Single Executive women, Widows/Widowers.
Wellness Coach
A Wellness Coach can help with a variety of wellness-related issues including, weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise.
Niche possibilities: New mothers, People transitioning to vegan eating, Marathon runners.
Career Coach
A Career Coach helps individuals achieve their career goals by identifying ways to improve at work, options for targeted learning, or bringing balance to their lives.
Niche possibilities include: People starting a new job, People passed over for a promotion, Architects.
Business Coach
A Business Coach helps business owners to set and achieve organizational goals.
Niche possibilities: Bloggers, Solo-preneurs, Family-owned businesses.
Relationship Coach
A Relationship Coach focuses on creating healthy relationships between couples, families, or friends.
Niche possibilities: Divorced women who are starting to date again, Couples who have lost a child, Families with a child diagnosed with an illness.
Executive Coach
An Executive Coach works with established executives who are looking to develop new skills, improve performance, or prepare for advancement.
Niche possibilities: Start-up executives, Female executives, New executives.
Performance Coach
Performance Coaches work with employees and employers to improve performance, set goals, and create plans for professional growth.
Niche possibilities: Students entering the workforce, Lawyers, Restaurant Owners.
Leadership Coach
A Leadership Coach works with people who want to move into a leadership role in their organization or leaders who need to improve their leadership performance.
Niche possibilities: New leaders, Failing leaders, Leaders in Tech.
Team Coach
A Team Coach helps teams to place people in the right roles for them, build team effectiveness, and set and achieve goals.
Niche possibilities: Newly combined teams, Failing teams, Sales teams.
If you want more on becoming a one-on-one coach, check out the March Playbook in The Vault.