How to Rebook Existing Coaching Clients

As a coach, you’re in a unique position: your clients always have a new goal to reach, a new mountain to climb, new obstacles to overcome, and a new season to navigate!

My most rewarding experiences as a coach have been with my long-term clients, who worked with me for a year or more – because I got to witness and be part of their deeper transformation over time, and see them evolve dramatically by really learning to access, develop, and apply their inner resources.

Plus, the more clients you rebook, the fewer new clients you need to onboard – and the less you need to market your services :)

So today, let’s talk about how to rebook your clients through a few key steps that have your clients excited to continue your work together!

1) Deliver a first-class experience.

This one is obvious: If you want clients to rebook, your process and the experience of working with you has to be top-notch.

This doesn’t mean you’re burning yourself out, trying to be all things for your client… it means the time you spend together is targeted, high-impact, results-oriented, and focused on the strongest leverage points for moving them forward.

That will look different depending on your coaching niche… but consider whether your coaching sessions focus on surface-level stuff, or really get down to the heart of things and create breakthrough moments?

For example, if you’re a relationship coach: Do you spend time each week helping your client evaluate their latest matches on Bumble? Or do you help her unpack her own internal story and perception about what makes a great partner – and where that story came from?

If you’re a fitness coach, how much time do you spend designing your client’s meal plan each week? How much more impactful would it be to spend that time getting to the heart of what’s been hindering their workout consistency?

Being a great coach requires setting aside the surface-level problem of the week, and instead asking questions that get to the heart of the larger pattern and trend line.

So at the end of your time together, your client sees the big shifts they made with your support, and how their trajectory has changed as a result.

2) Be there to support through next steps.

Your current coaching container with a client is wrapping up soon… and after having your support for weeks or months, the end of that regular support may bring on a mix of emotions for them!

They may be feeling accomplished and satisfied with their progress and wins, and/or perhaps also a little disappointed about certain goals they didn’t fully achieve yet.

Maybe they wonder if they’ll sustain their momentum, or backslide into old patterns, or feel alone on their journey forward.

This is one more season to support your client through, just like any other! As their coach, make it clear you’re there to support them through this transition no matter what. Here’s what this might look like:

“Hi Liz, I want to note that currently our last session together is two weeks away! I know this transition can feel a bit challenging, so know that I’m 100% here to support you through these next steps and your feelings around them. You absolutely have the option to continue our work together, and the package I think would be best for you is described below. I’m including an extra 15 minutes at the end of our next session to talk through this option should you need it, and I’m also happy to answer questions here. Either way, I’m so grateful for the time we’ve had together so far, and am looking forward to our next session!”

This is just an example, so make it your own and apply your own personality and voice… but the key is that you’re acknowledging the end of support, and making it clear that you’re there for your client as they choose their next steps.

3) Hold space for reviewing, reflecting, and resetting.

You’re there for more than support – as their coach you’re ready to help them reflect on their progress so far, clarify their next goals, and design a path forward that supports their goals and values.

And their right next step may include working with you... or it may be something else!

Either way, creating a separate space to reflect on their progress, celebrate their wins, recast their vision, and consider their next steps is a beautiful way to support your client, and mark the end of this chapter together.

This could happen in the extra 15 minutes at the end of your last or second-to-last session, or it could be a separate wrap-up call. Either way, here are a few questions to ask your client in this conversation:

What have been your biggest wins and shifts in the past 6 months*?
What are the main challenges you’ve encountered?
What are your biggest goals in the next 6 months?
What are the biggest challenges you anticipate?
What support do you need / How can I support you best?
What are your thoughts on the continuing support option?

*Or whatever length of time you’ve been working together.

The key is to make sure your client is pausing to reflect on their progress, acknowledging their wins, and reexamining their goals and path forward – so they feel confident taking their next steps, and they know what they need to succeed.

The conversation about goals gives you a chance to listen and silently assess whether you’re the right coach for their client in their next chapter, or if something else would be more beneficial.

Just like in your initial sales conversation, make sure you’re prioritizing your client’s interests and putting yourself in the role of trusted advisor and partner, there to help your client make the decision that will serve them best… and only offer your continuing support if you think it’s an appropriate next step.

4) Offer a special alumni package + price.

Generally speaking, a continuing coaching package is easier and often more effective for both the client and the coach, than starting a whole new relationship from scratch.

You know your client and have seen the trajectory of their growth and progress… and you also know the patterns that create resistance for them. Your client is always evolving, but you’re not starting from square one anymore! In many cases you can work together more efficiently and effectively than you could at the start.

On the client side: They trust you. They know you have their interests at heart, and you appreciate their situation, goals, and priorities. They also understand your approach and have a clearer sense of how you work, how coaching works in general, and the kinds of things they can ask for your help with.

Your alumni package is up to you to design: you may need fewer sessions together to sustain momentum, and feel comfortable offering continuing clients a healthy price incentive. For example, if your starting package is $10,000 for 6 months at 4 sessions per month, maybe your continuing package is $5,000 for 6 months at 2 sessions per month.

I definitely recommend offering your continuing clients only one option, so you don’t overwhelm them or trigger decision fatigue. Remember you’re there to lead and guide them, and shine a light on the path forward!

5) Practice and find what works.

Try this process with a few clients before adjusting the price – you need a chance to practice and refine your approach, and make a decision based on sufficient data.

When I decided to offer a continuing support package, my first three clients did not rebook. It was tempting to get discouraged and stop trying, but I kept offering it and refining my process to match the steps above… and a year later, MOST of my clients I offer continuing support rebook for at least 6 months or more.

Remember that a client declining to continue support doesn’t mean they don’t value your coaching. Your client may simply feel that ending the relationship is necessary for closing out a chapter they’re ready to move past.

Sometimes, they’ll circle back once they have some distance from and fresh perspective on the season you worked through together.

Recap

Rebooking your clients in continuing packages is powerful for growing your business, and it can allow you to spend more time coaching, and less time marketing and prospecting.

But even before you rebook your first continuing client, let this be an exercise in elevating the concluding sessions of your time with your clients, and making sure they feel fully supported and comfortable with their next steps ahead!

TO SUM UP // HOW TO REBOOK YOUR COACHING CLIENTS:

Deliver a first-class experience.
Be there to support them through their next steps.
Hold space for reviewing, reflecting, and resetting.
Offer a special alumni package + price.
Practice and find what works.

If you'd like support in your coaching business and taking confident action without fear getting in the way, I'd love to support you on that level – click here to learn about private coaching and how we can work together ♥