What should a coach set up in the first week to onboard a new client smoothly and confidently?

The first week sets the tone

How a client experiences their first week tells them whether you are organized and worth their investment.

A smooth start builds confidence, while a chaotic one plants doubt before the real work begins.

Capture their starting point

Early on, record where the client is now and what they want, creating the baseline you will measure progress against.

This first record also shows the client you take their situation seriously from day one.

Set up goals and the package

Agree on initial goals and record the package they purchased, so both direction and logistics are clear from the start.

Clarity about what you are working toward and how many sessions they have removes early confusion.

Prepare for the first session

With the baseline, goals, and package in place, your first real session starts from understanding rather than setup.

A confident, organized first week makes a client feel they chose the right coach, which is where retention begins.