How do you become a vocal coach? 

Vocal coaching can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. Plus, you can create a lot of freedom and flexibility in your own life.

And here, you’ll learn how to become a successful vocal coach.

Want to learn more? Let’s go!

What is a vocal coach?

A vocal coach, also known as a voice coach, singing coach, or vocal instructor, is a skilled professional who uses vocal training to guide and train clients to:

• Improve their vocal abilities 
• Expand their vocal range and use different vocal styles 
• Enhance their overall performance

Basically, as a vocal coach, you help your clients use their voice to its fullest potential. You could be teaching singing techniques, vocal skills, or even musical instruments. 

As a vocal coach, you shape the careers of singers, actors, public speakers, and other performers. For example, you might help: 

• Actors add voice acting to their skillset 
• CEOs become better communicators 
• Public speakers hold more effective speeches 
• Hobby singers improve their voice 

But what’s the difference between voice teachers and vocal coaches?

Well, what sets them apart is that a voice teacher primarily focuses on vocal techniques and music theory.

A vocal coach, on the other hand, goes beyond merely teaching the technical aspects of singing, also known as ‘voice pedagogy’.

Both professionals teach clients how to sing and use their voice, but they go about it in very different ways.

A vocal coach works with clients to overcome different aspects of performing. 

And for most people who want voice training, this makes a lot of sense. 

After all, speaking or singing is about much more than producing beautiful sounds.

Other aspects are:

• Performance skills
• Stage presence
• Emotional connection with the audience
• Confidence

That’s what you, as a vocal coach, will help your clients with.

What does a vocal coach do?

How do you help your clients as a vocal coach? 

For example, you support them with: 

• Goal setting: Help set realistic and achievable goals by breaking them down into manageable steps
• Developing vocal technique: Support clients in refining their breathing, posture, vocal range, tone, articulation, and other aspects of singing technique
• Performance enhancement: Assist in enhancing stage presence and expression
• Accountability training: Increase accountability through regular check-ins
• Repertoire selection: Help choose suitable songs and assist clients in building a diverse repertoire that showcases their vocal strengths
• Overcoming challenges: Help clients achieve consistent progress despite their challenges 
• Confidence coaching: Work with your clients to improve their confidence and charisma  

What qualifications do you need to be a vocal coach?

What certifications do you need to become a vocal coach?

You don’t necessarily need any. 

Voice coaching is an unregulated profession. And so is the certification industry. 

To be a successful vocal instructor, experience and results matter more than certifications.

After all, your clients ultimately care about how you can help them get to where they want to go. 

For example, if you’ve successfully worked as a singing teacher or music teacher, you have the skills to coach. 

However, if you want to get certified, make sure you pick a program that’s well-known in the industry and/or is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). ICF is the organization that comes the closest to being a regulatory body in the coaching industry.

• Voice Teacher Training & Certification: This program is a highly reviewed and established program, although it isn’t ICF-certified.
• Vocal Pedagogy Certificate (ASU): The program by Arizona State University is open to students who have completed, at a minimum, an associate music degree or a related field.

How much do voice coaches make?

What can you earn as a vocal coach? ICF’s newest study reveals that coaches earn on average $67,800.

Now, keep in mind that these are based on coaches who work part-time. And this study didn’t focus on vocal coaches. If you start your own business, you can grow your income to the level you want. 

Because you sell one-on-one services, you can ask for a higher rate than if you sell other types of services. On average, coaches make $100-$150 per hour. 

So getting to six figures and beyond is very doable. (Just like plenty of my own clients have done in various niches.) 

The thing is: 

Once you’ve sold out your private coaching (typically, at about 10 clients), you can continue with group coaching and/or online courses. 

But is the market too saturated? 

Can you stand out as a voice coach? 

Let’s take a look. 

Are vocal coaches in demand?

Zippia reports that demand for voice coaches is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028. 

