How to Prepare Your Coaching Practice for the January Rush
You prepare your coaching practice for January by opening your availability in December, preparing your intake form and welcome message, scheduling restart sessions with existing clients, updating your offer and setting up a waiting list in case you are full. That way you handle the rush without your first working week disappearing into admin.
January is one of the busiest months of the year for coaches. New Year's resolutions lead to inquiries, and existing clients pick up their programs again after the holidays. Coaches who prepare nothing in December spend January reacting instead of coaching.
1. Open Your Calendar for the First Weeks
Release your availability for January in December. Reserve fixed blocks for intakes so new clients do not take over your entire week. Also keep a buffer for existing clients who want to reschedule after the break.
2. Schedule Restart Sessions With Existing Clients
Book the first session after the holidays before the break. Start that session by looking back at the break and setting the goal for the coming period. If you gave clients something for the holidays, that is the starting point. See keeping clients engaged over the holiday break.
3. Prepare Your Intake
- An intake form new clients fill in before the first session
- A welcome message with practical information: how sessions work, how to reach you, what happens between sessions
- Your coaching agreement, ready to send
Read how to set up a good intake form in how to create a coaching intake form that actually works.
4. Update Your Offer and Profile
Is the information on your website and profiles still correct? Think of rates, program formats, specialisms and availability. People looking for a coach in January often compare several coaches within a few days. An up-to-date profile makes the difference.
5. Set Up a Waiting List
If you are full in January, do not turn inquiries away right away. Offer a waiting list with a realistic start date, or a short introductory call so the client knows where they stand. You calculate your capacity in annual planning for coaches.
6. Make Sure Your Own Foundation Is in Place
- Your year-end reflection is done and your goals for the new year are clear
- Last year's admin is closed (see the year-end admin checklist)
- Your first supervision or peer supervision of the year is scheduled
Checklist for the Last Week of December
- January calendar opened, intake blocks reserved
- Restart sessions with active clients scheduled
- Intake form, welcome message and agreement ready
- Website and profile checked
- Waiting list or alternative in case you are full
Start a New Client in Minutes
In FocusCoachee you invite a new client, assign an intake form right away and prepare the coaching agreement. Clients book a session themselves within the times you open. That way, a new program in January starts on a complete foundation, even when ten come in at once.
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