Why Life Coaching Feels Crowded?
New people entering the coaching industry often get the impression that the industry is oversaturated and that it will be difficult to grow there. I, myself, discovered how crowded it was. Fortunately, my opinion about a career in coaching was formed long before I fully dedicated a year of my life to it and discovered the numbers. Later, I came to the conclusion that it was way more crowded than I expected.
However, I am still here, and I want to invite you on a research journey to predict what the future in coaching holds for both me and you. Are you with me? Let’s start with a popular opinion expressed by one of the Life Coaching group members, who goes by the name Natasha Spain – a Relocation Coach.
“How much money do you all make—not hourly, annually? And given everyone and his dog wants to become a life coach these days, how difficult/easy is it to get clients?” – Natasha Spain
The Hilarious Yet Important Question About the Coaching Industry
As Natasha stated, even everyone’s dog today wants to become a life coach. [1]
The dog reference is hilarious! The statement is an assumption, of course, because we can’t know for sure what everyone wants. However, recent research by ICF [2] showed that “the industry experienced robust growth in both the number of coach practitioners worldwide and in annual revenue” throughout 2019–2022. The increase in active coaches by 54% [3] during this period showed a growing trend, with estimates suggesting the number of active coaches could double from 2019 to 2024 [4].
I don’t want to be boring, but let’s dig into some numbers to understand what the estimated average income per active coach will be. Skip the next paragraph if you aren’t as amazed by numbers as I am.
We will need to rely on new research to confirm whether the industry keeps growing. However, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of active coaching in recent years—approximately 15%—is quite impressive. To understand if the arrival of new coaches creates oversaturation, we need to examine the market growth. We can rely on projected growth numbers from the ICF Global Coaching Studies, which forecasted the market size to increase by $90 million USD.
The total number of active coaches is estimated to be 145,500, with a market share of $6.25 billion USD, making the average income per active coach approximately $42,955.32 USD.
%
Yearly Growth of Coaches (CAGR)
%
Yearly Revenue Growth (CAGR)
Market Share in Billion USD
Average Yearly Income/Coach Coach in USD
Active Coaches in 2024
Is There Room For More?
Is this enough to say there is room for more? You can reply in the comments. Meanwhile, I’d like to switch to the answers Natasha received to her question about whether it’s worth becoming a life coach.
Natasha received the following answers:
It depends on the niche
It depends on marketing
It depends on quality
It depends on your perseverance
Let’s take a closer look at those answers one by one to understand whether we have a future in this field.
Coaching Services Market Share Per Region
- Asia
- Eastern Europe
- Latin America (+Caribbean)
- Middle East & Africa
- North America
- Oceania
- Western Europe
1/4
It Depends on the Niche
The niche you choose plays a crucial role in determining your success as a life coach. Some niches are more competitive than others, while some are relatively untapped. For instance, general life coaching is heavily crowded, but specific niches like “relocation coaching” (as Natasha specializes in) or “coaching for neurodivergent professionals” may have less competition and higher demand.
Finding a niche isn’t just about identifying an underserved market; it’s also about aligning your skills, experiences, and passion with the needs of your audience. A well-defined niche helps you stand out and resonate with a specific group of clients who feel you truly understand their unique challenges.
So, ask yourself: What are you passionate about? What problems can you solve better than anyone else? Your answers might guide you toward a niche that not only feels authentic but also has potential for growth.
A well-defined niche helps you stand out and resonate with a specific group of clients who feel you truly understand their unique challenges.
2/4
It Depends on Marketing
Even the best coach in the world won’t thrive without effective marketing. In a world where social media dominates, knowing how to position yourself, create valuable content, and reach your ideal audience is critical.
Marketing isn’t just about selling; it’s about building trust. This includes sharing testimonials, offering free resources (like workshops or eBooks), and showing your expertise through blogs, videos, or podcasts. Remember, clients often choose coaches they feel connected to, so your marketing should showcase your personality and unique value proposition.
Additionally, understanding where your target audience spends their time is key. Are they on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok? Tailor your marketing efforts to these platforms and experiment with various strategies to see what resonates best.
Clients often choose coaches they feel connected to, so your marketing should showcase your personality and unique value proposition.
3/4
It Depends on the Quality
Quality matters. Your ability to deliver results for your clients will determine whether they recommend you to others, write glowing testimonials, and return for further coaching. Word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful tool, but it only works when clients are genuinely satisfied with the value you provide.
Quality isn’t just about your coaching skills — it’s also about the experience you offer. Are your sessions well-structured and engaging? Do you follow up with your clients to track their progress? Do you continuously improve your knowledge and techniques through training and certifications?
Investing in your professional growth not only boosts your confidence but also reassures your clients that they’re working with someone who takes their craft seriously.
4/4
It Depends on How Long You Will Persevere
The coaching industry rewards persistence. It takes time to build a reputation, attract a steady stream of clients, and establish yourself as a credible expert. Many new coaches give up too soon, frustrated by slow growth and the challenges of building a business from scratch.
I loved the answer to Natasha’s question by the group moderator, who nailed it by saying:
“Everyone and his/her dog may start as a Life Coach, yet only the real deal stays for the marathon — the rest drop out after a sprint. Hence the saying: There is less crowd on the top.” – Kamal Soan
This is a clever rephrasing of Napoleon Hill’s famous quote: “The ladder of success is never crowded at the top.”
The key is to view your coaching career as a long-term investment. It may take months or even years before you see consistent success, but each step forward — whether it’s signing a new client, publishing content, or receiving positive feedback — brings you closer to your goals. Perseverance involves adapting to challenges, learning from mistakes, and continuously improving your approach.
But perseverance alone isn’t enough. The quality of your product, your marketing, and the problem you decide to address must all be executed with persistence. You might not find the right niche from the very beginning. Your marketing might take time to improve. The quality of your coaching won’t skyrocket overnight. But by persevering in all these areas, you create the foundation for long-term success.
Let’s Conclude
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this article, it’s this: perseverance is what brings you to the top. But perseverance isn’t isolated — it’s woven into every aspect of your journey. It’s in finding your niche, refining your marketing strategies, continuously improving the quality of your coaching, and adapting to changes.
The coaching industry evolves constantly, and being open to new ideas, technologies, and strategies ensures you stay relevant. As the saying goes,
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
Take it one step at a time. Adjust as needed. Learn from your experiences. And most importantly, don’t give up.
As for me, I’ve decided to aim for the top. I know it’s a long road, but I’m ready for the journey. Are you? Let’s keep climbing together— I’m looking forward to the company at the top.
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