Do you love sports – or whatever it is you do -so much? Do you have a passion for helping others reach their potential?
If so, a career in coaching might be the perfect fit for you! People often think that to be a coach, they need to have played the sport themselves at a high level. However, this is not always the case.
There are many different coach training certification programs available which will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective coach.
Professional Coaching as a Career
Coaching is a rewarding career that offers flexible hours, the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people, and the satisfaction of seeing your athletes improve and reach their goals.
It is also a very lucrative career option with plenty of room for growth. The average salary for a coach is $60,000 per year, but top coaches can earn upwards of $1 million per year.
If you are thinking about starting a career in coaching, read on for a step-by-step guide. Included as well, are some tips on how to become a professional coach.
Decide what type of coach you want to be
There are many different kinds of coaches, from sport coaches to health coaches to executive coaches.
The first step in becoming a professional coach is deciding what type of coach you want to be. Consider your interests, experiences, and qualifications when making your decision.
For example, if you have experience playing tennis at a high level, you may want to become a tennis coach.
Alternatively, if you have experience working as a business consultant, you may want to become a business or executive coach.
Decide what type of coach you want to be
- Sports coach
- Life coach
- Business coach
- Executive coach
- Career coach
- Relationship coach
- Parenting coach
- Spiritual coach
- Weight loss coach
- Performance coach
- Team coach
- Health coach
- Wellness coach
- Fitness coach
- Nutrition coach
And so much more. Just make sure you are going into a field that you are comfortable with, and consider yourself adept in.
Do your research.
Once you have decided what type of coach you want to be, it’s time to do your research. There are many different coach certification programs available, so take some time to compare and contrast your options.
Consider factors such as cost, duration, program content, and accreditation when making your decision.
A good place to start your research is by visiting the websites of popular professional coaching organizations such as:
- International Coach Federation (ICF)
- National Association of Sports Coaches (NASC)
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
These organizations can provide you with information about different coaching certification programs as well as guidance on getting started in your coaching career.
Get certified.
The next step in becoming a professional coach is to choose a certification program and get certified. Once you have completed your certification program and passed any necessary exams, you will be ready to start working with clients!
Upon becoming certified, many coaches decide to join professional organizations such as the The International Coaching Federation (ICF) to network with other coaches and further their professional development.
You might decide to skip this step and not get verified just yet, choosing other means of training as a coach, such as online classes or following the course outline or seminars of an established coach.
You might decide that building experience, instead, in the coaching niche is a priority for you.
That is perfect, however, getting certified down the line is necessary for a sustainable career in the coaching space. The benefits of earning an ICF credential are immense, and here are a few:
- Getting certified helps you develop more essential skills needed to be an effective team coach.
- It will improve your understanding of coaching dynamics and how to effectively work with your clients.
- Becoming certified can increase your credibility, trust, and overall standing as a coach. This also has inherent benefits that would rocket your career as a professional.
- Certification will help you build a professional network of other coaches.
- Certification can give you access to resources and materials that will help you improve your problem-solving abilities.
- Certification can provide you with opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Certification is a sign of commitment to the field of coaching and shows that you are dedicated to providing the best possible service to your clients.
Start marketing yourself.
The final step in becoming a professional coach is to start marketing yourself and your coaching services. There are many different ways to market your coaching business, from creating a website to networking at events.
I will list out some, but bear in mind that there are many innovative ways to go about it. Here they are:
- Create a website
- Develop a social media presence
- Write articles and blog posts about coaching
- Give presentations about coaching to groups and organizations
- Network with other coaches
- Hire a marketing agency
- Join certification programs that do the marketing for their coaches
Actively build your name and brand using these methods and many more.
If you are not sure where to start, consider reaching out to your local chamber of commerce for guidance.
Conclusion:
Becoming professional coaches in Singapore can be a very rewarding and fulfilling profession.
While playing experience can be helpful, it isn’t necessary – take advantage of the training and certification programs that would enable the necessary knowledge and skills for an effective career.
So if coaching is something you are considering as a possible career choice, keep these steps in mind on how to get started down the path of becoming a professional coach!