Why Coaching Certifications Won’t Build Your Business
Jaimie Skultety
Business Coach for Purpose-Driven Coaches & Consultants to Align Business Impact with Personal Values | Maximize Revenue through a Proven, Unique Methodology & Marketing Strategy | Book a Call in About Section??
Everyone celebrates earning a shiny coaching certification like it’s the finish line, but here’s the truth: it’s only the starting point.
The assumption that clients will line up because certification is complete is a widespread myth. The real test—the one that determines whether a coaching business thrives or struggles—is mastering marketing. Without it, that hard-earned certification is just a piece of paper. ??
Here’s what often gets overlooked when building a coaching business after certification:
A certification isn’t enough—marketing is the real priority.
Credibility is essential, but it doesn’t automatically bring in clients. Waiting for opportunities to appear is a surefire path to frustration. Marketing deserves as much focus and effort as developing coaching skills.
Trying to help everyone dilutes impact—niching down amplifies it.
A broad approach feels intuitive, but it’s the specificity of a niche that speaks directly to those who need coaching most. A focused message doesn’t limit reach—it enhances it, making it easier to stand out and connect with the right audience.
Social media posts alone won’t do it—a clear, compelling offer is essential.
Posting content isn’t enough if the audience doesn’t understand the value being offered. Success lies in crafting a specific, irresistible solution to a clearly defined problem, turning interest into action.
Conclusion
Coaching certifications provide a foundation, but they aren’t the full picture. Building a thriving coaching business means prioritizing marketing, defining a niche, and creating offers that truly resonate.
?? How does the balance between marketing and coaching influence the growth of a coaching business? ??
SaaS Product Manager | Using Low-Code to innovate with AI | Delivering Value by Understanding User Needs
6 天前This goes for any business or product. Identifying and serving a need is only part of it. Getting it in front of user and getting them to use it is a major part of the challenge for new businesses.
?? Peak Performance Mental Conditioning Coach Working with Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Athletes, C-Suite and Students to Bridge their Success Gap to Live a Life of Options and Not Obligations. US Navy Veteran.
1 周Well said Jaimie!
The Million Dollar Digital Growth Marketer | CMO Consultant | Leveraging A.I-Powered Marketing Teams and Automated Social Media Sales Systems To Boost Revenue For E-Comm, Coaches, & Virtual Service Providers | $16.1M+
1 周This is such an important reminder for new coaches! Earning a certification is just the first step—success truly lies in learning how to market and apply your skills to attract and retain clients.
Professional women hire me when they are ready to flip the script and put themselves first.
1 周Coaching and marketing are not the same beast.
Business Coach | Marketing Strategy | New & Established Coaches: Elevate Your Impact, Boost Your Income | Build an EXCEPTIONAL Coaching Practice, without being inauthentic or pushy. ?
1 周This hits a critical truth often overlooked in the coaching world! Many believe that certification alone will bring clients, but as you point out, the key skill isn’t in knowing how to coach; it’s knowing how to market that coaching. In my experience, while certification adds technical skills—how to ask questions, stay neutral, and be a guide—it's not necessary for success. Some of the most impactful coaches are those who skipped certification altogether and focused on developing success skills over technical ones. Just like the Ph.D. driving a taxi, we often mistake technical expertise for business acumen. For anyone serious about making coaching their career, building a successful business means treating it like one, where marketing takes center stage. This is spot on, Jaimie. Thanks for this honest perspective!