Congratulations on choosing Stronghold CRM for your coaching practice! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to get started, from initial setup to scheduling your first client session.
Step 1: Complete Your Profile
Your first task after logging in is to complete your coach profile. This information appears on client-facing pages like your booking page and proposals. Navigate to Settings and fill in:
- Your name and professional title
- Practice name and contact information
- Bio and specialty areas
- Business hours (used for scheduling)
- Session types and pricing
Step 2: Add Your First Client
Click the Clients tab and select "Add Client." You only need a first name to get started, though we recommend adding:
- Full name and email address
- Phone number (for SMS features)
- Any initial notes about the client
Once added, Stronghold generates a unique portal link you can send to your client. This allows them to complete assessments, view resources, and manage their appointments.
Step 3: Send an Assessment
Stronghold's assessment engine is one of its most powerful features. From your client's profile, click "Send Assessment" and choose from 12 modules including:
- Empathy Assessment - Measures cognitive and emotional empathy levels
- Attachment Styles - Identifies secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganized patterns
- Conflict Styles - Reveals how they handle disagreements
- Communication Patterns - Analyzes preferred communication modes
Results appear automatically in their profile with insights and recommended coaching approaches.
Step 4: Connect Google Calendar
To prevent double-booking and keep your schedule synchronized, connect your Google Calendar:
- Go to Settings → Integrations
- Click "Connect Google Calendar"
- Sign in with your Google account
- Grant calendar permissions
Sessions booked in Stronghold will automatically appear in Google Calendar, and your Google events will show in Stronghold to block those time slots.
Step 5: Schedule Your First Session
Ready to book a session? Navigate to the Calendar tab and click on a time slot, or go to your client's profile and click "Book Session." Choose:
- Session type (discovery call, regular session, intensive, etc.)
- Date and time
- Session format (video, phone, or in-person)
- Whether to send automatic reminders
Stronghold will automatically create a video room link if you choose video sessions and send confirmation emails to your client.
Step 6: Set Up Your Business Phone (Optional)
Want a dedicated business number? Go to Settings → Phone and provision a local number. Features include:
- Call forwarding to your cell phone
- Professional voicemail
- SMS messaging directly from the CRM
- Automatic missed call text responses
Your personal number stays private while you maintain professional communication with clients.
Step 7: Explore the AI Assistant
Meet Macy, your AI-powered coaching assistant. Macy can:
- Analyze client assessment data to suggest session topics
- Draft emails and messages based on context
- Summarize session notes and identify patterns
- Prepare briefings before client sessions
Click the AI button in the bottom right corner of any screen to access Macy. The more you use Stronghold, the more helpful Macy becomes.
What's Next?
You're now ready to run your coaching practice with Stronghold! Here are some next steps to explore:
- Deep dive into assessment tools
- Set up automated SMS responses
- Create proposal templates for new clients
- Upload resources to share with clients
- Set up your public booking page
Have questions? Our support team is available via the Help button in your dashboard, or email support@strongholdbusiness.com.