
Sold on Sales is a collaboration between Jet Abuda-Sison and Mark Graham Communications.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about it: a book with your name on the cover, sharing your story. Whether you dream of writing a business book, memoir, self-help title, or novel, you might be someone who has a great story to share or a strong message to impart, but you’re unsure about writing a full-length book. You might simply have little time to write, or you aren’t as interested in honing your writing skills as you are in getting a timely, important message into the world. Maybe the words you want to share aren’t your own—they could be those of an older relative, for example, whose memories your family wants to capture on the page. All of these are compelling reasons to seek the assistance of a professional ghostwriter.
Frequently, we hear from prospective clients that while they love the idea of having a book ghostwritten, the process seems daunting. One of the biggest concerns is that ghostwriting will be cost-prohibitive.
It’s an understandable concern. Hiring a professional ghostwriter does represent a financial commitment. But you might be surprised to find that it’s more affordable than you think. As you work through the prospect of hiring a ghostwriter, here are tips to consider:
- Shop around. There are many ghostwriting services out there, from individual “one-writer shop” ghostwriters to small and midsized ghostwriting firms, to clearinghouses that connect prospective clients with freelancers, to large-scale ghostwriting operations. The pricing for these different models varies as much as the models themselves. Be sure to vet any individual or service you’re considering, and make sure you understand all costs upfront.
- Draft the book first, then hire a ghost editor. Writing a draft of the book can go a long way toward bringing down the costs. If you have the time to devote to writing a first draft, this written draft can provide the ghostwriter/editor with a strong sense of your voice and what you want to convey. This, in turn, can significantly lower the project cost.
- Understand the value of a ghostwritten book. Anyone can self-publish a book and post it to Amazon and other online services, hoping to generate sales. But not every book out there is a quality product. As book-buying options continue to grow, readers become more and more savvy. They know the difference between a well-written book and one that was let loose in the world before it was ready. If strong writing isn’t in your skillset, a professionally ghostwritten book will stand out from thousands of other books in your genre that are available to readers.
- Realize that the book is only one part of your revenue stream. A professionally ghostwritten book can open many doors for you, from speaking engagements to book club appearances to charity events. All of these provide another way to get your message out—and opportunities to sell more copies of your book. Moreover, a book can go a long way in establishing your credentials and helping you become a thought leader in your field of expertise.
Interested? If you have a project in mind, please get in touch. We’re happy to offer a free consultation, walking you through the ghostwriting process and helping you decide if a ghostwritten book is right for you. We’d love to hear your ideas, and we look forward to working with you!