Creating a Book Inspired Mentoring Program

Book Inspired Mentoring

Are you considering creating a group mentoring program? You may be struggling for a way to make it unique. You want a program that stands out from what is currently being offered in your niche. Creating a book inspired mentoring program may be the answer to build and grow your business.

An early mentor suggested I try a book inspired coaching or mentoring program. With a book-inspired program, you can use a book and build an extraordinary program around it.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to write a book yourself. Plenty of life and business coaches and mentors choose someone else’s book and use it to inspire their program. In fact, many of these programs are essentially book clubs with highly dedicated participants.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of creating a book inspired coaching or mentoring program, you’re not alone. Many people are curious about offering this service to their clients. Let’s take a look at how you can benefit from doing creating a book inspired mentoring program…

Book Inspiring Mentoring Allows You to Help Many People at Once

If you’ve been helping clients one-on-one and want to grow your impact, then group coaching can be a great idea. The beauty of group coaching or mentoring is that you don’t have to spend hours helping each client individually.

Instead, you show up once or twice a week to support several clients at once. This means that you save time while still getting to be there for your community. I do this with my author training group I host virtually twice each year. My time is valued at a premium, so this allows a dozen people to work closely with me to write, publish, and market a book in a way that serves their goals, while also being affordable.

Coaching or Mentoring – What’s the Difference?

I’ve been going back and  forth here with the terms coaching and mentoring. What’s the difference? I tend to think of coaching as related to sports, and also to the area of coaches teaching others to become coaches. Mentoring, in my thinking is more about taking a person, or several people simultaneously under your wing and helping them to achieve their goals and dreams.

I do this in my ongoing mentor program, where I work with up to twenty online entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors each year. Some people stay with me for several years, while others come in for a year and then go out on their own or with another mentor.

An important question to ask anyone you are thinking about working with in this way is… Who is your mentor? If your prospective or current coach or mentor does not have a mentor… beware! I have been mentored nonstop since coming online to start my business in 2006. These mentors have made the difference for me, and continue to help me to change my life dramatically from what is was previously.

Have Material Already Prepared

One of the difficult aspects of creating a group coaching material is needing to create fresh content each week. This can be in the form of lessons, videos, guides, or demonstrations.

With a book inspired coaching program, the bulk of the work is already done for you. Sure, you need to show up each week. But you can simply have each participant share a key insight or takeaway from the chapter they read. Or you can create your own discussion questions and guide if you’d prefer. It all comes down to what works best for you and your community.

Share Your Favorite Books

Perhaps the most exciting part of hosting a book inspired coaching program is that you get to share your favorite books with people who’ve never read them. Imagine getting to introduce your community to a book that changed your life.

Another advantage is that you may find yourself reading more than ever before. Now, you’ll be eager to find your next great read so you can share it with your participants.

Increase Your Income with a Book Inspired Mentoring Program

Since you’ll be helping several people at once, you can easily increase your income by creating a book inspired coaching program. If you normally charge clients $97 an hour to work with you then you need to book ten hours of your time to make $1K.

But, if you host a coaching program and charge each participant $97, then you need ten participants to make $1K. Here’s the cool part though—you only have to show up one hour a week to discuss the book. So, you’ve gone from selling ten hours of your time to selling just four hours. That means you now have an extra six hours in your schedule without having to do the same amount of work.

Grow Your List (or Group)

Of course, not everyone offers a book inspired coaching program for the money. Some coaches do it to simply grow their mailing list or Facebook group. There’s nothing wrong with this approach. If you’re new to coaching or simply want to try out book coaching, this can be a great way to dip your toe into the water.

Just be sure to only take on clients who are a good match for you. Sometimes, free programs can attract participants who aren’t serious about contributing to the discussion or worse, attendees who are disruptive.

Inspire Yourself Again

Every time I work with a new group of new authors in my twice a year program, I am inspired to write another book right along with them. If you’ve been feeling lackluster in your business and are worried you’re losing interest in it, you’re not alone. This can happen to business or life mentors and coaches, regardless of how advanced their services are.

But a book inspired mentoring program can be just the thing to inspire you again. That’s because you’ll be exchanging ideas with people from all walks of life. You’ll hear new perspectives and get a chance to have your own ideas challenged and shaped by others.

Now that you’ve seen how amazing book inspired coaching programs can be for you as the coach, let’s take a peek at the benefits your participants will discover…

Book Programs Inspire Real Growth

It’s easy to passively read a book and never act on the content within the pages. While this might make readers feel good, it also means they never get to truly experience the life (or business) change the author intended.

But with a book inspired coaching program, participants are challenged to take action and actually grow. These types of programs can be especially helpful when the book involves digging deep into a challenging topic such as money mindset.

Keep in mind that growth can be a difficult and painful process for many people, especially if they’re uncertain of their new journey. But with group coaching, your participants have a safe space to grow in.

Participants Learn Together

Of course, another one of the advantages for participants is they aren’t stuck trying to figure out things themselves. They have other attendees they can learn from and grow with, so they don’t feel alone.

Many participants share insights with each other as they read. This leads to more lively discussions and can create a unique energy that means attendees look forward to every new conversation.

A Book Inspired Mentoring Program is Perfect for Slower Readers

Your community may often express a desire to read the latest book or a precious classic. But they can’t seem to “find the time” so they end up reading in slow, five-minute spurts without actually making progress on the book. In a couple of months, they give up and start their next read only to repeat this cycle.

With a book inspired coaching program, your attendees are far more likely to actually read the book and absorb the content. That’s because they know others are doing the same thing and this encourages them to make the time and stick with it.

