How to start a coaching business with Whop: Your step-by-step guide

Ready to launch an online coaching business? Find out why Whop is the best place for it (and how you can launch yours today).

You can start a coaching business today, and Whop makes it easy.

If you can sell results, you can sell coaching – period.

From fitness to finance and trading to mindset, people are paying big money to learn skills that change their lives — and coaches are cashing in.

If you're thinking of starting your own online coaching business, you're in the right place. We've helped thousands of creators turn their skills into sustainable coaching businesses — so trust us, we know what we're talking about.

Starting (and scaling) your coaching business with Whop is simple, and we'll walk you through it all below.

Let's get into it.

Set up your coaching business on Whop in just 5 steps:

You don't need years of experience or a huge following to start a coaching business.

With Whop, you can launch fast, run everything from day one, and look legit while doing it.

Here's a simple, 5-step blueprint to get your coaching business up and running today:

1. Pick your niche

"We are all experts in our own little niches."

- Alex Trebek, Host of Jeopardy!

Look, you know where your knowledge lies, and you probably have a coaching niche in mind. Maybe it's business, fitness… hell, even relationship coaching.

But let's go deeper. Business coaching is a good start, but it's still pretty broad. Start thinking about your target demographic – new business owners, young entrepreneurs, etc.

This is where it's best to really consider what you can offer that other coaches can't, and that lies in your story.

"Typically, when I tell people to niche down, they usually say the same thing, that they don't want to exclude certain people.

A reframe is that we need to exclude certain people, especially now that it's getting more competitive in the market."

- Zac Perna, online fitness coach

Shelby Haas went from being a sorority girl working in door-to-door pest control sales to remote closing. Now, she teaches other women (often college-age) to do the same. That's her niche.

The clearer your niche is, the easier it is to create a killer offer for your students.

2. Create a clear offer

You've locked in your niche and target audience. Now, it's time to craft your first offer.

Say that you want to coach new business owners to help them make their first sales.

First, make it clear that your offer is for beginners or first-time business owners, and don't over-promise results (like six-figure sales).

Instead, guarantee something simple, like helping clients achieve their first sale.

Or, say you're gonna do fitness coaching for people who only have a small space to work out.

Your offer should make it clear that you help clients build muscle using bodyweight exercises, not promising new personal bests on weights.

Once you've mapped out your offer (including when and how you'll keep in touch with clients, deliverables included in packages, and pricing), it's time to set up your business on Whop.

3. Sign up and create your first whop

Signing up to Whop:

First, get signed up to Whop (if you don't already have an account).

Click the button below, sign up, and, once your account is all set up, you can start creating your first whop.

Already have an account? Click the button and it'll redirect you to the onboarding page. Keep it open on a separate tab, and let's go over each step together.

Creating your first whop:

All done? Cool. Let's start setting up your coaching business by first choosing the Coaching and courses option in the first step of the onboarding:

Next, select which industry you're going to offer coaching services in.

If you plan on coaching people about starting, running, or scaling a business, you should select the Business option.

Next, select whether you're going to use Whop to host and sell services (option on the left) or as a payment processor (option on the right).

Since you're going to run your coaching business on Whop, let's select the option on the left.

And finally, you can give your business a name and select the country you reside.

If you have a name for your business in mind, type it, select your country and click the Create business button to create your whop.

After you create your whop, you'll be directed to its Products section, but before you create a product, let's add some apps to your whop.

4. Choose the Whop apps you'll need

Whop apps are how you customize your offer, from 1:1 calls to calendar bookings, group chats, course modules, and more.

Head to the Whop App Store, and you'll see all available apps you can add to your whop. They are sorted from most installed to least by default.

Search for the apps you're looking for using the search bar, or scroll down to see all the apps you can add.

We'd suggest you start with the Chat and Calendar Bookings apps, so that you can organize coaching calls and have a chat room for your students.

To add an app, all you have to do is click on its Add button.

Once added, you'll be directed to its setup page, where you'll be prompted to configure which products can access the app.

5. Create your first product and launch your whop

Now it's time to create your first coaching offer/product, making use of the apps you've selected.

Creating your product:

To create a product, click the Create product button that you see when you add an app.

You can also click the Products button under the admin area of your whop and click the Create product button there.

In the Create product page, you're going to see two things:

• The product configuration section on the left
• The store page configuration section on the right

Setting up your product:

Start in the Product Configuration section. This is where you’ll:

• Add your product title and headline
• Set your pricing
• Configure advanced options like stock limits, waitlists, and payment methods

Below the pricing section, you’ll see all the apps connected to your Whop. Here, you can enable the apps you want to include in this product.

Customizing your store page:

In the Store Page Configuration section, you can:

• Choose your category
• Write your product description
• Add a Features list outlining what buyers get when they purchase
• Fill out the About the Creator section with your pitch and social links (this builds trust)
• Use the FAQs section to answer common questions and help buyers understand what they’re getting

Adding pricing options:

To set up session pricing, click on the Calendar Bookings app and add a booking fee for a specific duration.

