How to Build a Coaching Funnel Template That Converts Like Crazy

Last Updated on 6th February 2025

If you’re running a coaching business and struggling to turn potential clients into paying ones, you’re not alone.

Many coaches miss out on opportunities because they don’t have a streamlined system to guide their prospects toward booking coaching sessions. That’s where a coaching funnel template can save the day.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to create a funnel that attracts, nurtures, and converts your ideal clients. And if you want to shortcut the process, you can simply use my done-for-you coaching and consulting funnel template—more on that later.

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Understanding the Coaching Funnel

Before diving into the details of creating a coaching funnel template, it’s important to understand what a coaching funnel actually is and why it’s a game-changer for your business.

What Is a Coaching Funnel?

A coaching funnel is essentially a series of pages specially designed to guide your potential clients through the process of discovering your services, engaging with your brand, and finally booking a session with you.

Think of it as your virtual assistant, working 24/7 to turn prospects into paying clients.

A decent coaching and consulting funnel has the following structure:

1. Awareness: Attracting your audience with a lead magnet, blog, or social media posts.
2. Consideration: Providing value and demonstrating your expertise, such as with a free training video or mini-course.
3. Decision: Encouraging prospects to book a discovery coaching session or purchase one of your coaching products.
4. Action: Converting prospects into clients through easy-to-use booking and payment systems.

If all this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to build it from scratch.

If you want to save yourself the tech headaches, you can do yourself a favour and grab my ready-to-use coaching and consulting funnel template here.

Why a Funnel Is Crucial for Coaches

Without a funnel, potential coaching clients often get stuck in limbo. They might visit your site, think about booking a session, and then leave without taking action.

Your coaching funnel is going to help you with the following:

• Attract qualified leads: Reach people who are genuinely interested in your services.
• Nurture trust: Build authority in your niche with consistent value.
• Boost conversion rates: Turn more visitors into paying clients.
• Save time: Automate follow-ups and lead tracking so you can focus on delivering your coaching services.

Basically, it’s going to save you a ton of time in your business, and bring you more paying clients.

Personal Anecdote: My Funnel Transformation

When I first started my coaching business, I didn’t have a funnel. I had a basic website, a contact form, and a whole lot of hope.

Guess how many people booked? Practically none.

It wasn’t until I built my first coaching funnel that things started to take off. Suddenly, I had a system that worked for me even when I wasn’t online. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others skip the guesswork and start with a proven template.

Identifying Your Target Audience

Your funnel will only work if it speaks directly to your ideal client. That means knowing exactly who you’re trying to attract and what they’re looking for.

Pinpointing Your Ideal Coaching Client

Ask yourself:

• Who are my coaching services for?
• What challenges are they facing that I can solve?
• How can I position my coaching to meet their needs?

For example:

• A career coach might target mid-level professionals looking to switch industries.
• A relationship coach could focus on singles recovering from a breakup.
• A financial coach might help freelancers with budgeting or scaling their business.

By narrowing your focus, you’ll create a funnel that resonates deeply with your audience.

Tools to Understand Your Audience

1. Surveys: You can use Systeme.io’s survey feature to ask your current clients about their pain points.
2. Social Media Insights: Look at what your followers engage with on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn.
3. Competitor Research: See how other coaches in your niche are engaging their audience.

Real-World Example: A Fitness Coaching Funnel

Let’s say you’re a fitness coach who works with busy parents who want to get in shape. Your ideal client likely struggles with time management and meal planning. Your funnel should highlight how your coaching saves them time while delivering results.

The Shortcut to a Perfect Fit

Defining your audience might feel daunting at first, but don’t let it slow you down. My done-for-you funnel template for coaches and consultants comes pre-optimized to appeal to a wide range of niches. You can customize it to speak directly to your audience, without starting from scratch.

By taking the time to understand your audience and the value of a structured funnel, you’ll be setting the stage for a steady stream of potential clients.

In the next section, we’ll cover how to set up your coaching funnel step-by-step using Systeme.io.

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, then you can skip the hassle and use my done-for-you funnel template right here. It also comes with a sep-by-step video to show you how it works and how to customise it to make it your own!

Setting Up Your Coaching Funnel in Systeme.io

Now that you understand why it’s a no-brainer to have a coaching funnel on your side, let’s get into the practical steps of building one using Systeme.io.

Whether you’re a new life coach or an experienced executive coach, this platform makes it simple to create a high-converting coaching funnel.

Why Use Systeme.io for Your Coaching Funnel?

Systeme.io is an all-in-one platform, and it’s a perfect tool for coaches and consultants. Not only that, but Systeme.io is beginner-friendly, HIGHLY affordable, and it also comes with a completely free (although somewhat limited) plan to get you started.

