5 Nonnegotiables to Include in a Contract
A good contract positions your coaching business for growth by creating opportunity and defending against unforeseen threats. Use your contracts to clearly define expectations for members of your coaching team.
Mike Ricci shared some of the mistakes he made in the early years of building his coaching business, many of which came to be incorporated into the contract he offers any member of his coaching team.
- Everyone who works with you should have a contract.
Even if they are your friend or sibling, have a contract. - Lay out specifics beyond the commission and fees.
What certifications are needed? How much will coaches get paid for extra events such as camps or clinics? What books should be read? - Include a clear standard for branding.
This includes what coaches wear at events and how they sign emails. - Communicate expectations for coaching, training, and philosophy.
It all has to be on brand. Some coaches will bring a different methodology, but it needs to be understood. - Set guidelines for athlete communication.
Specify how quickly coaches need to reply to athletes—1 hour, 24 hours, 2 days, etc. It’s also important that coaches agree to adhere to the terms of the athlete’s agreement with regard to coach-athlete communication. If the fee the athlete is paying includes a monthly phone call, the coach needs to ask the athlete to upgrade if they want more service.