Kajabi Coaching UPDATE: Boost Your Engagement and Retention

I want to walk you through the major updates to Kajabi's coaching products, specifically the new template feature that completely changes how you can customize your client experience. Kajabi has introduced coaching templates similar to what's already available for websites, courses, and landing pages, giving you much more control over design and functionality.

In this guide, I'm going to show you exactly how to access these new templates, implement them in your coaching packages, and customize them to create the best possible experience for your clients. The coaching product has always been one of my favorite features in Kajabi because it's not retroactive, meaning you can add or modify sessions without affecting existing clients. Now with these template options, you have even more flexibility to build out professional-looking coaching packages that align with your brand and improve client engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Kajabi coaching products now include customizable templates that allow you to design your coaching experience similar to website and course builders
• The coaching product remains non-retroactive, so you can modify sessions for new clients without affecting existing client libraries
• New features include upsell buttons after sessions, improved layouts with sidebars, and the ability to export templates for use across accounts

Accessing Coaching Templates in Kajabi

Navigating to the Coaching Product

To access the new coaching templates, you need to navigate to Products and then select Coaching from your Kajabi dashboard. From there, you can select the specific coaching package you want to work with.

I selected my private coaching package, which is a one-to-one setup that I've built out and used multiple times. Once you're inside your chosen coaching package, you'll see the new coaching template options available.

The coaching product has a key advantage: it is not retroactive. This means you can build out all the sessions and give the link to someone to purchase. Their sessions will show in their library once they purchase. You can then come back in and add more sessions for your next client without affecting the first client's library.

When the second client purchases, it will populate with whatever the package looks like at the time of purchase. This is different from other products like courses, which are retroactive.

Selecting the Appropriate Package

Once you're viewing your coaching package, scroll down to the settings section to access the template options. You'll see a section labeled Coaching Templates where you can view and select different template styles.

For existing packages, you may see a legacy template currently in play. You can click to preview what that looks like and compare it to the new template options.

The legacy template is quite basic but functional. It allows clients to:

• Add and schedule sessions
• View recordings
• Access coach's notes and their own notes
• Review resources, links, or downloads added to sessions

The updated template has a different layout with a sidebar on the left and all sessions listed there. The structure is similar to the legacy template, but the build is significantly different.

To customize the new coaching template, click Customize and it will open like a landing page or website page. If you're used to building out pages or website themes, you'll know how to navigate this builder since it's built in line with the new builder.

You can browse popular templates by looking at the available options, though this is a new feature. You also have the option to export templates as a zip file to send to another account, sell, or give to clients to upload into their own Kajabi.

Differences Between Legacy and Updated Coaching Templates

Design and Layout Comparisons

I've popped out both templates to show you the differences. The legacy template is quite basic, but I quite liked it in terms of you could still use this now. It's really simple - clients can go in, add a session, schedule the session, and they can see any recordings, any notes you've made, any notes that they've made, and then any resources, links, or downloads that you've added to this session.

The updated templates have a layout that is a little bit different. They've got a sidebar down the left and all the sessions displayed there. You can then click in. The structure is pretty much the same, but the build is so different.

When I click customize on the new coaching template, it just looks like a landing page or a website page. If you are used to building out pages or any website themes, then you know pretty much how to navigate this builder. It is built out in line with the new builder.

I like to put a little bit of a gray background so the sessions actually stand out. I've got down at the end where I've included that buy more sessions option so they can just buy more add these in at the time of their choosing and click purchase. That's also available up at the top as well.

I've also put in Kajabi unboxed so if they needed more Kajabi how-tos they can just click here. I've just put in my social handles - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

You can pretty much do whatever you want in terms of building this out kind of like the page builder. You can add in different sections wherever you like. I quite like to keep things simple and keep things neat and tidy. I probably wouldn't build out too much on this page because at the end of the day, what is the aim of this page or this coaching package is to get them to navigate where the next session is and then schedule it or go and join it or actually refer to previous sessions that have had links, downloads, or if they wanted to rewatch anything to take action on something specific.

