How do you find your feet as a writing coach?

As editors and coaches, it’s natural to question whether we are doing it ‘right’. Coaching even more so than editing, which has regulatory bodies and countless training courses to help us feel qualified. Coaching can feel like you’re trying to navigate without a map. It’s easy to see others with polished branding, lots of followers on social media or posting about their full diaries and let the imposter syndrome kick in.

But the most important thing is to remember to work to your strengths. You don’t need to be like every other coach or try to attract every writer. Think about what you bring to the table, what your areas of expertise are. For example, I have lots of experience working with indie authors, and I’ve self-published my own books; I can guide them through the whole process. Perhaps you have experience working for publishers – maybe even worked in acquisitions – and know what publishers are looking for, and can offer writers a helping hand with their query packages, which I wouldn’t offer as it isn’t my area of expertise. The natural first step for you would be to target that client, who needs the specific type of help that you will be confident about giving.

So if you haven’t been sure how to get started, try this:

1: Pinpoint an area of strength (e.g. maybe you’re great at writing copy or have a copywriting background)

2: Identify the clients you want to speak to through your marketing (authors who need help perfecting their blurb)

3: Create a specific coaching service for those clients (a session to brainstorm and come up with the perfect blurb together*)

*you are attracting authors who want to learn or develop their skills in the area rather than outsource the work.

This will be a stepping stone to your coaching practice. Starting small, building confidence, gaining clients and testimonials, and soon you’ll be taking over the world (well, maybe not, but you know what I mean!).

If you need more guidance to help set up your coaching service, or if you’re struggling to pinpoint your strengths, book one of my power hour sessions and we’ll get you on course.

Aimee

Aimee Walker Editorial (AWE)

P.S. Know another editor/coach who would benefit from The Coaching Compass? Forward this email their way — the more of us navigating together, the stronger our community becomes.

If your client struggles with technical craft terms, point them to Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. It’s a great book in general, but it’s probably the most accessible of all the craft books I’ve ever read.

Have you come across a great resource for writers who like things simple?