Life Coaching

What is Life Coaching?

Life coaching helps people gain clarity on what they want and take action to achieve it. Unlike therapy, which often addresses past trauma, coaching is forward-focused: goals, habits, mindset, productivity, relationships, and personal growth.

You're part accountability partner, part thinking partner, part cheerleader. When it works, clients make changes they couldn't make alone.

The Honest Reality

Why It's Appealing

• Help people make meaningful changes
• Sessions work perfectly over Zoom
• Set your own schedule and rates
• Build toward passive income (courses, groups)
• Your nomad lifestyle can be part of your credibility

Challenges to Consider

• The market is extremely crowded
• "Life coach" has a reputation problem (too many unqualified practitioners)
• Building client pipeline takes time
• Marketing yourself constantly is exhausting
• Income is inconsistent, especially starting out

Types of Coaching Niches

By Topic

Niche	Focus
Career	Job transitions, advancement
Executive	Leadership, management
Relationship	Dating, partnerships, communication
Health/wellness	Fitness, habits, lifestyle
Productivity	Systems, focus, time management
Mindset	Limiting beliefs, confidence
Transition	Major life changes

By Audience

Audience	Examples
Professionals	Burnout, work-life balance
Entrepreneurs	Business growth, founder challenges
Parents	Parenting, family dynamics
Women	Specific women's issues
Men	Specific men's issues
New grads	Career launch, adulting
Retirees	Purpose, transition

The Niche Advantage

"Life coach" is too broad. "Career coach for women in tech transitioning to leadership" is specific enough to stand out.

Getting Started

Develop Your Skills

Training options:

• ICF-accredited programs (gold standard, expensive)
• Online coaching certifications (more accessible)
• Mentor coaching (learn from experienced coaches)
• Practice with pro-bono clients

Core skills needed:

• Active listening
• Powerful questioning
• Creating accountability
• Holding space without judgment
• Recognizing when coaching isn't appropriate

Define Your Niche

Answer these questions:

• What specific transformation do you help people achieve?
• Who is your ideal client?
• What qualifies you to help them?
• What makes your approach unique?

Build Credibility

Without certification:

• Relevant life/professional experience
• Results with practice clients
• Strong testimonials
• Demonstrated expertise (content, speaking)

With certification:

• ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC)
• Specialized certifications
• Training program credentials

Coaching Packages and Pricing

Pricing Structures

Model	Description	Range
Per session	Single sessions	$75-300+/hour
Package	6-12 sessions	$600-5,000+
Monthly retainer	Ongoing access	$500-2,500+/month
VIP day	Intensive full day	$1,000-5,000+

Package Benefits

Packages work better than single sessions:

• Commitment improves results
• Predictable income for you
• Builds real client relationship
• Reduces constant selling

Setting Your Rates

Start based on:

• Your experience level
• Your niche's typical rates
• Your target client's ability to pay
• What you need to earn

Increase as you gain testimonials and demand.

Finding Clients

Content Marketing

Build audience through:

• Social media presence (LinkedIn, Instagram)
• Blog posts
• Podcast or YouTube
• Email newsletter
• Guest appearances

Platforms

• Superpeer for coaching calls
• Maven for cohort-based courses
• BetterUp (corporate coaching)
• Noomii (coaching directory)
• Patreon for community access

Referrals

After building client base:

• Ask satisfied clients for referrals
• Partner with complementary practitioners
• Build referral incentives
• Network within your niche community

Working as a Nomad

Coaching Works Remotely

• Sessions happen via video call
• Scheduling tools manage time zones
• Async support via messaging
• Notes and resources in Notion or Google Drive

Challenges

• Finding quiet, professional space for calls
• Managing time zones with clients
• Reliable internet is essential
• Maintaining consistency while traveling

Tips

• Block specific days/times for coaching
• Use scheduling tools that handle time zones
• Have backup internet options
• Create buffer time around travel days

Scaling Beyond 1:1

Group Coaching

• Lower price per person, higher income per hour
• Peer support enhances outcomes
• More leveraged use of your time
• Requires different facilitation skills

Online Courses

Productize your methodology via Gumroad or course platforms:

• Self-paced programs
• Cohort-based courses
• Combination with coaching

Digital Products

• Workbooks and guides
• Templates and frameworks
• Assessments and tools
• Membership communities

Common Mistakes

Starting Too Broad

"I help anyone with anything" doesn't attract clients. Specificity wins.

Underpricing

Low prices attract difficult clients and signal low value. Price based on transformation value, not your insecurity.

Avoiding Marketing

Many coaches hate marketing. But without consistent visibility, you won't find clients. Content marketing is the least salesy approach.

Skipping Boundaries

Clear boundaries protect you:

• Session length and frequency
• Communication between sessions
• Scope of coaching vs. therapy
• Cancellation policies

Who Should Consider Coaching?

This works if you:

• Genuinely enjoy helping people change
• Have relevant experience or expertise
• Are comfortable with marketing yourself
• Can handle emotional labor
• Want flexible, meaningful work

It's not right if you:

• Need immediate, stable income
• Dislike self-promotion
• Can't handle clients who don't follow through
• Want purely passive income
• Prefer anonymous work

The Bottom Line

Life coaching can be deeply rewarding work that fits perfectly with nomadic life. Sessions work over video, schedules are flexible, and your unique perspective becomes an asset.

But the market is crowded, and success requires genuine skill, niche focus, and consistent marketing. Building a sustainable practice takes time—often 6-12+ months before income stabilizes.

Start with a specific niche. Get trained. Practice with real clients. Build testimonials. Create content. The coaches who succeed treat it as a real business, not just a calling.