Why Work with a Business Memoir Ghostwriter

By Jeffrey A. Mangus/CEO

Jeffreymangus.com

Ghostwriting USA

As a leader, have you given or entertained any thought about writing a memoir to share your business journey and leadership insights? If so, you’re on the right track because a memoir can be a powerful tool to showcase your expertise, build your personal brand, and inspire your target audience. To be upfront, writing a memoir isn’t easy, especially if you are time-constrained or don’t have the writing talent to pen your book. There isn’t anything wrong with those things, and hiring a professional business memoir ghostwriter is a monumental and strategic move in bringing your book and legacy to the world.  

A business executive memoir ghostwriter knows how to bring out thought-provoking material, pinpointing what you want to say as a leader with the greatest impact on the reader. Many of the world’s top leaders, authors, and power executives have used business ghostwriters for the most significant impact. Many include:   

Jack Ma, founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, collaborated with a ghostwriter on his memoir, “Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built.” Jack Ma and Bob Song, professional writers, co-authored the book published in 2016. They collaborated to create the memoir, sharing Jack Ma’s experiences and insights and developing one of the world’s greatest e-commerce enterprises. Then we have Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group who has admitted to using ghostwriters for several of his publications, including Losing My Virginity and Screw It, Let’s Do It. Another notable figure would be former GE CEO Jack Welch, who, with journalist John A. Byrne in his 2001 autobiography, Jack: Straight from the Gut. Who hasn’t heard the title Four-Hour Work Week? Author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss hired a staff of researchers and writers to help with his books, including The 4-Hour Work Week, which found a large audience and brilliant success.

 Out of thirty books I have ghostwritten, over half have been business memoirs. Those books affected the author in unforeseen ways during the writing and after, and they also had an even more significant impact on me. I consider myself lucky to have had a front-row seat with some of the most incredible people and achievements. I felt honored to bring those stories and recollections to the page. It never ceased to amaze me how much adversity and challenges people overcome, and writing it and seeing the stories and words come to life in black and white is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Knowing how to craft a business memoir is a skill that takes time to learn and understand. Knowing how to collaborate and what to expect from a ghostwriter is another vital part of the equation. With business memoir writing, there aren’t any shortcuts. It takes work, dedication, and know-how. Working with a ghostwriter, you must have your idea front and center in mind. That’s where it starts. Books aren’t born; they burn and churn for a long time inside us until the book takes precedence and begs to be written. This is legendary and, most of all, part of your legacy.

As an executive leader, you must understand the importance of legacy. Your decisions, philosophy, and journey have shaped the company you lead, and these elements deserve to be documented. A business memoir with a ghostwriter provides a unique and engaging way to share your story with staff, stakeholders, and future generations. A skilled business memoir ghostwriter will know how to ask the right questions to help you reflect on your professional journey. Which moments are particularly pivotal? Which challenges were you able to overcome? Which successes did you commemorate? Richard Branson once said, “The best way of learning about anything is by doing.” Writing a business memoir with a ghostwriter allows you to do just that—to get going and do something to better your fellow man by sharing your experiences and lessons learned. With a ghostwriter, you can do this openly, without judgment, and with focus.

 Of course, storytelling is a powerful medium for bringing your experiences to life, and by working with a ghostwriter, you will share personal stories and experiences rather than simply listing your achievements. This is where collaborating with a highly skilled ghostwriter can help you embrace vulnerability and deliver authenticity in your narrative, resonating your qualities with readers on a deeper level. Sheryl Sandberg said, “Leadership is not bullying and aggression. Leadership is the expectation that you can use your voice for good.” Working with a ghostwriter, you can use your voice to inspire, educate, and connect with your audience, helping others advance toward their success.

How great is that?

As you write your business memoir with a ghostwriter, you’ll uncover and reveal your failures or setbacks. This may seem scary, but this is the crux of the book. These moments of adversity often hold the most valuable lessons, and by opening with a ghostwriter, you can share how you navigated through challenges and emerged stronger and more resilient. Your transparency will humanize you in the eyes of your readers and show the importance of perseverance in leadership. Working with a professional ghostwriter allows you to deliver on a deeper emotional level, giving your intended audience a gut punch or wake-up call, all in the name of helping them succeed.

If you’re reading this and have a burning book idea, get in touch. I’d love to talk to you and learn how we can bring your book to the world. JeffreyMangus.com

Jeffrey A. Mangus CEO