Most coaches either don't use contracts (too informal) or over-complicate them with legal boilerplate that nobody reads. A great coaching contract is clear, concise, and covers the situations that actually come up.
What every coaching contract must include
- Scope of services (what coaching includes and what it doesn't)
- Session schedule (frequency, duration, format — video, phone, in-person)
- Investment and payment terms (total fee, schedule, accepted methods)
- Refund and cancellation policy (what happens if either party ends early)
- Confidentiality (what you keep private)
- Coaching disclaimer (coaching is not therapy, medical advice, or legal advice)
- Intellectual property (who owns materials created during the engagement)
- Signatures and date
What to leave out
Lengthy liability clauses, dense legal language, and 15-page documents that scare clients. A coaching contract should be 1–2 pages, written in plain language, and designed to be understood — not to impress with complexity.
How to send it without chasing anyone
The worst contract flow: you email a PDF, the client prints it, signs it, scans it, and emails it back. This takes 3–7 days on average and creates a reason for the client to delay starting.
The better flow: you send a link. The client clicks, reads it on their phone, types their name, and it's signed in 90 seconds. You both get a copy by email immediately.
A signed contract isn't about distrust — it's about clarity. The best coach-client relationships start with aligned expectations on both sides.