Publishing Secrets

Published and Paid #4: Turn Your Book into a Coaching Program

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Episode notes

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

The importance of multiple income streams
Key characteristics of an effective coaching program
Two things to keep in mind if you’re serious about earning money through coaching
Seven reasons to hire a coach of your own to help you get started
A special challenge with Christian Authors Network Approved Partner Shawn Quintero to help you launch your own coaching program (link below!)

Be sure to read all the way to the end so you can join the challenge!

If you're a self-published Christian author, you may feel like you are swimming in a sea of uncertainty. You're probably wondering how in the world you can make money doing what you love.

The answer is simple: you have to monetize your passion. And the best way to do that is by developing multiple streams of income.

You see, the big mistake that many Christian authors make is relying on one thing – making it big publishing books. And while that's a popular path to take, it's not the only option. What’s more, only focusing on that route actually limits you, the reach of your message, and the income you can earn.

On the other hand, by diversifying your income sources, you'll also be better protected against inevitable changes in the marketplace. In other words, you'll be able to continue earning an income no matter what happens. The thing is, there’s no such thing as guaranteed income in this business. So if you're serious about monetizing your writing, you've got to explore all of the options available to you.

Income IS Important

Developing multiple streams of income is a great way to ensure that you're always making money from your writing. And that's the whole point of this Published and Paid series – to help you learn about the various ways you can generate money as a writer, so you can have the impact, influence, and income you desire.

Make no mistake, income is important – not just so you can buy things you want and take care of your family, but so you can fund Kingdom initiatives. If you’re constantly worried about having what you need to take care of yourself and your family, you don’t have the overflow that is needed to fund mission trips, support projects to feed the homeless, or help with the expansion of your church so it can do more ministry.

So earning more income isn’t about how much money you can stack. Rather, it’s about creating that overflow so you can be a blessing to other people.

Not everyone has equal opportunity to learn, and that fact has nothing to do with intelligence or skill set. Depending on where you live, what culture you’re born into, and so many other factors, there is a difference in the amount of opportunities you have available to you. So if you’re blessed to be in a space where you have the potential to earn more than you're currently earning, you owe it to yourself and those you are called to serve to maximize your income for Kingdom initiatives.

The 3rd Path to Make Money as a Writer: Coaching Programs

In previous episodes, we’ve already discussed two paths you can take to make money as a writer: writing books and public speaking. But even if those options are for you, remember that multiple streams of income is the name of the game – so don’t make either one your only option.

And that’s a great introduction to the third path to make money as a writer, because it’s one that can very easily piggyback off the others. What is it? Turning your writing into a coaching program.

Coaching is about action.

A Christian coaching program can be an excellent way to share your message and make an impact in people's lives while also generating an income. As sales and leadership coach Shawn Quintero says, “You are not what you learn and don't get done. You are what you do.”

Just pause and think about that for a second. We've all been there: We've read something that really speaks to us, and we're convinced it's going to change our lives. We're going to start that exercise program or finally get consistent in our prayer time with God… But then nothing happens. The ideas stay in our heads, and we never actually put them into practice.

Why is that? We were so fired up – so what happened? Maybe it's fear of failure. Or maybe we just don't think we have the time. Whatever the reason, it's a shame to let those good ideas go to waste.

On the other hand, how many times has someone shared what seemed like a really great idea, but when you went to actually practice it – to actually try it out – you fell flat on your face? Because the truth is, it's not enough to just get head knowledge about things. You have to actually be able to do something with that knowledge if you’re going to see results.

And that's where you come in. When you develop a coaching program based on the message in your book, you empower your audience to turn their dreams into reality. You are a transformation agent.

Why create a coaching program?

Because, if you're like most Christian authors, you want readers to get clarity and make positive changes in their lives from reading your book. In fact, you don't just want that – you are called to create that type of transformation! But that can't happen if people read your book but don't take any action on what they've learned.

By creating a coaching program, you can help your readers implement what you teach them in your book. You can give them the accountability and support they need to take action and make lasting change.

Plus, when done right, coaching programs can be highly lucrative, earning as much as $2,000-$5,000 per client.

Finally, coaching programs can be very versatile. When you're getting started, they typically involve a form of one-on-one or group coaching, either in-person or online. This allows you to really dive deep with your readers and help them achieve their goals.

As a Christian writer, you have a unique opportunity to combine your passion for writing with your faith, and to use your platform to help others grow in their relationship with God.

2 Things To Keep in Mind

If you’re considering turning your writing into a coaching program, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.

1. Don’t overthink or over-engineer your program.

As humans, we often major in minors and focus on things that aren’t really all that important. But remember: you’ve already done the work to come up with a system for your book (a.k.a. the chapters). You’ve put a lot of thought into what should come first, what to say next, and how to wrap up the book’s message in an impactful way. And you can use that same framework to outline your coaching program so that each individual chapter becomes the topic for a coaching session.

For example, if you have a chapter on time management, then use that material to create a coaching session on time management. Or if you have a chapter on godly goal setting, you could use that to create a coaching session on godly goal setting. The key is to keep it simple and focused.

Because that’s what people truly crave – simplicity. Life is already hard enough, and the reason they aren’t making progress already is because the problems they’re facing seem too complex and difficult. They need you to help make it simple.

