The Different Levels and Fees of Ghostwriters
If you’re reading this blog, you likely believe you have a promising idea for a book, but you might doubt you can write it yourself. Perhaps you don’t have the time, the skills, or the desire to sit down and do so. Don’t worry—plenty of people in your position have become successfully published authors. These are the instances in which most people hire a ghostwriter.
Businesspeople choose to write books to advance their brand, gain prestige and credibility, and demonstrate their professional expertise. Others choose to write a memoir to share their ideas and experiences and leave a legacy for their family.
Oftentimes, successful business leaders and fascinating individuals who want to share their stories hire professional ghostwriters to ensure their book is written professionally and in their own voice. Do you feel you need the services of a ghostwriter to produce that bestseller? Get in touch with us, whether you’re a businessperson raring to promote yourself as a thought leader or an individual seeking to immortalize your legacy.
The best ghostwriters are experts at what they do. They’re skilled at writing, interviewing, outlining, organizing, and relaying your story in your voice. They dive deep into the material you provide, listen to you carefully to learn how you talk and think, and check in with you constantly to ensure you’re pleased with their progress.
For this reason, first-rate ghostwriters command higher prices. In most instances, this is a situation where you truly get what you pay for, and you don’t want to hurt your reputation by publishing a poor-quality book.
It’s important to know what to expect for the different prices you’ll see once you begin to look for a ghostwriter. When doing your research, keep in mind that you need to examine closely what is included in the ghostwriter’s fee. While some prices cover only the writing work, others may stretch beyond that to include help with writing query letters and finding an agent or a publishing company. Be sure to consider all the elements involved.
- Inexpensive (cheap) and low-quality (usually under $20,000 for a 100- to 300-page book). These books are typically written in content mills, where ghostwriters bid on job offers. Most of the writers are inexperienced and/or overseas, which often means they’re not native English speakers. The bidding may result in extremely low prices, but you get what you pay for; in the end, the work frequently suffers.
This route may result in inferior quality due to the writer having inadequate English language skills. Some clients have even encountered plagiarism and other serious issues. It’s best to avoid the ghostwriters at such places since publishing a subpar book will only damage your reputation.
- Mid-priced (usually between $20,000 and $75,000 for a 100- to 300-page book). While these aren’t top-notch ghostwriters, you can find some that do acceptable work. Often, those that charge $20,000 to $40,000 are inexperienced or desperate for a job, so they ask for a smaller payment. However, it’s possible that you can hire someone who is just getting started but delivers excellent work. You have to do your due diligence to determine whether your potential ghostwriter falls into that category.
In the $40,000 to $75,000 price range, you can usually hire a decent ghostwriter. Your best bet here is to research the ghostwriter or the company they’re affiliated with. Check out the books they’ve written and look at reviews of the work they’ve done. If you can’t find any previous books by them (this is not uncommon as many authors insist on an NDA), you can always contact them and ask to see material they’ve published under their own name. If you are happy with their past work, they may be a fit for you.
- High-priced and high-quality (usually over $100,000 for a 100- to 300-page book). If you want the best and most experienced ghostwriters, this is what you’ll pay. Those who charge six figures know their worth. They’re confident in their abilities and can easily get the amount they ask for. It may sound like quite a bit of money, but you’ll be thrilled with the writing and proud of the finished book. Hiring a ghostwriter is an investment: The more money you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. After all, isn’t that what you’re after—a book that you’re honored to put your name on and thus enhance your reputation?
- Highest-priced (well over $100,000 for a 100- to 300-page book; most often used by celebrities). You’ve seen countless books authored by politicians, actors, sports figures, and musicians, but very few of these people ever put pen to paper. Believe it or not, most of them hire ghostwriters to tell their story, and they pay handsomely for it. These celebrities know they will get an exceptional book for their money and are proud to have it displayed on bookstore shelves.
Hire the best ghostwriter you can afford. Find a professional who can work up to your standards, and you’ll be pleased with the results. Don’t make the mistake of regretting not having paid more for something that is a reflection of you. Remember that this book is being published under your name, so if you hire a cheap, inexperienced, and sloppy ghostwriter, their shoddy work will be branded with your name. If you’re in need of a pro, get in touch with us, whether you’re a businessperson keen to share the secrets of your success or an individual eager to pass on your heritage to your descendants.