Key features I added:

• Gray background to make sessions pop
• Buy more sessions buttons (at end and top)
• Social media handles
• Kajabi unboxed link for additional support
• Session scheduling interface
• Coach's notes, shared notes, and my notes sections

Understanding Non-Retroactive Functionality

The coaching product is not retroactive. That means that you can build out all the sessions, give the link to the offer to someone to purchase, then their sessions will show in their library once they purchase. Then you can come back in here, add some more sessions.

Say if your next client needed nine sessions or even 12 sessions, you can add those here and it won't affect the actual library of the first individual. And then when the second client purchases, it will populate with whatever this package looks like at the time of purchase.

It's not retroactive unlike other products such as courses. So once you understand that, you can use this coaching package or coaching product time and time again. This is one of my favorite products in the Kajabi suite.

Customizing the Coaching Experience

Adjusting Visual Elements

I like to add a gray background to make the sessions stand out from the page. This simple change helps visual elements pop and improves the overall appearance of the coaching portal.

When customizing the template, I click through each section to adjust the background colors. I work through the coaching program view, then the coaching session view, and finally the coaching search view. Each section needs its own background adjustment to maintain consistency.

The customization interface works just like the page builder for landing pages and websites. I can click on any element to modify colors, layouts, and styling options. I always hit the preview button to see how changes appear to clients before saving.

Key areas to customize:

• Background colors for main program view
• Session card backgrounds
• Button colors and styles
• Text colors and fonts
• Sidebar elements

I keep things simple and neat. The aim of the coaching package is to help clients navigate to their next session, schedule it, or refer back to previous sessions for links, downloads, or recordings.

Integrating Social Media Links

I've added my social handles to the coaching portal footer. I included Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn links so clients can connect with me across platforms.

The social media section sits at the bottom of the main program view. Clients can click these links at any time while navigating their coaching sessions.

I also added a link to Kajabi Unboxed, my free program. If clients get stuck building out their homepage or sales page, they can cross-reference this resource without leaving the coaching portal.

Brand Consistency Across Sessions

I make sure to set up my style guide in the settings before customizing individual elements. This ensures my fabricons and brand colors apply consistently across all sections.

I work through each template view systematically:

1. Coaching program template
2. Coaching session template
3. Coaching search template

Each template requires separate background and styling adjustments. I apply the same gray background across all views to maintain visual consistency.

The buttons throughout the portal need to align with my branding. I edit button colors in each section to match my brand palette. This creates a cohesive experience as clients move between scheduling sessions, viewing recordings, and accessing notes.

I only add sections that provide value. Adding elements just for the sake of it clutters the interface and distracts from the main purpose of the coaching package.

Enhancing Client Engagement

Implementing Upsells and Session Add-Ons

The coaching product now includes upsell functionality that prompts clients after they complete their sessions or packages. You can toggle these features on or off in the settings.

I've enabled the "buy more sessions" option, which appears in two locations for my clients. One button displays at the bottom of the page when they reach the end of their sessions. Another appears at the top of the coaching portal for easy access at any time during their choosing.

When clients click the purchase button, they can immediately add more sessions to their package. This creates a seamless experience for clients who want to continue working together without leaving the platform.

Utilizing Live Video and Recordings

I suggest using the Kajabi live video feature for conducting sessions. There's a specific toggle in the settings that I always turn on: Live recordings are automatically uploaded to the portal.

This means the video hosting area serves two purposes. If a session hasn't occurred yet, this is where the live video will be hosted. If the session has already passed, this is where the recording appears for the client to reference.

Clients can access previous sessions to rewatch content or take action on something specific. All recordings remain in the portal alongside the coaches notes, shared notes, and any resources attached to that session.

Promoting Resource Accessibility

I like to keep things simple and neat in the coaching portal. The primary aim is to help clients navigate to their next session and schedule it, join it, or refer back to previous sessions.

Each session includes several key elements:

• Schedule a session - for booking upcoming appointments
• Coaches notes - my notes for the client
• Shared notes - collaborative notes
• My notes - client's personal notes
• Links and downloads attached to specific sessions

I've also added direct links to supplementary resources. I included Kajabi Unboxed as a free program reference. If clients get stuck building out their homepage or sales page, they can cross-reference this resource without scheduling another session.

