Why I am not an "official coach"
Food for thought
Raw and Real Conversation
From 2020-22, the online world went through a revolution.
Almost every single creator was creating courses.
It was also working, because most of us were in a lockdown, in our own homes.
Now that courses aren’t as popular, a lot of people are switching to becoming coaches.
Especially foreign creators are going bullish on coaching.
Here is how the process looks like:
Step 1: Sell a low value product.
Step 2: Pick the customers from step 1 and sell them your group coaching (which is a Zoom call).
Step 3: Pick the customers of step 2 and turn them into your retainer clients for 1:1 coaching.
Easy peezy, lemon squeezy. More money, better life. (This is how those creators define it. :D)
Anyhow, all of this is good if you love what you do.
For me, the only products I sell are my ebooks. If you buy one of my ebooks, I won’t offer you an upsell.
Humble opinion: If you are doing either of these, please know that I have all my best wishes for you. Just that I am here to share what works for me. Just like you know what works for you :)
On the surface, it looks like a wasted opportunity.
But here is why it works:
I absolutely, with all my heart, love writing.
Especially, writing books.
So, if I choose to make coaching my full-time thing, it would not only require a ton of time, it is also an opportunity cost.
To let go of my love for writing.
To let go of my oxygen.
To spend less time writing, and more time strategising.
Absolutely not worth the trade.
Especially to make it my full-time thing.
That is why, I choose not to be a coach. Yes, I do have different pricing for my books. The more specific the book, the higher the pricing.
For example, “Every Writer Needs to Read This” is a relatively higher priced product, because it is not for everybody. It is only for serious writers who want to hone their craft.
Similar is the case with the other 3 ebooks, whether you pick How to Deal With Heartbreak, The Career Changing Guide or The Corporate Life Handbook.
But once you do purchase any of these, I am not going to run after your money to be your coach.
Doesn’t mean I can’t be a good one and add value to you.
Nor does it mean that coaching doesn’t work. It does.
However, for me it means I am doing it only for money. Not how I operate. We operate from the heart. Money follows. Often more.
In another context, let me share what Nick Maggiulli shared and I found fascinating:
When Grant Cardone says that earning only $400,000 per year would embarrass him, he’s trying to increase your current pain. If you make less than $400,000 a year, he wants you to think less of yourself so that you go looking for a solution (ideally from him). Ironically, the solution Grant provides is a high priced course/seminar that makes him richer.
Not the trap I would make anyone in my audience fall into.
Of course, I work with clients 1:1 to ghostwrite their books, sometimes write columns in publications, offer consultations (rarely) when they are inbound, sell my books to corporates, and several other things as well—all related to writing.
All of this is also hard work, and I am happy to do it to make my money driven by passion and happiness, instead of doing something only for money with lack of joy and happiness.
The truth about good life is to live a life most people are not living.
Which is all the more reason you should live it.
With which, comes a realisation:
More than knowing what we do want, we all ought to know what we don’t want to do.
When you know what you don’t want, what you do want comes closer to you.
There is a life lesson there.
As you read this, I really hope you also find an answer to a question you have been looking for, my friend.
Raw One Liners:
Encouragement, not entitlement. Gratitude, not grudges. Conversations, and not being closed.
When you can’t decide, choose to be kind.
Real Gratitudes:
This Diwali, I fit into clothes that are 6-7-10 years old. Oh, never been grateful.
Drew some boundaries in some friendships/relations, by not being available. And blessing them from a distance :)
You all, for being one of the nicest janta I have ever seen. Keep rocking friends :))
Chalo chalo,
Wish you all a great 2025 starting in November 2024 itself.
Stay raw, stay real.
Nishtha