Does anyone actually make a living as a life coach?

By Barbra Sundquist

Can I really make a living as a life coach? As a life coach trainer and former certifying examiner for the International Association of Coaching (IAC), that's a question I've heard many times.

I'm going to be frank: it's not easy to make a living as a life coach.

Why is this? Well, there are a number of factors. For one thing, change is hard. And as much as we say we want to make changes in our lives, deciding to hire a life coach means that we have to do some hard work! Not everyone is up to that.

Also, a coaching fee of $200 - $500 a month is a luxury most average income people just can't afford. The fact is, private coaching is just too expensive for most potential clients.

Many coaches will argue that the fee is not at all expensive when you consider the progress that the client will make in terms of career satisfaction, meeting life-long goals and possibly even making a higher salary. I don't disagree with that.

I've seen the magnificent changes that come about because of good life coaching. I'm the first person to recommend coaching as a very worthwhile investment. Nonetheless, it's hard for most coaches to get clients.

Keep this top of mind when you start searching for information on the Internet about becoming a coach. You're going to come across all sorts of sites that promise you the moon (maybe you've already encountered that).

That's because they want to raise your expectations about how easy it is to become a professional coach and how much money you're going to make.

Keep in mind that most Internet websites exist to sell you something. The coaching field is no different. The exceptions are sites from independent certification bodies such as the ICF and the IAC, and discussion forums such as the New Coach Connection.

About the Author:

For more tips on how to start and run a successful coaching or consulting business visit Barbra Sundquist's website Become A Certified Life or Business Coach.. Also published at Does anyone actually make a living as a life coach?.