Is It Time You Write to Make a Difference?

Are you a life coach (or not) who toys with the idea of writing articles, e-books, and/or books? Don’t let a block stop you from making a difference; someone is waiting to hear from you.

Imagine receiving emails that say something like
“I had a breakthrough when I read your article.” (from a reader)
“Your articles are so good I have difficulty choosing which one to use.” (from the editor of a monthly newsletter)
“I recently re-read your book and had a major shift about a life-long issue. Thank you!”

These are just a few of the comments I’ve received from readers across the globe.

I’m not the world’s greatest writer, just one who shares information consistently and with purpose. If you’re not writing and publishing your insights or techniques, from how many people are you withholding what may be the problem-solver or thought-provoker they need?

Here are several “obstacles,” or blocks, sometimes experienced by new writers.

“I don’t know if I’m any good; I’ve never written before. Plus, I’m not sure how to get started.”
Read about ten or fifteen articles you feel made a difference for you or impressed you. What did you like about them? How did the writer achieve his or her purpose? Do the same with a few e-books and books. Notice not just the content and writing style, but the formatting as well. You want to pay attention to the creative and technical aspects. What would you do differently? And, don’t worry about your writing style. If you want to reach readers, write in your own voice. You may think what you’ve written is ordinary or not very original, but readers won’t see it this way . . . if you help them in some way. Allow that the more you write (and rewrite) the better you get. How your writing improves will be more important to you than readers. Their focus is on getting a problem solved or seeing themselves in a new light. Help them do this. Do this often enough and you build a following. Whether or not you need a good editor on your team depends on what you write. Important tip: Say you’ve written an article. Before you publish or share it, wait a day then re-read it. For longer pieces, wait several days or a week before you re-read it. This is one of the best ways to really see what you’ve written with a fresh perspective.

“I have too many topics in mind; I start on one and then switch to another, or I don’t start at all. I never get anything finished!”
Make a list of your topics in one column. Number them. Look at topic 1 and topic 2. If you had to choose between them, which one motivates you most right now? Make a checkmark by that one. Now do the same for topic 1 and topic 3. Keep choosing between topic 1 and the next topic number until you’ve gone through the list. The topic with the most checkmarks on its line is the one you feel most compelled to write about now. Write! When you’re ready to write the next one, repeat this process starting with topic 2 on your list. It’s okay to add new topics to the bottom of the list and include them in each round. Do this and you’ll have a ready list of topics, and can see that you are getting topics written about and published.

“I don’t have a following, nor am I sure how to build one.”
This is one of the easiest times ever to publish your writing. You just have to pick one or several means to get started. Add others as needed or as you expand your outreach. There are many online venues where you can publish your articles at no cost. There are free press release sites and Blog sites. You can create a free weekly blurb or newsletter you email to your list, where you start with your current email list, letting each person tell you if he or she would like to receive what you write; ask them to invite others on their lists. Include the fact you offer a free newsletter, etc., in the bio you post with your articles. You can use social networking sites that have features such as Notes or Blogs; ask for feedback or ask a question to get additional topic ideas. You can offer free reports, or self-publish e-books and books at one of the print-on-demand sites that offers free publishing and retail pages.

As a life coach (or not), you know you come across excellent topics all the time, whether it’s from the right question coming to you in a client’s session, or noting which problems clients seem to experience most often. You can use personal experiences you’ve worked through and techniques you know work.

Author and speaker Mike Litman has it right: If you aren’t sharing your gifts, you’re cheating others.