Overall, the coaching industry is growing, so more people are opening up to hiring a coach. At the same time, industries that need voice coaching are on the rise, too. Think: YouTubers, creators, podcasters, and business owners promoting themselves online. 

But how do you become a voice coach? That’s what we’ll look at next. 

How do you market yourself as a vocal coach? (5 crucial steps)

Now you know what a vocal coach does. 

But how do you start and grow your vocal coaching business?’

Here’s what you need to know. 

Step one: Define your niche

Defining your nice involves two main questions:

• Who do you want to work with?
• What sets you apart from the rest?

Target audience

Start by considering the specific audience you want to target. 

Do you want to work with aspiring voice actors, pop stars, Broadway performers, or classical vocalists?

Each genre of music presents unique challenges and requires specialized techniques.

Or you could work with CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and other professionals who want to improve their public speaking skills. 

Also, keep in mind your audience’s willingness and ability to invest in their vocal journey. Most recent college graduates probably don’t have the means to invest in vocal coaching. But many CEOs do. 

I’d like to add that although narrowing your focus can at first feel like you’re limiting your opportunities, soon enough, you’ll be reaping the benefits.

By honing in on a specific audience, you position yourself as an expert who understands your clients’ unique needs.

It allows you to deliver amazing value.

And it generally leads to more satisfied customers and a much higher earning potential.

(Think about it. You’re more likely to buy coaching from someone who talks specifically to your situation, whether that’s a health coach, a business coach, or some other type of coach.) 

Setting yourself apart

Something a lot of new coaches wonder is…

“Why would a client pick me over all the other coaches?” 

Your “secret sauce” is the secret ingredient that will make your voice coaching stand out in the market.

So, take some time to identify your unique approach.

For example, you might have a specific technique you teach. Or you focus on confidence first to help people improve their voice.

Step two: Create your coaching offer

Next, let’s create an irresistible coaching offer.

This step involves two main tasks:

• Deciding what will be included
• Picking a pricing that works for you

What should be included in your vocal coaching offer?

The most important part of your offer is:

What results does your coaching help your clients get? 

That transformation they go through is THE reason people buy your program. 

But you also need to decide on the features. Some things to consider:

• Will it be one-on-one vocal lessons, group workshops, or a combination of both? 
• How long will each coaching call last?
• How often will coaching sessions be held?
• What additional resources will you provide? Think of practice materials, vocal exercises, or performance opportunities.

What pricing strategy should you use for your vocal coaching package?

Determine how you’ll structure your fees.

Will you charge per session, per month, or offer specific packages?

A quick tip: I always suggest working with packages!

Package pricing positions your coaching based on what your clients achieve, instead of what your time is supposedly worth.

Here are some factors that play a role when picking a price:

• The market rates
• Your level of expertise
• The value you provide

With these aspects in mind, determine a profitable pricing strategy.

I tend to recommend starting out with three-month coaching packages at a rate of $1,500.

This allows you to make a good income from the get-go, while you’re still gaining more experience.

Step three: Set up your business with these 3 must-have tools

You know what makes you unique, who you’re targeting, and what you’ll offer them.

Now, it’s time to set up your business!

Here are tools to streamline the process.

1. Calendly

Start with Calendly to schedule sales discovery and coaching calls. Calendly lets you share your personalized scheduling link, and clients can choose a convenient time slot from your availability. 

The basic version is free and incredibly easy to use.

2. Skype or Zoom

For video tools, I recommend Skype or Zoom.

Both platforms let you conduct one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and even remote rehearsals.

3. PayPal or Stripe

To get paid securely and effortlessly, I recommend PayPal or Stripe.

Both tools allow you to send invoices, and you can also create recurring payments.

Step four: Get your first vocal coaching clients

How do you get your first paying coaching clients? 

These strategies work for new coaches.

Social media 

One of the best places to talk to your audience is social media. On what platform does your audience spend their time? That’s where you can build relationships with them.

