Beth Jannery is Founder of Titan Strategic Communications & Coaching, a Boutique Advisory firm. She offers Book Coaching for leaders.
For many business leaders, writing a leadership book can seem like an insurmountable task. Yet, most understand the value of sharing their knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. This is where a book coach and/or a ghostwriter can come into play.
A book coach is a professional who works with authors to help them bring their book idea to fruition. While many writers are capable of producing a manuscript on their own, working with a coach can provide numerous benefits, especially when writing a leadership book. For the leader who doesn’t have the time or the expertise to write the book, the book coach can add ghostwriting as a service.
Working With A Book Coach
From my experience working as a book coach, here are a few of the things to look for when committing to this option.
1. Expert guidance and accountability. When writing a book about leadership, an expert guide can help objectively assess your work. A book coach can also help you stay focused on your goals and hold you accountable for completing tasks. This way, you can avoid distractions and keep your project moving forward. I once helped a leader who was stuck through this process because even though he was a huge success in the C-suite, he kept coming up with excuses not to write. We made a plan and I held him accountable, which kept the pages coming.
2. Streamlined process. Many business leaders underestimate the amount of time and energy required to write a book. A book coach can help you get there. Plan for a dedicated year of time from beginning to end for a realistic journey together. I sometimes suggest 12 months to 18 months for the full process. Don’t worry about where it will be published when you’re writing as those are two separate giants.
3. Expert guidance and support throughout the book writing process. This can help you to refine and clarify your message for maximum impact. I’ve helped clients by offering insights and strategies on how to effectively organize and structure their book, which can seem like a huge obstacle when the writing process begins.
4. Identifying your unique voice and style as an author. Having the sounding board and guidance of a coach can allow you to create a book that is both authentic and engaging. If you are excited about the project, you will be more likely to stay on track and meet your writing goals. Make sure to get an experienced coach who has seen it all and can help you develop and showcase your unique perspective.
What You’ll Invest
The cost for a book coach and/or ghostwriter can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the length of the book, the complexity of the topic, the writer’s level of expertise and scope of the project.
You’ll want a book coach or ghostwriter who is very clear and transparent about rates. Generally, I see book coaching services range from $200 to $500 per hour, or more, depending on the coach’s level of experience and the scope of the project. However, many coaches may offer packages or a flat rate, so it is important to clarify the specific pricing and payment structure with the coach you are considering.
For example, a weekly book coach could charge a monthly membership or retainer fee of $1,000 to $2,000. Generally, ghostwriting fees can range from $50,000 to more than $250,000. In my experience, an average of $75,000 for a 50,000-word non-fiction book is a reasonable estimate. Divide that up over a year and expect to pay about $6,000 to 7,000 per month for someone to ghostwrite your book.
Get Started On Your Book Journey
To understand what is ahead and get started on your book journey, here are several steps I consider with each client.
First, we decide on the time commitment and establish a process. It is different for each client. Someone may be a high-level CEO with very little time who wants a hands-off approach. In this case, I’ll act as a coach and also as a ghostwriter (or the better-liked term is executive communications consultant), and then we begin by identifying the audience. It’s important to have a clear understanding of who you want to reach.
Next, we establish your credentials: What makes you an expert in leadership? Make sure you have the qualifications and experience to back up your writing.
Then the fun part; the client will either already have a topic or may need help narrowing the topic. I dig in and ask what aspect of leadership they want to explore. I suggest that you choose a topic that is interesting and meaningful to you. There is nothing worse than writing about something that doesn’t really interest you, and your audience can tell you aren’t actually engaged. Finding a topic you are passionate about and have expertise in is gold.
The coach then researches the market with the client to discover what leadership books are already out there. We make sure the topic and story approach is unique and valuable. From there, it’s smart to develop an outline to best organize the ideas into a logical structure for the book.
Lastly, you and your book coach will need to set a timeline and determine how long it will take to research, write and edit the book—with deadlines for each stage. I find that clients often think it will take a few weeks when it really takes months.
Call To Action
Writing a leadership book can be a deeply rewarding experience. It allows you to express yourself creatively, share your ideas with others and contribute to the larger community.
I hope that by shedding light on this process, you can get the most out of working with a book coach and ghostwriter and achieve your dream of writing a book without the stress and frustration of doing it alone.
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