How to Be the Best Sleep Coach [2024 Edition]

Who needs a sleep coach? According to the American Sleep Association, 50–70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. And even celebrities like Hilary Duff are hiring sleep coaches.

And high-power business people, like finance professionals, lawyers and doctors are ready to pay up to $10,000 a day for sessions with a sleep coach!

New parents are also on the client list for sleep coaches. And they are willing to pay anything from $100 to $1,000! Or as the Wall Street Journal reports, parents can also dish out fees ranging from $300 (two weeks of phone consultations) to $7,500 (72 hours of in-home coaching).

That is a huge market right there for you to consider!

The Magic of a Sleep Coach

Having a baby fall asleep is as magical as the fairytale that most parents read out to them. But the process can be long, tedious and exhausting for new parents who are already sleep deprived. Hiring a sleep coach is therefore a boon for many new parents. The result of hiring a sleep coach should be a baby who can fall asleep on his own and sleep through the night. The coaching engagement can take about a week. Toddlers and preschoolers may take longer and setting up a process can take a few more weeks.

Now, let us look at adults.

Stress, longer hours online and the hazard of today’s hectic lifestyles has wreaked havoc on sleep patterns of adults.

Can A Sleep Coach Help Insomniacs?

WebMD defines insomnia as a sleep disorder in which you have trouble falling and/or staying asleep.

But how common is insomnia?

According to this website, the results of a survey are startling.

• About a third of the general population have some insomnia symptoms.
• Parents have more problems with insomnia than people without children.
• About 78% of pregnant women experience insomnia.
• 9.4% of adolescents suffer from insomnia.
• About 23% of adults have trouble sleeping due to stress and anxiety.
• About 4% of adults in the US use prescription sleep aids every month.
• Insomnia results in direct costs of over $13 billion per year.

Why Hire a Sleep Coach?

What does a lack of sleep mean for the human body?

Or in short what happens when the body does not get enough sleep?

Here are some facts:

• Insomniacs cause 2.5 times more car crashes because of tiredness than those who sleep well
• People with insomnia are 28% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes
• People with chronic insomnia are 4 times more likely to report having hallucinations.
• Insomniacs have 20 times greater odds of developing a panic disorder

Given the findings, are you not glad that you are in the position to help some of these people?

What does a Sleep Coach do?

This website has a good definition of how a sleep coach helps families with young children.

“More than 4 million babies are born each year in the United States. A sleep coach, can provide comprehensive sleep solutions and techniques to families, while stressing safe sleep practices and healthy sleep guidelines, so that good sleep habits can be developed.”

What is sleep training?

“No matter how you say it, sleep training comes down to one thing. It is all about helping your child learn to fall asleep wholly unassisted. That means going down with their eyes wide open, and falling completely asleep without the help of a parent, caretaker, or other prop such as swaddle, pacifier or moving car. Sleep training may take dedication and persistence.”

Who Hires a Sleep Coach?

Who are the people that you can help?

We have already established that parents are not the only ones who look for advice from a sleep coach.

Who is hiring? And how do you look for clients who would want to hire you? What do clients want in their sleep coach?

I am sure you have all these questions running through your mind right now.

Don’t worry. You have come to the right place. Throughout this blog, I will answer all your queries.

Target Audience of a Sleep Coach

At a time when all global economies are witnessing a crisis, will people pay to employ a sleep coach?

First of all, I want you to know this. It does not matter whether you are beginning your career now or not. All coaches are worried about their business prospects right now. So your worry is valid.

From celebrities to busy business people, everybody seems to want a sleep coach nowadays. Finance professionals, lawyers and doctors are even ready to pay up to $10,000 a day for sessions with a sleep coach!

But you will need to be smart about how to package your services in an overcrowded market. Read on to find out how I can help you distinguish yourself.

Concerns of a Sleep Coach

In all my years as a coach, I have found that there is one thing common among all coaches. It does not change whether you are an executive, spiritual or success coach. Everyone wants to know whether she will be successful. Common questions that aspiring coaches ask me are:What should I do to get clients?

1. How can I ensure that I get noticed in a crowded market?
2. How will I advertise my coaching services?
3. Will I earn enough money to have a comfortable life?

Can you relate to these concerns? If these are some of the very questions you have asked yourself, then hopefully you will find the answers in this blog.

Marketing Tips for a Sleep Coach

First of all, let us start with the most common question.

Is marketing going to help you as a sleep coach?

To answer this I will direct you to my blog Is Marketing Crucial to My Coaching Business.

