How to Find the Right Mentor or Coach for Your Virtual Ministry

Bless the Lord, Believer!

Welcome to the LiyahAmore University blog series, where we teach you powerful lessons that will help you launch a virtual ministry that will change the world.

For today's teaching, I want to discuss the importance of finding the right mentor or coach for your ministry, especially because you are just entering this world of virtual ministry, Christian writerpreneurship, and the building of a speaking platform.

In a previous article, I shared with you the meaning and purpose of a virtual ministry and why you should launch one of your own this year.

But just to recap, here is a basic definition of a virtual ministry:

• Think about your favorite author, writer, speaker, thought leader, or conservative influencer.
  
• Now imagine yourself being one such individual who uses both the online and offline space to spread the message God called you to do. This is the essence of a virtual ministry.
  
• More specifically, a virtual ministry is a work that enables people to develop a strong relationship with God.
  
• Virtual ministers use the spoken and written word to "tear down, take apart, and demolish" ideologies that rise against the knowledge of God (Jeremiah 1:9-10); and then we use our messages to help build and plant again so that lives are changed for the better.
  
• A virtual minister publishes books, establishes a speaking platform, and tackles an important issue that influences the masses: abortion, domestic violence, family, finances, relationships, politics, and more.
  
• When implemented effectively, virtual ministers can create works that generate sustainable income. More than that, they can create ministries that revolutionize the culture, one person at a time.
  
  

I've been working my virtual ministry consistently since 2016, and have watched as tens of thousands of people were impacted by the teachings I delivered; and what I provide is just a small portion of all God wants the world to hear.

You and I have a special part to play in this end-time revival and national reformation.

God may be calling you to address issues that my ministry cannot; and your obedience to the call will win people over to the Kingdom.

Now, if you are new to my virtual ministry, let me introduce myself.

I'm Felecia Killings, Founder of FKMinistries. Our mission to equip God's people for this end-time revival and national reformation using the written and spoken word. We accomplish this mission by helping new Christian Authors, Speakers, and Conservative Leaders build powerful virtual ministries.

Many people believe God placed a book in them to share with the world. Perhaps you feel the same way. Book publishing can revolutionize your life and help you build a powerful platform for your ministry; but you must understand the technical and spiritual aspects that come with such endeavors.

Not only that, but in order to prosper in your works, you must also adapt business strategies to your ministry, including using the virtual space to find and nurture your audience. When done correctly, you will create a virtual ministry that will last a lifetime; and that's where I come in...to help you put the pieces together using my training materials found in FKMinistries' online school, LiyahAmore University.

Now for today's article, I want to discuss the importance of mentorship or coaching. When I first began working with Christian Authors back in 2011, I did not realize how many of them needed assistance in this area. I made the assumption that every new Christian Author knew how to build their writing career just as I did; but this was not so.

And since discovering this gap in the Christian market, I have cultivated myself as a professional coach and mentor to Christian Authors from around the world. (My services now extend to Believers who want a speaking platform as well.)

This aspect of my business is not far from what I did as an English instructor to high school students and adult learners. In fact, many of the teaching strategies that I developed over the years are also employed when I work with Believers like you. And I want to share with you the many benefits of having a coach--a Christian one, at that--who can help you build your virtual ministry on a solid foundation.

New authors and speakers who have made the decision to invest their time and resources into their virtual ministry, including hiring a dynamic coach, have witnessed great success in their work. And in a moment, I will share why this is so.

But for now, I want you to consider how far you wish to go in this journey as a rising Virtual Minister. Because in truth, you can only succeed based on the vision and current training that you have.

In other words, your virtual ministry will be limited unless you are willing to work with someone who can take you further in your work. You need someone who is more skilled and advanced than you so that your ideas become a reality.

And that's what a great mentor and writing coach will do for you.

So, here's what you can expect from today's Empowering Post. In this article, you will learn:

• what it means to have a virtual ministry coach and mentor for your ministry;
  
• four ways in which a coach like me can take you further in your new career as a new Virtual Minister;
  
• and seven successful tips for finding the right mentor for your virtual ministry.
  

So, without delay, let's jump into today's teaching.

What Do We Mean By Having a Mentor or Coach?

Let me begin this discussion with a clear definition of a mentor and coach.

• Mentor: A trusted counselor or guide (merriam-webster.com)
• Coach: One who instructs or trains (merriam-webster.com)

The term that I want to highlight based on these definitions is the word "guide."

A mentor is not one who uses her knowledge to make herself look good. Her role and function is to help her trainee achieve success.

One of the influencers I follow, Donald Miller, discusses this concept heavily within his online business, StoryBrand. Miller encourages businesses to step away from telling their own stories in order to gain customers, and to start telling the stories of their customers, who are essentially the heroes in the story.

And the same concept can be applied to mentorship.

When I'm working with my clients as a coach or mentor, one of the first questions I ask is, "What are your goals for your virtual ministry? And what is your vision for your writing career?"

I want to know where they see themselves, their books, products, or services five or ten years from now. I want to know as much about their vision, because the focus can't simply be on creating a great book. I want them to think beyond that so their works can have maximum impact on their audience.