Systeme.io simplifies the process of building funnels, integrating email automation, and handling payments—all without needing to be a tech wizard.

When I first switched to Systeme.io, I was blown away by how much easier it was compared to juggling multiple tools. It’s intuitive, beginner-friendly, and saves hours of setup time. Systeme.io also makes it extremely simple to run my business.

You can get a free Systeme.io account here. You don’t even need to enter your credit card to use the free plan of Systeme.io!

Step 1: Creating the Funnel

To start, log in to your Systeme.io account and navigate to the “Funnels” tab. From there:

1. Click “Create”: Choose your funnel’s goal—either building your email list, selling coaching products, or creating a high-ticket coaching funnel.
2. Name Your Funnel: Use something descriptive like “Life Coaching Funnel” or “Executive Coaching Funnel.”
3. Choose a Template: Systeme.io offers pre-built templates, but if you want a proven, fully optimized option, you can use my done-for-you funnel template for coaches here.

This initial setup takes just a few minutes, and then you’re ready to design the pages that will convert visitors into coaching clients.

Step 2: Designing Your Coaching Funnel Pages

Your coaching funnel will include several key pages, each with a specific purpose. Let’s break them down.

The Squeeze Page (Opt-In Page)

Purpose: Collect email addresses by offering a lead magnet (like a free eBook or video).

• Key Elements:
  • A compelling headline addressing a pain point (e.g., “Struggling to Find Work-Life Balance?”).
  • A simple opt-in form with a name and email field.
  • An image of your lead magnet or a short video introducing it.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple. Asking for too much information here can scare off leads. I learned this the hard way when I initially added a phone number field—my opt-ins dropped by 30%. Stick to the essentials!

Creating a High Converting Lead Magnet

A great option for a lead magnet for coaches and consultants is an ebook.

Why? There are multiple reasons…

Firstly, if you’ve written a book, then it automatically gives you more credibility and authority. It’s just how the brain works, most people simply assume that you that you therefore, must be an expert on your topic.

Secondly, they have a reasonably high perceived value, so most people will be more than willing to give you their email address in exchange.

If you want a quick way to create a high quality, professional ebook super-fast using AI, then watch my video here.

The Thank You Page

Once you new lead has opted in on your squeeze page to receive your free lead magnet, they will be redirected to the ‘thank you’ page.

Purpose: To confirm the opt-in and start building trust.

• Key Elements:
  • Include a short 30-60 sec “thank you” video to add a personal touch.
  • Use a call-to-action (CTA) button to book a discovery session.
  • Add some bonus content (e.g., a mini training video) to establish authority and demo how you can help them solve their problems.

The Questionnaire Page

The CTA button on your ‘thank you’ page will lead to the third page in your funnel, which is the ‘questionnaire page’.

Purpose: To gather important info about your prospective client before the discovery session.

• Key Elements:
  • Embed a Google Form to ask questions and collect the info you need from your prospects (I show you how to do this in the step-by-step video that comes with my DFY coaching and consulting funnel template).
  • Ask relevant questions about their goals, challenges, and expectations for coaching.

This step ensures you’re fully prepared for the session and helps position you as a professional who values your client’s time.

The Booking Page

After your prospect has completed the questionnaire, they are then sent to the ‘booking page’ where they can choose a time slot with you and book their appointment.

Purpose: To allow your prospects to quickly and easily schedule a discovery session or coaching session with you without you even needing to pick up the phone or engage in back and forth emails. Game-changer!

• Key Elements:
  • Use Systeme.io’s built-in calendar or integrate tools like Calendly.
  • Include a clear CTA like “Book Your Free Discovery Call Now.”

If you want to avoid the tech headaches of setting this up manually, remember you can save time with my done-for-you coaching funnel template here.

Integrating Automation and Email Sequences

No coaching funnel is complete without automation. Systeme.io makes it super-simple to set up email sequences that will nurture your leads and guide them to booking sessions or buying your coaching products.

Step 1: Set Up Automation Rules

1. Go to your funnel’s settings and click on “Automation Rules.”
2. Create a new rule: “When form is submitted, add to email campaign.”
3. Assign a tag to segment your leads (e.g., “Potential Coaching Clients”).

Step 2: Create an Email Campaign

Your email campaign should deliver value while gently nudging prospects toward action. A typical sequence might look like this:

1. Email 1: Welcome and Deliver the Lead Magnet
   • Thank them for opting in and provide the promised resource.
   • Include a CTA to book a discovery session.
2. Email 2: Share a Success Story
   • Highlight a client success to build credibility.
   • Mention your coaching services.
3. Email 3: Address Common Pain Points
   • Offer actionable tips or advice.
   • Reinforce how your coaching can solve their problems.

Pro Tip: Avoid overwhelming your leads with too many emails too quickly. A spaced-out sequence works best for keeping them engaged.

