Should I Write A Book?
The Importance of Writing a Book for Coaches and Speakers
Summary
In this episode, Angie and John discuss why having a book is increasingly being seen as essential for coaches, speakers, and personal development professionals.
They explore the advantages of writing a book, both in terms of personal credibility and business growth. Angie talks about her long journey of writing her book since 2016, sharing insights on organizing thoughts and staying motivated.
John provides a guide on self-publishing versus traditional publishing, discussing the benefits and challenges of each route.
The conversation also delves into the potential distractions for new coaches and the role of AI in book writing.
Overall, they emphasize the value of a book as a powerful tool for positioning oneself as an expert in the industry.
Takeaways
It's important for coaches to have their own book.
Journaling can lead to valuable book content.
Self-publishing is more accessible than ever.
Books can serve as effective marketing tools.
Expert positioning is crucial for coaches.
Monetizing a book requires strategic marketing.
Ghostwriting can help bring ideas to life.
Books should not overwhelm readers with information.
Validating ideas through coaching experience is essential.
A book can enhance a coach's credibility and reach. Demonstrating experience is crucial for credibility in writing.
Perfectionism can hinder the completion of your book.
New coaches should focus on foundational skills before writing.
Blogging can help you find your voice and clarify your ideas.
AI can assist in the writing process but should not replace personal input.
Authenticity is key; your work should reflect your voice.
The creative process is personal and should involve your own efforts.
Valuing your creation enhances the connection with your audience.
AI's role in writing is evolving, but human touch remains essential.
Focus on what truly matters in your business before adding new projects.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Writing a Book
01:31 Angie's Journey: From Journaling to Book Writing
02:18 Challenges and Progress in Writing a Book
03:46 The Value of Self-Publishing
08:14 Monetizing Your Book: Strategies and Tips
26:13 The Role of AI in Book Writing
38:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Get in touch
Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us your message.
Would you like to get coaching from John or Angie? Here's how you can contact us:
John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com
2023 Present Influence Productions The Coaching Clinic 36
Transcript
Angie,
2
:Angie: John,
3
:John: do you have a book?
4
:Angie: are you asking if I can read?
5
:John: No, have you written a book?
6
:Angie: Oh, I'm thinking about it.
7
:Why have you?
8
:John: I'm writing one at the moment.
9
:I'm starting to think it's really
important for coaches to have one.
10
:Angie: All right.
11
:I'm hooked.
12
:Let's talk about books today.
13
:John: Angie, it seems like everywhere
I look at the moment, People are
14
:talking about how important it is to
have your own book for your business
15
:if you are a coach a speaker or any
anything in the Personal development
16
:I say information sector and personal
development industry that it's really
17
:important to have that and And it has got
me thinking and it has got me revisiting
18
:a book that i've been looking at But
have you been feeling the same thing?
19
:Angie: So I'm going to make you laugh.
20
:I've been writing my
book probably since:
21
:and it didn't, yeah, it's been a long
time and why am I still writing it?
22
:I just haven't gone back to it because
it didn't, I didn't start out with it.
23
:The idea wasn't to write a book.
24
:I started journaling and.
25
:As I was journaling at the time on this
topic of, what was going on in my life
26
:at the time, I started to realize that
wait a minute, I'm a coach, right?
27
:This could actually be useful, a tool.
28
:A guide for people.
29
:So I shifted it, but yes, so here I am,
though, all these years later, and I have
30
:still, I have not completed the book, not
31
:John: What sort of
stages are at the moment
32
:Angie: So I probably have like
a serious great three chapters.
33
:And it's not going to be a long book.
34
:This isn't going to be
a 500 page novel, right?
35
:This is not that.
36
:But what I did do recently, because
I do not just because I don't want
37
:to finish it just to finish it.
38
:But what I did do is I've actually
outlined the last the last six or
39
:seven chapters, like what I want
to talk about in those, so I'm I'm
40
:going from it being this natural let
me just get the thoughts on paper.
41
:To organizing it like in a
way that if I was a reader,
42
:it would actually make sense.
43
:So I'm treating it like a book, right?
44
:And not just the journal.
45
:John: Okay.
46
:But have you reinvigorated
your drive, your passion to
47
:move ahead with the book now?
48
:Angie: Yeah, because now it's in
my, it's like part of my practice.
49
:Like it's part of my vision for my
business because although it didn't,
50
:it wasn't born from, Oh, let me write a
book, that'll be great for my business.
51
:I can now turn it into that.
52
:I can take this other great idea,
this content and turn it into.
53
:So I do have more passion because
I actually think there's a lot of
54
:information that based on what I do every
day is a great supplement to what I do.
55
:I guess I could say it that way.
56
:It's a great supplement to what
I do every day, a great add on.
57
:And who
58
:John: So many questions.
59
:So many people say that the best business
card you can have is your own book.
60
:And I agree to, to a great degree and feel
like, I've, I say have I remember before?
61
:Yeah, but small, like really small guys.
62
:I've even self-published before,
but really like handbooks very,
63
:more like pamphlets, in the books.
