Here’s the Brutal Wake-Up Call Most Coaches Need
You’re busy. You’re hustling. You’re creating content, taking courses, and “working on your business” 12 hours a day.
So why is your bank account not reflecting all that effort?
Here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of coaches. Most of you are spending 80% of your time on activities that feel productive but generate zero revenue. Meanwhile, the coaches making consistent $10K+ months are doing something completely different with their time.
Busy doesn’t equal profitable. Productive doesn’t equal revenue generating.
In this episode, I’m calling you out (with love) and calling you up to make sure the things you’re doing aren’t just busy work disguised as business building.
The Question That Changed Everything
This episode was born from a conversation inside the Best Damn Coach community when one of my members asked the most powerful question during our profit and loss discussion:
“Amanda, what exactly ARE revenue-generating activities?”
That question derailed our entire call (in the best way) and became the foundation for our September content inside BDC. If you love this conversation, joining in August is critical because we’re going deep on exactly these strategies come September.
The Definition That Changes Everything
Revenue Generating Activity: An activity that leads to directly warming up a client and bringing them into an offer that creates revenue.
Notice the word “directly.” Consequently, this is where most coaches get it wrong.
The 3 Activities You Think Generate Revenue (But Don’t)
1. Content Creation
Recording this podcast, writing Instagram posts, creating YouTube videos—these are nurturing activities, not revenue generators. Yes, they’re important for building know, like, and trust. However, content creation itself doesn’t directly convert warm leads into clients.
The Reality Check: Content supports the sales process but doesn’t replace direct conversation.
2. Endless Education and Certifications
Certifications are essential for credibility and skill development. Nevertheless, there’s a dangerous trap where coaches use continuous education to avoid the uncomfortable work of actually getting clients.
The Pattern: “I need one more certification before I’m ready to charge premium prices.”
The Truth: The fastest way to improve your coaching skills is to coach paying clients.
3. Consumption Mode
Constantly listening to podcasts, reading business books, and taking courses without implementation. Furthermore, this creates the illusion of progress while keeping you safely in the learning zone instead of the earning zone.
The Fix: Make consumption conditional—listen while walking, then immediately take action.
The Revenue Generating Activities That Fill Your Calendar
1. Welcome New Followers (5-10 minutes)
Rather than letting new Instagram followers disappear into the void, we have a human (not a bot) welcome each new follower with genuine curiosity:
“Hey, Sarah! Saw you started following me. I’m so glad you’re here. Curious, how did we get connected?”
Why This Works: It starts conversations, builds relationships, and helps you identify qualified leads.
2. Engage with Ideal Clients (5-10 minutes)
Additionally, comment meaningfully on your ideal clients’ posts—not as “Amanda the coach” but as Amanda the human.
Examples:
- “That’s my favorite pasta! I make it for my family all the time.”
- “Impressive back squat! You’re lifting heavy!”
The Strategy: Human connection first, business second.
3. Follow Up with Warm Connections (10-15 minutes)
Next, reach out to people you’ve had conversations with in the past 30-60 days:
“Hey Jen, just thinking of you. Loved our conversation last month. How are things going?”
Pro Tip: Track these conversations in a simple spreadsheet or CRM system.
4. Strategic Platform Engagement
- Instagram: Reply to stories, comment on posts
- LinkedIn: Thoughtfully reply to posts where you can inject expertise
- Threads: Answer questions and provide value in a non-aesthetic, straightforward environment
Weekly Revenue Generators
- Live Trainings and Webinars
These create a direct line to teach and naturally lead to coaching offers. Additionally, the invitation process itself becomes a revenue-generating activity.
- Strategic Networking
Rather than random coffee dates, focus on intentional relationship building with people who serve your ideal clients or are your ideal clients.
Real Client Success Stories
-
The Gym Strategy
One of my life coaching clients gets nearly 100% of her clients from her gym—and she’s not a fitness coach.
Her Process:
- Shows up consistently at the same time
- Engages genuinely with familiar faces
- Learns about their lives first (marriage, kids, work)
- Naturally shares what she does when appropriate
Result: Consistent referrals and direct clients
The Lesson: Be present, be human, be curious.
-
The Door-to-Door Approach
In contrast, my client who helps brick-and-mortar health practitioners uses old-school relationship building:
- Visits offices in person
- Introduces herself to the front desk staff
- Requests coffee meetings with practice owners
Result: Steady stream of high-value clients
-
The LinkedIn Authority Strategy
Meanwhile, my corporate coaching client spends 20-30 minutes daily on LinkedIn:
- Thoughtfully replies to posts in her expertise area
- Mentions her experience: “When I coach my corporate clients…”
- Positions herself as an authority without being salesy
Result: Consistent corporate contracts
The 80/20 Rule That’s Keeping You Broke
Most coaches: 80% nurturing activities, 20% revenue-generating activities.
Successful coaches: 50/50 split or 80% revenue generating, 20% nurturing
The coaches wondering “Why isn’t it working for me?” are often spending their time completely differently from those seeing consistent results.
But I Don’t Have Any Warm Leads (Yes, You Do)
Here’s where your warm leads are hiding:
- Everyone who follows you on social media
- People who downloaded your freebie
- Everyone who attended your webinars
- Past clients (follow up, ask for referrals)
- People who engage with your content (likes, comments, DMs)
- Everyone in your phone
- People you meet at the gym, networking events, and coffee shops
The Real Problem: You’re not having conversations with anybody consistently.
Your 15-Minute Daily Revenue Challenge
Starting tomorrow, commit to 15 minutes of direct revenue-generating activities:
Choose 2-3 daily:
✅ Send 5 personal DMs to warm connections
✅ Comment meaningfully on 10 ideal client posts
✅ Follow up with 2 people who downloaded your resources
✅ Reach out to 2 former clients or past connections
✅ Engage in Facebook groups where your ideal clients hang out
Track Everything: Furthermore, use a simple spreadsheet to monitor who you contacted and what happened. As a result, you’ll see patterns of increased confidence, momentum, and referrals.
The T-Chart Exercise That Reveals Everything
Left Side: List everything you currently do weekly that you consider “business building.”
Right Side: After this episode, list only the TRUE revenue-generating activities you’re doing
The Gap: Consequently, this reveals exactly why your business isn’t growing as fast as you want.
Ready to Stop Playing Business and Start Building One?
If you’re realizing you’ve been spending most of your time on nurturing activities and wondering why you aren’t where you want to be, you’re not alone. Most importantly, recognize that most coaches make this mistake.
However, now you know better. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.”
Take Action Right Now
- Create your T-chart and honestly assess where your time goes
- Pick 2 revenue-generating activities to start tomorrow
- Set a 15-minute timer and commit to daily action
- Track your outreach in a simple spreadsheet
- Watch the momentum build over the next 30 days
Remember: The power is always in the conversations and the follow-up.
Resources Mentioned
- Free Resource: 10 Powerful Questions Every Coach Should Know
- Best Damn Coach Community: September deep-dive on revenue-generating activities
- Book a Strategy Call: https://amanda-walker.com/letschat
- CRM Tool Mentioned: Monday.com for tracking warm leads
Connect with Amanda
Instagram: @awalkmyway
Podcast: Best Damn Coach Podcast
Website: amanda-walker.com