Leverage your network

Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who might be interested in voice coaching or can refer you to potential clients.

Podcasts

There are tons of podcasts out there with existing audiences. You can tap into those audiences by getting interviewed on those podcasts. After all, you DO have valuable insights to share and by getting in front of people who are your ideal clients for half an hour or an hour on a podcast, you build your reputation in the industry. 

Want more strategies? Watch this short video: 

Step five: Scale your business

Finally, once you’re at the point where you’re tapped out with one-on-one clients, you can move on to scaling your coaching business. 

For this, I highly recommend creating group programs!

This allows you to work with multiple clients simultaneously. That means: You grow your revenue AND have a bigger impact.  How do you become a great voice coach?

Now you know how to grow your voice coaching business. But how do you coach? That’s what we’ll look at next. 

Hold a coaching session 

Not sure how to hold great coaching sessions? 

I’ve been there. 

For my first calls, I was so nervous that I ended up overpreparing immensely. I prepped for hours at a time and wrote down exactly what I was going to say.

Word for word.

Luckily, this nervousness reduces with each client you meet. (Also speaking from experience.)

Over time, you develop a sense of what questions will arise, how to structure your calls, and what supporting materials you may need.

Your coaching becomes more fluid and intuitive.

Until one day, you find yourself confidently hopping on coaching calls without the need for extensive prepping.

Before your first call 

It can be tempting to create elaborate websites, PDFs, or other materials before your first vocal coach lessons.

But I’d like to recommend something more valuable and practical: A welcome questionnaire.

Here’s why:

• A comprehensive overview: You can better prepare yourself as you’ll have a clearer view of the specific areas your client wants to focus on.
• Efficient use of session time: Maximize the effectiveness of your coaching sessions by diving straight into addressing your client’s concerns. This saves precious time and energy.
• Personalized coaching experience: Through these questions, you show that you genuinely care about your client’s unique circumstances. You can also tailor your coaching approach to their individual goals and create a customized roadmap for their progress.

During your calls 

Each coaching call should have a clear goal aligned with your client’s overall objective.

For example, let’s say your client’s goal is to improve their singing technique. You’d divide that goal into monthly subgoals. Then, each session has its own goal: 

• In one coaching session, you might focus on breath control and proper posture as a subgoal.
• In the next session, you could delve into vocal resonance and tone production.
• In another session, you may concentrate on expanding vocal range and performance skills.

Here’s an example breakdown:

Month #1: Establishing a strong foundation

During this month, you work on fundamental vocal techniques such as proper breath support, posture, and vocal warm-up exercises.

Month #2: Refining vocal techniques

In the second month, focus on refining specific vocal techniques. This may involve exploring resonance, articulation, diction, vibrato, or other stylistic elements that contribute to their unique vocal style.

Month #3: Expressiveness and performance

In the final month, shift the focus towards developing expressive qualities and performance skills. Help your client connect emotionally with the lyrics to deliver better performances.

These monthly milestones ensure a gradual, but long-lasting improvement that’s easier to keep track of.

After your calls 

Coaching is just as much about what happens during sessions as what happens after!

Remember, the success of your clients is a testament to your effectiveness as a vocal instructor.

By supporting them beyond the coaching sessions and delivering lasting value, you become a trusted guide.

For example, I always send my clients a recording of our coaching session. 

This way, they can revisit the insights and techniques whenever they need a refresher.

Are you ready to start building your vocal coaching business?

There you have it. You now know how to become a vocal coach (with or without a degree)!

Vocal coaching is all about helping people use their voice in the right way. 

By helping your clients get results, you increase your own impact. And it’s through their progress and glowing testimonials that your coaching business will thrive and expand.

But how do you get to that point? 

Here’s how to build your six-figure vocal coaching business: 

Read more: 

How to Become a Coach

Guide to Selling Coaching

How to Get Coaching Clients