Every business guide said group coaching scales better. The math looked obvious: one hour with six people at €30 each beats one person at €60.
I ran a six-week group program with eight participants at €180 each. Total revenue: €1,440 for 12 hours of facilitation, plus 8 hours building curriculum and managing logistics. That is €72 per hour before expenses.
Individual sessions had simpler economics
One-on-one coaching at €75 per session required no curriculum development, no group management, and no coordination beyond single-person scheduling. Twenty sessions monthly generated €1,500 for 20 hours of work, or €75 per hour with minimal overhead.
The group model needed six participants minimum to match individual session income. Getting six people to commit to the same schedule took three times longer than filling individual slots.
What I learned: group coaching scales only after you have consistent demand. Before that point, the preparation time and coordination costs make it less efficient than the math suggests.
For budget-focused coaches, individual sessions provide steadier income with lower upfront investment. Groups become worthwhile once you have a waitlist, not before.