64
:But not really related to what I do now.
65
:So I wouldn't, probably
wouldn't pull those things back.
66
:So I have.
67
:Published myself I have written books,
but but now this is what I'm working
68
:on is a much fuller book that really
is my whole framework and my whole
69
:philosophy principles around what I do
and how that's gonna help Others as well.
70
:So I'm excited for it, but I will say
this first time when I got somebody
71
:to take a look at my my framework,
the skeleton bare bones of the book.
72
:And they, the first comment
to me was this is four books
73
:.
Angie: Okay.
74
:Yeah.
75
:John: but then why not?
76
:It's okay, that's actually not bad.
77
:So that makes my life a bit easier now to
get that great feedback from someone who
78
:knows about these things and say okay,
it can be four books and this can be.
79
:Part one of those four books
or maybe becomes three books.
80
:Who knows but but not to really put too
much Into one book because that whole
81
:thing about talk about with speaking.
82
:We don't want to overteach.
83
:We don't want to overdo it whilst we want
to deliver value we want people to be
84
:able to absorb what they're delivering
and to be able to use and apply it and
85
:something that ends up being almost like
a Bible of presentation skills so to
86
:speak might be a bit overwhelming for a
lot of people and maybe even hard to use
87
:Angie: I was going to say, I
just was going to say that.
88
:I think that when there's too much
information that it just, what
89
:happens is the lessons get murky.
90
:They get lost and I actually
just had a session with somebody
91
:last night and I encouraged her.
92
:We're having this conversation
and I said to her, maybe what you
93
:should do because it was about
she was writing some things down.
94
:And I said I think that you
need to break those things down.
95
:I didn't say go write another
book, but it was interesting.
96
:It was really.
97
:When that person said to you, I have four
books, like this is four books, right?
98
:Don't overcomplicate it
because the lessons get lost.
99
:And, sometimes we have to
go back and revisit, right?
100
:That's it's okay.
101
:Because when people, if we have one book
and people want to come back and revisit.
102
:Maybe it's a workshop.
103
:Maybe it's if you want there
to be more tangibles, right?
104
:Maybe then you're creating a whole
different type of curriculum around the
105
:book, which again, what are we doing here?
106
:We're expanding our business.
107
:And it's funny because I actually have
two books going and it's, again, it's
108
:because to your point, and I didn't
realize it, and this just puts lights on
109
:light on it, that the first book really.
110
:Was more, it should be, I should keep
it where, what it was meant to be and
111
:then take specific topics that I touch
on and turn those into more, right?
112
:Because there is more to learn.
113
:There is more to say.
114
:Yeah, I think it's so much more
commonplace now to have a book
115
:than I don't know, 20 years ago.
116
:What do you think about that?
117
:I
118
:John: Yeah, it really is and I do think
that probably self publishing is so much
119
:easier now than it ever was that it almost
doesn't make sense not to and I have I
120
:have a connection who's a really good
marketing expert and he's turned out books
121
:like he'll spend three weeks working on
a book and then self publish it and he's
122
:done okay with that i mean i've read some
of the books and yeah they're littered
123
:with spelling mistakes and things like
that but There's good content in there
124
:and there's things that can be really
helpful you know if you're willing to let
125
:go of that sort of it needs to be perfect
and all the Syntax and spelling needs
126
:to be spot on If you can let go of that
to some degree like do you maybe want
127
:to spend a bit of money on an editor?
128
:Sure, especially if you're looking to
write take the book into the mainstream
129
:and maybe take it to a publisher at some
point, you may well want to do that.
130
:But really, could you move ahead
on a budget and maybe just self
131
:publish something yourself?
132
:Absolutely.
133
:And I've done it with smaller books and
to some degree, I will do that this, with
134
:this book as well, although I probably
will at least spend a couple of hundred
135
:bucks on getting it, getting someone
to take a look do a quick edit on it.
136
:Who has
137
:Angie: think it's important though
to try to identify that for like
138
:the people listening, right?
139
:Because there might be people here
listening to us right now saying.
140
:Self publishing.
141
:What is that?
142
:I think that there's not.
143
:It's not a natural place where people
who are building coaching practices
144
:or in personal development necessarily
say, Oh, that's a goal as well.
145
:There's going to be these
verticals within my business.
146
:And one of them is going
to be my book writing.
147
:So tell us tell our audience, right?
148
:What are really the big difference?
149
:You touched on a little bit, but
why would I or why would I not?
150
:Yeah.
151
:Self publish, specifically.
152
:John: Partly it's looking at the
benefits of each one that we do
153
:want to get the clear pros and cons.
154
:When you go to a publishers, if you
have a good concept for a book, and
155
:it has a very clear market and it's
clearly commercial for them, then they
156
:will be able to do things like offer
you an advance on the book and And.
157
:Maybe they will be able to have
better distribution than you might
158
:be able to manage by yourself.
159
:That doesn't mean that it's
gonna sell like hotcakes.
