Use this checklist to help you structure and organize your efforts to establish, manage, and grow your coaching practice. Not all businesses will need or want all of the items listed, nor is this list exhaustive. Review the checklist to determine which elements are applicable to your practice, and which items you’ve already completed. You can read more about each topic listed in the book “The Business of Coaching”
Laying the Foundation
- Business name
- Business legal structure
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- S-Corporation
- Fictitious business name filing
- Employer identification number
- Business license(s)
- Seller or resale permit, and sales tax license
- Zoning restrictions
- Address, phone, and fax numbers
- Email account, internet service provider
- Domain name (aka URL)
- Web-hosting service provider
Financial Matters
- Record-keeping process
- Budget and spending plan
- Business accounts (checking, business credit card)
- Accounts payable management
- Client invoicing process
- Client payment methods (check, credit card, barter)
- Business insurance
- Business property
- Business liability
- Automobile
- Business interruption
- Health and disability
- Errors and omissions
- Taxes
- Business deductions
- Estimated tax payments
- 1099s
- Self-employment tax
- Annual tax return
- Retirement plans (SEP-IRA, Keogh)
Marketing and Communications
- Marketing plan
- Self-assessment
- Target market definition
- Short-term business goals
- Short-term action plan
- Marketing activities
- Marketing materials
- Elevator speech
- Business card and logo
- Brochures (print or online)
- Introduction letters / emails
- Fliers or information sheets
- Web site design and content
- Effective networking
Around the Office
- Successfully transitioning to self-employment
- Work structure and schedule
- Time management and prioritizing
- Paperwork management and retention
- Improving efficiency
- Addressing procrastination
- Office equipment
- Telephone and headset
- Messaging
- Personal computer
- Printer and fax machine