You’re considering hiring a professional ghostwriter to help you with your new book, but you’re not sure how to go about it. Maybe you’re a publisher trying to expand your self-publishing business, or maybe you’re an author/business owner who doesn’t have the time or expertise to sit down and create a book. Hiring a ghostwriter is unquestionably an excellent idea in any situation. Hiring a ghostwriter allows you to let a professional writer generate an excellent book. It also allows Kindle Publishers to establish a successful business to scale their enterprises faster by outsourcing book authoring.
Hiring a ghostwriter is a critical decision since it directly impacts the quality of your book, the brand that your book represents, and the ultimate success of your book. Engaging and getting a quality price for ghostwriters can mean the difference between long-term success and failure for any publisher.
This article will discuss what to look for in a ghostwriter. We’ll also tackle where and how to hire the best writer for your projects and needs.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES?
When it comes to hiring a good ghostwriter for your book, you have two choices:
1. You have the option of hiring and managing a freelance writer.
2. You can use a ghostwriting service to handle the process for you.
Freelance Writers
Freelancers are essentially self-employed individuals who you can hire on a fixed-fee or hourly basis. They may be a self-employed professional writer and manage their clients, or they could be single mothers who enjoy writing and do it on the side for additional money.
Advantages Of Freelance Ghost Writers
- Typically, you can receive reduced rates.
- You can discover some talented writers.
- Ideal if you want to gain an intimate understanding of the writing process.
The Drawbacks of Freelance Ghost Writers
- It requires time to screen, hire, and train writers.
- When managing people, you must be concerned with communication, project management, follow-up, deadlines, etc.
- Hiring writers can be a hit-or-miss proposition.
- You might still need to employ an editor.
Ghost-writing services
Ghost-writing services are businesses that specialize in writing. Unlike when you hire a freelancer and work directly with the writer when you hire a service, you work with a project manager and support staff who oversee your project and its associated tasks.
The Advantages of Using Ghostwriting Services:
- Professional service and committed customer assistance
- Everything is handled for your peace of mind.
- Supports a large number of high-quality writers – This enables you to explore various areas concurrently.
- Professional editing and formatting are included in the price of services.
Cons of Using a Ghostwriting Service
- You may have to pay a higher amount
- You may not develop direct contact with the writer.
As mentioned previously, each has its ebbs and flows. It is mainly determined by objectives, the type of project, and what feels like the best approach for you. Freelance writers are often preferable for one-off assignments and plenty of time to train, coach, and collaborate with the writer. Ghost-writing services are typically more suitable to individuals seeking to have it performed professionally, with less effort on their part.
HOW TO PROVIDE A PROJECT OUTLINE/BRIEF
Similarly, a precise writing outline will provide the ghostwriter with information on the following:
- What is the book’s goal?
- The intended audience: Who exactly are they? Who is your ideal reader?
- Important reader takeaways: What would you like your readers to take away from the book? What vital facts do you wish to convey?
- The general hook for the book
- A table of contents (the structure of the book)
- What you don’t want to see in your book
Writing Outlines for Non-Fiction and Fiction eBooks
While there are many similarities between drafting outlines for fiction and nonfiction books,
Outlines for Fiction eBooks:
- Include a book overview
- Provide extensive information about the setting, genre, characters, premise, plot, themes, and so on
- Provide a detailed list of each chapter’s scenes and what should occur in each.
Outlines for Nonfiction books:
Do the following for fiction books
- Write a summary of your book.
- Create a Table of Contents for your summary.
- Write a summary of each chapter.
- Subdivide each summary into supporting points.
- Create a list of questions to help your ghostwriter get started.
HOW DO GHOSTWRITERS GET PAID?
Ghostwriters frequently charge in one of several ways.
According to The Number of Words – Estimates and bids in construction are frequently determined by the number of sq ft involved in a project. It’s a quick approach for the contractor to analyze the situation and provide a reasonably accurate quotation. Offering an approximation or bid based on word count is equivalent to ghostwriting. Based on word count, some ghostwriters provide an anticipated range for the work. It is recognized from the start that if the word count exceeds or falls below a certain threshold, the pricing may vary.
However, it is subject to the terms of the agreement. A fixed limit on the upper end of the word count may sometimes be imposed, requiring the ghostwriter to get permission before proceeding with the project beyond a specific word count.
According to the number of hours – Many professionals, such as lawyers, frequently charge by the hour. Some ghostwriters offer their services in this manner. It can explain differences in projects, including variables beyond the ghostwriter’s control. For example, one customer may wish to pay for extra time conversing on the phone with their ghostwriter, but another client may prefer to avoid the bother and cost of doing so.
Based on the Project scope – Some ghostwriters have enough knowledge and confidence in their job after years of professional experience to charge by the assignment. They determine the basis of the project’s requirements and deliver a quote. A word count range, a page range, a specific number of calls, a certain number of changes, and so on may be used as the basis.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PAYMENT TERMS?
Payment terms, like those in many other businesses, are determined by the two parties involved. Some ghostwriters demand that the entire fee be paid upfront. Some companies ask 50% upfront and 50% upon completion of the project. Some may refuse to accept payments until the project is done.
There are several variables to consider. Generally, the larger and more sophisticated the project, the more likely the ghostwriter will demand cash upfront. It could also be dependent on the writer’s experience and ability. It may also be determined by the writer’s and the client’s reputation.
DO ADDITIONAL CHARGES ACCOMPANY REVISIONS?
A set number of revisions are frequently integrated into the charge, depending on the nature of the job. A charge is typically determined upfront for any further rounds of modifications above this agreed-upon number.
Experienced ghostwriters usually know how many changes to expect for specific jobs. They understand that some clients will require a few updates, while others will demand many more. They construct safeguards for themselves if the quantity of revision requests exceeds a specific threshold.
It’s critical to inquire about revisions when employing a freelance ghostwriter. What is included in the pricing, or how much are revisions? It’s also good to ask how edits have worked for the ghostwriter’s previous clients in the past.
IS THE PRICE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CONTENT?
The price is frequently different based on the type of content. There could be some similarities. Particularly if the writer charges by the word. However, the type of content might also play an impact. For one type, research may be required, but not for another. Interviews may be mandatory for one sort of job but not for another.
What’s the cost of hiring a fiction ghostwriter?
Ghostwriters in the United States often charge between $20,000 and $80,000 for a 250 to upfront book. For a book of the same length, the Canadian Writers Union has established a minimum compensation of $25,000. A professional ghostwriter can precisely estimate the amount of time and money needed for a project.
What’s the cost of hiring a nonfiction ghostwriter?
Because there are so many different scenarios for this type of writing, most ghostwriters will charge by the hour. At this stage, the Typical costs of ghostwriting services range from $100 to $250 per hour. Depending on the ghostwriter’s reputation and demand, a typical assignment costs $3,000 to $7,500.
Conclusion
Today, a lot of professional writing is ghostwritten. According to some estimates, 50 percent to 90 percent of nonfiction books on several bestseller lists are ghostwritten. It is a practical approach for individuals and corporations to collaborate with writers to create helpful content for an audience.
Ghostwriters often charge by words, project scope, or hour. The broader the project’s scope, the more likely there’ll be a contract containing pricing specifics for the base project and other elements such as the number of revisions. Use the information provided here on how to engage and get a quality price for ghostwriters to assist you in hiring the ideal ghostwriter for your project and estimate the amount you will incur in doing so.