How to Find a Ghostwriter and Build Trust
There are plenty of good reasons to hire a ghostwriter.
You want to increase your visibility and credibility by having a book, but don’t have the time to write one. You’re totally intimidated by the book-writing process. Your plate is already over-loaded with other commitments. You want a book, AND you have the self-awareness to realize that you don’t have the bandwidth to write it all by yourself.
But once you realize you need a ghostwriter. . .how do you find the one?
Your relationship with a ghostwriter is one that’s built on trust. The final product you and your ghostwriter produce will have your name on it. You wouldn’t want just anyone to translate your ideas and work into something that will be widely accessible to the broader public! So how do you find that person who will grasp your ideas, your tone, your you-ness and package those ideas in a book? It’s not like you can browse the shelves of Barnes and Noble and jot down names.
But it can be done--and finding your ghostwriter may be easier than you think. Don’t know where to start? Here are three tips to help you find and build a strong connection with a ghostwriter:
1. Ask for referrals. Do you have a friend who’s utilized the services of a ghostwriter? What was her experience like? Put your ear to the ground. Word-of-mouth is everything, and if you know someone who trusts a ghostwriter, find out all you can. Book-creation can be a long, twisty-turny road to a destination as yet unseen. Trust is key. The recommendation of someone you trust can give you a direction from which to start.
2. Try a trial period. Perhaps you need to build up your content in advance of your next initiative. Hire a ghostwriter to write articles for you. You’ll get a sense for his style--communication, writing, ability to capture your thoughts. And if you need to cut ties, you haven’t invested too much on the front end to make it painful.
3. Request a sample chapter from the ghostwriter. Is your content marketing already in place? Ready to start your book right now? Time to interview ghostwriters for your book. If you feel you’ve clicked with one but aren’t quite ready to pony up the big bucks for a whole manuscript, ask your potential ghostwriter to write a (paid) sample chapter for you. If you’re happy with the work, negotiate a contract with the ghostwriter which includes payment, deliverables, expectations on both ends, etc.
There is a bit of mystery to how an author connects with a ghostwriter. The process involves luck, timing, and that mysterious “it” factor that determines if a working relationship will be satisfying to both parties. But when it clicks, it clicks--and it’s a beautiful thing. You stand to gain a long-term business partner who will help you take your career to new heights. . .and a new title in your resume.
“Author.”