Understanding What’s Working Now (and how to double down on it)
Like all industries, the coaching world is experiencing changes. You might be feeling like things are shifting, and there’s a different energy; you’re not wrong. However, I believe this shift represents a significant opportunity as we enter the final months of the year.
Instead of getting caught up in what’s not working anymore, I want to focus on what is working right now and how you can double down on these strategies to become the cream that rises to the top.
In this episode, I’m sharing the seven specific things that separate thriving coaches from struggling ones in today’s market. Furthermore, these insights come from what I’m seeing with my own clients, discussions in my mastermind, and changes I’ve implemented in my own business.
The Market Reality Check
Here’s what I’m observing in the coaching industry right now:
What’s Creating the “Slowdown” Feeling
- Market saturation – Lots of coaches entering the field consistently
- Skepticism – The title “coach” isn’t what it used to be
- Decision-making fatigue – Clients are constantly bombarded with content
- Economic uncertainty – People are more cautious with investments
The Slower Response Pattern
There’s definitely a slower response to launches and calls to action. Our clients are smart – they’ve been in the online education world long enough to know when we’re selling to them.
However, here’s what I’ve noticed: people are still buying. They actually want to buy faster. They want more certainty and don’t want to be lost in long sales cycles. They’re saying, “Tell me something. Let me make a decision.”
The Old Model That’s Dying
These strategies are working less and less:
- Generic content hoping someone will notice
- Really long nurture sequences that take months
- Being subtle and beating around the bush about selling
- Hoping people will figure out they should work with you
- Post and pray strategy using only social media content
People are drowning in information, but starving for transformation.
The 7 Strategies That Define What’s Working in the Coaching Industry Now
1. Faster and Clearer Sales Process
People want to make decisions quickly when they’re ready, and you need a system for this.
What this looks like:
- Be direct about what you’re offering and the results
- Make your calls to action crystal clear
- Give people a faster path to “yes” if they’re ready
- Create urgency around decision-making
- Make it easy to have a conversation with you
I met with someone who had a cumbersome process – application, then Calendly, then another step. I said, “Get them on a call. You are the real thing. Let them hear your voice and qualify them quickly.”
You’re not selling coaching; you’re selling results.
2. Super Specific Positioning
Stop being generic in your messaging and results. What’s working is speaking to very specific pain points and addressing the exact situations your ideal client faces.
I was talking with a colleague who does nervous system regulation. Her program was “for high-achieving women who want to regulate their nervous system and feel safe to be seen.”
That’s beautiful but not specific. People don’t see themselves in it.
What they actually experience:
- They freeze up when pitching to be on a podcast
- They feel anxious and want to scream when their kid has a tantrum
- They have a full-body response when someone they struggle with calls
Use their language, not coaching jargon. Share specific results and transformations.
This is the one thing that changes everything if you do nothing else from this episode.
3. Real, Live Support
We’re drowning in information and struggling with transformation. The way you’re different from courses is that you’re a brilliant coach who knows how to get results.
What’s working:
- Showing up live for people in one-to-one sessions
- Providing accountability and helping them figure out next steps
- Real-time implementation and immediate support when stuck
- Never selling a “course” – always including live coaching elements
My approach is that you’ll never buy a standalone course from me. Everything includes at least limited group coaching sessions because I know that’s a differentiator. Our most successful students come to those sessions.
4. Deep Community Connection
People are craving real connection, not just another free Facebook group with auto-scheduled questions.
What they want:
- In-person meetups or live events
- Small, intimate group experiences
- Real-time relationships
- Not generic networking where everyone wants everyone’s business
Examples from my business:
- Best Damn Coach Live (April 13-14, 2026, limited to 70 people)
- Retreats with intimate settings
- Group coaching elements for real-time interaction
5. Social Proof on Steroids
Trust has to be earned faster than ever. We need to see evidence that you are who you say you are.
What works:
- Video testimonials
- Case studies with before and after pictures
- Client success stories
- Screenshots of results
- Third-party validation
How to implement:
- Include in emails
- Share on social media stories and reels
- Talk about case studies on podcasts
- Include in speaking events and webinars
- Weave into all content consistently
6. Implementation-Focused Programs
People don’t want fluff. If you’re launching a group program, they want it focused on taking action and doing, not just learning.
What they’re looking for:
- Real results and live implementation
- “Done with you” approaches instead of “do it yourself”
- Accountability and support in real-time
- Programs focused on transformation, not just information
7. Premium Positioning
Speak to the highest version of your ideal client, not the lowest. Target the person who wants the fastest action and results and is willing to invest in better support.
What premium clients want:
- To feel seen and heard
- Quality and exclusivity rather than mass market
- Someone who gets them specifically
- Fast action and results
There’s saturation in the market, so they want to feel special and understood at a deep level.
How to Implement These Changes
- Choose one or two of these seven strategies that feel easiest to implement. You don’t need to do all seven at once.
- Start with specific positioning (Strategy #2) if you’re unsure where to begin. When you can speak to your person as though you’re in their head, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in the market – they will activate.
- Use this in sales calls: “I know you’ve taken other programs, but what you’re really missing is accountability and real-time implementation. That’s where I’m different.”
The Coaches Who Are Thriving Right Now
The coaches who rise above and adapt are the ones who understand that business is never set-it-and-forget-it. You can’t be the “filing cabinet teacher” who puts lesson plans away and pulls out the same ones each year.
Thriving coaches are:
- Working smarter and differently
- Building trust faster
- Serving clients at a higher level
- Creating deeper connections
- Staying adaptable and aware
Why This Isn’t About Starting Over
This is about the same but better – you’re already doing brilliant things. It’s not about:
- Starting over completely
- Trying entirely new things
- Creating new offers
Instead, it’s about:
- Understanding your person more richly
- Letting go of things that aren’t serving you
- Getting clearer on what works
- Serving at the highest level possible
The Bottom Line
People are in pain. Your coaching is the solution they want. They’re willing to invest if they’re clear you can deliver the outcome.
What matters most is speaking to your person as though you understand them deeply, having the right offer in front of them, and being clear about the results you provide.
Ready to Elevate Your Business?
If you want deeper support in implementing these strategies, I’m here to help. Book a call at https://amanda-walker.com/letschat and let’s discuss how I can help you implement what I’ve shared today.
These seven strategies aren’t just theory – they’re what’s working in my business and my clients’ businesses right now. Let me help you customize them for your specific situation.
Resources Mentioned
- Best Damn Coach Live: April 13-14, 2026 (limited to 70 people)
- Strategy Call: https://amanda-walker.com/letschat
- Free Resource: 10 Powerful Questions Every Coach Should Know