Participants Have Accountability

It’s easy to let your goals and dreams fall to the bottom of your to-do list. You probably know this from your own experience. But it’s the same problem that your community deals with, too.

Fortunately, a book inspired mentoring program can be helpful with this. You can use your program to create a wonderful community that holds each other accountable for meeting their goals. For example, if your participants want to start a meditation habit, then you might build a group program around a popular meditation book.

Encourage your participants to actually work through the exercises mentioned in the book and report back about their experiences. This lets your attendees share what worked for them, what they got stuck on, and voice any questions they had.

What Will Your Mentoring Group Read?

Here are some ideas for books that are sure to inspire your group…

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

This is the perfect book if your community is struggling with their mindset. It tackles the topics that hold readers back from hitting the next level. In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks discusses the four false beliefs that sabotage readers and keep them from success.

As your participants examine these beliefs and how they’re formed, they’ll discover how to overcome them so they can live in their zone of genius. Be prepared to dig deep into mindset issues to uncover the hidden obstacles that are keeping your attendees from the life and business they want.

Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead by Doing (Almost) Everything Wrong by Kristen Hadeed

Kristen Hadeed’s book on how to fail is not only laugh out loud funny, it’s also authentic and inspiring. In Permission to Screw Up, Kristen recounts how she began her business and the mistakes she made along the way.

But Kristen doesn’t just share her journey. She goes on to explain the mistake she made and what she should have done instead. This book will encourage entrepreneurs who are floundering in their business and give them insights into how to course-correct.

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes didn’t realize she’d been stuck in her ways until a relative asked her to do something fun. When she declined, she was told that she spent most of her time saying ‘no’ to opportunities.

The conversation opened her eyes and she decided to open herself to more possibilities. This sparked what she now calls her Year of Yes.
This is a fantastic read for inspiring your book club participants to step outside their comfort zones. It’s all about having the courage to be brave and try new things, even if those things look scary at first.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Although the title may sound odd, essentialism is about eliminating the unnecessary, so your book club participants can focus on their best work. It’s not hard or complicated and it can be practiced by anyone—from the seasoned entrepreneur to the newest digital business owner.

In Essentialism, Greg dives deep into why it’s a bad idea for readers to split their attention on many different priorities. Instead, he encourages them to get clear on what they really want out of their life or business and go after that with laser-like focus.

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

Everyone encounters difficult times and adverse life circumstances. But when you lack the tools to deal with these hardships, it can be difficult to know how to put the pieces of your life and business back together again.

In Rising Strong, Brené takes a serious look at how everyday people can overcome staggering calamities and find success. This is the perfect book for inspiring your community during their business-building struggles.

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker

If your community is struggling with a poverty mentality, this might be the perfect choice for your club. It examines the relationship between wealth and mindset, explaining why one person is financially successful while another struggles for years despite having similar business models.

With a down-to-earth style, T. Harv Eker explains the importance of preparing a reader’s mind for success and anticipating big business growth. If your participants are tired of struggling and need a motivational book, reach for Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.

How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

This classic read is only 285 pages, and it’s chocked full of wisdom that your book club participants can use in their everyday lives. Although it’s not written exclusively for business, it’s an excellent resource for navigating tricky situations and handling interpersonal problems.

In How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dales covers six ways to make people like you, how to win people to your way of thinking, and simple ways to change people without arousing resentment. It’s the perfect book if your community is looking to develop deeper, more fulfilling relationships.

Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life by Daymond John

This is a newer book that could easily be considered a classic business book. With a clear and articulate voice, Daymond recounts the story of starting his clothing empire while still working at Red Lobster when he was young.

While reading Rise and Grind, your book club participants will be inspired by Daymond’s work ethic and his dedication. They’ll also be reminded that they can go after their dreams and create the life and business they really want.

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

Originally published in 1993, this classic book is an excellent leadership book that’s sure to inspire your book club participants. The author believes that “born” leaders are rare.

Instead, he believes that everyone can be a leader no matter what their occupation or personality type. His book focuses on helping people develop the traits they need to become exceptional leaders.

In Developing the Leader Within, your participants will discover leadership principles that they can apply to every area of their live including their businesses. At just 256 pages, this book is short and easy to read. It’s packed with wisdom and knowledge that will help your participants blossom into true leaders.

Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

Another newer book that could easily be considered a classic, Start with Why challenges readers to become leaders who inspire others to take action. It’s both motivational and encouraging while being filled with practical suggestions.

If you aren’t familiar with Simon’s work and you want an introduction to the concepts in his book, you should consider watching his TED Talk on the topic. It’s filled with deep insights and may be just what your book club is looking for!

Classics can be a wonderful way to introduce your book club to an older book. But keep in mind that some books haven’t aged well. There may be hints of racism or sexism in older materials. However, the ones on the list above are solid bets that shouldn’t contain this type of content.

Choosing a book doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Look these books up online or at your local bookstore and read the first chapters. See which one grabs your attention and sparks your imagination! Perhaps using one of my books to begin with would be a way for you to create a book inspired mentoring program!

Are You Ready for This Challenge?

Now that you know the benefits of creating a book inspired group coaching program, it’s time to consider if this is something you want to do. Is there a book you’ve been obsessed about forever?

Is there a classic book you’ve been meaning to read for a few months? Is there a new book everyone’s been buzzing about that you’d like to dive into?

I’m bestselling USA Today and Wall Street Journal author and award winning entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and I encourage you to take action in a bigger way than you ever thought possible. Don’t be afraid to try this new and exciting way to create a group mentoring program. It might be just what your community wants!