You’ve built a thriving coaching practice. Your clients love the transformations you help them achieve. But lately, you’ve been wondering if there’s a way to expand your expertise and reach even more people.
Enter etiquette coaching.
Maybe you’ve noticed clients struggling with professional relationships. Or perhaps you’ve seen parents desperately seeking help for their children’s social skills. Either way, you’re curious about adding etiquette certification training to your coaching toolkit.
But where do you even start? What certifications are worth pursuing? And how much can you actually earn as an etiquette coach?
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a certified etiquette coach and whether an etiquette coach certification is the right next step for your coaching business.
What is an Etiquette Coach?
An etiquette coach helps individuals and groups navigate social and professional situations with confidence and grace. But this role goes far beyond teaching which fork to use at a formal dinner.
As a certified etiquette consultant, you’ll teach people the social skills they need to succeed in both business and personal settings. Your clients will learn how to:
- Communicate effectively
- Build lasting relationships
- Present themselves as polished professionals in any situation
Some etiquette coaches work with children and teenagers to help them develop the social foundations for future success. Others focus on adults who want to refine their professional presence or feel more comfortable in social settings.
You might choose to offer:
- One-on-one coaching sessions
- Group workshops
- Comprehensive training programs
- Etiquette consulting
Many etiquette coaches also specialize in specific areas like:
- Business etiquette
- Dining protocols
- International customs
- Communication skills
- Wedding etiquette
Who hires etiquette coaches and why
The market for etiquette instructors is more diverse than you might expect. Here’s who might be seeking these services:
- Businesses and corporations hire etiquette coaches to train their teams on workplace professionalism, cross-cultural communication, and customer service excellence
- Parents invest in etiquette coaching for their children
- Job seekers and young professionals work with etiquette coaches to polish their interview skills, networking abilities, and professional presence
- Public figures, including politicians, executives, and emerging leaders seek etiquette coaching to refine their public image and communication skills
- International professionals hire etiquette coaches to navigate cultural differences in business settings
But don’t let the above limit you. Almost anyone from all walks of life may want to hire an etiquette coach.
The value proposition of etiquette coaching services
What makes etiquette coaching so valuable to clients? It’s all about the transformation you provide, including:
- Increased confidence in social and professional situations
- Better relationships when people understand how to communicate respectfully and read social cues effectively
- Career advancement becomes more achievable when clients master professional etiquette
- Reduced social anxiety when clients have a framework for handling unfamiliar situations
- Cultural competence that allows clients to work effectively across cultural boundaries
Knowing proper etiquette can be so much more than just good manners.
And becoming an etiquette coach, especially with your own business, takes more than just a certification. Coaching businesses have a ton of moving pieces, but Paperbell makes it easier than ever to manage it all in one place. Click here to try it for free and get your own beautiful coaching website.
4 Reasons to Become An Etiquette Coach
Thinking about adding etiquette coaching to your practice? Here are four compelling reasons to take the leap.
1. You’ll diversify your income streams.
Adding etiquette coaching to your existing practice creates new revenue opportunities without starting from scratch.
You can offer specialized workshops, corporate training packages, or premium one-on-one sessions that complement your current services.
This diversification also protects your business during economic shifts when clients might cut back on one type of coaching but increase investment in another.
2. You’ll make a visible, immediate impact.
Unlike some coaching niches where progress happens slowly over time, etiquette coaching often produces quick, noticeable results.
A client who learns proper dining etiquette can immediately use those skills at their next business lunch. Children who master introduction skills can practice them right away.
This immediate application creates happy clients who see real value in your services.
3. The work offers incredible variety.
One day, you might teach executives how to navigate international business dinners. The next, you could run a workshop for teenagers on professional communication.
This variety keeps your work engaging and allows you to develop expertise across multiple areas. You’ll never feel stuck in a routine.
4. You can leverage your existing coaching skills.
Your current coaching skills and coaching certifications will transfer beautifully to etiquette coaching. You already know how to create safe learning environments, guide behavior change, and help clients overcome limiting beliefs.
