Where to Start Making Money

The first thing is not branding, content, funnels, websites, or certification.

The first thing is:

Get crystal clear on WHO you help and WHAT painful problem you solve.

Most coaches fail because they sell:

• “life coaching”

• “mindset coaching”

• “transformation”

• “clarity”

• “empowerment”

People do not buy coaching.
People buy outcomes.

Instead of:

• “I help people unlock potential”

Say:

• “I help unemployed professionals get interviews in 30 days.”

• “I help coaches sign their first paying clients.”

• “I help divorced men rebuild confidence after separation.”

• “I help executives reduce stress and sleep better.”

Clarity creates money.

The first 5 steps

1. Pick ONE painful problem

Ask:

• What problem do people already complain about?

• What problem costs them money, time, confidence, health, relationships, or status?

• What problem do I understand deeply?

Pain sells faster than inspiration.

2. Pick ONE specific person

Not:

• everyone

• humans

• people

But:

• new coaches

• corporate managers

• divorced fathers

• school leavers

• burnt-out professionals

• unemployed executives over 45

Specificity increases trust.

3. Create ONE simple outcome

Example:
“I help new coaches get their first 3 paying clients.”

That is easier to sell than:
“I help people transform their lives.”

4. Start talking to real people immediately

Before logos.
Before websites.
Before business cards.

Ask:

• What are you struggling with?

• What have you already tried?

• What frustrates you most?

• What would success look like?

The market tells you what to sell.

5. Sell a small simple offer first

Do NOT start with:

• 12-week programs

• expensive masterminds

• giant online courses

Start with:

• a workshop

• a 1-hour session

• a mini course

• a challenge

• a diagnostic session

Example:

• “How To Get Coaching Clients Using LinkedIn”

• “Confidence Reset Session”

• “Career Clarity Workshop”

Low friction creates momentum.

The real order is:

1. Problem clarity

2. Audience clarity

3. Outcome clarity

4. Messaging clarity

5. Proof

6. Attention

7. Sales system

8. Scale

Most people start at step 7.

A powerful beginner formula

“I help [specific people] achieve [specific result] without [major frustration].”

Examples:

• “I help coaches get clients without posting every day.”

• “I help professionals switch careers without starting from zero.”

• “I help executives improve communication without sounding scripted.”

The biggest mindset shift

Stop asking:

• “What coaching should I offer?”

Start asking:

• “What result are people desperate to achieve?”

That is where money starts.

For a new coach, the quickest way to make money is usually not building a website, creating a course, or growing a large social media following. It's getting conversations with people who already have a problem and offering a clear outcome.

1. Sell a Single Problem-Solving Session

Offer a 60-90 minute session that solves one specific problem.

Examples:

• Career coach: "Get clear on your next career move."

• Business coach: "Find your next 3 clients."

• English coach: "Improve your interview English."

• Relationship coach: "Resolve one relationship challenge."

Price: R500–R2,000+

Why it works:

• Easier to sell than a 12-week program.

• People buy solutions, not coaching.

• You get paid immediately.

2. Contact Everyone You Already Know

Make a list of:

• Friends

• Family

• Former colleagues

• LinkedIn contacts

• WhatsApp contacts

• Existing clients

Send a simple message:

Hi John. I've started helping people with [problem]. I'm looking for 3 people who want help with [outcome]. Would you be interested or know someone who would?

Many new coaches skip this step and spend months creating content instead.

3. Partner with Someone Who Already Has an Audience

Find:

• English teachers

• Recruiters

• Therapists

• Consultants

• HR professionals

• Community leaders

Offer:

• A free webinar

• A workshop

• A revenue share

• A referral fee

Example:
An English teacher partners with an immigration consultant and offers:

"English Confidence for Job Interviews Abroad."

One presentation can generate several paying clients.

If I were starting from zero today

I would do this:

Monday: Create a 90-minute coaching offer for one specific problem.

Tuesday: Send 50 WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and email messages.

Wednesday: Book 5 discovery calls.

Thursday-Friday: Deliver sessions and collect testimonials.

The fastest path to cash for a new coach is usually:

1. One-to-one coaching

2. Selling to your existing network

3. Strategic partnerships and referrals

Everything else—courses, memberships, YouTube channels, podcasts, large social media audiences—can come later once money is already coming in.

For an addiction coach, speed comes from helping people who are already looking for support right now, rather than trying to build a brand first.

1. Offer a "Recovery Stability Session"

Instead of selling coaching, sell an immediate outcome.

Examples:

• Stop the relapse cycle.

• Create a 7-day recovery plan.

• Rebuild trust with family.

• Break the gambling habit.

• Manage cravings and triggers.

Offer:

• 60–90 minute session

• Follow-up accountability message for 7 days

• Fixed price (e.g., R500–R2,000 depending on experience)

People often buy immediate help more readily than a long-term coaching package.

2. Build Referral Relationships

Contact people who already meet individuals struggling with addiction:

• Psychologists

• Social workers

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

• Rehabilitation centres

• Recovery groups

• Churches and faith communities

• Family counsellors

A simple message:

"I help people stay accountable between therapy sessions and support them in implementing recovery plans. I'd be happy to discuss referrals if you work with clients who need additional support."

One good referral source can generate multiple clients.

3. Run a Low-Cost Group Program

Many people can't afford private coaching but can afford a group.

Examples:

• 4-Week Gambling Recovery Group

• 30-Day Alcohol-Free Challenge

• Recovery Accountability Circle

• Family Support Group for Loved Ones

For example:

• 10 people paying R300 each = R3,000

• 20 people paying R300 each = R6,000

Groups also create community and accountability, which can be valuable in recovery.

A practical sequence for a new addiction coach would be:

1. Get 3–5 private clients through your network and referrals.

2. Collect testimonials and success stories (with appropriate consent and privacy protections).

3. Launch a weekly group program.

4. Later, add memberships, online workshops, or corporate wellness programs.

The fastest-paying market is often not the person with the addiction, but family members, employers, and organizations seeking support for someone affected by addiction. Those groups are often more able and willing to pay for coaching and accountability services.