2. Your coaching program must be designed to help people achieve their specific goals.

Before you start creating your program, make sure you understand what your target audience's goals are. Only once you know that will you be able to design a program that will help them achieve those goals.

People sign up for your program because they want results. They’re not looking for theory or fluffy concepts; they want and need actionable steps that they can take to improve their lives. So you’ve got to make sure your coaching program is focused on giving people the practical tools and strategies they need to achieve their goals.

Yes, it's important to be motivational and inspiring and give pep talks when they’re needed. But a coaching program can’t only be those things. Instead, you must break a big action plan or goal down into steps that people can easily follow. You want them to leave each session feeling empowered because they understand exactly what they need to do next and they know how to do it.

If you can keep these two things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful coaching program that makes a difference in people's lives. Then all you need to do is create a marketing plan to get the word out about your program and set up a system for delivering the program itself. And fortunately, there are many resources available to help you with all of these steps.

7 Reasons To Hire a Coach FIRST

Now that you know how creating a coaching program is an excellent way to generate income and have a lasting impact on your readers, your next question might be: “So how do I get started?”

Well, you could just give it a go on your own. But real talk: you’ll be much better off if you hire a coach yourself before you start trying to coach others. That’s because a good coach can:

Help you develop a program that fits your niche and target market. If you don’t have a detailed understanding of your target market – not only their demographics, but psychographics, values, interest, behaviors, and more – you likely won’t approach the program in a way that really speaks to that audience. Hiring a good coach will help you get super clear on who you’re speaking to and how to go about it.
Get you access to a wealth of resources and knowledge you may not be able to get elsewhere. If you value your time, if you're a busy person and have a lot going on in your professional or personal life, then someone who knows how to get you further faster is of great benefit to you. Having a coach shortens the learning curve, saving you precious time right from the start.
Help you create a high-quality program that stands out from the competition. Sometimes we think that the message God has given us is so unique that everyone will recognize it. But, while God has given you a unique message and a unique story, the marketplace often has a hard time seeing that. As the author, business owner,and entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to do the work to help people understand why your program is different. That means you've got to invest time and energy in that space – and that can be difficult to figure out on your own.
Give you someone to turn to for support and guidance as you launch your program. Just like in any other job, you need guidance when you’re just starting out. If you never have anyone to ask questions and bounce ideas off of, then all you have to go on is your existing knowledge. And while you may have some prior experience you can draw from, there will be things you simply don’t know, and that can be frustrating and overwhelming without having someone you can turn to for advice.
Help you troubleshoot problems that come up during the launch process. Much as we’d like for it to be smooth sailing, things are going to happen unexpectedly. You need someone you can go to in those moments, because even if they haven’t experienced that exact problem, they can offer you an outside perspective and remind you that you will make it through.
Help you develop a sales process and pricing strategy. It’s very common for new coaches to price their programs way below market value, either because they don’t understand pricing or because they have an unhealthy relationship with money and don’t want to fall into greed. But the whole point of your program is to impact people and earn a living, right? So you need someone in your corner who can help you recognize the value of what you have to offer, price it accordingly, and get comfortable dealing with sales.
Save you time and money in the long run by helping you avoid common rookie mistakes. Time is something you cannot get back. And although you can make more money in the future, you still want to save yourself from expensive, avoidable mistakes. Hiring a coach is an investment, but think how much that upfront investment is going to save you later on.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of starting a coaching program, don't worry – you're not alone. You can do this. With the help of a coach, you can overcome the hurdles and create a successful, profitable program that will help your clients reach their goals.

Get Clients Now

Ready to get started? Check out the upcoming Get Clients Now challenge with Christian Authors Network approved partner Shawn Quintero. There, you’ll learn how to create, launch, and sell out your high-ticket program in just five days.

If you want to make good money from your book, Shawn is the man with a master plan. I know that because he's a big reason that I am where I am today! I've personally sat under his leadership and his coaching program, and he's the real deal. So head on over and join Shawn for this challenge so you can:

Learn how to get more out of your book than just royalties
Get insider tips on how to transform your book into a lucrative group program
Discover how to land high-paying coaching clients who are eager to work with you and pay the price you deserve
Get insight on how to turn your book into a full-time income.

The challenge is starting very soon, so don't miss out! You'll learn exactly how to create a high-quality program that is perfect for your niche and target market. And you’ll also learn how to launch your program with confidence and get the support you need to be successful.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over and join the Get Clients Now challenge today!

BIO:

My name is Tamara "Coach Tam" Jackson and I am a published author, Facebook© Certified Digital Marketer, host of the Top 100 Publishing Secrets podcast, and founder of The Christian Authors Network (C.A.N.) Facebook© community. I specialize in helping mission-driven authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs increase their exposure, impact, and income through strategic self-publishing and digital media appearances. Just say yes and we will work together to attract a tribe of loyal followers that 1) "get you", 2) love what you do, and 3) are happy to invest in your book, business, cause, or movement. Plus, we will accomplish all of this without fake, salesy, sleazy, or manipulative tactics. Yes you CAN write, publish, and profit in a way that honors God; join the community today at https://christianauthors.net/fbgroup.

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