160
:It doesn't mean that it is going
to be a successful book for you and
161
:the chances of you making any money.
162
:With a properly published book, low it's
still going to be what we call a lost
163
:leader That you're not really going to
be able to make much money off it and
164
:unless you have a huge international
success, but so few people have that and
165
:that probably speaks to you really need
to be able to Tap into whatever zeitgeist
166
:is going on whatever's hot Right now, or
people want to get into you need to be
167
:right there with what you do at the right
time to some degree for that to really
168
:work and to have a really solid strategy.
169
:When you go to a publisher You have to
go with a book proposal First of all,
170
:you could you don't just go and throw
your completed manuscript at them and
171
:say here's my book you have to give
them a book proposal and we're talking
172
:we are talking Non fiction particularly
probably personal development of the
173
:likes books and so with that you have to
be clear on all the information they want
174
:from you in a book proposal that can be
Almost as much work as writing your book.
175
:So they want the outline, they
want the clarity of who it's for,
176
:what the book's going to do for
the audience, all of these things.
177
:And you can usually get the, you
can usually get all that information
178
:off publishers websites to be able
to, what they want information
179
:from you for a book proposal.
180
:They don't want to read
your completed book.
181
:They want to read your proposal and
and see if it's any good from there.
182
:Part of the reason is, They
actually do know a fair bit more
183
:about publishing styles and what
works well and what doesn't.
184
:So they may ask you to make changes.
185
:And that's much harder to do
if you've completed the book.
186
:They can sometimes, if they like the
concept and they think it's cool, Got
187
:good commercial value They may well
have someone work with you a bit on the
188
:structure and design and layout of the
book to make sure it's gonna fit with
189
:what they already have in their library
and with their audiences in the right
190
:way, so Yeah, there's things there that
could be beneficial to you but for most
191
:coaches and speakers Self publishing,
and there's so many different options for
192
:this as well from just like essentially
having a PDF version of your book that
193
:you can give to people or self printing.
194
:You can self print your books
and sell them at your own events.
195
:We talked about this with speaking, you
can include them in part of, as part of
196
:your negotiation for speaking events.
197
:You can use them as a calling card for
clients as a an introductory offer To
198
:bring people like a funnel to bring people
in deeper into your coaching world That's
199
:pretty low entry because if someone can't
even you know Someone's not even going
200
:to pay to have a book delivered to them.
201
:They're not going to pay
for your coaching either.
202
:So But yeah, these are some of the
203
:Angie: it's got ancillary
value to it, for sure.
204
:But here's the thing.
205
:I'm gonna sit here and say this to you
because this just like when we talked
206
:about podcasting you've already self
published, so you're ahead of me.
207
:You've done it before me.
208
:But I feel like, I would be speaking
for maybe the entire audience that's
209
:listening when I ask this question if
we, because I feel like most people
210
:are going to want to monetize where you
mentioned oh, you can bring it to an
211
:event and offer it and, promote it that
way and create this like collaboration
212
:and layers of what you're offering.
213
:And I think that's great.
214
:People love the stuff.
215
:Nobody wants to walk away with
a pen with your website on it.
216
:That's like a real value.
217
:But if somebody really wanted to
monetize a book because it's effort,
218
:it's, not something we're necessarily
going to be throwing gather, what's
219
:the what, again, I'm sure there's
a million perspectives on this.
220
:So I'm just asking John, by the way.
221
:In his, for in his experience or
in his opinion, what would be the
222
:best route for somebody to take?
223
:John: i'm certainly by no means an
authority on this but But what I do
224
:know is when you self publish You are in
control of your marketing when a book gets
225
:published through Mainstream publishers
it may get marketed the one time but they
226
:do still expect you to primarily take care
of the marketing strategy for that and You
227
:It's much like any information product.
228
:How do you sell any kind
of information product?
229
:That's what a book is
at the end of the day.
230
:How do you sell that?
231
:How do you market it?
232
:How do you promote it?
233
:You want to maybe build up your e build
up your email list and perhaps you're
234
:gonna maybe even utilize buzz around,
start creating some buzz around the
235
:book to build that up and going on.
236
:Going on podcast as a guest, we talked
about that recently going on talking
237
:about the book that's coming out, build
up some interest there, maybe even create
238
:a waiting list for your book so that
you can perhaps at least get onto an
239
:Amazon bestsellers list pretty quick.
240
:There are some pretty good
resources out there to help you
241
:know how to best market your book.
242
:But the good thing with that is
you can turn up the marketing,
243
:turn on the marketing taps for
your book anytime you want.
244
:And so I think that if you actually want
to make money from your book, great.
245
:You might just want it as a
tool, something you can sell at
246
:events and don't really care if
it's in book charts or whatever.
247
:That's fine.
248
:But if you do at least want to get it
onto an Amazon bestseller list, there
249
:are plenty of people who offer some great
strategies for helping you to do that.
250
:And it's really not, It's
difficult getting it onto
251
:the wall street journal, but
252
:Angie: new york times bestseller
253
:John: york times bestsellers list?
