Exactly what type and how many programs a new life coach should offer

Welcome back to Wake up Wednesday, loves!

For today’s fabulous episode, the brilliant Emily Cassel asked this question:

“I was wondering if there are a certain number of programs, or a certain type of program you recommend having as a coach?”

This is an amazing question with a very detailed answer. So, before we dive into today’s insider secrets, I want to discuss some important statistics with you and your fellow sisters.

In an incredible TED talk by Sheena Lyengar, I learned some fascinating information about choice and how what we offer affects our businesses.

Sheena discussed some pretty startling facts about decision making, which I’ll share with you in today’s episode.

Fact #1: Americans make 70 different choices per day.

Whoa! Talk about choice overload, right? Here’s an example of how that affects us:

A study was done on the jam section of the grocery store. One group of shoppers was offered 6 jams to choose from, while another group of shoppers was given 24 james to choose from.

Turns out, 5 out of 5 people who browsed the selection of 6 jams purchased the jam.

In contrast, when faced with a choice of 24 jams, only 3 out of 5 of people made a purchase – and bought less than the first group.

Why does this happen? Because people purchase less when a decision feels overwhelming.

Fact #2: People respond better when you begin with easier decisions and make them more complex as you go.

For example, Sheena talks about buying a customized car. Usually, the car company asks you to pick the color first, then the exterior details, and then they let you pick the options for the interior (and there are about 24 of those)!

The reason for this is, if people were faced immediately with 24 decisions, they’d opt out. They’d file it under “save for later”, and probably never get around to it. In that instant, overwhelmed by choice, we ‘choose not to choose’.

Fact #3: More categories, even if that means fewer options, are more appealing to a decision-maker.

When you categorize your choices, it’s easier for your prospective clients to self-identify with the option that’s right for them, making the decision process simpler. But in this case too, less is absolutely more.

In today’s episode, we cover the categories you want for your life coaching business model.

Next, let me offer 5 easy-to-scale coaching programs to help you create your dream business model.

But before you begin to map all this out, ask yourself a BIG question first:

“What experience do I want to have as a coach?”

As coaches, we’re supposed to be a shining example of living our best lives. So, take into account the programs you actually want to teach, lead, and pour time into, plus your income goals, and the amount of time off that would feel amazing to you.

How much work do you crave? How much play do you desire?

Now let’s look at the categories themselves.

Category #1: One-on-one coaching

(Phase 1 offerings for the early stage of our business.)

FREE SESSION OR TRADE SESSION: I’m sure you’ve seen a ton of coaches offering 20 to 30-minute breakthrough sessions. Well, this isn’t just because they’re lovely people! It’s actually a highly strategic move. This one-time session this can easily upsell into a VIP intensive session, or one of your longer programs.

I recommend offering these free sessions for the first 6 months of your business or until you fill up your programs, then offering only a VIP session for a lower charge.

ONE TIME SESSION: This is your one-off, VIP intensive call with your clients. This offering may be your entry level price point, to give your clients the chance to create powerful change in their lives, while also getting a taste of what it’s like to work with you.

(Phase 2 offerings for the middle stage of our business.)

LONG-TERM 1:1 COACHING PACKAGES: After you’re a little more established as a fantastic coach (usually after the 6 month mark) it’s time to offer long-term support.

That usually involves doing your one-on-one coaching on a consistent basis, and offering coaching support for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or a year. I recommend choosing 2 options for the length of time. So start thinking about what timespan would feel the most expensive for you.

Do you have enough time in 3 months to help your clients create real change? Do you want to be paired up with someone for 6 whole months? Are you ready to lock in for a total 9-month transformational journey? Go with what feels best, and limit the amount of time you offer.

Category #2: Group coaching and static products

(Phase 3 offerings are for the later stage of your business.)

For the next 6 months of your business, have the one-off session and the coaching sessions available. Then, you can start moving into more scalable options that’ll work for 8 months to 16 months in your coaching business.

GROUP PROGRAMS: Use the research you’ve done with your one-on-one clients to explore who you like working with, and what problems you’re good at solving for your peeps. From there, you can create a group program, online or in person, for people who want to do additional work in a group session for community support.

STATIC PRODUCTS: After enough one-on-one coaching and group sessions, it’s time to create a product that lives online, that people can buy and work through on their own time. (Helloo, money while you sleep!) About 18-24 months along is your business is a good time to roll out this offering.

If, by now, you’re feeling tired of one-on-one, consider increasing your rates or taking one-on-one coaching off the table all together.

Category #3: Masterminds and retreats

(Phase 4 offerings for your mega-established business)

MASTERMINDS AND RETREATS: About 2-4 years into your coaching business, you should start to consider offering a mastermind or retreat experience.

A mastermind experience tends to be a combo of group coaching, virtual products, and one-on-one coaching for about 6 to 9 months. This gives people the chance to work closely with you, but also with the added benefit of a group experience. How much one-on-one time you offer is up to you.

If you have the income to put the money up for it, an in-person retreat is an amazing next level of service. This gives people a chance to work one-on-one with you in intensive group style, live an in person. My recommendation? Do it somewhere exotic and fabulous, where you can focus on a specific and positive outcome.

But, always remember: limit your number of offerings based on what feels best to you and the life YOU want to create.

Those are the categories and my recommended “best practices” – but nothing’s set in stone!

This week, I have a challenge for you: I want you to cut down the number of programs you offer to about 2 or 3 categories. Look at what your best sellers are, and keep only those – ditching the low sellers.

Invite your existing clients to give you their feedback on your offerings. Is there anything that feels like it’s “too much” or is confusing for them?

Now I’d love to hear from you, amazing sisters!

Where are you at in your coaching business right now?

What are the products, programs, or services are you offering?

How many choices are you putting out there?

I’d love to support you in the comments with feedback around what feels overwhelming, really clear, or what programs you would use from each other.

Let’s get the convo going about what’s up in your coaching business! And, as ever, if you know a wonderful woman who could benefit from this knowledge, sharing is shining!

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May you continue walking your incredible path with clarity and confidence, as you change lives & the world with your work.

To love and doing business in a way that supports the life you dream of,

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