How Long Does It Really Take to Get a Coaching Client?

Sep 9

You’ve done the coach trainings.
You’re posting on social.
You’ve maybe even launched your coaching program.

But clients? Nowhere to be seen.

And you can’t help but wonder:

How long is this supposed to take?
Is it me? Am I doing something wrong?
Should I just quit?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions new coaches ask: “How long does it actually take to land my first (or next) paying client?”

Spoiler alert: it’s not always overnight. In fact, it rarely is.

Let’s break it down.

The Expectation Trap

One of the first mindset shifts you need as a coach is dropping the belief that “if I do X, then I should get Y.”

This belief is what I call the Expectation Trap—the idea that your business should follow a predictable formula: “I posted three times, so I should have three discovery calls.” Or “I launched my program, so I should have clients by next week.”

Business doesn’t work like a vending machine.

Just because you put effort in doesn’t mean instant results come out. The timeline for getting clients depends on so many factors—your niche, your clarity, your consistency, and even your background.

That coach on Instagram who signed a $30,000 client in three weeks? They may have a sales background, a warm audience, or years of networking behind the scenes.

Their timeline isn’t your timeline.

And if you believe that it “should” be faster, you’re setting yourself up for frustration, disappointment, and burnout.

The truth is: there is no one-size-fits-all path.

✨ Want clarity on what your next step should be? Grab my free guide: A Simple 3-Step Guide Every Female Life Coach Needs to Stand Out, Attract Clients, and Build a Business. Download it here ➜

Why It Takes Time

Building a coaching business is really about building trust.

Think about it: how long does it take you to trust someone in your personal life? To open up to a new friend? To rely on a new neighbor? Trust doesn’t happen overnight.

Business relationships are the same. Clients aren’t just buying your coaching. They’re buying you. They need to feel confident that you understand them, that you care, and that you can deliver the transformation you’re promising.

And here’s the hard truth: trust takes time.

Time for people to see you show up consistently.
Time for them to get familiar with your voice and message.
Time for them to watch how you engage, share, and lead.

And sometimes, time for them to simply be ready.

Even if they trust you, life circumstances, finances, or priorities may delay their decision to invest.

That’s why comparing your timeline to someone else’s is pointless.

Everyone’s path is different because everyone’s audience and circumstances are different.

Timelines: What’s Normal?

So, how long does it really take?

Here’s the truth:

Some coaches land their first client in 30 days—usually because they already had conversations happening behind the scenes.
Others may take 90 days, 6 months, or even a year to gain traction—because they’re still clarifying their niche, refining their message, or figuring out how to show up consistently.

Neither is “better” or “worse.” Both are normal.

If you’re starting from scratch—no background in sales, no existing audience—it’s going to take more time to build momentum. That’s not failure. That’s simply the process of building something real.

Remember: you’re not behind. This isn’t a race. And it’s definitely not a competition.

✨ Need help figuring out where you are in your business journey and what comes next? My free 3-Step Guide was created for this exact reason. Get the guide here ➜

What to Focus on While You Wait

If results aren’t showing up yet, it doesn’t mean your work is wasted. It means the seeds you’re planting haven’t sprouted yet.

Here’s what to focus on during the waiting season:

Post consistently—not constantly.
You don’t need to post every day. You do need to post in a way that builds familiarity and trust. Consistency matters more than volume.
Build your email list.
Your list is one of the greatest assets in your business. Social media algorithms change, but an email list is something you own. Create a lead magnet and start pointing people to it—through social posts, collaborations, workshops, or even casual networking.
Leverage visibility.
Don’t limit yourself to social media. Speak at events, guest on podcasts, host workshops, or collaborate with other coaches. Every visibility opportunity is a chance to bring people into your world.
Study, don’t just consume.
Scrolling Instagram as a consumer won’t help you grow. Start studying content that performs well. What hooks are people using? How are they engaging their audience? Learn from others—but add your unique spin.
Track your actions, not just results.
Instead of obsessing over how many clients you’ve signed, track what you’re actually doing to create opportunities: the pitches you send, the follow-ups you make, the content you publish. These are the things that lead to results over time.

When you focus on the process, not just the outcome, you’ll stay motivated and confident even when results take time to show up.

Redefining Consistency

Let’s get one thing straight: consistency doesn’t mean grinding yourself into the ground.

True consistency means finding the visibility strategy that fits who you are—and then sticking with it long enough for it to work.

For some coaches, that looks like running webinars. For others, it’s podcasting, YouTube, or writing.

The magic happens when you choose something that lights you up.

Because when you actually enjoy the process, showing up stops being a chore. It becomes part of your rhythm.

And that kind of energy is magnetic. Clients can feel when you’re showing up authentically versus when you’re forcing yourself to “check the box.”

Confidence Comes From Commitment

Here’s the final mindset shift: stop tying your confidence to your results.

If you only feel confident when you land a client, your confidence will constantly rise and fall with every “yes” or “no.”

Instead, tie your confidence to your commitment.

Confidence is built by doing the work even when you’re not seeing instant results. By celebrating the actions you take:

The pitch you sent.
The video you recorded.
The follow-up email you wrote.

Those small wins matter more than you think, because they prove you’re building momentum.

And momentum always leads to results.

The Bottom Line

If it feels like it’s taking forever to land your first or next coaching client, remember this:

✨ You’re not behind.
✨ You’re not failing.
✨ You’re right on time.

Building a coaching business is a process. It takes clarity, trust, and consistency—and yes, time.

The seeds you’re planting today will grow.

Every post, every email, every pitch, every conversation—it all adds up.

Stay committed. Keep showing up. Your clients are coming.

Your Next Step

If it feels like it’s taking forever to land your first or next client, remember: you’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re right on time.

But you do need a clear next step.

👉 Start with my free resource: A Simple 3-Step Guide Every Female Life Coach Needs to Stand Out, Attract Clients, and Build a Business. Inside you’ll discover:

Clarity on where you are in your coaching biz and what comes next.
Confidence to stop guessing and start moving in the right direction.
A simple plan to stand out and attract clients—without the overwhelm.

Download your free guide here ➜

And if you’re ready to go deeper…

I’m also hosting a free live masterclass: Your First $5K Month as a Life Coach.

Inside, I’ll walk you through:

The 3 myths keeping most new coaches stuck (and how to move past them).
A simple framework to package and price your coaching so clients actually say “yes.”
The 5 questions every coach must answer to build a business that consistently gets clients.

💡 Bonus: Register early and apply for VIP hot seat coaching where I’ll personally coach you live during the event.

👉 Save your seat here: Your First $5K Month as a Life Coach