254
:That's a very different beast indeed
and requires a much more significant
255
:strategy But again, there are people
you know, if that's your goal There
256
:are people out there who could be
able to help you do that So it might
257
:depend on what level you're at.
258
:I certainly think the self publishing
route for most people Is the easier
259
:path to go down and there are So many
different levels though, like people
260
:will essentially some degree give you
the whole strategy for doing this There
261
:are some people who will do it along with
you And there are some people who'll even
262
:take care of it all for you And maybe
even ghostwrite your whole book for you.
263
:Angie: I
264
:John: All of that's out
265
:Angie: about ghostwriting because I yeah,
because I feel like this I feel like
266
:my perception of book writing, right?
267
:I wrote a small book in college.
268
:It was part of a class.
269
:I was taking little
novelette and it was great.
270
:A plus, this was amazing.
271
:I had to share with my colleagues
because there was some mystery in there.
272
:Who knew?
273
:I just love to articulate
and get things down.
274
:But it's so funny because my perception
was in order to have a book published,
275
:you had to be an author, right?
276
:That was your profession.
277
:And that's just not true anymore.
278
:It has, that whole space has evolved,
obviously since, I guess I feel like a
279
:little bit of a mini dinosaur, right?
280
:Because I'm talking about a time when.
281
:That was the truth.
282
:You had to be an author for the most
part in order to get something published.
283
:And that's just not the case anymore.
284
:So it is another viable
opportunity to get things done.
285
:If I had, listen, if I had three
weeks, you were mentioning something
286
:about a friend of yours that,
knocked it out in three, three weeks.
287
:If somebody locked me in a cabin, like
Stephen King does go lock me up somewhere.
288
:I could knock out the two books
that I have probably like pretty
289
:quickly, because I'd be having, I
would have the time and attention.
290
:And now because I am focusing on
the writing, it's, I need a couple
291
:of hours of, this is why it hasn't
been, why is it going on for so long?
292
:Why is it taking me so long?
293
:Because I don't feel like I've had.
294
:The time because I have to get into
this mental zone to create what
295
:it is or to reflect on what it is.
296
:I'm trying to say create a flow.
297
:It's not a 15 minute thing
unless it's just a quick idea.
298
:Oh, I want to throw this in there.
299
:It can be time consuming, but I think
if you outline things and you really
300
:decide what it is you want to talk about.
301
:It will probably happen a little
bit more quickly, but I just feel
302
:like and tell me do you agree?
303
:I think that the mindset is that it used
to be like you had to be an author But you
304
:don't and ghostwriting somebody just like
I don't know maybe the universe is talking
305
:to me somebody on LinkedIn was like hey
I'm a ghostwriter and I'm like, oh, maybe
306
:do you wanna talk about that a little bit?
307
:What'd you say?
308
:John: I said I don't believe in ghosts.
309
:Angie: Oh, you will, you come
to my house and you will . Okay.
310
:That's all I'm gonna say.
311
:John: But yeah I know that there are
people like with podcasts who have
312
:had somebody, handed the transcripts
of the podcast over to somebody to
313
:turn, have them turned into a book
formatted and turned into a book.
314
:And people have done that and sometimes
it's done really well with that.
315
:So I know that is also an option,
when I have nearly 200 episodes of
316
:my other show, that is an option.
317
:There's probably plenty of stuff in
there that would make valuable book
318
:content and would probably do very well.
319
:So that's another option
for the future as well.
320
:But the whole point of having the, in the
first place is that expert positioning.
321
:And that, I think that is, it's
not just to make money from it.
322
:Hopefully you can make some
money from your book as well.
323
:That's certainly a good thing to do, but
for coaches more than anything, it does
324
:give you a level of expert positioning.
325
:You can say podcast does
to some degree, but.
326
:Somehow it doesn't have the same
Gravitas as having a book published
327
:even if you've self published it
328
:Angie: I, I'm not sure that
everybody even thinks that a book is
329
:something that might be necessary.
330
:And if it was, why?
331
:So it's not just always about monetizing.
332
:It is about that expert positioning.
333
:It's about completing the package, so
to speak, and not necessarily a package
334
:that you're going to sell, but just
another piece of what you're doing
335
:and your mission and your passion.
336
:I love it.
337
:I think it's a great idea to add it on.
338
:John: Here's what I'll say
as well to add on to this.
339
:I don't think it's
something for new coaches.
340
:Angie: I agree.
341
:John: Unless you really have a specific
Point of view framework concept there's
342
:going to be really valuable to people
and is your intellectual property if
343
:you already have that Great, but I would
probably still look to take some time
344
:to validate it in coaching and to have
the case studies and the history and the
345
:knowledge of working with it this is one
of the things that did come up for me.
346
:And I had ended up having an
interview on someone with my show.
347
:I'd mostly finished writing a book and
then had a professional ghostwriter
348
:come and be a guest on my show.
349
:She's written some great books.
350
:I think I will share her name is
Ginny Carter and she's written.
351
:But called like your business your book.
352
:I think she had more recent ones.