These questions help me to better understand my clients, and from there, I craft a personalized coaching program that helps them manifest their vision.

This is what Miller means when he asks his entrepreneurs to "be a guide" in the customer's story. I'm simply here to lead them to their destiny; and once they've reach that place, then they can help others along their journey.

You will notice that mentorship and coaching involve elements of teaching. And I believe this is why this service comes naturally to me. I've been teaching people for more than 20 years (as of this post...by the way, I'm just 35).

Mentoring is not just about encouraging my clients or inspiring them with thoughtful suggestions; it also entails helping them develop a strategic plan of action for growth and success.

When you think of coaching in terms of sports, it's not enough that a coach tells the team that it can win. He must also tell his members HOW to win. And the same idea is applied when it comes to mentoring or coaching new Christian Authors, Speakers, and Conservative Leaders who want powerful virtual ministries.

The Many Reasons Why Having a Mentor Will Take You Further in Your Virtual Ministry

So, now that you know what a coach and mentor are, here are some reasons why you should hire one that will specifically address your needs as a new Christian Author, Speaker, or Conservative Leader.

1.) Believers who hire a virtual ministry coach or mentor see greater success than those who don't have one.

If you asked me for the data on this statistic, I can't deliver it as of today. But I can assure you that this is a fact because it's what I have witnessed over the last several years. Writing a book is not often the hard part of building a virtual ministry; it's putting something together that will help build a career that becomes the challenge. And future Virtual Ministers who refuse to invest in a coach who can help them overcome this challenge often experience failure in their ministries.

I know this because I've had clients come may way who tried to enter this venture on their own and have yet to make any progress. But those who have taken on my coaching services have experienced eye-opening results. As I mentioned earlier, the point of mentoring is to be a guide and support. Therefore, as a coach to new Christian Authors, Speakers, and Conservative Leaders (for the purpose of launching their virtual ministries), I help them see the full potential of their work while assisting them in the development of their strategic plan. 

2.) Believers who hire a virtual ministry coach experience phenomenal qualitative results.

In other words, there are elements of the coaching process that help authors become confident, bold, and courageous. This is not something that can be quantified, but it certainly adds to the positive effects of coaching. I have witnessed my share of enthused clients who were elated by the knowledge and education they received from my coaching.

Knowledge brings forth light, and that is not easily achieved on one's own. For example, while a writer may feel that she can discover everything there is to know about being a successful writerpreneur, in truth, she will only be limited by her current understanding. A coach will always bring so much more to the table, and that is truly valuable to the client.

3.) Believers who hire a virtual ministry coach are one step ahead of the average Christian Author, Speaker, or Conservative Leader.

This statement is similar to what I have already discussed. You have to see yourself as a person who is hidden within a  sea of millions of other aspiring ministers. Authors and speakers who make the investment into their own virtual ministry by hiring a coach will naturally surpass other average authors and speaker simply because they will obtain knowledge and wisdom that is not freely acquired.

This is why I emphasize to you and to my members in my network that you have to take this virtual ministry thing seriously; and you must see yourself as an anointed, professional Christian Author or Speaker if you want to thrive in this industry.

The only way that you can cultivate your professionalism is when you take the bold step and invest in your business by acquiring a mentor.

4.) Lastly, Believers who hire a virtual ministry coach demonstrate they truly care about their brand and their audience.

When it comes to creating great content for you and my other readers, I don't rely on my own wisdom and knowledge. I pull from the training I received in college and the knowledge I acquired through my observations and research over the years. Why? Because I want you to have the best. I don't want to give you watered-down material.

I recognize that your success is largely dependent on your ability to have access to empowering material that you can't find easily on the Internet. In like manner, every Christian Writerpreneur or Speaker who takes on a mentor proves that the business and the audience are important to him/her. He recognizes that for a small investment, the coaching can help him yield an unlimited supply of clients and customers.

Search for Your Mentor Today, and Start Working on Your Virtual Ministry

Here's what you need to take away from this article: You cannot do without a coach or mentor.

You absolutely need one, and you need to add this element to your annual budget.

I want to mention one thing here, and that's not every coach is the same. You will find some mentors or coaches who claim to know how to do something when, in truth, they have not been in the game long enough to qualify as an expert.

I have seen this time and again: One person writes a book or lands a major speaking deal in one week, and then all of sudden, she is an expert on teaching others how to write a book in 7 days.

Don't invest in that. You want experience and you want quality. You want that coach to prove to you that once you hire her, then you can expect to receive clear results that will last a lifetime.

As it stands, building a virtual ministry is a new venture within the Christian world. In fact, I knew nothing about it until 2016 when the Holy Spirit asked me to launch a virtual Bible study. Since then, I've done my research, implemented best practices, and created my own virtual ministry that has reached tens of thousands of people worldwide; and I use my products and services as a method for generating wealth to keep it moving forward.

When it comes to my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I don't consider anything to be a coincidence. When He placed in my heart a desire to teach other Believers how to launch their own virtual ministries, I knew He was preparing me to meet Believers like you.

