5 Things to Look Out for When Choosing a Writer's Coach

'5 Things to Look Out for When Choosing a Writer's Coach
 
As social creatures, we all thrive when we are part of a herd.  We seem to fit more easily in our own skin when we have a circle of friends, no matter how big or small that circle is.  We all need to be accepted, and not judged when we mess up. 
 
As writers, we tend to huddle over our keyboards, pecking away, drowning in coffee (or maybe green tea) and relying on our own reserves of resilience, perseverance and motivation to get that story out of our heads and on to the page.  This at a time when the market is swamped with writers, storytellers and authors competing for attention from discerning and savvy readers. 
 
But what if there was someone in your corner ?  Someone who you could trust with your germ of an idea, who could help you turn it into a plot, and wave those damm pompoms from the sidelines, as you rip up that word count and hit ‘The End’ ?  
 
We could all do with someone like that, right ?  Place an add on social media, and you’ll be swamped with private messages, offering so much choice, and the odd nude photo.  So here’s my Top 5 Tips to help you sort the wheat from the chaff :

1. How do they make you feel ?  Are they going to get you onto the Bestseller lists within 4 weeks ?  Are they going to have your books listed by all major distributors ?  Will Amazon be calling you ?  Yeah ?  Walk away.  This is probably a scam.  If they make you feel slightly uncomfortable now and again, if they suggest you extend your comfort zone by a couple of feet, if they ask a ton of questions and expect you to have at least some of the answers by the next session, this is someone to take seriously.  Coaching is a close, yet professional relationship; I tend to offer the first session, sometimes two, for free.  It gives both of us a chance to see whether we fit or not.  And if not, that’s ok.  
2. There are 2 main acrcediting bodies for coaching and mentoring – International Coaching Federation (ICC) and European Coaching and Mentoring Council (EMCC) .  Not every great coach is a member of one or the other, but both have excellent Codes of Ethics.  If a Professional coach is not working along similar lines, this is a red flag.
3. How much experience do they have ?  Many large companies ask long standing employees to mentor new starters, but this is not the same as coaching a stranger.
4. Do they have experience in your field ?  Whilst not necessary, and sometimes it is a disadvantage, it is good to know.  What do their successes look like ?  And check em out !
5. Are they qualified ?  Whilst coaching and mentoring is not regulated yet (fingers crossed it will be soon) check out their qualifications – how long did they study for ? (Some great sounding coaching courses only last 2 days ! 

And there you have it.  My 5 Things to Look Out for When Choosing a Writer's Coach.  There are some things on here that I want to cover in more detail, so follow me on Twitter to catch those posts.