353
:I have to write a personal how
to write self help book Great.
354
:She's really good really knowledgeable
on this stuff Super nice person as well,
355
:and i'll put a link to that episode
if you want to listen to it Into the
356
:show notes as well, but One of the
things she said that really hit home
357
:for me was like you need to be able to
demonstrate that this has been In action.
358
:Otherwise, it's just kind of conceptual
knowledge which I think is really
359
:important and it's one of the reasons why
I held off On that particular book and
360
:thought I don't have enough validation
In my work experience to be able to feel
361
:confident going ahead and publishing
could you still go ahead and publish?
362
:Yes, but Are you gonna feel like
you're on weaker ground if you do that?
363
:Probably I would have And so
it felt like it would have been
364
:a little you know whilst i'm
almost ready to push the button.
365
:I realized the book was probably
only really half done and there was
366
:a lot that needed to still Happen
Before it's ready to be published.
367
:So this is one of the reasons why it's
like it is a slightly higher level thing
368
:And yes, there is a certain level of
work and commitment involved in this
369
:and you do need to figure out You know
the time isn't just going to appear to
370
:write your book You do need to, you do
need to create the time, whether you
371
:give yourself three weeks locked in a
cabin or whether you give yourself an
372
:hour every morning or whether you join
one of these groups that are around
373
:where people get together and spend an
hour on Zoom together just writing on
374
:their books and have that check in time.
375
:Of these things can help you,
but you ultimately done is . I
376
:say, done is better than perfect.
377
:Get your book done.
378
:If you have the idea and you really want
to do it, and you wanna have a book as
379
:to represent you and your expertise and
to give you that positioning, do it.
380
:Get it done.
381
:Angie: Yeah, I think to your point about
you know Also, I think there's that if
382
:you're a newer coach, it is a just another
distraction You need to establish you and
383
:you might have some really great ideas
on what a great book could be or a topic
384
:that you'd want to talk about but I agree.
385
:I think that you probably need to get
yourself into that space a little bit
386
:to back up things a little bit more
depending on what the topic actually is.
387
:But also for me, when I think about
productivity, is it a distraction?
388
:If you're a newer coach, there's a ton
of things that you're working on and
389
:you don't even know yet what it is.
390
:You don't know what you don't know.
391
:And you and I we've revamped recently,
we've been coaches for a long time.
392
:And even with all the experience,
it's months, like in my mind, I'm
393
:like, Oh, I can just knock this out.
394
:It's months to structure or restructure.
395
:And right now, throwing the book into the
mix is just not, it's not even on my list.
396
:It's just not.
397
:John: It's a point of overwhelm, right?
398
:Angie: Yeah.
399
:John: If you let it be that yeah I
wouldn't encourage anyone to ever put
400
:themselves in that position of overwhelm.
401
:It's always the case that you add it's
always add one more thing add one more
402
:thing You do not need to be doing all the
things at once you do need to figure out
403
:a logical order and if your business isn't
happening Maybe writing a book right now.
404
:It isn't your biggest priority
maybe getting clients happening.
405
:Another way is a better priority to have
But maybe if you are looking to head
406
:on the road as a speaker It might be
a good idea to at least be working on
407
:your book But Now maybe there's a middle
ground as well perhaps start writing a
408
:blog maybe even start, just recording
some thoughts down do some off the cuff
409
:relaxed youtube videos where you're just
talking about these things You'll start
410
:to figure out what you want to say and
at least start finding your own voice.
411
:I like the idea of Starting
a blog perhaps more.
412
:Yes.
413
:People do still read blogs and Newsletters
and people do still like them as well.
414
:There's a huge market for them bigger than
big still bigger than the podcast market
415
:and It will help you learn how to write As
well, if you don't already have that skill
416
:and you'll get better at talking about
it, you can, you'll get more comfortable
417
:explaining things, putting things down
on paper and getting out of your head.
418
:Yeah, it can help you to start
to create your framework and your
419
:points and principles and whatever
else you want to add in there.
420
:Angie: I agree.
421
:And I think to your point earlier, it
doesn't have to be like everything right
422
:at the moment, but I also, I'm going
to counter something that you said.
423
:I'm going to say that sometimes,
cause I love I still blog.
424
:when I was blogging initially,
it was really more random and it
425
:was just me getting to know me.
426
:I needed to know and understand
my voice because coaching was
427
:one thing, speaking is another.
428
:And how I communicate with my
audience, how do I do that?
429
:So I started the blogging piece
because it was just little things
430
:that I had learned along the way.
431
:And I felt let me talk about it.
432
:Let's see how this goes.
433
:And it might go really well.
434
:I got really good response from my
blog, to be honest with you, it wasn't
435
:just because I was so important.
436
:It just started small and then
started growing, to snowball, which
437
:is what we want to have happen anyway.
438
:Your book is another way to
communicate with your audience.
439
:It just is.
440
:And I think it's so funny because you
and I both coached people who were
441
:like, I want to go, I want to be a
speaker and I want to be a this and a
442
:coach and I'm going to write a book.