Whatever is about to come in the next five to ten years, the Lord wants us to be ready for it; and when more people are functioning in their gifts and calling, especially writers and speakers who have powerful messages inside them, then we will experience the greatest moments in history.

You are a part of this as well, Dear Believer, and I hope you see that right now.

Whatever your story is--no matter how scandalous it is--you can turn your life into a ministry of deliverance; and the virtual space is where you can make the most impact.

But you must be willing to receive the right training, and that comes when you are bold enough to hire the right mentor and coach for your virtual ministry.

7 Strategies to Help You Find the Right Coach for Your Virtual Ministry

This article would be incomplete without providing you some tips on securing the right coach for your virtual ministry. So, let me leave you with these 7 strategies:

1.) Hire Felecia Killings of FKMinistries.

One of the major differences between my services and that of others is this: I've spent considerable years learning how to perfect this area of Christian Writerpreneurship and virtual ministry. And everything I apply to my ministry is what I give to my clients. I go beyond simply helping you to write and publish your book. I will teach you about the business side of this venture so that you come to walk in your gifting full-time.

Here's another BONUS: FKMinistries is the only ministry that provides a comprehensive training program specifically tailored to new Christian Authors, Speakers, and Conservative Leaders who want to build a powerful virtual ministry.

Because this venture is still new--yet has the potential for massive growth--now's the time to start working with someone who can give you the same principles and strategies that are making her own virtual ministry a success.

Here are just a few testimonials from the people I have helped over the years:

"There are many authorpreneur coaches out there who seek the attention of Christian Authors. [Felecia] knows what Christian Authors need and you offer it to them." - Abraham Ajenifuja

"The coaching I received was excellent! Felecia challenged me to really look deep into what I needed to focus on, and now I can finally say I have clearer direction than before." - Safiyah Givens

Any spiritual leader who desires to get their message in book format would give themselves a tremendous advantage by working with Felecia Killings." - Daniel Pringle

2.) If FKMinistries is not right for you, then start shopping around.

You can find several writing coaches on Google and even social media by searching for keywords such as "Christian writing coach." Make a list of about 10 coaches that interest you, and find their contact information to inquire about their services.

The caveat: If you asked them to help you build, not just a book but a ministry, they may not be able to help you. Teaching a specific skill set (like how to write a book) is not the same as teaching someone how to run and operate a business/ministry effectively and efficiently.

3.) Do a thorough search of each coaches' website.

You want to find ones that have a blog or other type of content marketing method that will enable you to learn more about their skills as a writing or speaking coach. Do they have videos that they can share? Do they have empowering, educational blog posts that provide value even before you attempt to hire them? If not, cross them off your list, and seek to only work with people who have a proven record of their abilities.

4.) Continue to narrow your search based on your budget.

There are some coaches who are willing to work with what you have, while there are others like me who have a set fee. If you find that your budget is too low, you can do one of two things:

• Try to negotiate a better rate or barter services
  
• Ask for a payment plan so that you receive the training that you need
  

I have found that both strategies work well in terms of helping you get the training and coaching that you need.

5.) Don't be cheap with your training.

I'm not saying that you have to invest $10,000 for coaching, but don't expect to receive $10,000 training for $100. It's insulting to the expert and a disregard for your own training. Be willing to invest what is necessary in order for you to thrive.

Remember: a great coach is someone who will help you multiply your investment by at least 10x what you put in it. So, if a coach is asking for $1,000 for a few coaching sessions, that coach ought to be able to teach you how to earn $10,000 back on your investment within the first year. If they can't do that, then scratch them from your list.

6.) Check for social proof among your prospective coaches.

By social proof, I mean testimonials and case studies that validate a coach's ability to help others. Case studies are actual stories that come from the coaches themselves AND stories from people who have implemented the training's principles.

Whenever I interview a prospective client, I share with them that everything that I have with my virtual ministry is a direct result of the lessons I teach through my coaching program.

EVERYTHING!

And because I'm always willing to grow, my lessons receives ongoing updates, which is always a bonus for my clients.

Prospective coaches should be able to provide this type of social proof for you as well. If they can't, scratch them off your list. You don't have time or money to waste on people who haven't implemented their own strategies, neither do they have proof that what they teach actually works. Your virtual ministry deserves better.

7.) Finally, once you have found the person with whom you wish to work, start cultivating that relationship immediately.

If possible, you can acquire a free consultation, which ought to give you an idea of the type of teaching you will receive. If you both feel good about the working relationship, then the coach will provide you further details about getting started in your training. In my case, once I have consulted with a potential client, I form the contract, and we begin work immediately.

In Conclusion

I hope these strategies helped you to see how you can go about acquiring the right coach for your virtual ministry.

I want to add just this last element: Be sure to work with someone who understands that your ministry is a part of your calling, and you are seeking training because you want to perfect your craft. A great coach will take you under her wings and will help you blossom in this area.

If you would like to connect with me today to hold a FREE, 30-minute consultation, you can email me and I can set you up. But if not, I want to wish you well on your journey towards finding the right coach for your ministry.

And as always, let's grow together!
- Felecia

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