My answer is yes.

What is marketing? Why do you need it as a sleep coach?

A 2018 article states that two-thirds of adults in the United States (US) say that trust in a brand has a great deal (31%) or a lot (37%) of influence on their decision when making a big purchase, reports Survey Monkey. Adults in the United States are not alone in the importance they place on trust: a majority of respondents in the United Kingdom (57%) and Canada (69%) also say that trust in a brand has a great deal or a lot of impact on their decision-making.

This article also supports my views. It addresses the simple question about why one needs marketing right from the start.

“Building your brand is a crucial part of building your business. Questions you need to consider to build the foundation of both your business and brand include:

• What are the needs of your target customers?
• How do your competitors meet the needs of your target customers?
• How can you help your target customers understand why your product or service is better than, or different from, the competition?”

I have written several marketing related blogs. Some are here andBecoming A Facebook Yoda. These will help you understand how you can market your brand and stand out from the crowd as a sleep coach.

One essential thing you must remember is this: As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more people are going through stressful times. And stress is always a major deterrent to sleep.

This is where you can step in.

As a sleep coach, you are already working in a niche with a clear definition of what you do. Irrespective of whether your clients are ready for investing mega bucks or not, you will definitely have a steady stream of clients once the word gets out about your expertise.

• Use every opportunity with a killer elevator pitch
• Brush up on your online marketing skills
• Showcase how well rested and empowered your clients will feel after their coaching session with a sleep coach

Salary of a Sleep Coach

Can you earn enough to give your family a comfortable lifestyle as a sleep coach?

This website provides details on how much a sleep coach can earn. This can depend on how much work you put in, but an average email sleep consultation is about $300. A Skype, email, and phone package usually about $500. A home visit ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on what is included in the visit.

According to the Wall Street Journal, parents can pay from $300 (two weeks of phone consultations) to $7,500 (72 hours of in-home coaching) for sleep coaching.

Sleep Coach Jobs

The best part of being a sleep coach is that there is no age limit for your clients! As a sleep coach, you are in a position to help everyone!

But that can also present its own set of challenges. You will have to choose your target audience wisely and market solely to them. How you market your niche to your target audience as a sleep coach will make all the difference.

As a first step, subscribe to the link to my free webinar mentioned in the last segment of this blog. Find out how you can begin your coaching career as a sleep coach.

While we can help you set up your business as a sleep coach, you will need to hone necessary skills and training. There are several paediatric institutes/hospitals that may allow you to sign up with them. You can also explore the Gentle Sleep Coach registry to find the clients you need as a sleep coach. From apps to gyms, there are several partnerships that you can explore as a sleep coach. But I would advise you to go for reputed employers who have a solid history of servicing clients.

Sleep Coach Market Opportunities

Given the current market situation, is there enough demand for a sleep coach?

Here are some facts and figures that indicate coaching is a growing industry. I have mentioned these statistics in my earlier blog posts as well. But these are relevant here as this sets the context in terms of what you can expect to earn as a sleep coach.

This post claims that the life coaching industry has crossed the $1 billion dollar mark. Here are some other things to remember:

• Average income for life coaches ranges from $27,100 to $73,100. Specialty coaches can charge more than $100,000 annually.
• More and more corporations are hiring life coaches instead of mental health counselors to work with employees (no stigma).

Executive coaches can earn a handsome salary too. Salaries start at $150 and can go up to $350 for most coaches. Executive coaches can also charge $1,000 per session.

As a sleep coach, you are already working with a very specific niche.

You may want to read more about niches in my blog The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Coaching Niche.

Do you wonder how you will get your brand name noticed? The coaching market is evolving and growing. But this means the competition is also getting tougher. You may want to refer to my blog How to promote your life coaching business? for tips on this.

What Qualities Do You Need as a Sleep Coach?

What are the qualities of a good sleep coach?

I have always felt that the fundamental reason for becoming a coach is to give back to others. That defines the core of who you are and what you do. This is irrespective of whether you are a life coach or a sleep coach.

But all good coaches, irrespective of their niche, share some common traits. I have written about these in detail in a few blogs. In my previous blog Top 10 Coaching Skills You Must Have as a Life Coach, I have mentioned several qualities. Some relevant qualities clients look for in a sleep coach are:

Being Non-judgemental

People react to stress in different ways. So do not get personal and pass judgment. Instead, listen attentively and understand what your client’s specific challenges are. Then, work together to build a realistic plan.

