This is How You can Structure Your Group Coaching Program

Group coaching offers a unique opportunity to impact multiple people at once, but it requires more planning and intention than individual sessions. I’ve talked to many coaches and seen both the wins and the challenges. Let me walk you through how you can start a group coaching program with advice from our coaches.?

1. Understand Your Audience: It All Starts Here

You must clearly define who your group coaching program is for. Get specific. Are you targeting career changers in their 30s or perhaps new managers navigating leadership for the first time? Knowing your audience not only helps you design the content but also helps potential clients see that your program is tailored for them.

Example: If you're working with mid-career professionals, their needs might revolve around gaining leadership skills or finding work-life balance. You could start your sessions with real-life problem-solving scenarios, including the pressures they face in their current roles.

Advice: Survey your audience in advance. You can use tools like Google Forms or quick discovery calls to learn their challenges firsthand.

2. Choose the Right Format and Model

Decide on your coaching model—will it be peer-based, where participants learn from each other, or mentor-led, where you take the reins? For many coaches, a hybrid model works best. It allows clients to share experiences while still receiving guidance from you.

Example: A fitness coach might combine group discussions about individual progress with their own instruction on fitness principles. Sessions can include practical exercises and personal reflection.

Advice: Test different models with smaller pilot groups to see what resonates with your clients before fully launching.

3. Create a Structured, Flexible Curriculum

This is where many group coaching programs stumble—either they’re too rigid or too loose. You need structure to keep everyone on track but enough flexibility to adapt to individual needs. Develop a roadmap with weekly themes or modules.

Example: If you’re a business coach, your curriculum might include topics like scaling strategies, managing teams, or increasing productivity. You could dedicate each week to a specific topic, with built-in flexibility for Q&A or deeper dives into certain areas based on participant feedback.

Advice: Structure your sessions around key deliverables. For example, by the end of week 4, participants should have a business roadmap or a completed personal action plan.

4. Foster Real Engagement

Group coaching is about more than just teaching; it’s about connection. Set the tone for engagement from the very first session. This could be through icebreakers, shared challenges, or even informal “coffee chats” after the formal session.

Example: A leadership coach might encourage participants to pair up and discuss their current challenges privately for 10 minutes. Then, the group comes back together to share insights they gained from each other.

Advice: Use collaboration tools like Breakout Rooms in Zoom, or apps like Slack for ongoing group discussions between sessions. The more your participants interact, the deeper their learning will be.

5. Pricing: Know Your Value

Pricing can be tricky, especially for group coaching where people expect a mix of value and accessibility. Consider starting with an introductory pricing strategy to build momentum. This could be a discounted price for your first cohort to gather testimonials and feedback.

Example: If you’re offering a 12-week program with six live group sessions and a private Slack group, consider pricing it between $500 and $1,500 depending on your niche and target audience.

Advice: Don’t underprice yourself. Group coaching adds massive value because of the shared experience, so price according to the value you provide, not just the time you spend.

6. Use Assessments and Real-World Tools

Incorporate tools like personality assessments, real-world exercises, and actionable frameworks. These tools help participants reflect on their progress and apply what they’ve learned in tangible ways.

Example: For a life coach running a goal-setting group, you might include regular self-assessments where participants rate their progress and areas for growth. Include real-world tools, like time-management frameworks or self-reflection journals, to guide them in their day-to-day routines.

Advice: Tailor your tools to your audience. The more relevant they are to their immediate challenges, the more useful your coaching becomes.

7. Track Results and Adapt

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track participant progress through assignments, follow-ups, or group discussions. Consider using regular feedback forms or setting KPIs (key performance indicators) for each session.

Example: A health coach might have participants track their fitness or eating habits through a shared app. These check-ins provide valuable data to adjust the next sessions and offer personalized advice.

Advice: After each session, ask for feedback—what worked, what didn’t, and what participants would like more of. Adapt your future sessions accordingly.

8. Create a Lasting Impact

Group coaching can transform not just individuals, but entire communities. Foster that sense of connection long after your coaching sessions have ended. Offer ongoing group support or exclusive alumni programs.

Example: After your coaching ends, invite participants to an exclusive alumni group where they can network and continue supporting each other. You could offer exclusive webinars, additional resources, or even follow-up coaching calls.

Advice: Keep the momentum going. Even after the program, regular touchpoints keep your coaching brand strong and participants engaged.

Finally, Make It Personal

Group coaching is about connection, impact, and transformation. You’re not just teaching a curriculum—you’re helping people change their lives. So, as you set out to build your group coaching program, remember to come from a place of empathy and authenticity. Lead with your heart, but build with strategy.

Want to dive deeper into structuring your group coaching? Read the full guide on how you can structure your group coaching program in the Uteach blog.

Share one piece of advice from your experience in the comments, and let coaches help coaches.