Etiquette coaching just adds a new framework to skills you’ve already mastered.
Best Etiquette Certifications: Your Options Explored
Ready to pursue coaching certification for etiquette consulting? Let’s explore the top programs available for aspiring etiquette coaches:
This self-directed online course covers the fundamentals of etiquette consulting, from business and dining etiquette to starting your own consulting practice. It’s for coaches who want to add etiquette expertise to their service offerings or launch a specialized etiquette business.
Cost: $189 (regular price $377, includes textbook, faculty support, and certificate)
Duration: 6 weeks part-time (flexible completion from 4-12 weeks)
Many students appreciate how quickly they can complete the course. As one graduate shared:
“I loved it, it was a quick and easy process. I finished it in a week and got my certification two days after.” -Anjnea Merritt
This comprehensive etiquette teacher training program is designed for coaches who want to become certified etiquette instructors and build their own etiquette teaching businesses. Developed by renowned experts from The English Manner and Beaumont Etiquette, it covers everything from dining etiquette to business protocol with monthly module releases and live webinars.
Cost: $5,660 (includes training manual, teaching materials, and six months of online tuition)
Duration: 6 months online with monthly module releases
Many graduates credit the course with not just practical skills, but also a major boost in confidence. As one participant put it:
“I have started teaching my first etiquette course for children. Thank you not only for the knowledge but also for the confidence you have instilled in me.” – Renee
This intensive three-day program from Carleton University combines social etiquette training with diplomatic protocol education and covers everything from international networking and dining etiquette to the formal rules governing diplomatic meetings and exchanges.
It’s designed for professionals working in international affairs, government, or corporate settings that require diplomatic expertise.
Cost: $950 + HST (alumni rate $900 + HST, student rate $450 + HST)
Duration: 3 days (offered twice yearly in fall and winter)
This five-day certification program trains coaches to deliver international protocol business etiquette consulting across six continents, with expertise in cross-cultural communication and executive image for over 180 countries. The program includes comprehensive trainer materials, PowerPoint presentations, and licensing to deliver their full curriculum, including flagship courses like “The Polished Global Professional.”
Cost: £5,695 + VAT
Duration: 5 days (offered in-person in England/France or online, with multiple dates throughout 2025)
This specialized certification program focuses exclusively on teaching etiquette skills to children from Pre-K through high school and provides over 1,000 pages of curriculum and complete business setup resources.
Created by Lisa Richey, the program includes everything needed to launch a children’s etiquette consulting business, from lesson plans and marketing materials to legal forms and contract templates.
Cost: $2,900 for video training package, $6,400 for 2-day in-person training (both include 3-year license and 1-year ongoing support)
Duration: 6 one-hour private sessions plus curriculum materials (delivered via video calls or 2-day intensive in-person training)
Students often describe this training as unexpectedly comprehensive and empowering. One graduate shared:
“It was like finding a treasure trove of “what-to-do(s)” and “how-to-do(s)” on manners for children. It was more that I could have imagined finding. It is, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have ever made. In receiving my MTG training, Lisa provided every tool and resource needed to become a successful MTG Consultant!” -Lindafaye N.
Case Study of a Real Etiquette Coach
Lisa Richey, who created the above Manners To Go Etiquette Training Certification, is a great case study of what your journey could look like as an etiquette coach.
Lisa’s journey to etiquette coaching started unexpectedly in high school when she met a mother who ran a charm school for girls while working at a children’s clothing store. After spending 15 years in corporate roles at companies like Speedo and Levi Strauss, a business coach’s simple question about what she’d do outside of corporate life sparked her entrepreneurial journey.
Lisa initially explored other business ideas but realized teaching manners aligned with her passion for helping children succeed. She started small by teaching classes on weekends while keeping her corporate job, and gradually built her business into a comprehensive curriculum now used worldwide.
Today, her products have been sold at Neiman Marcus, and her curriculum is taught globally through licensed instructors.
