How Ghostwriters Get Paid

When you create content that is credited to another personality, then you are what the industry refers to as a “ghostwriter.”

Ghostwriting is a legitimate profession. Many writers get paid top dollar to write stuff like books, articles, stories, and digital content.

The difference between a traditional writer and a ghostwriter is that the former usually gets his or her name published with the piece.

As the name suggests, the “ghost” does not exist because the credit goes to the person who paid him/her to write the content, usually with a non-disclosure agreement.

You’d be surprised to learn that many people pay a premium for ghostwriters.

The list includes celebrities, marketing professionals, online business and website owners, company executives, and political figures. Even some of the most successful authors hire a ghostwriter.

How the Trade Works

There are no strict rules that govern how a ghostwriter works with his or her credited author.

For the most part, the ghostwriter is paid to edit a rough draft and polish a manuscript that’s almost complete but not quite.

In this scenario, the idea and language of the article or book will come from the author.

There are situations in which the ghostwriter is hired to do the majority of the writing.

Although the concept or story is sourced from the author, the “ghost” is responsible for the research part, which usually is quite extensive. However, it is worth mentioning that the direction of the research is influenced by the author since he/she is the expert on the subject matter.

A ghostwriter can’t do his or her job without a framework or outline of ideas coming from the author.

Ghostwriters also write autobiographies. The job requires that of interviewing the author and the people around him or her.

The interview replaces conventional research, but it does not mean that the information in the book exclusively comes from the interview.

The ghostwriter will also be responsible for obtaining facts pertinent to the author (the subject of the autobiography).

The usual sources include previous meetings, published articles about personality, speeches, and videos.

Different Reasons Why People Pay for a Ghostwriter’s Services

Ghostwriting is a rapidly growing industry, and there are a handful of reasons why people hire ghostwriters.

One of them is the fact that some experts in their respective fields or industries simply do not have the time to put into writing what they can contribute to society.

Some people may also be experts, but they lack writing skills. This is where the value of ghostwriting comes in. A ghostwriter can put an expert’s comprehensive knowledge of a subject into writing and make sure it is written in a way that everyone can understand.

Ghostwriting is about coming up with a written account of knowledge, but doing it at a certain pace that will captivate and impress the reader.

The ability of a ghostwriter to fill in the shoes of the author and write something based on what the author envisions is the reason why they deserve a handsome pay.

How a Ghostwriter Gets Paid

Unlike freelance writers, there is no such thing as hourly or fixed rates.

For the most part, I got paid on a “per contract” basis. But the way ghostwriters get paid may vary. There is no fixed or accepted standard.

I once spent an entire year researching and writing for one client. It was a nonfiction book that paid me per page. Initially, the client offered a percentage of the royalties for the sale of the book.

While I was quite confident back then that the book would sell, I declined the offer and instead opted for the per-page rate. At that time, I didn’t want to take a gamble because I was just building a career.

I know a bunch of ghostwriters, some of which are good friends of mine, who charge per word.

They usually catered to specific jobs like short stories, website and marketing content, and speeches.

The rate depends on the ghostwriter’s experience, skills, and the difficulty of the topic or subject. Inexperienced writers may charge 10 to 20 cents per word, while the most experienced and reputable ones can charge up to $5 per word.

Credit

It is not uncommon for a ghostwriter to get credit on a book he/she wrote.

The author usually will put “with” or “as told to” on the cover along with his/her name in a fiction book.

Meanwhile, a nonfiction project usually names the ghostwriter as a contributor or research assistant. Personally, it does not matter if I get mentioned or not. I’m even all-in when it comes to signing a non-disclosure agreement.

I get credit from the payment I receive after all the hard work. For someone who loves writing, getting credit or not is not a big deal.

Getting a Considerable Payday

As someone who plans to build a career out of ghostwriting, you need to start from the bottom up.

Experience is a crucial determining factor in earning a big payday. You can always negotiate for a fair price, but don’t expect too much without the experience. Be reminded that there’s a considerable difference between a talented freelance writer and an experienced ghostwriter.

But it wouldn’t take long for you to get started.

As for someone looking to hire a ghostwriter, it’s all about the prospect of blending well with the individual you plan to work with. Talent and skill won’t matter if you hire someone who you cannot get along well.

Choose someone who you think will best turn your visions into a best-selling book, regardless of the price.