As part of my preparation for this Friday’s interview with “Coaching Millions” author Milana Leshinsky, I asked Milana to share some of the lessons she learned while making the transition from coach to author. Milana is a highly successful coach, often referred to as the “coaches’ coach.” I wanted to learn about her transition from coach to writer.

In her e-mailed response, Milana mentioned three important lessons. These involved ghost writers, selectivity, and the importance of simultaneously aggregating and leveraging content. In Milana’s words:

Although hiring a ghost writer helped me get my book started (he organized all my content and created a table of contents, which gave me a starting point), it also de-personalized my writing. He used to write for New York Times and his style was objective and non-committed.

He often weakened, or qualified, points I wanted to emphasize. I had to go back and re-edit the text, restoring my personality and opinions. Next time I use a ghost writer, I’ll make sure he or she doesn’t have a reporting background.

3. Aggregating and leveraging content
I am currently writing another book, Mastering Your First Million, to be published in 2009. But I am being much smarter this time around. Here’s how I’m creating second book:

• No ghost writers! I’m writing it from scratch, myself.
• Incremental writing and social media. I am writing my next book in pieces by posting on FaceBook and asking for feedback. This is significantly deepening the content.
• Lots of interviews. I am interviewing people on how they reached their first million. Their stories and lessons will go into the book as case studies and examples.
• Leveraging. Finally, I am sharing these interviews and conversations through my CD-of-the-month club, http://www.MasteringYourFirstMillion.com.

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