Not everyone needs a book coach—plenty of people have written and published their books without any outside help. However, a competent book coach can help you through the process, keeping you on track, creating an organizational structure for your book, helping you avoid hurdles and embarrassing mistakes, and ultimately, getting your book finished sooner and with fewer headaches.
In a previous post, I described what a coach cannot do for you. (We call that setting expectations.) Let’s focus on what a book coach can do for you.
Your coach can:
Advise You as to What Needs to Be Included
Many first-time authors want to put EVERYTHING they know into their book. That’s not necessary and, depending on your life experiences, probably overkill.
The best books for your business address a specific set of problems that you help your clients with. A good coach will help you focus on the information you need to put in your book to attain the results you want.
You most likely have a ton of knowledge about a lot of different things. Your business book needs to showcase the knowledge that will be most helpful to those readers you want to attract as clients. A good coach will let you know when something is most likely to turn off your readers, and in that regard, will advise you on what you should exclude.
Show You What to Fix and How to Fix It.
My author clients are very good at what they do. Because of that, they take a lot for granted. As someone who is not an expert in their field, I’m able to point out the areas where there is a jump in knowledge: The author knows what they are talking about but the reader can’t make the jump.
A good coach will tell you when you’ve gone over the heads of your readers and ask you to break things down. They will also point out awkward phrasing, convoluted sentences (I excel at convoluted sentences!), and when your meaning isn’t clear or is, in some cases, the opposite of what you are trying to say. As a coach, I point it out to you and ask you to fix it. (See “Help You Become a Better Writer” below.) I am there for backup and tweaking, but my goal is for you to learn how to write clearly; it will serve you well.
Help You Become a Better Writer
Many of my clients go on to write a second, third, and even a fourth book. I love when someone is bitten by the writing bug! But better writing skills will come in handy every day, from your business emails and reports to writing training materials or speeches.
Becoming a better writer helps you become a better communicator in every modality. Writing makes you think about words, their meaning, how they can be misconstrued. You learn why some words are more powerful than others; what words can stir a reaction, and why some sentence structures just feel better.
George Bernard Shaw said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Miscommunication in business costs money. Learning to communicate clearly can make you money.
Help Your Book Reach Its Full Potential
When I work with authors, we have discussions about their target audience, what they want their readers to learn, the take-aways, and ultimately, what we want your reader to do when they finish reading the book.
Because I have a background in marketing, I can show my clients how to build in assets and resources that will encourage readers to engage further with their content. This might include creating a compelling call-to-action, developing a companion website or workbook, or offering downloadable resources that enhance the reader’s experience. Additionally, we can strategize on ways to leverage social media and email marketing to maintain a connection with readers long after they’ve finished the book. By integrating these elements, we not only enhance the book’s impact but also create opportunities for ongoing interaction and growth. Ultimately, my goal as a book coach is to ensure your book not only reaches but exceeds its potential, resonating deeply with your audience and driving meaningful engagement.
Get You Across the Finish Line
Nine out of ten people who start writing a book don’t finish. There are probably a thousand different reasons why people give up. There is a point in every book where you get lost in the weeds—even experienced writers. We call it the “messy middle” and it’s a thing. The trick to getting out of the messy middle is KNOWING you are going to get out of it.
There’s a scene from The West Wing that perfectly illustrates what a good book coach does:
I’ve been in the weeds and I know the way out.
A qualified book coach has completed many of their own books as well as helped clients complete their books. Does every client finish their book? No. Again, for whatever reason. But a competent coach knows the places where you are going to bog down and can help you through them. A qualified coach knows how to structure your book, making it easier for your writing to flow. And an experienced coach knows when to kick your butt and when to give you grace.
A book coach is more than a cheerleader, more than a butt-kicker. They work with you to develop your book to be the best it can be. They help you with the technical bits as well as the creative bits. Not all book coaches are created equal and most will specialize in specific genres. You want a coach who is a good fit for you and your book. Knowing what a book coach can—and cannot—do will help you find the right fit for you.
If you’re thinking about engaging the services of a book coach, let’s talk. Find out more and schedule a free consultation.
