Want to write a book for your speaking or consulting business? Here are 5 questions to ask first.

So you’re a leader and want to write a book. You want more speaking and consulting engagements. Maybe you want more authority and credibility. You already know a ghostwriter will save you time, and you consider working with a book collaborator as an investment in your growing business.

Several clients hired me after other ghostwriters or publishers didn’t work out for various reasons. So to help you prevent common book creation pitfalls, I put together a list of what to look for before you hire anyone.

Do They Have the Right Experience?

Expert or no? Your ghostwriter doesn't have to be an expert in your subject. While expertise can be useful, it's not at all necessary if the writer can research, read well, and learn. However, if you really want an expert, write this down on your "must-have" list before you speak to ghostwriters.

Most of my own clients are experts, so they don't need me to be one. However, I have been hired due to my knowledge and experience with personal finance, executive leadership, science and health, web usability, digital marketing, and content marketing.

Do They Have Enough Experience?

One client said she felt disappointed with a previous ghostwriter, who had recently graduated from college. Due to the writer’s inexperience, the project had to be redone.

Becoming an excellent ghostwriter takes more than a college degree. It takes:

• A desire to serve others and put the client’s voice first.
• An expertise in English and writing.
• A willingness to learn.
• Deep and empathic listening skills.
• Wide-ranging knowledge from years of study and learning.
• Good client communication.

Do you Feel Good Around the Person?

You want to enjoy the person's presence. You probably know what to look for in a fellow human from making friends over the years, yet I'll include a few questions to ponder.

• Are they too "salesy" on your first phone call?
• Are they listening to you deeply?
• Does the potential book collaborator have experience in building a business?
• Do they care about you and your topic?

You might not be able to determine all of the above in one interaction. My advice is to visit and read their website, read their client testimonials on LinkedIn, and watch their video content to learn more.

What do you feel when you read and watch their content? If you have a good feeling, reach out to them.

What’s Their Process? Do You Like It?

Ask your business book ghostwriter about their process. You want them to have one. You'd be surprised at what you might find out if you ask this question.

As for me, I ask prospective clients if they want to hear about how I work with folks. If they say yes, I describe my Book Activation Method and how it helps consultants, coaches, and speakers finish their books.

What’s Their Business Experience?

Your book is an investment in your business. Speakers have earned thousands and hundreds of thousands because they secured speaking and consultant engagements due to their book.

You want your ghostwriter to understand—and even collaborate with you—on how your book will fit into your business foundation and revenue goals.

When you're ready, I can help you in 3 main ways:

1.    Sign up for the free Write the Book mini lessons on how to start and finish your book: https://radiantmedialabs.com/writethebook.

2.    Join my mentorship for established consultants, speakers, and coaches. If you’re a second-career professional or a current business owner already earning consistent revenue, we’re going to work together to start and finish your book. Want to join? Send me an email ([email protected]) ... put “BOOKMENTOR” in the subject line ... and I’ll reply with all the details.

3.    Message me here if you want to write a book.  

Deborah Ager is the author or co-editor of three books published on presses large and small. The largest is Bloomsbury (New York | London | New Delhi). She is a sought after business book collaborator. Her marketing efforts generated $104M in 3.5 years for the American Red Cross and 11,000 orders for a book in three days for a US government agency called the National Institutes of Health. She founded 32 Poems Magazine. Yale, Brown, and Harvard, and other colleges subscribe to the magazine she founded. Deborah now combines her marketing, business and writing experience with her proprietary book creation process to help speakers and consultants finish business-building books.