With the current digital age, it doesn’t take much to initiate an online coaching business. You don’t need a luxurious office, paid advertisements, or expensive software to get started. With the right mind-set, information, and tools (many of which come at no cost), you can establish a thriving coaching business from the ground up—even with no money in hand.
In this article, I’ll guide you through a full, budget-friendly (or no-budget) guide to starting your online coaching business.
Step 1: Select Your Coaching Niche
First of all, you need to determine what type of coaching you wish to provide. Your niche has to align with your skills, life experience, and passion. The niche should be as specific as possible.
Popular online coaching niches:
Life coaching
- Business coaching
- Fitness coaching
- Career coaching
- Relationship coaching
- Mindset and motivation
- Parenting or family coaching
✅ Tip: Target a niche in which individuals already spend money on advice.
Step 2: Determine Your Dream Client (Develop a Buyer Persona)
You don’t want everyone—only the right ones.
Ask yourself:
Who do I wish to assist?
What are their largest issues?
What outcomes are they searching for?
Where do they hang out online?
Example:
If you are a fitness trainer, perhaps your perfect client is a busy mom who wants to lose 10 pounds in 3 months without joining the gym.
Having this clear customer profile enables you to reach people who are already seeking your assistance.
Step 3: Use Free Tools to Build Your Online Presence
Here’s the best part: You don’t have to invest in a web designer or costly software to be professional-looking online. You can begin with free sites that are more than sufficient initially.
- Have a Free Website or Landing Page
Utilize these tools:
Google Sites
Carrd.co
Systeme.io
Build a plain homepage that describes:
Who you assist
What you do
A form or link to schedule a free session
- Leverage Social Media for Visibility
Choose 1–2 platforms that your target clients frequent:
LinkedIn (career/business coaching)
Instagram or TikTok (mindset, fitness, lifestyle)
Facebook Groups (all varieties)
Share helpful tips, client testimonials, behind-the-scenes material, and calls to action to schedule a free session.
Step 4: Provide Free Discovery Calls to Attract Clients
You don’t have to have a portfolio to begin. Offer free 20-minute discovery calls instead.
Why it works:
You establish trust
You get to know the client’s needs
You can offer your paid coaching if there’s a decent match
Schedule sessions using Calendly (free plan) or Google Calendar.
Step 5: Coach using Free Video Tools
No need to start using paid Zoom or webinar tools.
Use:
Zoom free plan (maximum 40 minutes per session)
Google Meet (free through Gmail)
Telegram/WhatsApp Video (for short sessions)
Ensure your environment is quiet, and utilize natural light to look professional.
Step 6: Get Testimonials Immediately
Even if you have your first few clients on the house or at a reduced rate, get a written or video testimonial.
Place these on your website or social media to establish credibility.
Tip: Ask questions such as:
What was your issue prior to coaching?
How did you benefit?
What shifted for you?
Step 7: Offer a Basic Coaching Package
After doing 2–3 discovery calls and feeling comfortable, design a starter package.
Example
“3 Sessions de Coaching por $99 – Queda claro, enfocado y motivado para cumplir tus metas personales.”
Make your rates reasonable but not ridiculous. Customers have to appreciate your effort and time.
Step 8: Promote Without Spending Money
These are some zero-dollar methods to find clients:
✅ Facebook Groups:
Respond to questions, provide tips, and subtly place your free call link in your bio or posts.
✅ LinkedIn Outreach:
Reach out to individuals in your niche, message them genuinely interested, and ask them to a free session.
✅ YouTube or TikTok:
Post quick, impactful lessons or client outcomes. These sites build naturally without advertising.
✅ Blogging (Optional):
Post on free sites such as Medium or WordPress.com useful articles concerning your niche.
Step 9: Stay Organized with Free Tools
You will have to organize clients, tasks, and content without being baffled. Use:
Trello or Notion for task management
Google Docs for notes and coaching material
Google Sheets for client tracking
Canva (free) to design social media graphics
Step 10: Keep Learning and Improving
Coaching is a people development business—so continue developing yourself as well.
Free learning platforms:
Coursera
edX
YouTube
Podcasts related to your niche
And also get involved in free coaching communities or forums to share knowledge and build a support network.
Bonus Tips: Build a Free Email List
Later on, you’ll need to build an audience that you can maintain. Utilize:
Systeme.io
MailerLite
ConvertKit (free plan)
Provide a lead magnet such as:
“Free Guide: 5 Ways to Beat Procrastination and Take Action”
Then provide weekly emails with tips and news regarding your coaching services.