Here’s what I think you should take away from Lisa’s path:
Start where you are, let your business evolve naturally, and choose something you’re genuinely passionate about, since that enthusiasm will carry you through the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.
How to Start an Etiquette Coaching Package
Wondering how to become an etiquette coach? Once you’ve earned your certification, it’s time to create coaching packages to help you get your first clients.
Creating your etiquette coaching packages and services
Start by defining clear outcomes for each package when you’re brainstorming your business plan.
Instead of just listing topics covered, focus on the transformation clients will experience. You should also consider offering different package levels to meet various needs and budgets.
Here’s an example: Julie Blais Comeau, who offers executive etiquette coaching, offers twelve “themes” as a starting point in her coaching packages:
Some of her themes include, but aren’t limited to:
- Adapting to diversity
- Dress for your client
- Civility in the workspace
- Afternoon tea etiquette
- Bias awareness
These are super specific and it’s easy to know what to expect.
Setting your rates
Etiquette coaching rates vary widely based on location, experience, and target market.
New coaches typically charge $100-200 per session, but the more experience you get, the higher you can charge. For example, Manners with Kristina charges £290 for an online 90-minute session, and £490 for in-person sessions.
The more testimonials, case studies, and credentials you have, the easier it will be to charge high-end rates for your coaching packages.
Using Paperbell to streamline your etiquette coaching practice
Setting up your etiquette coaching business doesn’t require complex tech. With Paperbell, you can launch your entire practice in one afternoon!
Start by creating packages for your different etiquette coaching services. For instance, you might offer a “Children’s Social Skills” package for parents or an “Executive Presence” package for professionals. All your packages will appear under the “Packages” menu.
Next, set your availability on the calendar. You can set global availability or customize your availability per package.
Include testimonials from your certification training or early clients to build credibility. Then, create intake forms that gather important information about clients’ specific etiquette concerns and goals.
Once everything is set up, launch your Paperbell website and share it across your social media channels. Your entire etiquette coaching business now lives in one professional space where clients can learn about your services, book sessions, and pay automatically.
Building credibility in the etiquette coaching space
Credibility matters a ton in etiquette coaching. Clients need to trust that you genuinely understand proper protocols and can teach them effectively. Beyond your certification, consider these credibility builders:
- Share your own etiquette journey and why you’re passionate about this work
- Write blog posts addressing common etiquette dilemmas your target clients face
- Offer free mini-workshops to local organizations to showcase your expertise
- Partner with complementary businesses like image consultants or career coaches for referrals
Most importantly, practice what you preach. Your own polished presence and gracious manner serve as the best advertisement for your services.
FAQs About Etiquette Certification
How to get certified as an etiquette coach?
Pick a certification program that aligns with your goals and complete the required training. Most programs offer online options lasting 4 weeks to 6 months. You’ll study etiquette principles, practice teaching techniques, and often complete assessments.
How much does an etiquette coach make?
Earnings vary based on experience, location, and specialty. New etiquette coaches can charge as much as $100-$200 per session, but more experienced coaches can increase their rates according to demand.
Can I specialize in a specific area of etiquette?
Yes, many successful etiquette coaches specialize in areas like children’s social skills, business etiquette, international etiquette, or dining etiquette. Specializing helps you become known as an expert and often allows you to charge premium rates.
Do I need prior coaching experience to become an etiquette coach?
While prior coaching experience helps, it’s not required. Many successful etiquette coaches come from corporate, education, or hospitality backgrounds. What matters most is your commitment to learning proper etiquette principles and developing strong teaching skills.
Get Certified As An Etiquette Coach Today
Ready to add etiquette coaching to your practice? Consider your choices of certification and pick based on your current circumstances.
Whether you dream of teaching children essential social skills or helping executives master international business protocols, etiquette certification training opens doors to meaningful work that transforms lives. When you’re ready to take that leap, remember to claim your free coaching website by trying Paperbell for free.
