What could you change about your website that would help you better attract your ideal book coaching client?
I like sharing lessons learned from working with my clients because hearing what real people are going through is more relatable and helpful than generic advice. Let’s talk about your website for a minute. You only get a few seconds when someone new comes to your site for them to decide if they want to explore more. If they can’t clearly see how you can help them, they’ll move on.
As a writer, I know how confusing it all can be – figuring out how to tell my story, then wondering what type of editing I need (who knew there were so many types?), not to mention all of the options for self and trad publishing.
So, when writers go looking for help, they’re confused enough. Your website should offer them clarity and let them know you understand what they’re going through and exactly how you can help them.
Two book coaches who hired me recently for Strategy Sessions wanted help with their website messaging and making it easier for writers to navigate their sites. During each Strategy Session we identified the type of work they like to do and their ideal book coaching client. Then we went through the website with those in mind. Most of the content was great, we just needed to reword some things and move pieces around so the website flowed better.
The biggest change was moving from generic phrasing to emphasizing the type of writers they work with and exactly how they help them move forward with their writing projects.
When book coaches try to appeal to everyone, they end up helping no one. I see websites that mention “all genres” and “writers at every stage” without giving any concrete examples of who they actually serve best.
Here’s what I discovered works better: being specific about your ideal client makes it easier for the right writers to say “yes, that’s me” and reach out.
Here are some questions to think about while you review your website:
- Is it clear what genre you work in (nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction, etc)?
- Is it clear the type of writer you help (first-time authors, experienced writers stuck on a project, professionals writing their expertise)?
- Do writers know where in the writing process you offer services (proposals, outline, first draft, the full process beginning to end)?
- Can someone understand your approach in under 30 seconds of landing on your homepage?
If a writer comes to your website, will she know exactly how you can help her? More importantly, will she know if you’re NOT the right fit?
That second question might be even more valuable. When you’re clear about who you serve, you attract better clients and spend less time on discovery calls that go nowhere.
Over to You
I’d love to hear from you! When looking at your website, what are ways you show writers specifically how you help them? Leave a comment and let me know.