Starting an online coaching business is an exciting endeavor and when you’re first launching it, you invest a ton of time into creating your signature offer, designing your programs, and planning how to reach your ideal clients.
But while building your business, it’s easy to focus on the visible parts like branding, marketing, and content creation, and overlook the behind-the-scenes legal foundation that keeps your business protected.
What’s important to remember when it comes to your online coaching business is that contracts and agreements aren’t just legal formalities – they’re essential tools that set expectations, protect your income, and make your business look professional. Without them, even small miscommunications with clients can turn into costly disputes.
It’s for that reason in this blog post, we’re breaking down why you need contracts that have been specifically designed for coaches, the five coaches and agreements every online coach needs, why they matter, and most importantly, how they protect both you and your clients.
Why Coaches Need Specific Contracts
Before diving into the coaching contracts and agreements you need as an online business owner, let’s talk about why exactly you need contracts that have been specifically designed for coaches.
Running an online coaching business comes with a unique set of responsibilities, obligations, and risks and unlike selling digital products or physical goods, coaching is a service that involves direct interaction with clients. This makes it critical to have contracts and agreements that are tailored to the coaching industry.
If you were to use a general online business contract, you risk missing the important clauses that every coaching contract needs that not only protect your legal interests, but also sets expectations, clarifies boundaries, and helps prevent disputes before they happen.
Ultimately, not all contracts are created equal and while a generic “service agreement” might cover the basics, it likely won’t address the nuances of coaching, like session cancellations, refund policies, intellectual property ownership for course materials, or group participation rules. That’s why having contracts specifically written for coaching is essential.
Whether you offer 1:1 coaching services, group coaching programs, or both, having clear agreements communicates professionalism and builds trust with your clients.
Speaking of, however, it’s important that you use different contracts for your 1:1 versus group programs – here’s why!
5 Coaching Contracts and Agreements Every Online Coach Needs for Their Business
Group Coaching Terms and Conditions
- What It Is: A contract that sets expectations for participants in your group programs, including participation rules, refund policies, and intellectual property rights.
- Who It’s For: Coaches running masterminds, group programs, or cohort-based courses.
- Why It’s Needed: Think of your group coaching terms as a written agreement between you and your students regarding all of the details of your program. It ensures everyone is on the same page about when and how you’ll meet, responsibilities, obligations, expectations, boundaries, payment, and more.
1:1 Coaching Terms and Conditions
- What It Is: A contract outlining the scope, deliverables, payment terms, and boundaries for individual coaching clients.
- Who It’s For: Coaches offering 1:1 coaching packages or consulting sessions.
- Why It’s Needed: Your 1:1 coaching terms protects your time and money, sets clear expectations for both parties, and provides a framework for handling cancellations, rescheduling, or termination.
General Disclaimer
- What It Is: A general disclaimer is a statement clarifying the limits of your advice and services, and protecting you from legal liability related to the outcomes of your coaching.
- Who It’s For: Every coach needs some type of disclaimer, depending on the type of work you do! A general disclaimer is a good option that can cover your bases, regardless of niche or program type.
- Why It’s Needed: When creating content, like a course, program, or membership, around legal, finance, or medical topics, it’s important to proactively protect yourself from disgruntled consumers who may use your information incorrectly or end up harming themselves in the process. This simple disclaimer should be displayed along with your marketing materials to shield you from claims if a client misapplies your guidance or doesn’t achieve expected results.
Earnings Disclaimer
- What It Is: An earnings disclaimer is a statement clarifying that you cannot guarantee specific results or income from your coaching programs or advice.
- Who It’s For: Coaches, educators, and course creators who sell a program or course (or any offer) intended to help other people increase their revenue.
- Why It’s Needed: When you make any type of income claim, such as, “Sarah had her first $10k week after taking my course,” you’re opening yourself up to major liability. This disclaimer makes it clear that the marketing claims (while true) are extraordinary results that can't be guaranteed, ultimately protecting you and your money should you ever get sued.
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- What It Is: An NDA is a legal agreement preventing clients, collaborators, or contractors from sharing confidential information about your business, programs, or materials.
- Who It’s For: Coaches working with team members, contractors, or anyone with access to proprietary content that you don’t want to “leave the room.”
- Why It’s Needed: Protects your intellectual property, trade secrets, and unique methods, ensuring that your business ideas stay secure.
What To Look For in a Good Coaching Contract
As mentioned earlier, not all contracts are created equal, even if they claim to be “coaching contracts.” So when you’re shopping for your coaching contract templates, keep an eye out for the following features:
Lawyer-Drafted
First up, your coaching contract templates should always be written by a qualified attorney who understands both business and contract law. That’s something we pride ourselves on here at The Boutique Lawyer!
Not only do we understand the legal world, but we also understand the business world – and a good coaching contract needs both.
Industry Expertise
A general service contract simply won’t do when it comes to your online coaching business, which is why your coaching contract template needs to be specific and cover the nuances of coaching, including session structures, group dynamics, and digital product considerations.
Customizable
Every coaching business is unique and if your contract template can’t be adjusted to fit your specific programs, pricing, and policies… that’s a red flag! 🚩
Clear Language
Should your coaching contract sound professional? Yes! Should they be confusing? Absolutely not! 🙅🏼♀️
Your coaching contract should be easy for clients to understand with the legal jargon removed to avoid confusing or intimidating your clients.
For example, instead of opting for a coaching contract with language like this: “The First Party shall remit payment within thirty (30) days of invoice,” opt for a contract with language like this: “Payment is due within 30 days of receiving your invoice.”
Comprehensive Coverage
Lastly, when shopping for your coaching contract templates, look for ones that cover everythingggg you need, including liability, IP rights, refunds, cancellations, confidentiality, and dispute resolution.
Coaching Contract and Agreement Templates
If you’re the type that likes to try your hand at a DIY project, I won’t stop you… but you should know there’s a few common mistakes that coaches make when trying to create their own contracts, so just make sure you avoid these!
But if you’re tired of shopping around for your coaching contract and agreement templates and are looking for something that checks all of your boxes, you’re in the right place.
TBL’s Coaching Bundle includes:
✔️ Group Coaching Terms + Conditions
✔️ 1:1 Coaching Terms + Conditions
✔️ General Disclaimer
So you can be legally protected for BOTH, your group coaching and 1:1 services.
And if you need more than that, the Chief Legal Officer Suite is calling your name. It includes 40+ attorney-drafted legal templates that cover the most essential areas of your business!
Each template is easy to customize and includes built-in instructions so you can confidently fill in your details and get protected fast. 🙌🏼
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, AMBER GILORMO – ATTORNEY AND FOUNDER OF THE BOUTIQUE LAWYER
Amber Gilormo is the cool lawyer behind The Boutique Lawyer – a one-stop contract template shop for creative entrepreneurs, online business owners, coaches, and service providers.
From client agreements to digital product terms and everything in between, our lawyer-drafted templates take the guesswork out of staying legally protected online (no legal jargon required).
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