Case study – Zana Goic Petricevic

As I write this email, I’ve just come off Zana Goic Petricevic’s online book launch with dozens of people from all around the world being called forth to step into their boldness.

Immediately an Amazon bestseller in the US, the book has already stimulated insightful conversations and encouraged readers to take risks and rewrite their story.

Which is what Zana did with her book. Since we started working together last March, I’ve seen her transform and flourish. And it’s been a delight to be part of her journey.

I was recently asked to do a 10-minute presentation about how I work as a Book Mentor. I told the group about Zana and how we worked together to create her book. And she has agreed for me to share this with you.

When Zana decided she wanted to write a book last year, she had no idea where to start. With perfectionist saboteurs holding her back, struggling with structure and writing her book in her second language (she lives in Croatia), she was introduced to me by a former client. Here’s how we worked together.

Uncovering the big idea

On 30 March 2020, Zana and I spent the day together via Zoom to get started.

We used that day to uncover her big idea.

Ultimately, my job is to help clients to write a book that’s going to massively build their business, once they publish and ideally during the writing stage.

Without this, you risk diluting your message and not focusing on the core subject that you want to get known for. Or you focus on the wrong clients for your business or write the wrong book.

With Zana, we focused on her knowledge and experience and what information was going to go in this book and what may go in the next, ensuring that she was crystal clear on who her book was for and what they would get from reading it.

Finding the structure

In my view, one of the biggest wins on that day was helping Zana to get clearer on her book framework.

Because when you know the process that you are following in your book and what bits of information fit in each chapter, it helps you in so many ways.

Firstly, it makes your book memorable. Especially when, like Zana, you have graphics created that clearly demonstrate your process.

Secondly, it makes your book easier to write. On that initial day, we mapped out the content in the entire book, as when you know what’s in each chapter you are writing, then you’re less likely to get writer’s block!

Thirdly, it feeds into other areas of your business. Like talks, courses, and the work that you deliver to your clients. With Zana, it put a frame around everything she does as a coach, trainer and leader.

Self-validation

After our day together, Zana started by doing some research to self-validate the information she wanted to share through a survey with prospective readers.

Because when your clients have had input into the content that you are writing about, you can be sure that they will want to buy and read your book. Rather than risk writing something that nobody wants.

Not only did the research validate her ideas, but she also decided to write a free lead magnet e-book that helped grow her list and community whilst she was writing it. That research led to her being booked to speak at a national and local conference and a podcast interview before her book was finished and published.

Writing the book

Once the research was complete, Zana started to write her book.

The process of writing a book is never easy, especially for someone like Zana whose book is in English, not her mother tongue.

It’s so easy for an author to get caught in the trap of thinking that what you are saying is common sense, and when you engage a book mentor like me, you will get objectivity that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

This means that I can encourage clients to write what their reader needs to hear in language that their reader will understand. And giving feedback on their writing means that I can help them to find their flow and their voice and ensure that they write in an authentic way.

I love to find the uniqueness and brilliance in all of my clients so that they can shine in their own special way.

Being brave 

I also encourage my clients to be vulnerable and courageous. You may have been through a similar experience or have knowledge that can help your readers, and when you share your personal story in your book, they will get to know you at a deeper level.

A couple of months into working with me, Zana divulged the huge life change that she went through which led to her setting up her business. And it brought me to tears. I encouraged her to be brave and share it in her book.

She recently told me how much it helped her to do some really deep work to deal with that turning point. With my help, she managed to turn her pain, anger and frustration into a courageous story that inspires her readers.

My secret sauce

My experience as a coach means that I know when to ask questions, when to listen, when to challenge and when to tell people what to do. Plus, I know all the sticky points that clients may face, and how to get over them!

Having written eight books of my own, alongside 15 years of business experience, this means that I know how you can use a book to raise your profile and get opportunities just by talking about it, which Zana did during the journey.

Knowing what needs to be done and when means that it’s a (fairly) painless experience. Clients only need to know the next few steps as I’m guiding them along the journey, keeping them accountable and supported whilst they get their book written..

Getting published

Zana and I worked together for a year to get her book done. Writing the book around a busy business and family commitments, she reached the final manuscript stage at the beginning of 2021.

Just as we were approaching the final edits, Zana’s young son became incredibly ill and had a lifesaving operation. But despite this, and perhaps because of this, she persevered with the book, whilst supporting his recovery.

So, I was incredibly proud when Zana got amazing feedback from her peers. I was able to pass her over to my team to do the final part of editing it, designing and publishing, allowing Zana to focus on the marketing and the launch, whilst they produced a brilliant looking book!

I was delighted to be part of Zana’s launch last week. She wanted her book to enable her to reach people all around the world and she’s already doing this so well. I love seeing her truly stepping into authority. I know she’ll have huge success – and I can’t wait to start working on book two!

You can find out more about Zana’s book here.

I hope you found this case study interesting and if you’d like to become one of my success stories, then click here to book a call.