At the bottom of the portal, I've added my social handles including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. This makes it easy for clients to connect with me on different platforms.

The search functionality allows clients to find specific sessions quickly. If they need to locate session four or any session by name, they can search and go straight to that content.

Template Management and Sharing Options

Exporting and Importing Template Files

You can export your coaching template as a zip file. This gives you options to send it over to another account or share it with others.

The export feature works simply. Once you've customized your coaching template, you have the ability to export it as a zip file from the settings area.

You can use these exported files in multiple ways:

• Send the template to another Kajabi account
• Sell the template to other coaches
• Give it to a client to upload into their Kajabi
• Share it with team members or collaborators

The import process allows anyone with the zip file to upload it into their own Kajabi account. This means they can use your exact design and structure without having to rebuild everything from scratch.

Collaboration and Client Use Cases

The coaching product gives you far more options now with how templates are put together. You can share your customized designs with others who need similar coaching structures.

When you give a template to a client, they can upload it directly into their Kajabi. This is particularly useful if you're setting up coaching programs for multiple clients or want to maintain consistent branding across different accounts.

I've found this feature valuable because you can build out a coaching package once and reuse it. You can customize the look and feel of the design, then share that exact setup with others.

The template sharing works well for agencies or coaches who manage multiple accounts. You build your preferred structure, export it, and deploy it across different client accounts without rebuilding each time.

Remember that the coaching product is not retroactive. When you share a template with someone and they use it to create their coaching package, any changes you make to your original won't affect theirs once it's been imported and set up in their account.

Optimizing User Workflow

Previewing as a Student

I always recommend adding yourself as a student to any coaching sessions or packages you sell. This allows you to actually go through and see the package from your customer's perspective.

At any time during the customization process, you can hit the preview button to see exactly how your customers or students will experience the package. This preview function is essential for quality control before making your coaching product live.

Going through the package as a student helps you identify any issues with navigation, styling, or functionality that you might not notice from the admin side. This perspective check ensures your clients will have the smoothest possible experience when accessing their sessions and materials.

Adjusting the Style Guide

Before you start customizing your coaching template, navigate to settings and make sure all of your style guide elements are properly configured. Your favicons should be uploaded and your brand colors should be set in the style guide.

When customizing the template, I like to add a gray background so the session elements stand out more clearly. You can adjust background colors throughout the template to make sure important elements pop visually.

I prefer keeping things simple and neat. Don't add sections just for the sake of adding sections. The primary aim of the coaching package page is to help clients navigate to their next session, schedule it, join it, or refer back to previous sessions for links, downloads, or recordings.

You can customize various elements including:

• Social media handles (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn)
• Button colors to match your branding
• Background colors for different sections
• Session layout and structure

The template builder works similarly to the page builder, so if you're familiar with building out pages or website themes, you'll know how to navigate this builder. You can add different sections wherever you like, though I recommend focusing on functionality over excessive design elements.

Final Thoughts

I've set this to the live active template. As you can see now, when you browse popular templates, there's only one template available. This shows how brand new this feature is, but I'm sure soon there'll be more templates that you can work on, download, and use.

You can actually export this as a zip, send it over to another account, sell it, give it to somebody else, or give it to a client to upload into their Kajabi. You have far more options now with this coaching product, especially how this template, the look and feel, and how this design is put together.

Key Points to Remember:

• Just go in and have a look at all the different sections
• Remember to go to settings as well
• If you haven't set your style guide, make sure all of your style is up there and your favicons are in
• Add only whatever you feel will add value
• Don't just start adding sections for sections sake

At any time, just hit the preview button and then you'll see it how your customers or students will see this package.

Top Tip: I would always add myself as a student to any of these sessions or coaching packages that you sell just so you can actually go through and see it from your customer's perspective.

Hopefully, you found value in this training and you can identify something that you can take action on. As a reminder, I can get you an extended 30-day trial.