443
:And I what would you do yesterday?
444
:Oh I was like, I was,
the CEO at such and such.
445
:And I'm like, okay, wait,
let's take a step back.
446
:You're laughing because you know how
many of those people we encountered,
447
:but you have to really remember
that everything that you do.
448
:To interact with the public is an
interaction and how you communicate,
449
:I think it's really important
into to branding yourself and how
450
:you're received by the audience.
451
:John: Yeah, I think we do have to
bring up the AI thing as well because
452
:it is possible to use AI tools to.
453
:Potentially to write your book for you.
454
:I don't recommend that.
455
:I don't think AI is there yet And I don't
think yeah and you would still want it
456
:to be at least trained on your voice
and your style before you did that there
457
:would still be some work to do there But
you could probably at least get some help
458
:from AI tools on creating your outline
Maybe even creating a book proposal
459
:if that's if you want to go through
A traditional publishing route there.
460
:There are a lot of things where it can
help Shortcut, or you can make sure
461
:that you're covering a topic fully.
462
:What are the things that you should
make sure that you're covering when
463
:you're talking about this, to make
sure that you have exhausted the topic
464
:and not left anything important out.
465
:I think all that kind of stuff,
it can really help you there.
466
:And so I would encourage you to use
AI to some degree, whether it's chat
467
:GPT or Gemini, whatever it is that
they're great tools, but I wouldn't
468
:Ask them to do the whole thing for you.
469
:It's not there yet.
470
:Even if you had even if you have the
podcast transcripts and hand, they
471
:pump all those into chat, GPT or
whatever, and say, put them into a
472
:book format, I still wouldn't trust it.
473
:I still wouldn't trust it
to do that at the moment.
474
:So so yeah use it as a tool to help
you develop this I would say hang
475
:on other people may have different
opinions to be honest But I think it's
476
:a great thing to help you It should be
your author helper if you're going to
477
:do that rather than your ghost writer
478
:Angie: Yeah, no, I think when you
mentioned that, when you were like,
479
:wait a minute, we don't want chat
GPT to be writing everything I had
480
:this flashback and I did interact
with somebody a short while ago.
481
:Who was like writing everything or
creating everything through chat GPT.
482
:And I was like, I've been working with
you and this doesn't, this is and I
483
:asked, I'm like, are you using chat
GPT or something like AI on this?
484
:And they were like
yeah, isn't it fabulous?
485
:And I'm like, no, because I know you
and I, it doesn't even sound like
486
:you, and so I had to pull the plug on
that a little bit with them and say,
487
:wait a minute, it's a great tool.
488
:Still need to be the human in the room.
489
:John: I would say so if you just look if
you really just want to throw something
490
:out there and you're not too concerned
You just want something there Maybe
491
:give that a go and see what happens.
492
:But yeah, I it wouldn't be the path that I
would choose to take I think it's you know
493
:that's too much just trying to shortcut
the system and and take any level of work
494
:Angie: I agree.
495
:John: I can you I could have AI write
my blog for me But it's not going
496
:to be in my voice unless I at least
start to train it in how I write
497
:and how I speak and communicate so
498
:Angie: Plus you lose your ability.
499
:I have to say something, for me,
I, in my coaching practice and my
500
:speaking practice, I don't love,
I do not love administrative work.
501
:Let me just reiterate that
for the 9, 000th time episode.
502
:What are we on?
503
:37 today.
504
:But
505
:John: Something like that.
506
:Angie: the, what I love about
being in business for myself.
507
:Is my ability to be creative to bring
myself into this industry or these
508
:industries My ideas even if it was like,
it's so funny You know somebody will hand
509
:me a recipe and we all know I love to cook
love to cook I always have to make it my
510
:own I have to you know I tweak I look at
the whole thing and say that sounds good.
511
:I bet you this would be a great
addition To that let me try it this
512
:way And it's not because I have to
be right or on my way is better.
513
:It's my creative juices.
514
:So when you're, and I'm not saying
that I don't use it because I just
515
:started using AI for a couple of
things and it has worked for me.
516
:I think it's great in the capacity
in which I'm working, I'm using it,
517
:but I never want to lose my voice
as the speaker, as a coach, as a
518
:personal development expert, because
that's what makes me, that's where
519
:the, That's where the connection to
the people is really going to happen.
520
:And I'm guaranteeing there are naysayers
out there that are going AI can do that.
521
:It can learn you.
522
:It can learn anything.
523
:It's smarter than us.
524
:Yeah, it's supposed to be, but it's
still never going to be Angie ever.
525
:So you don't want to lose that
because as you are expanding and
526
:growing, it's good to be able to keep
yourself present within your business.
527
:Just saying.
528
:John: That's part of this
writing process as well.
529
:Like one of the reasons why I
never looked at ghost writers
530
:before was because I want it.
531
:I want my books, my
content to be my words.
532
:I want it to come from me through me and
rather than just be perhaps editing or
533
:altering something that has been created
by chat GPT, that may be as a personal
534
:preference that perhaps not everybody
shares, but that's where I stand with it.
