In this week’s guest post business coach and book mentor Karen Williams focuses upon:
Why every coach needs to write a book
By Karen Williams
When I qualified as a coach in 2006, I got caught up with the hype of the industry. I was hooked with how I could create a decent living, make a bigger difference in the world, and that this would be easy to run a successful business. But it never happened that way in the early days.
Although I was told about niching, and I knew it was important, it wasn’t drummed into me that I had to be an expert.
Even though as a coach you don’t need experience of a topic to do an effective job, many clients will be seeking someone with expertise in the area where they need support. It’s not enough to ask a few good questions as people don’t buy coaching, they buy the result and outcome that they are looking for.
Plus if you think about your niche – if you have one – there are plenty of people doing something similar to you, so you need to know what makes you stand out.
When I did research for my first book in 2009, I was horrified by the statistics that indicated how few coaches are successful. So what is the difference that makes the difference?
Did you know that most successful coaches have written a book?
That’s why you need to do the same!
Of course if every coach wrote a book, then the market would be saturated with knowledge (and books!). Also it’s not just about writing any old book, it’s about writing the one that supports your business and showcases your expertise.
Many of my clients are writing their books, and I’ve had three published myself, so this is why you need to write and publish your book.
- It helps you to get clear on where you are an expert and what it is that you actually do.
Finding the thing that you do well is notoriously difficult as it’s hard to see what others can see. The stuff that you find easy and what you are good at is often where you need to specialise. And working on this stuff – like doing the passions and talents exercise that you can find in my third book – will help you to discover where you shine.
- It enables you to put your mark on the world, and reach more people who need your help.
When you write a book you lift your head above the parapet. Although scary, it makes it easier for others to find out what you stand for and reach the people who need you. There’s only so much networking, social media and speaking that you can do, so it allows you to maximise your time too.
- By aligning your book with your business you can use it to leverage your expertise – it is a marketing tool that can get you more clients.
A great book is a better marketing strategy than an email, business card or a tweet. When you have the systems in place to take people to the next steps in your product funnel, you can grow your business, have multiple streams of income, and get noticed by the people who need your help.
- It is cathartic to get your thoughts and ideas on paper, and it helps you to develop tools to assist your clients.
Many of my clients find that writing a book is incredibly empowering, as it allows them to get their stuff out of their head. They get clear on what they know that helps their clients and also do research if there are gaps in their knowledge. It can help you to develop your personal signature system, the thing you want to get known for, and also enhance the toolkit that you regularly use.
- When you write your best book, you will get noticed by the right people.
Writing a book will help you to demonstrate your credibility. It shows where you’re an expert, and allows you to display your wisdom. Not only will it increase your reach, you’ll be able to attract bigger players in your industry who are potential joint venture partners, affiliates, and willing to support you to create the change you wanted when you started.
Are you ready to write your book?
I’d love your comments on this post as I know that writing my three books (with two more on the way) has certainly grown my business, and my clients are sought after speakers, are getting great PR, and are known for what they do.
To find out more about why your business needs a book, you can download your free eBook at www.yourbookisthehook.com/ebook.
About Karen Williams
If you’re ready to write your book, stand out and become more visible, contact Karen Williams for a free business strategy session (karen
selfdiscoverycoaching
couk?Subject=free business strategy session) .
You can also sign up for her next event Your Book is the Hook Live on Saturday 25 April where she’ll be showing you how to write the book that will get you more confidence, credibility and clients. She also runs an annual writing retreat in Spain and you can join her this year from 24-29 September 2015.
Karen is a Business Coach and Book Mentor and has been running Self Discovery Coaching since 2006. She predominantly works with coaches, consultants and therapists who want to write a book that is the hook to grow their business. She helps them to plan, write, publish and promote their book and use it as a strategic marketing tool to get more clients, make more money and do what they love.
She is known for helping her clients to succeed by standing out from the crowd, getting noticed and being an expert in their business. She is the author of Your Book is the Hook, How to Stand Out in your Business, and the Amazon no. 1 bestseller The Secrets of Successful Coaches.
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