How much does writing coaching cost? That is an excellent question and one I hear often. Before I answer that, let me tell you a story about someone who approached me recently. Let’s call him Dr. Sal.
Dr. Sal approached me in multiple places the same day to say he wants writing coaching from me, he heard me on a podcast, and he lives in India. That’s about halfway around the world from me. Isn’t the reach of podcasts amazing?
(Aside: I think it is amazing. I am so grateful every day for what technology allows us to do. If I had been born a few decades before, I’d have been labeled “an invalid” and would have been pretty much useless to society. But, since we have computers and internet, and instant access to books, books, books, every day of my life is benefiting society. Okay, back to Dr. Sal.)
Dr. Sal seemed very motivated to get started. He was also convinced that I’m the one to help him. Both of those are great. It’s helpful if someone already knows enough about a provider to know that they want to work with that provider. He said he wanted writing coaching from me, so I responded with some information. I included a link to the page where he could sign up for my group-coaching program. That program is one-fourth of the price of my one-on-one coaching—much more affordable—and more popular. Most new writers can’t afford one-on-one coaching unless they are business owners or executives.
He said no, he only wants my one-on-one coaching.
How much does writing coaching cost?
After insisting that only solo coaching and that only I would do, he asked the logical question: What is the cost, and where can he register?
So I told him. I gave him two coaching package options along with what he needed to register.
The packages were $400 a month for weekly coaching and $1,000 for a month of daily help. Daily help. A client could continue at the end of that month if they want to, but there’s no ongoing commitment, no six-month contract, nothing like that.
Everything about it is perfectly reasonable, after asking ‘How much does writing coaching cost?” and upon hearing the price, he disappears. So do many of the people who ask me for one-on-one coaching.
After I sent that email, POOF, no more Dr. Sal. First, though, he asked me to recommend a free coach to him.
Just like the people in the following video, he would be offended if someone asked him for free medical treatment or any other kind of work. Why does he think it’s acceptable to ask for free writing assistance? It is unacceptable to ask a coach or editor to work for free, but it happens every day.
People get sticker shock.
Why is it that so many people get sticker shock when they get the answer to “How much does writing coaching cost?” This applies to any service, really. Why do so many people expect professionals to accept being paid less than 10% of what they should be paid?
In this case, the difference between the national economies in the US and India may be a significant factor. That is one reason I offered him other, more affordable options, including the extremely affordable writing coaching option of $10/mo.
But Americans and people who live in other countries that have robust economies also constantly get sticker shock when it comes to the price of writing coaching. I think it’s because those people seeking services have an hourly pay mindset and a poverty-based mindset. They don’t value their own time or contributions to society, so it seams reasonable that they won’t value other people’s time or contributions, either. They also look at things as costs/spending rather than as investments. Saying to yourself, “This costs $400” hits differently than saying, “The investment is $400.”
Good people pay for things they want.
Kind and reasonable people would never expect someone to work for such a low amount that they cannot survive. If people were to do the math and calculate how much a service provider is actually making, they would realize that they are actually demanding that. I don’t think they want their service providers to starve, though. The problem is that they don’t consider factors like the overhead that must be paid for, or the nonbillable time that goes into every business. All of those things are and must be part of a provider’s pricing. To my knowledge, no one has been able to magically turn one dollar into ten yet.
How much does writing coaching cost? Plan to invest a minimum of $100 per hour, and for most coaches, $500 per hour. Group coaching programs like this one are much more affordable and have some added benefits such as a greater number of perspectives and ideas. When someone offers you an option that is just ten dollars per month, they are making it as affordable as possible.
Wherever your budget and ability to invest may sit now, be savvy about the investments you need to make in your business and yourself before, during, and after writing a book. This piece, self-care while writing a book, might help you start thinking about these investments.
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