How to Get Coaching Clients When You’re Just Starting Out (Without a Big Audience)

Feeling like you’re talking to no one online?

Wondering how you’re actually supposed to sign clients without a big audience?

You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not broken.

Here’s the truth…
👉 You don’t need 10,000 followers.
👉 You need 10 real conversations.

Today, I want to walk you through exactly what I would focus on if I were starting my coaching business from scratch — with no big audience, no fancy tech, no paid ads… just a dream and a whole lot of heart.

Because the reality is, the online coaching space can make it seem like you need a huge platform to succeed.

But you don’t. You need clarity, connection, and consistency and when you master these, clients start coming to you.

Let’s dive into it

The Myth That’s Keeping New Coaches Stuck:

One of the biggest myths that holds talented new coaches back is the belief that you need a big audience to get clients.

And I get it — it feels like more followers = more success.

But if you focus all your energy on just trying to grow your following, you can accidentally delay actually growing your business.

When I signed my very first coaching clients, I had less than 400 followers.

I wasn’t trying to “go viral.”

I focused on building real relationships, solving real problems, and showing up consistently, even when it felt like nobody was watching yet.

The truth?
Clients come from connection, not from numbers.

When you focus on serving people — not impressing them — you start building something real.
You don’t have to be famous. You have to be valuable.

3 Things That Actually Get You Clients Early On:

If I were starting all over again today, here are the 3 things I would pour my energy into:

1. Clarify Your Niche and Offer

You can have the best heart and the most powerful coaching skills, but if people don’t immediately understand how you can help them, it’s going to be a struggle.
Clear beats clever every time.
Here’s an example:

Mindset Coaching
❌ “I help women feel empowered to create a life they love.”
✅ “I help corporate women replace self-doubt with confidence so they can speak up in meetings, ask for promotions, and set boundaries without second-guessing themselves.”

The second one is tangible. It speaks to a real, urgent problem.

When you define your niche clearly and craft an irresistible offer that solves a real problem, your audience doesn’t have to guess if you can help them. They know.

2. Create Content That Starts Conversations

Posting content just to “tick a box” won’t cut it anymore. Your goal isn’t just to inform — it’s to connect.

Instead of simply posting “5 mindset tips,” try something more personal like:
“If you’re struggling to stop second-guessing yourself at work, here’s what helped me…”

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being clear, real, and relatable.

The best content feels like you’re speaking directly to one person’s heart.

3. Prioritise Relationships Over Reach

Would you rather have 10,000 followers who barely notice you, or 10 genuine conversations with people who want to work with you?

When I was growing my business in the early days, I spent more time connecting, commenting, DMing, and genuinely helping people than trying to “go viral.”
And you know what?
Every client started with a conversation — not a viral post.

Focus on people, not metrics. Relationships build businesses.

Common Fears That Might Come Up

You might be thinking:
* What if I’m not confident enough yet?
→ Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. You build confidence by showing up imperfectly.
* What if my content isn’t good enough?
→ It doesn’t have to be “good.” It needs to be clear. Speak from your heart. Clarity > perfection.
* What if people can’t afford me?
→ There are people right now actively searching for the exact help you offer. Pricing isn’t the real block — clarity and positioning are.

If you can shift your focus from “I need more followers” to “I need more conversations,” your coaching business will grow faster (and more sustainably) than you think.

Ready to Fast-Track Your Growth?

If you’re serious about signing your first (or next) few coaching clients — without cold DMs, complicated funnels, or waiting years for traction — I’d love to support you inside my program, The 5K Fast Track.

It’s specifically designed for new and early-stage coaches who want to hit consistent $5K months, the simple, sustainable way.
DM me the word FAST on Instagram @sofiarosebernardi and I’ll send you the details!