Being Realistic

As a coach, you need to manage your own and your client’s expectations. Validate their emotional or physical needs. You can help clients understand themselves by simply listening “effectively”. The journey towards the end will mean starting with small steps. Set out the guideline for your client at the beginning. Provide an estimate of how long it will take. And then set realistic goals every week or so.

Driving Accountability

Practice what you preach. You will be asking your clients to deal with their concerns and live a stress-free life. Model this whenever you can. Most clients who hire sleep coaches look for philosophies and value systems that mirror their own.

Being Available

At the end of your coaching session ask for a recommendation or reference. This however works both ways. Be available for your client even after the coaching engagement for a quick chat or advice. Your support will go a long way to ensure you future business.

These qualities are common for coaches across all coaching models.

There are several other qualities that make for a good coach. You may want to refer to my blog on 21 Coaching Skills Every Successful Coach Needs and Top Qualities Of A Successful Coach.

These qualities mentioned are helpful for every type of coach, including a sleep coach.

Are Clients Looking for Qualifications in a Sleep Coach?

All good coaches have some of the traits I have mentioned above. However, the most important trait is a desire to help people.

But are there certain specific degrees needed to practise as a sleep coach? No, not really. But it is always good to invest in yourself before asking others to invest in you.

Look for training courses that give you a head start in your career or relevant training. But apart from that there is no particular degree that you will be required to have unlike in the medical sector.

In most cases, your next client will come through recommendation or reference. Word of mouth goes a long way when it comes to choosing a sleep coach.

Is Certification A Must for a Sleep Coach?

Do you need to be certified as a sleep coach to get clients?

No, you do not!

I have written about this in my blog Do you need Coaching Certification in 2021?

Till now, the coaching industry is unregulated. This means anyone can claim to be a coach. Your experience, marketing skills and good client recommendations will decide how successful your coaching practice can be. If you are still learning how to become a coach, you can take some training courses to understand the industry better and to make connections.

Sign up for my launchpad and learn how to build a strong online presence and let it help you grow your business.

Additional Tips for a Sleep Coach

There are a few simple things you can do to offer more value to your clients. At a time when the world is facing global economic challenges, this is now more valuable than ever.

I have earlier written about how coaches can make higher profits. In my blog, How To Create And Sell World-Class Coaching Products?, I have mentioned some great products that you can offer. The point is you have to keep innovating on what your customer service offering will be.

Resources for a Sleep Coach

Knowledge and development is a continuous process for every successful professional. Keep reading research papers, opinion pieces and books to keep yourself updated. Also use technology to help you in your career as a sleep coach.

A simple Google search will show you several books and podcasts online. As a sleep coach, you may want to look up some of these.

Books to Read As A Sleep Coach

There are several books for you, if you are a sleep coach. I recommend you look through some of the titles and see which one is a good read for you.

Goodreads has a ready list here. Some of the books listed are:

• Holistic Sleep Coaching: Gentle Alternatives to Sleep Training for Health and Childcare Professionals by Lyndsey Hookway
• Become Your Child’s Sleep Coach: The Bedtime Doctor’s 5-Step Guide, Ages 3-10 by Lynelle Schneeberg
• The Sleep Coach by Sarah Jane Arnold
• Sleep Coaching – Scientifically proven methods for curing insomnia and enjoying refreshing sleep, night after glorious night by Benjamin Kramer
• Lifestyle Counselling and Coaching of the Whole Person: Or how to integrate nutritional insights, physical exercise and sleep coaching into talk therapy by Jim Byrne, Charles Saul (Cover Design), Renata Taylor-Byrne (Contributor)
• The Baby Sleep Coach Book: How to Easily Get Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night and Nap During the Day in Seven Simple Steps by Heather Pizzo
• A Pocket Coach: The Sleep Coach by Sarah Jane Arnold
• Sleep: Schlafen wie die Profis – Das Buch vom Schlaf-Coach internationaler Spitzensportler – by Nick Littlehales, Henriette Zeltner (Translator)
• Empowering Youth with ADHD: Your Guide to Coaching Adolescents and Young Adults for Coaches, Parents, and Professionals by Jodi Sleeper-Triplett
• Baby S.T.E.P.S. To Better Sleep: How to gently coach your child to peaceful naps and rested nights by Nicole Johnson

Some common coaching books clients look up are listed here.

Podcasts and Videos for A Sleep Coach

There are several YouTube videos and podcasts relevant for you as a sleep coach.

I have listed some of them below.

Some podcasts are available here and here and here. Another is listed here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)