The other day in a ghostwriting mastermind group, we discussed the cost of ghostwriting. What exactly is the cost of hiring someone to write your book?
Well, how about this question: “How much does it cost to build a house?” There is no set price. Too many variables come into the equation: How many rooms? How many bathrooms? Is there an island in the kitchen or a breakfast nook? And the list is pretty much endless.
It’s the same for ghostwriting. What is the word count going to be? What’s the subject/topic? What’s your deadline?
If you Google “cost of ghostwriting” one of the first results is Scribe Media. They state that “the sweet spot for good [ghostwriters] with credentials is usually within $40,000 to $75,000. The pricing here varies based on 3 factors:
- The writer’s level of expertise.
- The amount of writing you need.
- How much work you provide them with to get started.
A blog on Reedsy about ghostwriting offers this:
“Relatively inexperienced ghostwriters may ask for $20k-$30k to write a memoir, while ghosts with more than a few years under their belt are likely to charge within the $40k-$60k range.”
Many ghostwriters offer such packages as the Bronze package costs $20K and gets you this; the Silver package is $30K and you get this; and the Gold package at $45K gets you this. Every book project is unique and doesn’t cost the same. It’s a matter of the ghostwriter getting to know you and what you expect from your book. What is the purpose of your book? Why now? Who’s your primary audience? And much more.
So, what should you do if you’re in the market for a ghostwriter? The answer is: homework. In the same way you’d view many houses before making a purchase, do the same when looking for a ghostwriter. Cheaper isn’t better and expensive doesn’t always mean the best.
The important factor is to find a writer you connect with. Someone who has knowledge on your subject, a proven track record, and has provided a sample of their work which you approve.
Here are some questions you should ask a ghostwriter before hiring:
- Do they have a sample contract available you can read through?
- How much (if anything) do they know about the subject matter?
- How many other projects are on their plate right now?
- What is included with their fee?
- How long will it take?
- What deliverables can you expect?
- Do they handle the writing themselves or do they pass your project on to someone else?
- What other services do you provide?
- What style guide do you go by?
- What genres/niches is your ghostwriter experienced in writing?
- What do they need from you to get started?
- What is their process for learning your voice?
If you have the need for a ghostwriter, please schedule a call with us. We are all about creating the perfect book for you!
T.M. Jacobs, a native to the shoreline area of Connecticut, now resides in various locations along the east coast with his wife traveling and working from their RV motorhome. He has written and published 15 books (one of which was featured on C-SPAN), over 450 articles published in various newspapers and magazines, teaches classes on writing and publishing, and is currently the owner of JWC Publishing. He is the founder and former editor for Patriots of the American Revolution magazine and has been a freelance writer since 1988.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timjacobsghostwriter/
Website: www.jacobswc.com
Email: [email protected]