Finally, go over to your store page by clicking on the Edit store button. Here, you can look at the Set up your store page progress tracker at the bottom of your screen and complete any remaining steps.

Applying to Discover:

Once you’ve completed all the setup steps, you’ll be prompted to apply to Discover.

Getting accepted means your Whop will be visible to over 2.5 million users, and it’ll start ranking in search engines, too.

That’s it: you’ve officially set up your first coaching business!

Now it’s time to share your Whop:

• Add your product link to your social bios
• Post content around your offers to attract clients
• Use content rewards and Whop affiliates for maximum reach

How to become a fully booked coach and grow your coaching business on Whop

If you want to get fully booked (and stay that way), here are a few solid tips that’ll help you with consistent bookings, good retention, and members that actually get results.

After reviewing 100+ different whops, I've picked up on a few things that help you scale:

1. Make your pitch simple

When someone lands on your whop or clicks your link, they should immediately get what you’re offering and who it’s for. One sentence. Max. That’s it.

Something like:

• “I help beginner founders land their first clients.”
• “I coach beginners who want to get strong at home with zero gym stress.”
• “I’ll help you get your first freelance gig without cold DMs.”

Don’t try to cram in everything you can do. Keep it outcome-driven.

Focus on one thing your ideal customer really wants, and how you help them get it.

"Don't spend seven years becoming an expert. In 3-4 weeks, if you create a specific mechanism to solve someone's problem, you can start coaching people."

- Iman Gadzhi, Whop Co-Owner

You can still offer more behind the scenes, but your pitch should be punchy and specific.

Also, make sure the pitch is at the top of your Store page using the description box. This way, people finding you on the Discover page immediately know what you’re selling.

2. Make your store page and brand distinct

We give you the ability to customize your entire store page, so take advantage. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a designer. You can still stand out by making your whop look intentional and consistent.

For instance:

• Add a banner image (Canva has great templates)
• Use a simple color palette (2–3 max)
• Upload a profile pic or logo
• Match the vibe of your niche (friendly? premium? hype-heavy?)

Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on setting up your store page:

3. Get social proof

People trust people. So many folks are out there pretending to be coaches and gurus when they’re basically running get-rich-quick schemes. 

So, build your credibility through social proof.

Start with:

• Reviews on your whop (ask for them after every session)
• Screenshots of wins shared in your Chat app
• Testimonials shared on socials
• Quick case studies or transformation stories

Here's how:

• Ask for reviews in exchange for a free 10-minute call
• Ask your best-performing students for their results and share that on social media:

Once someone sees others getting real results, their buyer's hesitation drops dramatically.

4. Overdeliver in your first few sessions

This one’s seriously underrated. Most coaches skip it, but the ones who don’t see massive returns.

Your first 5-10 clients are the foundation of your business. So treat them like gold.
Give extra time. Share bonus resources. Follow up after sessions. Help them implement your advice.

You don’t have to offer full sessions for free, but consider a free 10-minute call where you give your best quick wins.

When clients feel like you genuinely care, they’ll:

• Leave glowing reviews on your Whop (there's that social proof)
• Tell their friends
• Rebook sessions
• Give testimonials you can use forever

5. Optimize your services

Launching is just the start. The real growth comes from tweaking your offers as you go.

Keep asking:

• Are people signing up but not booking?
• Is one pricing tier outperforming the rest?
• Are clients dropping off after one session?

Then, experiment:

• Add a cheaper intro session for first-timers
• Create bundle packages (e.g., 3–5 sessions)
• Offer weekly group calls for a lower-lift option
• Turn recurring advice into downloadable PDFs or resources

And don’t be afraid to ask directly:

“What would make this even more valuable for you?”

Clients will often give you golden insights you hadn’t even thought of.

"The old model? A low ticket course funnelling into high ticket coaching. The new model? Skip straight to the money-making infrastructure."

- Hunter Dickinson, Head of Partnerships at Whop

Why online coaching is one of the best businesses to start

Here's why starting a coaching business is a no-brainer:

Cheap and fast to launch:
How many businesses can you start in a weekend? No devs, no inventory, no $$$ platform fees. Just a way to host calls, get paid, and chat with clients (because Whop does it all).

Remote by default:
Run your coaching business from your bedroom, a café, or a beach in Bali. You decide how many sessions you take. Want to go high-ticket and only work a few hours a month? It's doable.

Ability to scale:
Once you have a system that works, you can:

• Sell group coaching sessions (more $ per hour)
• Package your coaching method into a course/workshop
• Add tiers so people can pick their level of access

Community building and leverage:
Coaching clients who get results stick around, purchase bigger offers, and refer others to you. Your community is your currency as a coach, and you can foster it to grow. Add a group chat from day one and watch momentum build.

Actually make an impact:
Every coaching call has the potential to change someone's life, career, or outlook. You get to be a key part of that – and get paid for it, too.

