What is a life coaching contract or coaching agreement?
A coaching agreement (also known as a coaching contract) is a legally binding document that illustrates the engagement that you and your client is about to embark on.
A good coaching contract will be able to set expectations for both parties and limit any surprises.
Having a signed coaching contract is a bit like having a prenup. Nobody wants to ever have to use one in a court of law, but if they do, they’re grateful that they have it.
Why do you need a life coaching agreement?
As a life coach, a coaching contract can serve several important purposes. It can help to establish clear expectations and boundaries for the coaching relationship, protect both you and your client, and ensure that you are paid for your services.
Here are some specific reasons why a coaching contract may be beneficial for you as a life coach:
- Establishing expectations: A coaching contract can outline the goals and objectives of the coaching relationship, the frequency and duration of coaching sessions, and any other expectations or commitments from both the coach and the client. This can help to ensure that both parties are clear on the purpose of the coaching and how progress will be measured.
- Protecting both parties: A coaching contract should outline any potential liabilities or risks associated with the coaching relationship and how they will be addressed. It can also include confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements to protect the privacy of the client.
- Ensuring payment: A coaching contract should outline the terms of payment, including the fee for coaching services and any applicable cancellation or rescheduling fees. This can help to ensure that you are paid for your services and that there is no confusion or misunderstanding about payment.
Overall, a coaching contract can be an important tool for establishing clear expectations, protecting both parties, and ensuring that you are paid for your services as a life coach.
What to include in a life coaching agreement?
There are several key elements that you may want to include in your life coaching contract, depending on the specific needs and goals of your coaching relationship. Here are some things that you may want to consider including:
- Introduction: This section should provide an overview of the coaching relationship and the goals and objectives of the coaching. It can also include any relevant background information or context.
- Roles and responsibilities: This section should outline the roles and responsibilities of both the coach and the client. This can include things like the frequency and duration of coaching sessions, the communication channels that will be used, and any other expectations or commitments from both parties.
- Confidentiality: This section should outline any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements that apply to the coaching relationship. This can include things like the types of information that will be kept confidential and any exceptions to the confidentiality agreement.
- Payment terms: This section should outline the terms of payment for coaching services, including the fee for coaching sessions and any applicable cancellation or rescheduling fees.
- Termination: This section should outline the circumstances under which the coaching relationship can be terminated, and any applicable fees or refund policies.
Overall, a life coaching contract should be tailored to the specific needs and goals of the coaching relationship and should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of both the coach and the client.
What is a good cancellation policy for life coaches?
A good cancellation policy has a couple things in common. It’s incredibly clear where the boundaries are and it isn’t overly complicated.
Here’s an example:
"I understand that life can be unpredictable, and I want to be as flexible as possible when it comes to canceling or rescheduling coaching sessions. However, I also need to protect my time and resources. Therefore, I have the following cancellation policy in place:
- If you need to cancel or reschedule a coaching session, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours' notice, you will be charged a fee of $50.
- If you are unable to attend a coaching session due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstances, please notify me as soon as possible. I will do my best to reschedule your session at a convenient time, or I may offer you the option of a video call instead.
- If you need to cancel or reschedule multiple sessions, I may ask for a non-refundable deposit to hold your spot on my schedule.
- If you do not show up for a scheduled coaching session without giving notice, you will be charged the full fee for the session.
I appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the cancellation policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me."
How do you sign coaching agreements?
There are a few different ways to sign coaching agreements, depending on the preference of the parties involved and the type of document. Here are a few options:
- Physical signature: One option is to print out the coaching agreement and have both parties sign it in ink. This can be done in person, or the document can be mailed or couriered to the other party for signature.
- Electronic signature: Many modern tools, such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, allow for the creation of electronic signatures that are legally binding. A commonly used electronic signature is the checkbox next to “I have and agree to these terms.” This can be a convenient option if the parties are not in the same location or if the agreement needs to be signed quickly.
- Handwritten signature: Another option is to handwrite your signature on a physical copy of the coaching agreement. This can be done in person or by sending a scanned or photographed copy of the signed document to the other party.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to ensure that both parties have read and understood the terms of the coaching agreement and have agreed to them. The method of signing the agreement is a matter of convenience and personal preference.
The best coaching contract template for life coaches
It takes time and expertise to make your own coaching contract from scratch, we wanted to save you some time so our lawyers drafted a couple coaching contract templates for any life coach to use in their own business.