535
:And I do think, I was just thinking
maybe 10 years into the future, it's
536
:we're just, Towards the end of 2024
right now, maybe 10 years in the future.
537
:Someone's listening to this old
episode of of the coaching clinic.
538
:I'm thinking, but chat
GPT does everything now.
539
:It knows my brain knows where I
know who knows where things will
540
:be with AI by that time, given
how fast things tend to progress.
541
:But right, right
542
:Angie: We should fully expect
that AI is going to change the
543
:landscape of all the things, right?
544
:And, I think that we've
had look at the Jetsons.
545
:Remember that cartoon from
I don't know, the 70s?
546
:Who knew that we would be having AI?
547
:There's George Jetson talking to his
boss, whatever the guy's name was on a TV.
548
:And that's just seemed so futuristic.
549
:And, I think the only thing
we haven't done yet, there was
550
:Rosie the maid, she was a robot.
551
:Now we have a robot that
cleans our floors for us.
552
:Like we don't know what we don't
know yet, but for today, for sure,
553
:it's still nice to be a human and
be creative and have our message.
554
:Yeah.
555
:Put out there, right?
556
:Speaking our language in our way.
557
:I don't even know if I'd
want to meet the robotic me.
558
:I have to be
559
:saying.
560
:John: But here's a take I have on this.
561
:If you create a book with using
artificial means and you haven't
562
:written it You're always going to
know I think there's always going to
563
:be that thing of you're not going to
feel completely in integrity with it
564
:Because you didn't actually create it.
565
:It didn't come from you and so unless
it has been pulled from If you've
566
:pumped in a load of previous blogs
or podcast transcripts or whatever
567
:else, then maybe there's an argument
that it has then come from you.
568
:But you, if you haven't actually
been part of the creative process,
569
:and you're always going to feel like
it wasn't really you that did this.
570
:It's just something there that
speaks to what you speak to.
571
:I do think there's a personal
integrity thing there.
572
:And maybe even that sort of deeper
connection and empathy that You
573
:know, AI can perhaps emulate elements
of that, but it's never going
574
:to do it the way you will do it.
575
:It's never, we're never going to
be able to connect human to human,
576
:the way artificial intelligence is
never going to be able to do that.
577
:However good it gets, we're always going
to know it's artificial intelligence.
578
:Angie: Absolutely.
579
:Absolutely.
580
:And I do, I can see so many
people thinking I can do this.
581
:I can make this happen.
582
:That'll make this, that'll
shorten the journey for me.
583
:I would be careful about it.
584
:Anytime I use AI on anything now, of
course I go back and I rewatch or relisten
585
:and then I go, Nope, that didn't work.
586
:Let me change this.
587
:John: Yeah I spoke to, I spoke
recently to someone who does have
588
:some expertise in AI, who was
talking about AI hallucinations and
589
:they are very real things through a
networking program that I'm in and.
590
:One of the things she was saying with
that is that it's a very real thing
591
:that it will, if it doesn't know
something, it will create something
592
:that sounds good or that sounds
realistic that may not actually be true.
593
:And this has happened a number of times
to a point where is given historical
594
:historical events that never happened.
595
:Things like that.
596
:Or police arrests that never
happened or never existed.
597
:Just data that he has actually created as
a hallucination that isn't actually real.
598
:You do have to be really careful.
599
:The very best, you have to, Pool stuff
but all this stuff of, I think there
600
:is a degree to which we value something
more the Ikea effect if you've ever heard
601
:of that, we value something a lot more
when we played a part in creating it.
602
:Angie: Oh,
603
:John: And for a book or something that
we've created that's like a it's like
604
:it Could be a baby to some degree.
605
:It's something you can create and put
out into the world and it's going to
606
:help people you're going to value it a
lot more yourself if you have actually
607
:Been the creator the person who birthed
the book I use that very intentionally
608
:because I know there are people out
there who call themselves book midwives
609
:as sort of book coaches To get your
book birthed and out into the world.
610
:You Is that even as an audience there's
a level to which I think we appreciate
611
:the effort that someone else has
put into Creating something as well.
612
:We value that too.
613
:So if we I think if we suspect
that someone has just Pulled
614
:this together from chat gpt.
615
:We're gonna we're probably going to make
some judgments on that as well Whereas
616
:if we actually can be very clear that
someone clearly has done some research
617
:and put a lot of effort and energy
Into this they put in case studies.
618
:They've done years of work in this area
619
:That has a lot more effect
and impact on people
620
:Angie: Listen, I'm going to
bring in, you're so right.
621
:And I was sitting here listening and
I'm thinking back to my, my love of
622
:cooking and wanting to change a recipe.
623
:And I think it like relates specifically
like that for me, if I serve a big
624
:dinner that I have I've ordered in.
625
:I don't care.
626
:Like I, of course I'm happy everybody's
eating and they're fed, but there's
627
:no pride in ownership, right?
628
:It's not my food.
629
:I didn't create it.
