Success as a coach, consultant, trainer, or indeed in any profession where you are selling your knowledge, experience and advice, comes from your ability to position yourself at the top of your field.
One of the key ways to do this is by writing.
Even though society as a whole seems to be leaving the book behind, when it comes to choosing our "experts" we still hold authors in awe. So one of the key things I encourage all my clients to do is to write a book; a physical book, not an ebook.
It doesn't have to be War and Peace.
I see a role for two kinds of books in building your business. I call them your "Expert Manifestos" (or should that be Manifestoes? anyway, I digress!)
The first is short books or booklets covering specific aspects of your audience's problem, or explaining the big picture of your System. They're great to give away to prospective clients.
The second is full length books that position you as THE expert.
It's your opportunity to tell the world not just what you do, but how you do it, and if you can the results that you achieve.
But imagine this. You're pitching for a piece of work. Your competitor has just come out of the meeting, having left the potential client with a glossy brochure and their business card. You walk in and hand over a copy of a book.
On the cover it says your name, "The Leading Expert in ....." There's a big photo of you on the front cover, and a load of testimonials and endorsements on the back page.
Who are they more likely to hire?
Or, how about if a client is looking for advice in your area of expertise.
They look on Amazon and find your book listed, with a link to your website. They follow the link. Are they more likely to hire you than someone who found your name on Google?
Think of your book as a giant business card.
In fact, the ULTIMATE, business card.
Most coaches and consultants have at least one book inside them that is screaming to get out. The main challenges that hold them back, however, are
1. getting it written
2. getting it published
I could write a whole book - indeed two books! - about those challenges, so I can't do them justice in a simple email.
However, I do talk about it in more detail at my Six-Figure Blueprint seminars, so if you can get to one in the UK or Canada, it's worth taking the weekend just for that section (http://robcuesta.com/6figureblueprint)
OK, that's it for today, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this - feel free to comment below or post on the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/6FigureBlueprint.
Until the next time!
Rob
