Whether you’re at the beginning, middle, or end of your writing project, it’s not too late to hire a writing coach. The advantages are not a few. They can help you develop a logical outline for your book, identify your audience, set clear goals, and strategize a publishing and marketing plan, among other things (see my previous article “What Does A Non-Fiction Writing Coach Do & When Should You Hire One“). Putting to use the expertise of a good coach can take your writing and productivity to a whole new level. In this post we’ll look at how to shop for a writing coach, so you get what you need to finish your project.

Once you determine how you could benefit from hiring one, it’s time to shop for a writing coach. Unfortunately, as with any other consulting business, there are scams to beware of. However, you can take some sensible steps to protect yourself.

First, go to trusted sources to find reputable leads when shopping for writing coaches.

Check with the head of writing departments or literary professors at universities and junior colleges and ask for recommendations if they have any. Join local or online writing groups and see if a particular name comes up often with great feedback for their services. Go to the websites of your favorite authors to see if they offer coaching on the side. These are just a few ideas in addition to simply searching online.

Next, vet the writing coaches.

Once you have a list of individuals or organizations that offer coaching to writers, it’s time to do a little detective work to vet them. There are no schools or programs to become a certified writing coach; anyone can hand out a business card or put up a website. Begin with an internet search of the person’s or organization’s name you have on your list.

Does anything negative come up? What kind of reviews do they have? If there are testimonials on their website, do they check out or are there only one or two that appear to have been written by family members (not that a family member cannot be a credible reference)? Testimonials alone cannot determine how competent the person is, but it helps to see if others have given them their business.

How long have they been in business? Does the coach have a favorable track record of publications, books, or a blog so you can see what their writing skills are like? You will also see if they have expertise in the same area of writing you’re interested in. Being able to write well is great, but that alone does not mean the person has a handle on coaching. How many clients do they claim to have, and are any of them available as references?

Then, interview them.

After doing some research and seeing which people or businesses appear to be legitimate, it’s time for an interview. Remember, you are hiring them, so it’s perfectly acceptable and wise to respectfully inquire about their credentials. Ask if they offer free or discounted introductory consultations. Not all coaches do. That’s okay, because their time and expertise is valuable. On their part, charging for the initial consultation is way for them to weed out those who are not serious. Not all coaches take on anyone who wants to be a client. Having a mini interview with a prospective coach allows both of you to see if a business relationship will be a good fit.

Know what you want!

When the stars align and you find a good match for your needs, there are few other matters to settle before signing on the dotted line or forking over your money. Be sure you know specifically what the coach plans to offer you. It will depend on what you want to get out of the coaching. Is it more about motivation and accountability, or growing and becoming polished as a writer? Are you looking for ideas and writing tips, or strategies to publish and promote your book?

Every coach has a unique set of skills and strengths, and one size doesn’t fit all. It’s okay (and even advisable) to hire a couple different coaches over the course of your project, book, or writing career to reap the most benefits. You’ll gain valuable insights from each of them.

As you continue to shop for a writing coach, the most important thing is to know upfront what you hope to gain by hiring one. If you don’t know what you want, neither will the coach. Set realistic expectations! Good writing coaches can help a decent writer become a very good writer; but they cannot wave a magic wand over you and turn a “frog” into a “prince or princess” in terms of your writing ability.

If you would like guidance, support, or recommendations for your new or ongoing book project, I can help! Contact me by clicking here.