A well-written business coaching agreement is in your best interest as a professional coach because it offers legal protection and aids in setting the parameters for a perfect client intake process. This legal document protects both you and your clients by establishing boundaries for the coach-client relationship and describing acceptable conduct, the duration of the services, as well as the payment procedure.
Having a pre-written business coaching contract template on hand is a terrific method to guarantee that every time you establish a contract for a new client, all the crucial information is addressed. By focusing only on filling out the client-specific information, you will save a ton of time and have a polished business coaching agreement in no time. To help you figure out the structure of your template, we'll go over some of the most crucial components you must be sure to include.
Note: Create a bulletproof business coaching agreement with Bonsai's free contract templates. Reviewed by top legal experts and used by thousands of freelancers in your industry, our templates are your best bet for a professional and effective contract.
When creating your business coaching agreement contract template, remember this is a legally binding document, so pay special attention to every element as any errors or omissions can quickly result in disputes and even legal repercussions. You must set proper expectations for the coach-client relationships and make sure both parties agree to the coaching services negotiated.
These are the key components you need to cover.
Begin your contract template with a section to provide your contact information as well as your client's. Include the basic information like full names, phone numbers, address, and email address. You may also add your coaching business' name if it's different from yours.
It's possible that many clients are unaware of what a business coaching program actually includes. Therefore, it's crucial to specify the type and aim of the services you will offer in your coaching contracts. Explain that your products and services are intended to inspire your customers to realize their full potential on a professional level. How will your program help them to clarify their business vision and how it fits their personal goals. This is a fantastic method to provide the customer clarity before you begin a coaching relationship.
A crucial part of your business coaching agreement is outlining the client responsibility and expectations. You must clarify that any actions or inactions on their part, as well as the direct or indirect results of any services rendered, are not your responsibility as their coach. Make sure your client has clear expectations regarding what they will accomplish with your program and they understand it is completely they need to be held accountable by doing their part to make it a success.
The next section of your coaching template is to outline the services offered as part of your program as well as the precise manner in which they will be delivered. Describe the way in which meetings and calls will be held (in-person, online, over the phone, etc. ), what your availability will be in between meetings and the process the client should follow in case they require more time or additional services.
Outline the specific business-related areas where your client needs help and what your approach will be to assist them. Finally, define whether you will be able to perform additional tasks (outside of the coaching sessions), such as evaluating documents, producing reports, etc., as well as the cost of such extra services.
As a business coach, you must guarantee the client's confidential information will be kept private. Add a clause to ensure all conversations remain undisclosed and you will never voluntarily reveal the coaching connection you have with clients without getting their permission, unless you're required to do so by law.
On the other hand, it's also important to make sure your client agrees to maintain the confidentiality of your coaching methods and trade secrets. They shouldn't divulge information about their coaching program to anyone else because doing so could mislead potential customers about the quality of your services.
It's critical that your business coaching agreement outlines the duration of the services you plan to offer, including the number of sessions and length of each meeting or call. You must specify how the times and dates of the meetings will be chosen, who will be in charge of making any planned calls, and the allowed time before the meeting is deemed "missed." Include a rescheduling and to specify the steps to be taken if a client is unable to attend a scheduled meeting, as well as any fees for doing so.
During your business coaching process, you will very likely provide your clients with a ton of valuable materials you invested time and hard work to create. Make sure you protect it all by adding a clause to specify how your client may use this material, and that you always get credit in case they do. Whether these are free tools on your website, worksheets, journals, handouts, etc., set clear ground rules specifying these materials will always remain your sole property.
You certainly don't want them to use your content for commercial gain, so by including this clause in your contract, you will have the ability to sue if your work is unfairly used.
Several unanticipated situations might occur during the coaching process, and the contract should clearly state the procedure to follow in case any party chooses or needs to terminate the program. Indicate how far in advance a written notification of cancellation will be required, as well as how any outstanding balance for the coaching services must be paid (or refunded if applicable).
Having explicit payment terms is the best protection against losing money or even being ghosted. You must indicate the total cost of the course or the cost per session, the due dates for each payment, and the acceptable payment methods (online transactions like PayPal or Stripe, transfers, credit/debit cards, etc.). Additionally, go through your refund policies and what happens if a payment is missed (are there any late fees).