630
:I didn't cook it.
631
:I didn't plan it.
632
:However, when I, cause I've had events
where I have a food truck and, it's
633
:like, Oh my God, the food is so good.
634
:And I'm like, Oh, that's great.
635
:I'm happy that they enjoy the food.
636
:However, if I'm the one that's
creating the meal and, think of
637
:each part of the meal itself, right?
638
:As like a chapter, right?
639
:I created each of those.
640
:So when I set it out there,
there is a different level
641
:of commitment to is it good?
642
:What could be changed?
643
:Is this, how's it being received?
644
:And it's really the same for me.
645
:I don't know why it always goes
back to recipes and cooking for me.
646
:But there's a different,
it's just different.
647
:If I put somebody else's meatballs
in front of you and you don't
648
:like them, I don't really care.
649
:But if I put my meatballs in
front of you, I'm like wait
650
:John: who do your family appreciate
more than they appreciate you more
651
:when you put all that care and effort
into feeling them or when you've
652
:just called up the delivery truck?
653
:Angie: absolutely.
654
:Food is my love language.
655
:They know that, I make the
favorites, I do the things.
656
:And if I go and I order
it, it is not the same.
657
:Not just in the flavor and the taste, it's
how I, what the emphasis is how I feel.
658
:There's a pride.
659
:That when I put a spread out, John
says he's going to come and visit,
660
:so I can't wait to do that for him.
661
:But when I lay out that spread, a.
662
:k.
663
:a.
664
:the book there's just this pride.
665
:And I wouldn't say there's nerves,
but I'm always like, hey, I'm curious.
666
:So what do you think?
667
:I love the feedback.
668
:Oh, it was salty.
669
:It was this or it was perfect.
670
:Don't change anything.
671
:So it's that's how I relate to it.
672
:Like you, it, there is definitely
more pride in ownership instead
673
:of it just being like something
that you churn out some way.
674
:I just don't, I don't go for it yet.
675
:And I'm probably not going to even
be alive when all of this stuff
676
:can be done 100 percent for us.
677
:I don't think I'll be on the planet.
678
:I'm not overly concerned about it.
679
:But, because it's up and coming,
I do see so many people relying on
680
:chat GPT to do the thinking for them.
681
:And that's just
682
:John: maybe we'll be, maybe we'll
be uploaded into the cloud and
683
:we'll still be, a hundred years
from now doing our podcast.
684
:Angie: ah, oh my gosh, I don't
even know what we would sound like.
685
:I think we'd be like, in some type
of educational system, like back
686
:in the day, this is how coaches
and speakers made their living.
687
:John: It would be more
of a history podcast, at
688
:Angie: certainly would be.
689
:John: but other than other paths
being new or maybe not being
690
:experienced enough in your area yet.
691
:I can't really think of any other reasons
why you might not want to write a book
692
:other than perhaps just being focused on
what actually really matters right now.
693
:I'll say, definitely good advice not
to just add one more thing to probably
694
:what's already a very busy to do list when
you are focused on growing a business.
695
:But if you're at a point where you
think, I think I'm ready for this, it's
696
:going to help you probably get if you
haven't already got your frameworks
697
:and things like that figured out,
it's probably going to help you with
698
:that and give you some great content.
699
:If you are someone who's working
for a coaching company, looking
700
:to perhaps strike out solo.
701
:This could be a great way to help you
clarify that kind of information and
702
:put things together so you know what
you're going to be offering and the
703
:transformation, the clear transformation
you're going to be able to offer to your
704
:audience, it could help you pull all
that together, at least, even if you just
705
:outline a book and don't even get as far
as writing it, I think that would give
706
:you a big advantage in moving forward.
707
:But for those of you.
708
:For those of you who are thinking
about that, yeah, it's time to do this.
709
:Time to get ready for it.
710
:Let us know commit to writing a book and
let us know you're committing to and tell
711
:us what your book's going to be about.
712
:We'd love to, we'd love to hear from you.
713
:And probably the, one of the best
you can contact us on LinkedIn.
714
:You can find both of our LinkedIn
profiles in the show notes.
715
:But you can also you can
also leave us a voicemail.
716
:You can go to www.
717
:speakpipe.
718
:com forward slash the coaching clinic
podcast and leave us a voicemail and we
719
:will most likely feature you on the show.
720
:But I think we've I think
we've pretty much covered the
721
:Angie: Yeah.
722
:I think so.
723
:Good information.
724
:And obviously we never, we're not
looking to make this like into
725
:a whole like teaching moment.
726
:If you have those
questions, definitely do.
727
:I've had several of you
reach out to me privately.
728
:So I love that.
729
:Keep that coming.
730
:Or just get in touch with us the
way that John just shared with you.
731
:I look forward to that.
732
:I love the feedback.
733
:John: Yeah, we love hearing from you.
734
:So have an amazing rest of your week
Everybody will be back next week
735
:with more great content for you.
736
:Hope your coaching businesses are growing
and thriving We will see you next time
737
:Angie: Bye for now.