Many leaders aspire to be authors, writing their own books, but are reluctant to hire a ghostwriter to assist them. For many, that reluctance is due to a misunderstanding of a ghostwriter’s role. Some people claim it would be “inauthentic” not to write their own book.
A nonfiction ghostwriter is not a writing surrogate. Despite the misconception, they do not write alone, without much input from the author, and then deliver up a finished manuscript for rubber-stamping. No, a business book ghostwriter is a true writing partner who collaborates closely with the aspiring author to understand their perspective, expertise, and message. Together, they determine the best way to structure the material to be shared with readers and then devise an outline to achieve that goal.
A skilled, experienced ghostwriter is part interviewer, asking pointed questions to surface the most useful, interesting information; part therapist, providing support and encouragement to the author to explore uncomfortable subjects; part writer, helping to communicate the author’s message eloquently; part project manager, assuming responsibility for moving the project forward according to the agreed-upon schedule; part editor, constantly looking for ways to polish and improve the draft manuscript; and part publishing consultant, offering advice and connections to help the author find a publisher that will best meet their needs.
There are few downsides to hiring a ghostwriter if you are sure you want to write a book, but here are 10 questions to consider as you weigh that decision:
Do I have the time to write the book myself?
Leaders are among the busiest people around and are typically stretched thin trying to manage work projects, internal teams, and suppliers—not to mention family and friend relationships. Some attempt to set aside time in the evenings and/or on weekends to make progress on their book, but having to put the project down for days or weeks at a time, it’s difficult to get back into the writing flow quickly. Even the best writers and communicators decide that working alongside a writing partner is a better use of their limited time and results in a better quality finished product, typically in a fraction of the time. Writing a book on your own can take many weeks or months of solid, solitary work. However, if you have ample time, it can be a very satisfying use of it.
Am I confident my writing skills are on the level of publishing professionals?
Asked another way, will your writing produce a publishable book you will be proud of? The last thing you want to do is spend 6-12 months writing a book and then not be proud to tell everyone of your accomplishment. While you may be the expert in your field or have unique experiences and ideas to share, do you also have the communication skills to package those ideas in the best possible light? It’s a rare person who has both those talents.
Am I able to organize my thoughts and ideas into a book’s standard narrative structure?
Brilliant business leaders frequently have many ideas, thoughts, stories, and lessons they could share, but deciding which stories are relevant to making a book compelling may be a challenge. A ghostwriter can help organize notes and ideas into a coherent narrative arc that is engaging and builds momentum with each chapter. Someone who is a publishing industry professional and who has ghostwritten dozens of books can quickly recognize the best way to plot out relevant points and stories in book form.
What do I want this book to do for me or my career?
Before you begin structuring ideas and laying out stories, stop to ask why you want to write a book. Is it to preserve your legacy? Share your ideas? Document your story? Position yourself as a leader in your industry or region? These are just some reasons to write a book, because they can open doors to new opportunities and enhance your credibility. But know what you want a book to do for you before you get too far along. If you’re writing a children’s book to amuse your children or grandchildren, a ghostwriter may not be essential. But if you’re writing a book to earn praise and boost your reputation, make sure your finished product won’t do the opposite.
How quickly does this book need to be published?
The speed of technology leads to information obsolescence much sooner today than even five years ago. The speed of information-sharing moves quickly, which means that if you opt to write your book yourself, by the time it is out in 2-3 years, the content may no longer carry the weight it does now. It may be out of date. Hiring a ghostwriter can’t guarantee that your information will still be current by the time your book comes out, but they can typically complete your manuscript in a few months, rather than years. Can you afford to wait?
Can I objectively assess the quality of my content?
It’s hard to know what other people will find interesting or new when you’re so involved in a situation or business. Involving an objective third-party in helping you determine what material is relevant and interesting to the target reader can make your book much stronger. Ghostwriters ask the questions they know readers want answered and help identify which stories will resonate, which is hard to judge when you’re on the inside. Ghostwriters offer an outside perspective.
Am I confident that my writing voice will enhance my credibility?
Everyone has a writing style that is uniquely their own. In many ways, it reflects how they speak, so that when their writing is read, it’s clear who the author was. But not everyone is a fan of their own writing or their own style. The good news is that a ghostwriter can either mimic your writing voice so that your book sounds like you, or they can make it sound more scholarly, more formal, more professional—or whatever type of writing personality you’d prefer.
Am I sure about which details should be shared and which should remain confidential?
Many CEOs and business leaders have intriguing stories to share, thanks to years of navigating challenging business situations. If those examples are clearly proprietary, most authors know the details can’t be included in a book. However, there are frequently old stories that are quasi-public information at this point that some leaders may want to include. However, sometimes those stories could cause more harm than good, and an outside perspective can help keep authors out of trouble. Ghostwriters, sometimes with input from attorneys, can advise authors regarding which stories are safe with changes, which stories are fine to tell, and which ones absolutely need to stay out of print.
What’s my track record for completing personal projects like this?
Have you been working on a manuscript for years? Do you have a habit of getting started with gusto and then losing interest (or hope), as time goes on, and challenges emerge? The truth is, most people who start writing a book never finish. They may have the best intentions, but life gets in the way, momentum fades, and the manuscript gets put aside. The Independent Book Publishing Association (IBPA) reported nearly 15 years ago that 200 million Americans (or around 81 percent at that time) wanted to write a book. I’ve seen a statistic repeated through the years that only 3 percent of people actually write those books, though I have been unable to find the original source, so I don’t know if that number is reliable. But it’s certainly true that there are far more books that remain unwritten or unpublished than there need to be.
What is the potential return on a mediocre book versus a well-written one?
A well-written book can raise the visibility and prestige of an author, creating potential new business and media opportunities that may more than offset the costs of writing and publishing a book. However, that can never be guaranteed because the success of a book depends on the amount of marketing and promotion that occurs to support it. On the other hand, it is almost a certainty that a poorly written book will earn low Amazon reviews and potentially damage the author’s reputation, reducing the chance of other speaking and writing invitations. Hiring a professional to assist can improve the odds of producing an authoritative title.
A recent study of the ROI of writing and publishing a book reported “More than 90 percent reported some form of nonmonetary value in their books, and 89 percent said writing a book was a good idea.”
Want to learn more about the process of working with a ghostwriter and getting your book published? Feel free to request a free copy of my Insider’s Guide.