Even though there are thousands of potential ghostwriters, hiring an affordable yet talented writer isn’t always a cakewalk.
The idea of working on a book with another individual is never a straightforward affair. If it’s your first time writing a book or collaborating with somebody on this kind of project, then you might even find it awkward and uncomfortable.
You will need to share ideas, opinions, and sometimes, yes, even argue.
It is an intimate experience. In other words, you must work with someone whom you are comfortable with.
Trust me: it’ll be challenging to find someone who can write a book with you, more so if you don’t intend to spend a lot of money to pay for an experienced and topnotch ghostwriter.
But I’m not saying it’s impossible. It takes perseverance, some work, and a little patience.
Before I talk about the ways to find an affordable ghostwriter, I need you to set your expectations and standards first. This is the only way to narrow down your options.
Expectations
Non-Fiction
If you’re looking at a non-fiction project, know that the ghostwriter you plan to hire will need you to provide the stories, as well as the research and case studies.
You can delegate the job of conducting interviews with experts to obtain additional information. Further research while the book is in the process of being written can be performed by the ghostwriter.
Valuable Tip: If you want the ghostwriter to focus on writing alone, then you have the liberty to hire another individual to do the research.
Fiction
A ghostwriter’s job and responsibilities for a fiction project are more spread out and generic, but that doesn’t mean it is less challenging.
For the most part, the author provides the premise for the book, including the main protagonists.
If you want full control of how the story goes, then you may as well give your ghostwriter a specific ending, or an idea on how you want the book to end at least.
Valuable Tip: When searching for an affordable ghostwriter, first impressions last. If you don’t feel his or her personality from the get-go, then look for someone else.
Is Hiring a Ghostwriter the Right Move?
You know ghostwriting is ideal for your situation when you want to write a book to share your expertise or knowledge, but you can’t commit the required time and effort.
There also are experts in a field but don’t have the writing skills. The decision to hire a ghostwriter means you have at your disposal someone who can explain your ideas and thoughts in writing better than you.
It also has something to do with speed. You can’t finish your book on time on your own if you’re not fully committed to it.
The purpose of working with a ghostwriter is to cover the arduous part, which is writing.
So, is hiring a ghostwriting the right move?
The answer is it depends on your goals and objectives.
If you have more questions about why hiring a ghostwriter is the right move check out this blog post HERE
Consider It as an Investment
Ghostwriters, in general, aren’t cheap.
Although many writers are strutting their stuff online, only a small percentage of them have ghostwriting experience.
You may come across those who claim they are skilled enough to do the job, but skills without experience is a risk you can’t afford to take. So, when you’re hiring a ghostwriter, consider it as an investment. Doing so will compel you to take extra caution.
Do not waste your time finding a ghostwriter in online job platforms that are not known to be a hub or portal of reliable ghostwriters.
You must understand that there is a considerable difference between a freelance writer and a ghostwriter. Simply put, those two aren’t the same.
Can You Hire an Affordable Ghostwriter?
This industry is growing, which means the number of prospects out there is increasing.
It should work to your advantage because the more candidates there is, the more likely you will find someone who has a reasonable rate just so he or she can compete with the rest.
The way you pay for the services of a ghostwriter mainly depends on the book project. Keep in mind that the cost varies when you include the writer’s name on the cover or if you choose not to give any credit.
The rate could go high or low based on the complexity of the subject and the length of the book. If you are hiring a ghostwriter for short content like blog posts, marketing stuff, and magazine articles, then you must negotiate for an hourly rate instead.
The Hiring Process
An experienced ghostwriter does not have to be expensive. Your job is to find one, but it wouldn’t be easy.
Once you get a hold of a handful of prospects, the first thing you must do is ask for samples of their writing. It is difficult to compel them to reveal a book they’ve written because they probably signed a non-disclosure agreement with the author.
An experienced ghostwriter will find a way to send some writing samples your way.
Not all prospects on your list are qualified for the job. If you are planning on a non-fiction project, then ask your candidates if they’ve written for a non-fiction author.
Even if there is nothing wrong about hiring someone with no experience in non-fiction, you still would want to prioritize a ghostwriter who’s done it before.
Don’t skip the interview.
A lot of authors make the crucial mistake of communicating with potential ghostwriters via email or a messaging service. If you want the best ghostwriter, you must talk to them in person.
It is the only way for you to figure out if his or her personality is something you can comfortably handle. Once you feel like the ghostwriter fits the bill, then that’s the time you go back and forth on the price negotiations.
You expect a counteroffer but remember that a ghostwriter’s motivation is not credit to the work he or she is about to do for you. It is more on the compensation.
For a more in-depth article about how to hire a ghostwriter check out this blog post HERE
Joel Mark Harris graduated from the Langara School of Journalism in 2007. Joel is an award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter and producer.
He has ghostwritten numerous books in all types of genres including true life crime, business, memoir, and self help. With over 1,000 blog posts to his name, he has helped hundreds of business owners scale their business and increase their visibility. You can email him at info@ghostwritersandco.com