Writers: Do You Have
Hidden Coaching Potential?
Here’s How to Find Out …
By Rebecca Matter

When you think about careers for writers, “coaching” might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

But what if I told you it’s one of the fastest-growing ways for people — writers included — to turn their unique skills, knowledge, and experiences into a meaningful business?

You might already have hidden coaching potential — and I want to help you find out … because coaching be a fulfilling experience, and very rewarding — in more ways than one.

For starters, coaching is already a $25-billion industry!

And it’s only expected to keep growing …

Especially in today’s AI-driven age, where people are craving human connection, empathy, and guidance more than ever before.

Now, if you don’t see yourself as a coach (YET!), that’s normal …

You might not feel like you have the expertise or credentials to coach another person.

It’s one of the biggest myths that stops people from pursuing this highly gratifying path.

But the reality is: coaching isn’t about being a “guru” or the world’s top expert.

It’s about guiding people through a specific challenge or helping them reach an important goal …

 … simply by sharing knowledge you already have.

What Do You Know?

A recent Pew Research Center study shows that 3 out of 4 people already have knowledge or skills others would happily pay for.

That’s right — there’s a 75% chance you have valuable expertise that could help others … even if you don’t realize it yet!

The challenge is that most people:

• Don’t recognize their unique knowledge …
• Don’t know how valuable it is …
• Don’t know others are willing to pay good money to learn from them!

So think about it:

• Do you know how to organize ideas effectively?
• Have you built systems that help you stay productive?
• Do friends or colleagues come to you for advice on specific challenges?

These are exactly the kinds of skills and experiences people are willing to pay for. (More on that here!)

In fact, what people value most is relatability.

They want a coach who’s been in their shoes, someone who’s a few steps ahead and truly understands their journey.

This is why I’m so excited about coaching!

It offers writers like you a unique opportunity to help others, create a new income stream, and (if you want) build a thriving, deeply rewarding business.

So, I’m on a mission to show you that you CAN do this — and I’m going to walk you through it right now.

First, start by answering this simple question:

What do I already know that could help someone else?

It could literally be anything — like how to break through writer’s block, organize a busy schedule, or even bake the perfect cupcake.

Your Insights Are Valuable

Someone is out there right now, searching for answers to a problem you’ve already solved.

Maybe they’re overwhelmed trying to organize their life.

Maybe they’re struggling to stay focused on their work.

Or maybe they’re trying to develop a skill you’ve already mastered.

So what if you were the one to guide them?

This is the core of what coaching is all about … using your experiences to help someone else move forward.

And truth be told …

Many of the skills or experiences you take for granted are the VERY things you could build an entire coaching career around!

The skills I'm talking about are the ones that might feel like second nature to you now.

Or the experiences you've had and challenges you've overcome that you think are no big deal.

For someone else who’s struggling with these exact challenges, your experience and skills could be the lifeline they’ve been searching for.

People are paying coaches to help them:

• Master their morning routine
• Organize their digital files
• Navigate major life transitions
• Declutter their homes
• Sleep better at night

So How Do You Figure Out What You Could Coach Someone On?

Here’s a simple quiz you can take to help.

Or start with these three simple steps …

1. List out things people have come to you for advice for.

Think about the last time someone came to you for help. Was it about staying organized? Managing a stressful situation? Brainstorming creative ideas? Dealing with a situation with a rebellious teen?

This is one of the simplest ways to see what you could offer.

These are often the clearest clues to the value you can offer as a coach. People naturally seek guidance from those they trust — and if they’re asking you, it’s because they see you as someone who can help.

2. Identify challenges you’ve overcome in your own life.

And when I say challenge, it can be ANYTHING — even small challenges!

Maybe you’ve:

• Developed a system to keep your house clean in just 20 minutes a day
• Found a way to exercise consistently despite a busy schedule
• Created a morning routine that actually sticks
• Figured out how to stay productive while working from home
• Built a container garden that actually produces vegetables

Big and small victories like these are SOLUTIONS others are searching for … right now!

This is why your past challenges are a gold mine for coaching topics — you’ve ALREADY walked the path others are just starting on.

3. List out what comes naturally to you.

Sometimes, the things you’re best at are so second nature, you don’t realize their value.

Maybe you can look at any room and instantly know how to rearrange it to feel more spacious …

Maybe you're the friend who always knows how to fix tech problems without googling …

Maybe you’re able to play the piano “by ear” without really knowing how to read sheet music.

These talents, no matter how small or insignificant they seem to you, could become the foundation of a successful coaching business.

Because for others, they’re not obvious … and definitely NOT second nature.

They're skills people would gladly pay someone to guide them through.

The "trick" is in learning how to "decode" what comes naturally to you, so you can explain it to others and guide them through your process.

Your Coaching Business, Your Rules

Now that you’ve got an idea how the skills and experiences you already have can be the foundation of your coaching business, let’s take it one step further and talk about one of the biggest reasons coaching is so exciting: the flexibility.

One of the best things about building a coaching business is that you’re not locked into a one-size-fits-all structure.

In fact, you can design your coaching business to fit perfectly alongside your writing career, and your life.

Here’s how:

• One-on-one or in groups: Work individually with clients for personalized guidance, or lead small group sessions for more collaborative learning.
• In person or virtually: Whether you prefer meeting face-to-face or hopping on Zoom in your pajamas, both options work.
• Full-time or a few hours a week: Coaching can be a steady income stream or a way to fill gaps between writing projects.
• Your main gig or a side hustle: Make it your primary business or a complementary stream of income alongside your writing.

The possibilities are endless.

And this flexibility is exactly why coaching is one of the ultimate ways to take control of your schedule.

You decide how many clients you work with.

You decide when you run your coaching sessions.

You decide what coaching format works best for you.

And you decide how much to charge!

It’s entirely up to you.

A Simple “Test” to Know If You’re Ready …

So often, people hesitate to go after what they want because they don’t feel ready.

So here’s a very simple test to help you know if you’re “ready” to coach and charge for your time.

Think about the topic you’d coach others on, and ask yourself this question:

“Would I feel comfortable teaching a friend how to do this?”

It’s deceptively simple, but it cuts straight through the imposter syndrome or self-doubt you might be feeling.

Because here’s the truth:

If you CAN explain it to a friend — even if you’re not “perfect” at it yourself — you already know enough to help and guide someone else.

Think about teaching a friend to:

• Cook your favorite dish.
• Start a morning exercise routine.
• Handle a difficult conversation.

You wouldn’t need to be a master chef, a bestselling productivity guru, a certified fitness trainer, or a world-renowned psychologist to help them, right?

You’d just need to share what’s worked for you.

It’s not about knowing everything or being the perfect expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead and willing to guide others.

So ask yourself, “Could I teach a friend what I know?”

If the answer is yes, then you’re ready to coach.

And if you’d like help turning your knowledge into a real coaching business … one that’s flexible, rewarding, and adapts to the lifestyle you want … make sure you check out our new program, The New Coach’s Blueprint for everything you need to get started.

Remember: You don’t need to be perfect or know everything about a subject to help others succeed.

You just need to be willing to share what you know.