You don't have to spend hours trying to work out the proper structure for your coaching contract template. If you don't have the time or are just beginning your life coaching venture, save yourself the hassle and download Bonsai's free contract templates specially designed for coaching businesses. You can completely modify every aspect of it to meet the needs of your company and clients.
Bonsai also makes it easier for you to keep track of every contract you send out because it notifies you when a client gets and signs for it using a legally binding e-signature. Streamline your client onboarding process and start coaching right away with the best free coaching template out there. Get your free template today, and while you’re at it, check out the rest of our amazing invoicing, accounting and tax tools with a 14-day free trial!
Include a description of the services you'll be providing, define the client-coach relationship, breakdown the schedule and fees. You may also include a cancellation policy and procedcures.
A coaching agreement signed by both the coach and the client is a legally-binding document. This contract aims to protect both the coach and purchaser from malpractice or miscommunications.
Begin by customizing Bonsai's free template. Just sign up, and edit the coaching agreement based on your specific terms. Since our templates are legally reviewed, they will help you establish a coaching agreement with maximum protection.
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This contract (the "Contract") is between Client (the "Client") and Acme, LLC (the "Coach").
The Contract is dated [the date both parties sign].
1.1 Project. The Client is hiring the Coach to do the following: [COACHING SERVICES DESCRIPTION]
The Client wishes to engage the Coach's services in order to achieve the following: [COACHING GOALS OR ATTACH STATEMENT OF WORK "Please see the attached Statement of Work."]
1.2 Schedule. The Coach will begin work on [START DATE] and will [END DATE OR "continue until the work is completed"]. This Contract can be ended by either Client or Coach at any time, pursuant to the terms of Section 4, Term and Termination.
The Coach and Client will meet ["by telephone" or "by video conference" or "in person"] [NUMBER OF DAYS] days per [week/month] for [AMOUNT OF TIME] [minutes/hours].
1.3 Payment. The Client will pay the Coach ["a flat fee of $XXX USD." or "in milestones totaling $XXX USD" or "an hourly/daily/weekly/monthly rate of $XXX USD"]. Of this, the Client will pay the Contractor [$XXX USD] before work begins. [The milestones will be invoiced as follows: INSERT MILESTONE SCHEDULE]
1.4 Expenses. The Client [will/will not] reimburse the Coach's expenses. Expenses [do/do not] need to be pre-approved by the Client.
1.5 Invoices. The Coach will invoice the Client ["at the end of the project." or "in accordance with the milestones in Section 1.3."] The Client agrees to pay the amount owed within [NUMBER OF DAYS] day of receiving the invoice. Payment after that date will incur a late fee of [X%] per month on the outstanding amount.
1.6 Support. The Coach [will/will not] be available by telephone or email in between scheduled sessions.
3.1 Overview. This section contains important promises between the parties.
3.2 Authority To Sign. Each party promises to the other party that it has the authority to enter into this Contract and to perform all of its obligations under this Contract.
3.3 Coach Has Right To Give Client Work Product. The Coach promises that it owns the work product, that the Coach is able to give the work product to the Client, and that no other party will claim that it owns the work product. If the Coach uses employees or subcontractors, the Coach also promises that these employees and subcontractors have signed contracts with the Coach giving the Coach any rights that the employees or subcontractors have related to the Coach's background IP and work product.
3.4 Coach Will Comply With Laws. The Coach promises that the manner it does this job, its work product, and any background IP it uses comply with applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.
3.5 Work Product Does Not Infringe. The Coach promises that its work product does not and will not infringe on someone else's intellectual property rights, that the Coach has the right to let the Client use the background IP, and that this Contract does not and will not violate any contract that the Coach has entered into or will enter into with someone else.
3.7 Client-Supplied Material Does Not Infringe. If the Client provides the Coach with material to incorporate into the work product, the Client promises that this material does not infringe on someone else's intellectual property rights.
This Contract is ongoing until it expires or the work is completed. Either party may end this Contract for any reason by sending an email or letter to the other party, informing the recipient that the sender is ending the Contract and that the Contract will end in 7 days. The Contract officially ends once that time has passed. The party that is ending the Contract must provide notice by taking the steps explained in Section 9.4. The Coach must immediately stop working as soon as it receives this notice unless the notice says otherwise.
