I get it. Time is money. Which is why you’ve been thinking about hiring a business book ghostwriter. But did you know it might actually take you less time to write the book yourself?
I know plenty of people who have written a book in 90 days or less, and those people have gone on to rake in a TON of money in sales for their businesses. Because a book is one of the most effective methods if you’re trying to figure out how to get leads for your business.
In this blog, I will explain how to hire a ghostwriter for a business book (if you really want one), but I will also explain why you don’t need a business book ghostwriter, and give you some productivity-hacking tips for writing your own book in record time (like using dictation software to “speak your book”).
How to hire a business book ghostwriter
If you want to hire a ghostwriter for a business, here are the steps you will need to follow:
Outline the project scope
If you want a business book ghostwriter to write your book, you need to have the project clearly defined. Outline the purpose, goals, and scope of your business book.
You also need to define your target audience, key messages, and the overall tone you want to convey.
Set your budget
When hiring a business book ghostwriter it’s important to determine a realistic budget for your project. Ghostwriting fees can vary greatly based on the writer’s experience and expertise, as well as the complexity of the project.
Research business book ghostwriters
Once you have all the information for your project outlined in detail, you need to look for ghostwriters who specialize in business writing. These business book ghostwriters should have a proven track record.
You can find potential candidates through online platforms, writing associations, personal recommendations, freelance boards like Upwork or Fiverr, or by reviewing the acknowledgments section of books similar to what you want.
As you start to narrow down potential ghostwriters, ask for portfolios or samples to assess their writing style, ability to capture your voice, and their experience with similar topics.
Check the ghostwriter’s references
Of course, just because you like the writing style of a ghostwriter, doesn’t mean they are easy to work with. Once you have a shortlist of business book ghostwriters, reach out to previous clients for references.
Ask about their experience working with the ghostwriter, the quality of the final product, and their overall satisfaction with the collaboration.
Discuss the project details
Schedule interviews with final candidates to discuss your project in detail. This is an opportunity to gauge their understanding of your vision, their working process, and ensure you feel comfortable working with them.
Clearly communicate your expectations, deadlines, and any specific requirements you have for the project – including how revisions and feedback will be handled.
Sign a contract
Once you’ve found a suitable business book ghostwriter, draft a contract that outlines the terms of the agreement. Include details such as payment terms, project milestones, confidentiality clauses, etc.
Collaborate throughout the writing process
I hate to break it to you, but once you have your business book ghostwriter selected, you can’t simply just set them loose. You have to maintain open communication with your ghostwriter throughout the writing process to ensure your project proceeds according to your vision.
Be available for regular feedback and edits.
Evaluate the final product
After the ghostwriter completes the initial draft, review the manuscript thoroughly and request any necessary revisions to ensure the final product meets your expectations.
Once you have a finished manuscript, it’s a good idea to send it for professional edits. Then, comes book marketing, and finally, your book launch.
Why a ghostwriter could be a waste of time & money
As you can see, hiring a business book ghostwriter is a time-consuming process. And, by the end of all that, it might have been faster to just write the darn thing yourself!
You already have to gather all your information, organize it, and dictate it to your business book ghostwriter.
You have to work back and forth with them diligently to ensure information is accurate and in your tone of voice – a product you would be proud of and want to represent your business.
So after all that work, why not make sure your book is done right? After all, it’s YOUR expertise and YOUR business experience. Who knows it better than you?
And you don’t even have to be good at writing to publish a successful business book.
Chandler Bolt, the founder of selfpublishing.com, has written 6 bestsellers, and he was a C- English student.
If he can do it, YOU can.
How to write a business bestseller in less than 3 months
You may still be hesitant to write your own book. And that’s understandable! Surely there is a way to delegate tasks that will leverage your time and money.
And actually, there is!
Here are some of my top tips for writing your business book as swiftly (and painlessly) as possible.
Use a mindmap
A mind map is the easiest way to outline your book and get all your thoughts in one place. You can even download this free nonfiction mind map template to get started.
Any time you think of an item or point for your book, add it to your mindmap. This can be a few words, a specific quote you would like to use, a bullet point list, etc.
Aim for speed. You just want to dump all your thoughts into the mind map. Later, you can go back and add more details.
Dictate your book
Did you know that you can speak your book instead of writing it? There are plenty of free and paid dictation software options that can allow you to dictate your entire book in a single weekend.
Dictate thoughts that come to you between meetings. Dictate your book during your commute. Whatever fits into your schedule.
This can be a massive timesaver.
Utilize AI
Okay, so now you might be thinking: “Can I use ChatGPT to write a book!?” And the answer is…sort of.
AI can be a great tool to leverage when writing, but I don’t recommend using it to write your book completely. If you do, you may not be able to retain the rights to your own business book (which defeats the purpose of writing it).
What you can do is use AI for book ideas, for transcribing what you dictate, and even for editing your manuscript. AI editing is a fast and cost-efficient alternative to a professional editor (although I do recommend getting some human eyes on your project, too).
Join our Author Accelerator Elite Program
At selfpublishing.com, we have a white glove service called the Author Accelerator Elite Program. This service will edit, produce, and market your business book for you, and will even give you:
- Sessions with a dedicated coach
- Coaching sessions with Chandler Bolt himself
- Access to a mastermind community of top-notch authors
- And on-demand lessons
In short, everything you need to be a bestseller – without the need for a ghostwriter.
If you are interested in learning more about our Author Accelerator Elite Program, or our other book-writing and mentoring services, reach out to our team for a free strategy call today.