The world needs more amazing coaches! People are hungry for guidance, support, and that extra push to achieve their goals. But if you’re currently in training, you might be wondering, “Can I really start a coaching business before I’m fully certified?”
The answer? Absolutely!
Here at Ability Business Group, we see countless coaches in training who are eager to make a difference but feel held back by the lack of that official certification.
But here’s the thing: While certification is valuable, it isn’t a prerequisite for taking action.
You’ve already poured time and effort into learning valuable skills and building your knowledge base. Your Coaching certification isn’t teaching you how to be the expert in your niche, it’s teaching you the valuable ways to be a ‘coach’.
These are different things. So, if you’re looking to be a health and wellness coach, a career coach, or even a life coach – I guarantee there’s an abundance of knowledge that you can share which will not be impacted or affected by achieving your certification.
Why not leverage that existing expertise to build momentum and start attracting clients today?
The fear of charging money before certification is understandable and speaks to your integrity, but here’s something you need to know…
Before people buy from you, there is a whole process they need to go through which starts with, knowing you even exist and then they need to like you and resonate with what you stand for, then they need to trust that you know what you’re talking about. This can take time!
But now is the perfect opportunity to give yourself a head start and put yourself on the map, NOW. Because… why not?
There are numerous ways to showcase your skills and build trust with potential clients, all without asking for a dime but building your credibility and authority even before you have your certification.
Let’s dive into five powerful actions you can take immediately to kickstart your coaching business:
- Optimize Your Social Media Profiles: First impressions matter! Create compelling bios on platforms like
LinkedIn and Facebook that highlight your coaching niche, and your passion for helping others, and you can even highlight your future goals as a certified coach. Introduce yourself to your potential clients, showcase your expertise (even pre-certification!), and offer a valuable downloadable resource like “5 Tips for Achieving X” relevant to your coaching niche.
How it Helps: A strong online presence establishes your credibility, attracts your ideal clients, and allows you to capture leads for future coaching engagements. This is how you showcase your Unique Value Proposition
- Identify Your Ideal Client and Expand Your Reach: Before you start growing your audience, it’s crucial to understand who you’re best equipped to help. Who are you most passionate about coaching? Who are the people aligned with your message, and who desires your solution? What are their specific challenges? Their desires and aspirations? Develop a clear picture of your ideal client profile. Then…Go find them!
Figure out which platform they hang out on, then join relevant online communities such as Facebook groups, forums, and LinkedIn groups focused on your chosen niche. Actively participate in discussions, offer valuable insights, answer questions, and build relationships with others in the community. Note – don’t get stuck in ‘follow chains’ or entrepreneur groups unless they are your ideal clients.
How it Helps: Understanding your ideal client allows you to tailor your approach and attract the most suitable clients for your coaching style. Engaging in online communities establishes you as a helpful resource and builds trust with potential clients. When you add value to someone, you begin to earn attention and trust. These people will ultimately follow or connect with you and you can form authentic connections.
Example: Are you aiming to coach professionals with imposter syndrome? Join online career and professional forums and share insightful tips on overcoming limiting beliefs and self-doubt.
- Showcase Your Expertise Through Thought Leadership: Share your point of view, your personalised frameworks or techniques, expert insights and inspiration on your chosen coaching topics through blog posts, social media posts (like LinkedIn articles), or even short video snippets. You don’t need to be a certified expert to offer valuable advice based on your current knowledge and Offer a free downloadable guide with practical tips, like “5 Strategies for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome.”
How it Helps: Sharing your knowledge positions you as an expert-in-training, showcases your passion and attracts potential clients who resonate with your approach.
Example: Write a blog post on “3 Common Mistakes High Functioning Professionals Make (And How to Avoid Them).”
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- Focus on Building Authenticity and Authority: Two key pillars will pave the way for success which are authenticity and authority. This ‘pre-certification’ stage is the perfect opportunity to cultivate both and establish trust with your ideal clients.
Share personal stories that resonate with your audience’s challenges and aspirations. This fosters connection and demonstrates an understanding of their struggles. Express genuine enthusiasm for personal growth and making a
difference. Your passion will be contagious, attracting clients who share your drive.
Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Embrace your quirks, interests, and perspectives – they’ll set you apart and attract like-minded clients. And, invest in your education and demonstrate your knowledge and establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
- Leverage Your Pre-Certified Knowledge: Just because you haven’t received your official coaching certificate yet doesn’t mean you can’t start planning your path to coaching success. Your pre-certified status can be a great time for creating personalized frameworks and mapping out a spectrum of coaching offerings, including a signature service that will set you apart.
There is power in proactive planning while on your way to coaching success! Ability Business Group can be your trusted partner in navigating this exciting pre-launch phase and ensuring you hit the ground running once you’re certified.
Bringing it all together
Taking the first step towards your coaching dream doesn’t require a fancy website or a hefty marketing budget. It definitely doesn’t require you to complete your certification before you take action.
By leveraging your existing knowledge, building your online presence, and showcasing your passion for helping others, you can start attracting an engaged audience and building momentum even before you have that official certification. 
Remember, the journey itself is powerful. Share your progress, celebrate your milestones, and most importantly, don’t let the fear of “not being ready” hold you back from making a real difference in people’s lives.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
If you’re serious about kicking off your coaching business but need a roadmap to success, Ability Business Group is here to help! We offer a Business Brainstorm Strategy Call, you’ll receive:
- Personalized coaching business strategy
- Proven strategies to attract your ideal clients
- Timeline for launching and scaling your coaching business
- Expert insights and guidance on building a thriving coaching practice
Don’t wait any longer! Schedule your Business Brainstorm Strategy Call today and let’s turn your passion into a thriving business!
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About the Founder
JJ, Your Coach, Strategy & Revenue Mastermind
Mantra: “I Never Lose, I Either WIN or Learn – Nelson Mandela”
In Another Life: Solo globetrotter soaking up the sun and manifesting next-level strategies…which is exactly the same as I do in this life!
Why I’m Here: To guide you to work smarter, not harder, and to empower your purpose-driven journey. Let’s change the world together, one client at a time.
The Impact: Through my strategies, clients have diversified revenue streams, navigated cash-flow challenges, and scaled their purpose-driven businesses to new heights.
Your business could be next!