The reasons for seeking a suitable ghostwriter can be varied: Some want to finally put a novel idea or their memoirs on paper, others want to publish an e-book for marketing purposes or strengthen their personal brand – in any case, a book needs to be written. However, time, leisure, and expertise are often lacking. How can the right ghostwriter be found for a given project?
Meaning: What is a ghostwriter?
Ghostwriters are authors who write books for a client. The texts are therefore not published under their own name, but under the client's. So, if the work achieves fame and recognition, the client benefits, because the ghostwriter typically relinquishes the copyright and all rights of use in exchange for a fee.
Ghostwriting as a service
Ghostwriting exists in all fields and for all types of texts. The industry is booming and now offers a huge range of services: from autobiographies and non-fiction books to speeches for private or professional occasions, self-help guides, and much more Social MediaThe providers of ghostwriting services are usually..
- Writing agencies that accept commissions and have authors with varying levels of professional qualifications among their ranks.
- Online platforms that connect service providers and clients through a portal. Typically, the client can post a job ad or browse through pre-screened profiles of qualified professionals.
- freelance writers, who offer their writing services through self-marketing, for example via their website, advertisements or word-of-mouth advertising.
Ghostwriters are usually academics, often with degrees in the humanities or social sciences, for example in literature or political science. This makes sense, since university studies involve writing many term papers and essays, allowing them to acquire the necessary writing skills alongside their studies. Of course, there are also writers with journalistic, legal, or scientific/technical backgrounds.
Since secrecy is inherent in the nature of the work, there are no official figures on the number of texts written by ghostwriters. However, some sources assume that around 30 percent of all non-fiction books are written by ghostwriters.
Ghostwriter wanted: Who can benefit from the work of a ghostwriter?
Of course, this service can also be of interest to private individuals, for example, a father who wants to give a particularly beautiful and moving speech at his daughter's wedding. However, certain professional groups pursue a more professional approach:
- Entrepreneurs who have acquired extensive knowledge about an industry, a product range, or business strategies and wish to share it. A book can serve marketing purposes, but also provide customers with useful background information about the product or service. The owner of a spice shop can benefit from a publication just as much as a digital consulting agency.
- Self-employed individuals, such as coaches, trainers, or consultants, who want to position themselves as experts in a particular field. The yoga teacher who compiles her knowledge and experience in a training manual increases her visibility beyond her immediate circle.
- Celebrities or people who are in the public eye and want to give their fans an insight into their lives or their thoughts.
Ghostwriting service – A legal service?
Generally, the relationship between ghostwriter and client is based on a contract for work and services pursuant to Section 631 of the German Civil Code (BGB). In this contract, the writer undertakes to produce a work in return for payment.
Pricing: What are the costs for a ghostwriter?
The price for a ghostwriter varies depending on the requirements of the desired text: length, complexity, necessary expertise, and other factors play an important role in pricing. Generally, the agreed fee covers the service; in rare cases, the ghostwriter receives a share of the book sales.
Important: A reputable ghostwriter or agency will first provide you with a quote outlining the various services and including a preliminary cost estimate. Very low prices may seem tempting, but they can also be a sign of a lack of professionalism. Keep in mind that you are purchasing a unique piece of work that requires research time and careful handling of sources.
The cost of hiring a ghostwriter for a book cannot be stated as a fixed price: texts are individual, and the goals pursued with them are also individual. This leads to a wide variety of requirements and necessitates an individual calculation.
Some providers define different price segments, which are certainly not entirely arbitrary. For example, offers range from..
- in the lower range between approximately EUR 2,000 and EUR 20,000: The ghostwriter will likely fulfill the agreed-upon requirements competently, but won't reach their stylistic peak. After all, only a very fast work pace allows them to earn a normal income.
- in the middle range between approximately EUR 30,000 and EUR 80,000: Within this budget, the ghostwriter already has sufficient time for intensive research and familiarization with the topic. Furthermore, they can find the right style and give the text a good structure.
- in the premium segment above: In this price range, celebrities or politicians often hire ghostwriters. If these writers have already made a name for themselves in other writing activities (for example, as journalists or with their own publications), they are sometimes credited as co-authors and receive a share of the sales revenue.
Working with a ghostwriter: Success even without experience!
To ensure your book project and initial collaboration with a ghostwriter are successful from the outset, you should consider a few points:
Research and selection
During your research, you should pay attention to a professional company image, ensure the website has a complete legal notice (Impressum), and perhaps read some reviews and testimonials from other customers. Before selecting an author, consider the following questions:
- What goal should be achieved with the book?
- Who is the target audience?
- What qualifications does the author need to be able to write the text well?
- What is the focus of the desired text? Does the author need specific expertise, a particular style, the right tone, or even a specific personality?
- Consider whether you want direct contact with the ghostwriter. This can simplify communication, but it also depends on how discreet you want the project to be.
The better you, as the client, understand what you are looking for, the higher the chances of success. You can then easily assess the ghostwriter's education, experience, and work samples because you know whether they are useful for your specific project.
Check the offer
Are the individual services clearly listed? Does the offer include revision rounds, or are there additional costs for change requests? Check each item and make sure that all the services you need are included.
Define the work process
The process, workflow, and communication should be thoroughly discussed before work begins. If you're still unsure, have the writer produce a sample text of the first one or two pages of your project and check whether it meets your expectations. Generally, you should carefully review the initial deliveries of your text. Randomly googling individual sentences can already give you an indication of how meticulously the writer works. If you're not satisfied with the style or language, you can still exert influence at the beginning – it becomes significantly more difficult later on.
Carry out the process in stages: partial deliveries and payment in installments reduce the risk for both sides.
written agreement
You should definitely consider a written agreement – after all, a short contract provides you with additional security regarding agreed prices, set deadlines, and eliminates misunderstandings about payment dates. It also stipulates that the author relinquishes all rights to their text and, usually, that they must maintain confidentiality regarding it.
Start of cooperation
Have you already gathered any material for your project? This could be a manuscript, but also individual drafts, your own research results, audio recordings, summaries, lists, or anything else. The ghostwriter should definitely receive this material at the start of their work.
Use SCRIBERS[HUB]'s experience to find the perfect ghostwriter!
If you want to avoid the work and uncertainty involved, you can simply commission SCRIBERS[HUB] to find the right ghostwriter for you. Our authors have already been vetted before being added to our freelancer pool. When you work with us, you receive a hand-picked selection of ghostwriters who, firstly, possess the necessary knowledge and experience for your book project, secondly, are available within your desired timeframe, and thirdly, fit within your budget.
