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Seven Strategic Steps to Hire and Collaborate with a Ghostwriter
I speak to many aspiring authors, and often, I see that most don’t have a direction or plan for their book, especially when hiring and collaborating with a professional ghostwriter. While ghostwriting is on the rise, many unanswered questions and uncertainties surround hiring a ghostwriter.
Envision the power of your book as a testament to your life and accomplishments, expertly crafted by a quality ghostwriter. The potential for success is huge, making your book a powerful force to enhance your career and life, shining brightly in the literary world.
Collaborating with a ghostwriter is a savvy, intelligent, and creative move for your book. However, it’s a significant undertaking, so knowing the risks is crucial.
Many inexperienced “ghostwriters” are looking to make a quick profit. You should never hire a ghostwriter because they are cheap and affordable.
An inexperienced ghostwriter can lead to a failed book and complete disaster. Please beware of the imposters in our field. These so-called ghostwriters often approach new authors, promising to write a book for less than $300 in less than an hour. They may even tempt you to use AI generators to author your book within an hour. But don’t let yourself be fooled. It’s all a ploy to take your money and give you a subpar product. Recognizing these trends, I felt compelled to share my insights on what to expect when hiring and partnering with a ghostwriter.
When hiring a professional ghostwriter for your book, this is an area in which you should not compromise. Do you want your book to be amateurish or subpar? Of course, you don’t. No one would. By treating your book as a particular project of the utmost importance, you avoid the low-cost trap and find your writer among the small group of exceptionally talented professionals committed to ensuring your book’s high quality.
Purposeful planning and consideration are necessary to bring your book idea to life with a ghostwriter. Choosing the right ghostwriter is vital to the success of your project.
I have developed seven steps to examine before hiring a ghostwriter. Let’s explore these seven critical steps.
Articulate the Vision and Establish goals.
Outlining your vision and goals is the initial step in collaborating with a ghostwriter. Benjamin Franklin said it best. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” Much like anything else, planning is vital to advance any project, and writing a book and hiring a ghostwriter is the same. This is foundational; once you have this plan, everything else will fall into place. Now is the time to brainstorm and outline the following aspects by asking the following questions:
What is your book’s central idea or theme? What is the main takeaway you want readers to have? Who are you targeting, and with whom will your message resonate? What are your goals for your book? Do you want to book more speaking gigs, passive income, leave a mark, or write a book as a milestone or bucket list moment?
Whatever your intentions, outline the primary themes for a clear vision of your goals. This will help you with the theme and direction,, and help your ghostwriter create a book that meets your expectations.
Establish a Reasonable Budget.
Money. It makes the world go around, but you must realistically consider your book budget and hiring a ghostwriter. I hate talking about money, but we must think about and discuss it upfront as a vital component. Establishing your budget before embarking on the search for a ghostwriter is crucial. While it may be tempting to save money, remember that investing in a well-written book is an investment in your book’s success and return on investment (ROI). Be aware that ghostwriting fees vary based on the writer’s expertise, your desired timeline, and the project’s intricacy.
Rates for nonfiction books vary based on their length. The length of nonfiction books determines the rates, with books of 90–225 pages considered shorter and less demanding, while books of 300+ pages require more effort and cost more.
These are not-in-stone rates but are in the general ballpark of what you can expect to pay as fees for a competent ghostwriter. For example, novice ghostwriters earn between $10,000 and $25,000 per book. Ghostwriters with some experience earn between $30,000 and $60,000 per book; elite ghostwriters can earn between $60,000 and $100,000 for a single non-fiction book.
These figures may shock some of you, but look at them from an economic and financial perspective. Most books take six months to a year to write. The ghostwriter, being human, must pay the bills while concentrating on your book. They must feed their families, so the fees, if you look at it from a practical standpoint, align with what a person needs in today’s economy.
With this fee information in mind, create a budget reflecting your financial reality. When evaluating your budget, consider the complexity and length of your project. Do you envision your book being shorter, less labor-intensive, and more concise? Or do you imagine a lengthy, research-heavy, subject-filled book? Memoirs, autobiographies, and business memoirs require research and interviews, making their cost dependent on the book’s length and subject complexity.
Research the average rates for ghostwriting services to estimate the expected value and expenditure that best mesh with your vision of your book. There is no single rate that all ghostwriters charge. It is individualistic and depends on the writer’s experience and the value they bring to the table. Elements like book length, complexity, the writer’s expertise, and market conditions affect a project’s cost.
Remember to factor in editing and revisions, as they are essential to writing. Allocating a part of your budget for editing and revisions is important, as they will be necessary. Fortunately, I include editing and formatting in my all-inclusive fee, providing the author with peace of mind about having this as an extra cost and step. Setting a budget allows you to discuss your book with ghostwriters and ensures you get high-quality work that fits your budget.
Do Not Go Cheap.
Since we are discussing the dreaded fees of a book project, don’t go cheap is a self-explanatory mantra worth repeating. Hiring anyone under $25,000 will probably be a mistake, primarily because of the writer’s lack of experience. While you can find good ghostwriters for $25,000 to $30,000, expect them to be inexperienced. Please understand me, as many novice writers are working hard to establish their portfolios at lower prices, and some are talented writers. Plus, everyone starts somewhere. It took me a few books and a few years to feel confident in my writing skills and expertise in book publishing to command higher fees. So, vet them and use your best judgment, but don’t just choose them because they are cheap.