Watch my video below for a step-by-step guide on how to set up your automated email follow up sequence, and how to connect it to your funnel.

Why Automation Is a Game-Changer

When I first started using email automation, it felt like having a virtual assistant working for me 24/7. I could focus on coaching while my funnel nurtured leads in the background.

If you’re new to email marketing or don’t want to start from scratch, my done-for-you coaching funnel template includes the option for you to also get my pre-written email sequences that are ready to go. Just tweak them to fit your voice and audience!

In the next section, we’ll dive into how to handle payments and seamlessly integrate a checkout page into your funnel. This is useful if you are using your funnel for paid coaching calls instead of free discovery calls. You can also use this page to sell an upsell product if you wish.

Offering a Payment Option for Discovery Calls

If you’ve decided to charge for your discovery sessions instead of offering free discovery calls—or if you’re offering a high-ticket coaching package—adding a payment step to your funnel is essential.

This not only helps filter out tire-kickers but also positions your coaching as a premium, professional service.

Step 1: Adding a Checkout Page to Your Funnel

To charge for your sessions, you’ll need to insert a checkout page into your funnel. Here’s how:

1. Place the Checkout Page: Add it between the thank-you page and the booking page. This ensures prospects see your value before committing financially.
2. Create a Clear Offer: Be specific about what they’re getting in the session. For example:
   • “A 60-minute coaching session to uncover your biggest challenges and create an actionable plan tailored to your goals.”
   • “Includes a follow-up email with key takeaways and next steps.”
3. Payment Setup: Systeme.io allows you to connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal directly to your funnel, making transactions seamless.

If you’re using my DFY coaching funnel template, then it also comes with the payment page. The accompanying step-by-step set up video shows you how and where to drag and drop the payment page into your funnel pages sequence and how to set it up. That way, you have peace of mind knowing that everything is set up correctly.

Step 2: Justify the Payment For The Call

If you’re charging for a discovery session, you need to provide a strong reason why it’s worth the cost. A great way to do this is to turn the discovery call into a solution-based call where you also promise to solve one key pain point that your prospect has. This way you provide a lot of value on the call and you also take them through the discovery process at the same time.

Real World Example: High-Ticket Coaching Funnel

A career coach introduces a paid discovery session priced at $97. She frames it as a “Career Clarity Call” where clients will walk away with a roadmap to their dream job. This small payment not only boosts her authority but can also result in more serious prospects who may later upgrade to her high-ticket coaching program.

Pro Tip: Use My Proven Template

If setting up a checkout page sounds like a headache, my consulting and coaching template already includes a pre-designed payment page. All you need to do is plug in your offer, and you’re good to go.

A Successful Coaching Funnel Model Overview

Here’s an example of how a fitness coach might use this approach to grow a coaching business.

The Funnel Breakdown

1. Lead Magnet: A free “10-Day Home Workout Plan” opt-in.
2. Thank You Page: Includes a short video to introduce her coaching philosophy and a CTA to book a free 15-minute consultation.
3. Questionnaire Page: Gathers information about fitness goals, challenges, and workout preferences.
4. Booking Page: Allows prospects to schedule a consultation directly.
5. Email Sequence: A nurturing sequence offering tips, client testimonials, and a limited-time offer for her high-ticket coaching package.

My DFY funnel for coaches template helps you to quickly and easily achieve this set up.

Personal Insights and Best Practices

As someone who has built multiple coaching funnels, I can confidently say that success comes down to three things: clarity, simplicity, and consistency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcomplicating the Funnel: Keep your funnel straightforward. Too many steps can confuse prospects and lead to drop-offs.
2. Skipping the Follow-Up: Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted email sequence. A good follow-up can turn lukewarm leads into paying clients.
3. Undervaluing Your Services: Don’t be afraid to charge for your expertise. Offering a paid discovery session can elevate your positioning and attract serious clients.

Actionable Tips for Funnel Success

• Test and Optimize: Regularly review your funnel’s performance. Experiment with headlines, CTAs, and email copy to see what resonates best.
• Focus on Value: Every step in your funnel should provide something valuable—whether it’s a free resource, actionable advice, or personalized guidance.
• Leverage Testimonials: Use social proof to build trust. Add client success stories to your thank-you and checkout pages.

Coaching Funnel Template: Final Thoughts

A coaching funnel template is the key to creating a professional, streamlined system that consistently attracts and converts your ideal clients. It saves you time, eliminates the guesswork, and lets you focus on delivering your coaching services without getting bogged down by tech challenges.

If you’re ready to fast-track your success and avoid the hassle of building a funnel from scratch, you can access my done-for-you coaching and consulting funnel template today. It’s fully customizable, easy to use, and designed to maximize your results.