Discovery Calls: What to Expect

Hiring a book coach or editor is a big deal—a singularly exciting big deal that represents a vote of confidence in yourself as a writer with important goals.

Like any life changing action, signing on with a coach is an investment of time, money, and energy, and so it’s a relationship that should be considered carefully.

In real estate, before a buyer purchases a home (ideally) they first take a tour of it. Before a student picks their college, they might visit the campus or watch a video about the school online.

A Discovery Call works like a house tour or a campus visit. It’s a no-pressure opportunity to dig deeper. It’s a chance to see if you and the coach will collaborate productively and enjoy yourselves in the process.

A Casual Conversation

Discovery Calls are not salesy calls—they’re generally casual exploratory conversations and a bold first step toward prioritizing your writing objectives.  

No two Discovery Calls are the same, but the conversation is likely to go something like this:

• Introductions and conversation starters. I almost always start a call with a question about favorite authors. Mostly, this is because I’m always up for book talk, but also, this information can shine a light on a writer’s influences and aspirations.

• Questions. To determine if their services are the ones you’re looking for, the coach will likely ask a series of questions about your writing life, which focus on hurdles and goals.

• Next Steps. If the coach thinks they have a program that supports your objectives, they will describe their services and answer any questions you might have. From there, it’s all up to you. If the person you talk with feels like the right coach for you, go for it and then celebrate this commitment.

Make the Most of Your Discovery Call

A Discovery Call is free, but that does not mean it’s without value. Regardless of whether you hire a particular coach or not, the questions they ask can help you see your writing process from a different vantage point and provide you with a fresh new outlook.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare in advance:

• Read the coach’s website and familiarize yourself with the packages they offer. Which services stand out to you? If you figure this out beforehand, you can come to the call prepared with the questions you most want answers to.

• Know the reasons you’re looking for help. Articulating this during the call will help the coach determine if their services are right for you.

• Consider what hurdles obstruct your writing life, and come prepared to talk about them.

• Identify your writing goals so that you are able to share them with the coach.

• Prepare questions. The person you speak with will be happy to answer them. The better informed you are, the more fruitful the outcomes will be for both you and the coach.

If it’s helpful, journal or discuss these points with a friend to prepare for your call. These acts alone are valuable and oftentimes enlightening.

If you want to find out more about book coaching or the editorial services I provide, let’s schedule a Discovery Call today!