Three factors separate the novice from the professional: the writer’s level of expertise, the amount of work involved, and the materials available before starting. Yet highly skilled professional writers with proven experience are hard to come by. The ideal salary range for well-qualified ghostwriters is $40,000 to $85,000.
It’s rare to find ghostwriters with rates ranging from $75,000 to $100,000. It is difficult to get their attention and be included on their list, not because they are unavailable but because they are in high demand. Yet, when you engage with ghostwriters who charge six figures, they possess a history of writing bestsellers as ghostwriters. Most have seen success under their names, gaining nationwide notoriety and respect.
With all this in mind, it is essential to research quality ghostwriters, but don’t approach it like car shopping with countless salespeople. Be selective and narrow your list to the top five options that meet your desired quality of service. Don’t let a few dollars be the deciding factor; don’t choose because they have the lowest price. Choose a ghostwriter who fits your budget and personality and has the skills to deliver a high-caliber book.
With going cheap, I have been in your shoes. We all have. I bought something cheap, hoping it would be as good as the high-end products. Without fail, every time I try to save a few bucks by buying cheap, I end up with a product that doesn’t work or breaks, and I spend more money on a quality product in the end. The same goes for your book. Do you want to narrate your life story and spend months working with a writer, only to have a draft that wouldn’t pass a high school English exam? Plan accordingly your budget for hiring a quality ghostwriter. It will be the best money you have ever spent.
Research and Select the Right Ghostwriter.
As I mentioned, investing time and effort into researching and evaluating potential ghostwriters for your project is essential. Begin your search for recommendations by consulting fellow authors, colleagues, or industry experts who have worked with ghostwriters. Personal referrals are valuable when searching for a trustworthy writer.
Ghostwriters have portfolios that display their past work. Look at these samples and assess their writing style, versatility, and quality. Assess their skills with your book vision, and ask yourself if you can work with that ghostwriter. This is important.
Arrange interviews with potential ghostwriters to discuss your project, vision, and expectations. It’s an opportunity to measure their communication skills and compatibility as well.
Request references from past clients and verify by contacting them to learn about their experiences with the ghostwriter. Ask about their professionalism and note the feedback on their professionalism, reliability, meeting deadlines, and creativity. Carefully vetting and choosing a ghostwriter guarantees you’ll find a professional who understands your vision and has the expertise to maximize your book’s potential. It may take time, but it is worth the effort.
Sign a Comprehensive Agreement and Get Going.
Once you’ve chosen a ghostwriter, sign a clear and comprehensive contract that specifies payment terms, deadlines, project scope, kill fees, AI usage, confidentiality agreements, and other relevant terms.
Organize your Content and Research Materials.
Before starting the collaboration, gather as much relevant content and research materials as possible to help your chosen writer understand your project better and streamline the ghostwriting process. If you have already written parts of your book or have relevant content like blog posts, articles, or notes that reflect your style, share them with the ghostwriter. The ghostwriter can use these as reference points or integrate them into the manuscript. Give the ghostwriter your book’s outlines and chapter ideas. The more information you provide, the better they can understand your vision.
Provide any studies, facts, statistics, or research materials that apply to the information in your book. The ghostwriter will use this information to ensure authenticity and correctness. If you’ve given big speeches in the past or have transcripts available, sending them to your ghostwriter can provide them with essential information about your preferred messaging, tone, and speaking style.
If personal stories or anecdotes are part of your book, ensure you’re ready to share them with the ghostwriter. Adding these personal touches makes your book more authentic and relatable. Plus, giving your ghostwriter a well-structured assortment of resources empowers them to wrie.
Arrange a Timeline.
Having a well-defined book timeline is essential for the success of your ghostwriting project. You and the ghostwriter will set individual milestones, so please keep them informed of any important dates and publishing plans. When setting publishing goals, communicate publication dates with your ghostwriter, and remember that the entire publishing process, including formatting, cover design, and distribution, requires time. When establishing the timeline, develop a timetable that outlines the expected dates for the ghostwriter’s drafts and updates. Establish a regular schedule for communication to track progress.
Polishing your manuscript requires a thorough editing process. It would be best to allocate sufficient time for revisions, editing, and feedback loops.
Balancing a timeline with flexibility and understanding is vital. Setting aside extra time is brilliant because it allows unexpected delays or changes during the writing process.
Look for a Quality Ghostwriter with Confidence in your Decision.
Opting for a ghostwriter is a significant step towards moving forward with your book vision. I hope you use these steps to help you start this book journey by defining your vision and goals, setting a realistic budget, and, most importantly, choosing the right ghostwriter.
Your book dream is within reach with a skilled ghostwriter on your team. Every book has the potential to be a bestseller, and having an experienced ghostwriter is an essential step in ensuring your book joins those bestsellers and leaves a legacy for you and your family.
As a seasoned professional with over eight years of experience and thirty-five books under my belt, I am a trusted name in the industry. Look no further if you’re seeking a high-quality manuscript that captivates readers. I pride myself on my interviewing prowess, writing, and commitment to delivering the best possible work.
Let me tell your story.