10 Reasons To Hire A Book Coach

Here’s a common objection I hear about hiring a book coach: “Why would I pay someone, when I can get all of the advice I need online, from an editor, or from a $10 book?”

And here’s my reply to that: You have a coach when you play a sport, you get training when you want to learn a new skill, and you seek an advisor when you need help. All of these can be self-taught, but you won’t get the same level of expertise as when you work with an industry expert.

If you want to grow as a writer and enhance your personal brand, you need to treat your book as a professional project.

If you treat writing your book like a hobby, then you will get hobby results. And if being an author is not your profession (and not likely in the future) then a book coach can be a great resource to guide you through the process of publishing a high-quality book that you will be proud to have as part of your resume.

Because, here’s the thing … your name will be on your book forever. Make sure it enhances your credibility and shows off your best self.

10 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Book Coach

1. A book coach can help you create the framework for your book, so you will have an outline of how your book will flow.

2. They will help you identify your target audience and the solutions, experiences, or transformation you want to give your readers.

3. A book coach will guide your book theme based on your goals for writing the book (demonstrate authority, become a public speaker, gain new clients, teach a skill, etc.).

4. Assist you when you get stuck or need prompts to work through a particular section.

5. A book coach will give you valuable advice that will save you money. An entire industry exists to charge first-time authors large amounts of money in exchange for an unprofessionally published book.

6. They can advise you on cover design, formatting, proofreaders, and uploading to booksellers.

7. A book coach will know how to find a good editor and incorporate the feedback.

8. They will know how to build a street team, launch a book, and utilize marketing and promotion strategies to increase your sales.

9. A book coach will teach you how to leverage your book for other opportunities, build an email list, or create a book series.

10. Finally, a book coach can take their years of training, experience, and knowledge and share it with you immediately. Personally, I have a writing degree, hours of online courses and continuing education, and multiple written books both traditionally and self-published.

This list could keep going, but you get the idea.

 How do I find a reputable book coach to hire?

The first criteria I would use to find a book coach is to identify their specialty.

Example 1: I have never written or received training in fiction writing — I am not a good fit for that genre.

Example 2: I don’t practice a quick-fix publishing model where a book is written, published, and ready to ship in 30 days — I want every project to represent the author’s best work.

Example 3: I’m not a ghostwriter, but I will assist with writer’s block, suggestions, and writing prompts — Ghostwriting is its own skill-set, so finding someone who solely offers this service is your best bet.

Here are a few questions to ask when doing your research for hiring a coach:

• Has this book coach written any books?

• Can they provide client testimonials?

• Do they have publishing experience?

• Does this book coach provide direction outside of writing — publishing, launching, and marketing?

• What kind of support will I receive outside of coaching calls?

• Does this book coach set unrealistic expectations regarding writing timeframe, bestseller lists, or profit potential? If it sounds too amazing to be true, then it probably is!

Writing a book is an investment of your time, money, and credibility. Do the same type of due diligence you would do with any major commitment.

A good book coach is extremely valuable; a bad coach can be harmful.

As leaders and writers building our careers and reputation, we shouldn’t mistake writing a book as a quick project.

It’s a long game that can produce great things for you both personally and professionally. It’s an extension of who you are. After all, it’s your thoughts and ideas on those pages, and what better way to show your readers you care than to create a well-written, high-value book that motivates and affects change in those you hope to inspire.