What Should You Offer As a Coach? Here's How to Know What Makes Sense—Right Now
Let’s talk about the offer dilemma.
You’re a few months—or even a couple years—into your coaching business.
You’ve got ideas.
You’re motivated.
And you’ve probably said at least once, “If I could just figure out what to offer, I’d be good.”
You might also be wondering whether to build a course, launch a membership, offer group coaching, or just keep things simple with one-on-one clients.
I've been there.
Over seven years, I’ve created 11 different products.
And what I’ve learned is this:
If you don’t have the right offer for where you are now, it doesn’t matter how great your ideas are. It’s going to feel like you’re pushing a boulder uphill.
Let’s break down how to figure out what offer makes the most sense for you—right now—based on where you are in your business.
1. What’s Your Audience Size?
This is the first (and most overlooked) filter.
If your audience is small, don’t expect a course or membership to carry your revenue.
Those models depend on volume.
They work beautifully when you have an engaged list (small or large) or a large community—but they’re often a struggle for newer coaches still growing their visibility.
Why?
Because most courses and memberships rely on low-touch, low-price points to start.
You need dozens (or hundreds) of sign-ups to create real income if this is the only thing you're offering.
But if you only have a few hundred followers, or your email list is just getting started, it’s far more profitable to offer high-touch services like one-on-one or small group coaching.
These offers convert better, require fewer leads, and allow you to build deep relationships.
A small but engaged following is more than enough to build a thriving business—as long as your offer matches your capacity.
2. What’s Your Presence and Connection?
Whether online or offline, people don’t buy from strangers—they buy from someone they trust.
So ask yourself:
Are you active on social media in a meaningful way?
Are you visible in local networking groups or professional spaces?
Do people in your circle know what you do?
If you’re just starting out and building that presence, then launching a big program or funnel may feel premature.
Not because you're not capable—but because you’re still building the bridge between your audience and your offer.
Start where trust is easiest to build: with personal conversations, warm leads, and value-driven 1:1 services.
And remember—your audience doesn’t need to know your entire brand story yet. They just need to know you—your energy, your integrity, your voice.
Presence is currency.
Use it wisely.
3. Are You Clear on Your Message?
Truth is...a lot of coaches jump into creating offers before they’re truly clear on what they’re selling and who it’s for.
If you’re still figuring out your niche… If your message changes every few months… If you're unsure who your offer is really for…
Then investing time into a course or membership is likely premature.
Here’s why
Courses require structure.
Messaging clarity.
Defined outcomes.
And if that clarity is still evolving (as it often does in the first 1–3 years), you risk creating something that you outgrow before it ever gains traction.
Start with one-on-one coaching. Use those early clients to test your ideas, refine your language, and clarify your process.
Message clarity is not a download from the sky—it’s earned in real-time conversations, feedback loops, and real-world service.
Want my support on clarifying your niche and messaging? Join me inside my next cohort of Get Clear To Get Clients HERE ...because you can't market what you can't explain. Let's fix that!
But What If You Don’t Have Time for 1:1?
This is a valid concern—especially if you’re working full-time or have limited weekday availability.
In that case, group coaching might be a great bridge.
It lets you:
Work with multiple clients in a set time block
Create community and shared momentum
Test your method in a live setting
Structure it around a common theme or goal (e.g. "Organize Your Week for Success" or "Reset Your Mindset") so people know exactly what they’ll walk away with.
The bonus? Group coaching often reveals what your clients really need—helping you refine your future course or membership content with real clarity.
Why One-on-One Coaching Is Still the Smartest Place to Start
If you’re in your first 1–5 years of business, there is no better learning lab than 1:1 coaching.
It’s the fastest way to:
Learn what your clients actually need
Refine your coaching method
Build testimonials and trust
Sell consistently without needing a big list or complex funnel
It’s also the place where your future scalable offers are born.
Every course idea I’ve ever had?
Every framework I teach in groups?
Every module I’ve created?
It started with conversations inside my one-on-one sessions.
So if you’re debating where to start—start with what gives you clarity. Start with one-on-one.
Looking to work with me in my 1:1 support? Customize your journey HERE
What Comes Next (And How to Know When You’re Ready)
Once you’ve built traction with your one-on-one offer, you’ll know it’s time to expand when:
You start repeating the same teachings or strategies across clients
Your calendar feels full and energy is stretched
Your message feels clear and repeatable
You notice patterns in what your clients want
That’s when you can begin thinking about:
A group program (to scale your impact)
A course (to turn your method into repeatable content)
A membership (to create a community-based offer with recurring revenue)
But until then?
Talk about your one-on-one coaching like it’s your flagship offer—because it is.
Post about it. Share stories. Invite people in.
The more you talk about it, the more visible it becomes—and visibility leads to clients.
Simplicity First, Strategy Second
The coaching industry will always tell you to “scale fast.”
But real clarity takes time.
If you’re not ready for the course or membership yet, that doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re listening to your business. You’re being smart.
Start with what works:
✨ A one-on-one offer that solves a clear problem
✨ A message that feels aligned
✨ A client experience that gives you feedback and clarity
From there, everything else can grow.
Curious about where you are and what's REALLY stopping your clients from saying "YES" to you? It could be your messaging, it could be your strategy...or it could simply means you're ready to take on a bigger stage. Take a 2-minute assessment to find out. HERE
