7 Reasons to Hire a Writing Coach

Over the past five years working as a freelance writer and editor, I’ve found that creatives want to pick my brain. Writers may not understand what an editor’s job entails, or new self-publishing authors don’t always know how the process works.

But most people are looking for motivation, inspiration, support, and justification in their project.

They want to know whether the story they’re working on is worth the effort because they’re either new to the industry or unsure of their skills. Others need help staying on track to meet their word count goals or refueling their creativity to finish the book.

Many creatives aren’t sure where to start or even know exactly what service(s) they need. They’re looking for a place full of answers to get started.

If this sounds like you, a writing coach could be the answer. Keep reading to learn how to decide if a writing coach is right for you. I’ll show you the most important reasons you could benefit from their help. 

What is a Writing Coach?

The quote “Those who can’t do, teach” couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to creative work.

Many coaches have industry experience across multiple fields or work as writing coaches and freelance editors and/or writers.

First, let me explain exactly what a writing coach is/does.

A writing coach assists you in completing your project. They do not always ghostwrite or edit your book. They guide you through the writing process, becoming your companion for any stage of your journey.

Writing coaches might help you develop your plot, determine the tone, match your voice to your audience, or ensure the narrative is captivating and coherent.

They work on various types of writing, based on their experience. Writing coaches might show you how to become a freelance writer or a small business owner. Or they focus on academic research like essays, fiction books, poetry, short stories, or nonfiction works.

Overall, a writing coach becomes your mentor.

If you’re writing a book, they might ask you to reach a certain word count each week and review your work. Depending on the goals you set with your coach, they might point out areas for revision or focus on developing characters more fully.

Many times, authors hire a writing coach to completely boost the process from beginning to end. The writing coach helps with story development and might even perform the final proofread before your manuscript is published.

Other times, authors who are having difficulty with a writing technique or with finishing the final draft seek a coach for encouragement and skill-building.

Book publishing coaches, on the other hand, might help with other publishing or business-related tasks like design, marketing, production, etc. Some coaches might cover both writing and non-writing parts of the process. Occasionally, a coach will offer editing services either in conjunction with their coaching or for an additional fee.

Unlike a writing coach, the editor focuses on evaluating the language of your book. They will either:

• Critique, or offer a professional opinion of your manuscript
• Beta read a completed book from the reader’s perspective before the final editing stage
• Line edit a manuscript, offering page-by-page changes and a detailed evaluation of the overall work/message
• Proofread (or copyedit) your completed book for grammar and errors one last time before publishing.

So, it’s crucial to understand which services you need to find the right coach for you.

How do you know? Think about your project. What’s holding you back? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you hope to accomplish?

How to Tell If a Writing Coach Is Right for You

Here are a few easy ways to know you could benefit from hiring a writing coach.

1. You’re New to Writing

When tackling the unfamiliar, the advice of a pro could save you a great deal of time. Hiring a writing coach reduces the time you spend on trial and error in a new industry. They use their experience to speed up the process.

Whether you’re writing a book for the first time or simply moving into a new type of writing, like from journalism to marketing copywriting, coaches make your first time a bit easier.

If you know your goal, but don’t know how to get there, talk to a coach. They create and implement plans for your success.

2. You Struggle with Time Management

There are so many reasons you might have trouble staying on track. Some writers struggle with setting clear goals and deadlines for themselves. Others fall into writer’s block or procrastinate.

Any persistent time management issues could seriously harm your project. A coach can add accountability to your life by asking you to complete a certain number of words or chapters per week. Sometimes they tweak your plan if it’s not working.

Writing coaches also keep track of important dates and deadlines. Their goal is to help you avoid distractions and get more writing done, faster.

They also push you to break through the creative roadblocks holding you back and help you find your motivation.

3. You Want to Learn

Consider what you hope to learn during your writing process.

Coaching sessions might cover techniques you can use to write better. A writing coach will address your weaknesses by offering PDFs and other resources on topics like character development, organization, and story flow.

If you’re hoping for a quick fix, a coach is not the answer for you. They use their experience to show you the way, but don’t do all the hard work for you.

4. You Need One-On-One Attention

While some coaches offer group coaching services, most use one-on-one sessions to focus on your work.

The process of group coaching, for example, resembles a peer-editing model. They’re sometimes called mastermind courses/programs. This is the method many English majors go through in college, where you receive feedback and insight from everyone in the group – including the coach. It’s beneficial because you get to hear from others who are going through the same or similar things as you.

In one-on-one sessions, you get undivided attention. You also have a chance to see if your personalities mesh well. Personalized attention helps with guidance and productivity. A one-on-one coach will improve your individual performance.

My coaching program does a little of both. I focus on using pre-scheduled weekly one-on-one sessions via phone or video conferencing, combined with a Facebook community where all my clients can head for discussions, brainstorming sessions, or group chats anytime.

5. You’re Looking for a Book Agent

Not every book requires an agent.

Fiction writers are much more likely to need an agent for their manuscript, but a writing coach can help both fiction and non-fiction authors find the best agent.

Writing coaches offer assistance in finding agents for your story and in writing book proposals to land the agent of your dreams. They’ll even help you determine if an agent is right for you, which is typically ideal if you plan to publish traditionally.

6. You Hate the Organization of Your First Draft

You finish writing your first draft, set the pages down, and shake your head. The draft is terrible.

If you hate the organization (or really anything else) in your manuscript, you might feel lost about how to fix the issues. An outside perspective cuts through the mess and offers a view you may not see on your own.

Writing coaches all aim to create well-written, cohesive stories. The text comes out without loose threads or contradictions you may not have known you made.

7. You Need to Create Your Author Platform

Authors tend to have online platforms. This could include a website where potential readers can find more information about buying a book, or extend to a podcast that creates a full-blown universe surrounding your novel.

Every writer needs a platform because it’s where you market your story. Writing coaches understand how to create an effective platform (most have created one for their own services) and help you design one you’re proud to own.

Do Self-Publishers Need a Writing Coach, Book Coach, Agent, and an Editor?

Short answer: no.

If you plan to self-publish your manuscript, you may not need to hire four different literary professionals.

Some writing coaches offer services that slip into the other’s territory. For example, I offer book coaching services with a strong editing focus and assistance with other elements, such as book cover design. Most pros will at least know who to recommend to you based on your needs.

Fiction books often require more work due to the highly competitive market. That’s the only situation where an agent is absolutely required.

Find the best pros for your book specifically. An outside perspective is essential for the quality of your work. But the right person depends on you.

Are you wondering if I’m the right writing coach or editor for you? Learn more about the services I offer or contact me for more information.