It’s been years now since you first decided you’d self-publish your nonfiction book.
You’ve read and heard, time and time again, that publishing a book is a sure way to spotlight your expertise and build your authority as a thought leader in your field.
You’ve also learnt that it’s an effective way of multiplying your visibility and impact. You’ll reach more people and impact them positively as your book reaches places you’ve never been to and may never visit.
But although you’d like to write your book yourself, you’ve realized that the way your life is structured now, you don’t have the time and willpower to write it yourself. Hence, you’ve decided to work with a ghostwriter.
Which is why you’re now wondering how much it’ll cost to hire a good ghostwriter.
I’ll be honest and upfront with you. The answer to this question isn’t straightforward. The reason is that ghostwriting is a service, and there aren’t any industry benchmarks that dictate how much ghostwriters should charge.
But don’t worry. In this article, I’ll explain some simple factors to consider when deciding if a ghostwriter’s fee is worth it for you.
But first…
Who is a ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a person who writes a book for someone else, but their name doesn’t appear on the cover. The author comes up with the idea and concept for the book, provides all relevant information to guide the ghostwriter and then leaves the ghostwriter to ‘write’ the book based on his/her instructions.
Since ghostwriters help authors by writing their stories, but the authors take all the credit for the book, many people wonder if ghostwriting is ethical. The answer to this question is – yes. Ghostwriting is ethical because the author is fully involved in the process.
In the case of a nonfiction book, the author is an expert on the subject. He/she provides the initial ideas, or concepts, his/her personal stories, and any other additional information that would help boost their credibility in the book. The ghostwriter’s only responsibility is to follow the author’s instructions and write a book that’s well-researched and enjoyable to read.
How do ghostwriters typically charge?
Although there is no set price all ghostwriters charge, many determine their fees based on the following factors:
- The estimated word count or number of pages you need.
- Their level of experience.
- The genre (fiction vs nonfiction) and the subject of your book (which will determine how much time will be needed to research the subject before writing).
How can you tell if a ghostwriter will be a good fit for you?
You can tell if a ghostwriter would be a good fit for you by answering the following questions:
1.
Does the person specialize in a particular genre or topic?: A jack of all trades is usually a master of non and this holds in ghostwriting. Most professional ghostwriters have a niche because mastering different genres and specific subjects takes time.
Seek to work with a ghostwriter who has proven experience writing a book similar to the one you’d like written.
2.
Is the person a published author?: When a ghostwriter has published his/her book/books, it’s usually a signal that they understand what it takes to write a manuscript, convert it into a book and sell it.
This will thus mean that by working with such a ghostwriter, you enjoy their expertise as writers and also benefit from their wealth of experience as published authors.
3.
Can you find their previous writings online so you can assess the style and quality of their work?: By virtue of their profession, ghostwriters can’t share most of their client’s projects publicly. This is why you want to be able to read their own personal writings and maybe a few samples from past projects sent to you privately, so you can assess if you like the quality of work they’ve produced in the past.
4.
Do they have a clear and reliable method/framework that assists them in creating a manuscript that reflects each client’s expertise and unique voice?: Seasoned ghostwriters (like other established service providers) are happy to share their frameworks for achieving results with prospective clients. They do so because they understand that by sharing their unique framework they provide clarity, build trust, demonstrate expertise and manage expectations.
Another reason you need to know their framework is so you can understand how they’ll ensure that your authority-building nonfiction book sounds like you.
The last thing you want is to pay someone to write a book you hope will spotlight your expertise and strengthen your personal brand, only for it not to sound like you at all.
If a ghostwriter cannot provide a clear explanation or proof of their unique framework before you hire them, it may indicate they lack a proven system to achieve the desired results.
5.
Do you feel comfortable working with them?: I once referred a client of mine to another professional whom I thought could help her with a service I didn’t provide. She called back a few days later and told me that after their call, she just didn’t think both of them would be a good fit.
I didn’t try to cajole her, even though I personally knew and trusted the person I had referred her to. I simply told her I understood and referred her to someone else. Months later, I found out why the first person I’d referred her to wouldn’t have delivered the service as well as I had hoped, and I was grateful my client followed her hunch and didn’t settle.
You should do the same thing too.
No matter how many great things you’ve read or heard about a prospective ghostwriter, if you have a video call with them to discuss the possibility of working together, and you don’t feel like you’ll enjoy working with them – don’t do it.
Just because a ghostwriter worked well with your colleague doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for you.
Writing a good book takes a considerable amount of time, which means you’ll be collaborating with this person throughout that entire duration. Let’s also not forget that to strengthen the credibility and appeal of your book, you’ll also be sharing your personal stories with them during the process.
There’s no need to lock yourself into a business relationship with someone you’re not comfortable working with for any reason. Choose a ghostwriter you vibe with.
Don’t settle.
6.
Can your budget cover their fees now or in the near future?: Finally, the money. It boils down to this. Can you afford to pay what they’re asking – now or in the near future? If you can’t afford them, then you’ve got two options: 1. find a way to raise the money to need to work with this stellar ghostwriter you’ve found or 2. Keep looking for another one who ticks all the previous boxes and fits into your budget.
Worth remembering…
- There are no industry benchmarks that dictate how much ghostwriters should charge.
- Take your time in vetting potential candidates. What worked for someone you know may not work for you.
- Although price isn’t always a reflection of value, professional ghostwriters typically charge above average. Be prepared to make the investment if you find one that fits your needs.
- Finding the right ghostwriter might seem like a lot, but it’s worth the effort when you remember that your book is a part of your legacy.
Before you leave…
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