If either party ends this Contract before the Contract automatically ends, the Client will pay the Contractor for the work done up until when the Contract ends. The following sections don't end even after the Contract ends: 3 (Representations); 6 (Confidential Information); 7 (Limitation of Liability); 8 (Indemnity); and 9 (General).
The Client is hiring the Coach as an independent contractor. The following statements accurately reflect their relationship:
6.1 Overview. This Contract imposes special restrictions on how the Client and the Coach must handle confidential information. These obligations are explained in this section.
6.3 Third-Party Confidential Information. It's possible the Client and the Coach each have access to confidential information that belongs to third parties. The Client and the Coach each promise that it will not share with the other party confidential information that belongs to third parties, unless it is allowed to do so. If the Client or the Coach is allowed to share confidential information with the other party and does so, the sharing party promises to tell the other party in writing of any special restrictions regarding that information.
Neither party is liable for breach-of-contract damages that the breaching party could not reasonably have foreseen when it entered this Contract.
8.1 Overview. This section transfers certain risks between the parties if a third party sues or goes after the Client or the Coach or both. For example, if the Client gets sued for something that the Coach did, then the Coach may promise to come to the Client's defense or to reimburse the Client for any losses.
8.2 Client Indemnity. In this Contract, the Coach agrees to indemnify the Client (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against all liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of: (i) the work the Coach has done under this Contract; (ii) a breach by the Coach of its obligations under this Contract; or (iii) a breach by the Coach of the promises it is making in Section 3 (Representations).
8.3 Coach Indemnity. In this Contract, the Client agrees to indemnify the Coach (and its affiliates and their directors, officers, employees, and agents) from and against liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) related to a third-party claim or proceeding arising out of a breach by the Client of its obligations under this Contract.
9.1 Assignment. This Contract applies only to the Client and the Coach. Neither the Client nor the Coach can assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Contract to a third-party (other than by will or intestate), without first receiving the other's written permission.
9.2 Arbitration. As the exclusive means of initiating adversarial proceedings to resolve any dispute arising under this Contract, a party may demand that the dispute be resolved by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its commercial arbitration rules.
9.3 Modification; Waiver. To change anything in this Contract, the Client and the Coach must agree to that change in writing and sign a document showing their contract. Neither party can waive its rights under this Contract or release the other party from its obligations under this Contract, unless the waiving party acknowledges it is doing so in writing and signs a document that says so.
9.4 Notices.
(a) Over the course of this Contract, one party may need to send a notice to the other party. For the notice to be valid, it must be in writing and delivered in one of the following ways: personal delivery, email, or certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested). The notice must be delivered to the party's address listed at the end of this Contract or to another address that the party has provided in writing as an appropriate address to receive notice.
(b) The timing of when a notice is received can be very important. To avoid confusion, a valid notice is considered received as follows: (i) if delivered personally, it is considered received immediately; (ii) if delivered by email, it is considered received upon acknowledgement of receipt; (iii) if delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), it is considered received upon receipt as indicated by the date on the signed receipt. If a party refuses to accept notice or if notice cannot be delivered because of a change in address for which no notice was given, then it is considered received when the notice is rejected or unable to be delivered. If the notice is received after 5:00pm on a business day at the location specified in the address for that party, or on a day that is not a business day, then the notice is considered received at 9:00am on the next business day.
9.5 Severability. This section deals with what happens if a portion of the Contract is found to be unenforceable. If that's the case, the unenforceable portion will be changed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, unless that change is not permitted by law, in which case the portion will be disregarded. If any portion of the Contract is changed or disregarded because it is unenforceable, the rest of the Contract is still enforceable.
9.6 Signatures. The Client and the Coach must sign this document using Bonsai's e-signing system. These electronic signatures count as originals for all purposes.
9.7 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this document shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America.
9.8 Entire Contract. This Contract represents the parties' final and complete understanding of this job and the subject matter discussed in this Contract. This Contract supersedes all other contracts (both written and oral) between the parties.
THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO THE FOREGOING AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SIGNATURES BELOW.
