How To Choose the Right Coach For You

Hope*writers is thrilled to announce that we now have a team of certified coaches ready to help you make progress in your writing. Click here to learn more and choose your coach today.

Whether you’re planning a new writing project, stuck in the middle of one, or wondering where to begin, a writing coach can be an invaluable resource to help you clarify your goals and create a plan. 

If you’d like to hire a writing coach but you’re not sure where to start, these three simple questions can help you decide.

What are your needs?

First, determine what area of writing you want to work on with a coach. Do you need help with a particular project, writer’s block, accountability, or goal setting? When you decide on your broader goal, a coach can help you develop the smaller steps you need to take to get there. 

It’s also important to find a coach who works specifically in your genre. If you’re writing a novel, your coach should also have experience writing fiction. The same applies to other genres. 

Every writer has unique strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to know yours. Do you struggle with procrastination? Do you need an accountability partner? Maybe you don’t know how to structure your writing project. Look for a coach who specializes in the areas you struggle with specifically. 

What obstacles are in your way?

There are a number of obstacles that may prevent a writer from finding the right coach. Timing is important to consider. Do you have the time to commit to each session and the subsequent work required? Before hiring a coach, be sure this is a season where you can commit your time and energy to the work it demands. 

When you decide to commit your time to the work, determine how much flexibility your schedule requires. If you have significant work and life commitments, a coach who has flexible scheduling will be helpful as you pursue this path. Some coaches have a very tight schedule with numerous clients, and others may have a more flexible approach. Look for one who fits your schedule best.

It’s no surprise that coaching is a significant financial investment, and coaching programs vary widely in cost and offerings. At hope*writers, we believe coaching can make all the difference for a writer who wants to make progress, but we also understand that the cost of coaching can be prohibitive. We’ve made our coaching program as affordable as possible for writers committed to making progress. 

Does your coach have training and a well-developed process? 

We don’t believe in winging it when it comes to coaching. Look for a coach who has both experience as a writer AND has received training on how to be an effective coach. Successful writers aren’t always successful coaches if they haven’t developed the tools and resources to help other writers grow. 

Great coaches have a systematic approach. They have a defined path for making progress, and they can tailor that to each writer’s unique needs and requirements. Well-trained coaches have processes that take their clients to the next level with their work. Hope*writers Certified Coaches have a flexible, process-driven approach to coaching that we believe makes all the difference.  

Coaching isn’t one size fits all. When looking for a coach, determine your needs, recognize your obstacles, and look for a trained coach with excellent systems in place. 

Don’t know where to start with finding the right coach? We can help! Click here to hire a hope*writers Certified Coach.