How to keep going when it feels like nothing is happening in your coaching business

Are you fed up with posting on socials and having nobody book in your diary?!

As self-employed coaches, it can feel r.e.l.e.n.t.l.e.s.s....the constant need to ‘show up’ when you are getting nothing back.

Despite what these 6-figure gurus say, building your coaching practice from scratch is not an overnight thing. There are no quick fixes to earning 10k months. Trust me, I know what it's like! I’ve been where you have been.

You've taken that big, scary step. You've completed your training, got some practice coaching sessions under your belt, sorted out your business name and logo and even built a shiny new website. But where are all the clients?

Instead of enquiries flooding in, it’s nothing but crickets.

You're thinking, "How am I going to make this work? Will I ever be able to leave my 9-5?”

So, when it all feels completely pointless, how do you keep going, putting things out there in the hope that, sometime soon, clients will come?

How do you know whether what you’re putting out there is even landing? Cue the negative spiral of self-doubt and “Maybe I'm not cut out for this..." type thoughts and pondering whether to throw the towel in before you’ve even started.

Hold your nerve.

Trust that it will build, and the clients will come.

But, Becky, it’s easy for you to say. How does that vague advice and pep talk actually help? How do you manage this phase?

Well, lucky for you, I have some practical tips to keep you moving forward, even on those tough days when it feels like an uphill slog:

1. Remind yourself why you want this

What led you down this path? What were you moving away from, and what are you moving towards? You didn’t start your coaching business on a whim, you started it for a reason. It’s tough moments like these that you need to remind yourself of why you’re doing it all. Is it the desire to help others find their dream career? The freedom to work on your terms? The joy of making a difference in someone’s life who’s faced similar challenges to you? Or something else? Whatever the reasons, write them down and place them somewhere visible as a daily reminder to keep yourself motivated.

2. Find your tribe

It may be a cheesy phrase but finding your tribe - other people who know what you’re going through and share similar views, passions and experiences - will make all the difference. Connecting with other coaches isn’t meant to be a comparison exercise and to make you feel bad, it’s so you can learn from them, be inspired by them and know that what you’re trying to achieve is possible. Remember, you are in this together, you can keep each other going. Make it an action for today to reach out to other coaches. Can you join or start any co-working sessions? Are there any local or online networking events you can attend? What about joining a group programme to navigate your journey and have someone else keep you accountable?

3. It’s about gradual growth (not a sprint)

Nothing goes from patchy to consistent overnight. Whether you’ve tried a new exercise routine, started a new sport, changed your eating habits or learned to play an instrument, it takes time. Just like your business, those bigger income months and flowing clients won’t happen immediately, but it doesn’t mean they won’t come. You may be a brilliant coach but mastering the business side can be a long learning process. If you’re as impatient as I am, I know that’s a hard truth! But it is the reality of growing a business. Each post or networking event won't result in a client. Each enquiry call might not be the right fit. Even programme launches when you’re more established might not be as successful as you’d hoped! But consistently showing up will help you build your brand, increase your visibility and get your message out there. Not everyone will engage in your posts due to the nature of what you’re posting about but it doesn’t mean they’re not noticing what you’re doing.

4. Track your progress

Take note of how far you’ve come. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day and skim over what’s been happening. We lose sight of the little wins and the progress we’re making. Make it a weekly thing to review what’s been going on in your business. What’s working well? Have you met anyone new or made valuable connections? Have you received any lovely testimonials? In-the-moment feedback is crucial to capture. Yes, numbers aren’t the be-all and end-all, but they might reveal more about your actions than you realise. Perhaps, you’re getting more enquiries than you think but they’re not the right fit. Maybe you need to tweak your messaging. Or are you not being as consistent as you think?! Regular reviews keep you focused, and you can adjust quickly if something isn’t working.

My final takeaway for you? Building a coaching or consulting business is a marathon, not a sprint. Just like running a marathon, you’ll have those moments where you need to slow down the pace and catch your breath. There will be moments when you’ll doubt yourself and want to give it all up. But there will also be moments where you’ll have a burst of energy and could keep going and going. There will be moments when you see the results of your hard work pay off.

So, if you're feeling like this is all a bit hard right now, know it’s ok to pause and re-adjust your pace. You can get back on track and build a business you love.

And I’ve got two ways to help you do just that:

My podcast For the Love of Coaching! will help you even more on this topic! This episode will reassure you that what you’re experiencing is completely normal but provide tips to keep going and where to focus your energy.

My group mentor programme - Evolve Together - is for aspiring coaches to finally get their businesses off the ground. It’s designed to help you work out the path to consistent, paying clients and to build a business you love, that works for you and pays you well! The waitlist is open and if you add your name to the list by 1st August, you’ll get it at a reduced Beta rate. Get in touch now to get your name on the list!