What coaching niche should you choose? 5 of the most lucrative coaching niches

Pretty much any niche is possible to coach in – but these are the top 5 earning niches.

1. Fitness coaching

Fitness is still one of the strongest coaching niches going, especially with many working out from home and skipping traditional gyms.

Fitness coaching works because these clients need accountability, structure, and visible results. And if you niche down even further (like coaching college football players, post-partum mothers, or fitness newbies), you’ll stand out even more.

You can offer workout programs, nutrition guidance, check-ins, and personalized plans—all from one whop.

"Post high-value content on Instagram for your funnel, then create a free whop where you can plug in your services.

Run your community with a free tier to get people in the door, then upsell the high-value content like coaching calls."

- Online fitness coach and Whop user

2. Mindset coaching

A lot of people know what to do, but they struggle with actually doing it. That’s where mindset coaches come in.

Mindset coaches typically help clients overcome limiting beliefs, stay consistent with their goals, and build confidence. This type of coaching has serious demand, especially among younger professionals and creatives.

But it's hard to find clients if you aim for a general audience. Instead, your target audience should essentially be people like you.

Maybe it’s students who are trying out side hustles, young business owners dealing with burnout and/or impostor syndrome, that sort of stuff.

3. Business coaching

New entrepreneurs, freelancers, and online creators are popping up every day, and most of them have no real strategy.

If you’ve built a business before deciding to go down the coaching route (even a small one), or you’ve helped others grow theirs, you’ve got something valuable to offer. 

Business coaching can focus on client acquisition, pricing strategy, operations, marketing, or all of the above.

The ROI is clear, which makes it easier for clients to justify the spend.

4. Relationship coaching

Yes, relationship coaching is a thing, and it’s growing pretty fast as a cheaper and more accessible alternative to couples therapy.

Relationship coaches help people with everything from dating and communication to long-term partnerships.

Now, if you want to become a relationship coach, you’ll likely need some sort of certification to stand out.

The potential client base is huge: most people have had a personal or business relationship with someone before.

5. Financial coaching

Financial coaching can cover budgeting, debt management, saving, investing, or building a long-term money plan. 

And because financial stress is so common, there’s always a demand for someone who can help people feel more in control of their money.

If you’re good with numbers and better with people, this is a great niche – especially if you have a background or qualification in the finance industry.

"The goal is to go beyond generic markets and find specific problems that people are actively looking for solutions to."

- Iman Gadzhi, Whop Co-Owner

Highest-performing coaches on Whop

These coaches have built real, functioning businesses on Whop. And they’re doing it well.

1. Leroy ter Braak 1:1 Coaching

Leroy’s a beast at keeping it simple. His entire Whop is focused on 1:1 calls for YT creators and business owners who want to use YouTube to increase their sales. And that’s it. One clear offer that’s pushed around the entire whop page.

What he’s doing right:

• The offer is personal. It’s literally his name. That alone builds trust.
• He’s not selling his “time.” He’s selling his knowledge and the community.
• His whop page is arguably one of the best ones out there. A cool header image, tons of video testimonials and all the offerings are outlined perfectly.

Check out Creators United

2. Elite Coaching Academy

Justin’s done some amazing work with ECA.

He’s basically providing business and fitness coaching, helping people build and scale online coaching businesses, as well as offering fitness masterclasses. But he’s actually set it up like an actual academy, with group calls, content, and mentorship.

What they’re doing right:

• Multiple tiers and packages, so students can get in cheap or pay more for extra support.
• Built a community around his coaching so people stick around.
• His whop combines both of his coaching niches, within one brand, with him at the forefront.

Check out Elite Coaching Academy

3. Cash Flow University

These guys have pretty much nailed the finance/trading coaching side of things. Credit, cash flow, and business funding, all in one place.

And they’ve made it feel serious by having a very simple yet to-the-point whop.

What they’re doing right:

• That name screams value.
• The copy and overall branding is results-first, with plenty of stats and financial wins.
• Plenty of testimonials and reviews right at the top of the page.

Check out Cash Flow University

4. WannerCashCow Coaching

Wanner’s whop is all about making money with faceless YT content. He knows exactly who he’s speaking to: hungry creators who want to monetize fast.

What he’s doing right:

• Super specific niche, albeit speaking to a more general audience within it.
• His brand is loud and consistent, down to the name.
• He’s using his own journey as proof, which builds major trust.

Check out WannerCashCow Accelerator

Set up your coaching business on Whop today

Whop was built for online entrepreneurs, including coaches.

We've got everything you’ll need to run your coaching sessions – and you can even build a community while you’re at it.

Coaches make crazy sales on Whop, and setting yourself up only takes a few minutes.

Seriously, finding a coaching platform that charges you fees as low as 0% with all of these functionalities is like a needle in a haystack. Yet here we are.

Ready to set up your coaching business on Whop? Sign up and start selling your first offer today.