Ghostwriting comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The same is true for book projects. When it comes to financial ghostwriting, you want to find the best person for the job.
This article will cover what financial ghostwriting is and what you can expect from a financial ghostwriter, including pricing, turnaround times, and deliverables.
In this article:
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What is financial ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is the act of writing on behalf of a third party that retains the rights to the content to use under their name.
A ghostwriter may or may not be a subject matter expert. It depends on the project. A high-quality professional book can be written based on thorough interviews and research.
This is not the case with financial ghostwriting or other technical fields like science, tech, engineering, math, and science. A ghostwriter must also have in-depth knowledge of the subject to anticipate reader questions so they can be answered thoroughly.
Types of financial ghostwriting
Financial ghostwriting services are not limited to books. You can find ghostwriters working in many capacities, including:
- Articles and blogs
- Social media
- Email newsletters
- Scripts
- Academic ghostwriting
What to look for in a financial ghostwriter
A professional financial ghostwriter will not only be an expert in your area of finance, but they will also understand how to distill complex information into digestible content that your ideal readers will understand and enjoy.
A professional financial ghostwriter should have the following:
- Knowledge. A deep understanding of your subject matter.
- Book writing experience. Financial ghostwriting for a book is different from ghostwriting a social media post or an article. The ideal financial ghostwriter will either have book-writing experience as a ghostwriter or as an author.
- Organizational skills. Writing a book takes time, so a book writer needs to understand how to allot their time for tasks over an extended period so they can stay on task and not fall behind.
- Good communication skills. Ghostwriters often have to spend a significant amount of time at the beginning of the project getting to know the author. This can be through interviews or other forms of communication. Strong communication skills ensure that ghostwriters get the information they need to create a strong book.
- The right temperament. Writing a book takes time, and every author is unique. You want to make sure that the ghostwriter you select is a good fit for you.
Questions to ask a financial ghostwriter:
- What specific financial or industry experience do you have? This information is important to know regardless of the topic, especially in highly technical or scientific fields. With general subjects like entrepreneurship or marketing, a good working knowledge of the topic and strong writing skills can produce a high-quality book. In contrast, when writing about in-depth topics like regulatory compliance or investment evaluation, you should look for a writer with more than surface-level knowledge. o
- How many books have you written either for yourself or others? Writing a book is different from other types of writing, like blog posts or articles. Effective book writing requires an understanding of book structure, story development, and pacing to give the reader the best reading experience. One of the jobs of a professional ghostwriter is to capture the voice and tone of the author. Every author’s voice is different, so you want to feel this when you review their previous work. You’ll want to see multiple examples, if possible, but the ghostwriter may be limited to what they can share because of client privacy; however, they should still be able to provide samples with an indication of the book’s topic without revealing client information.
- How do you like to work with your clients (e.g., phone interview, video chat, in-person)? This question is for you as much as it is for the ghostwriter. Consider how you like to communicate. If you aren’t a fan of video calls and prefer to get your information in an email, then look for a ghostwriter who also prefers this method. Just ensure that the method you choose is a reliable one. Communication between an author and a ghostwriter is critical to a book’s success. Ghostwriters are often on a structured schedule, so you want to make sure that they can get the information they need in a timely manner.
- How often will we speak? This piggybacks off of the previous question. Your time and schedule matter, so look for a ghostwriter whose communication schedule aligns well with yours. For example, some ghostwriters may prefer weekly communication during the first month to get the book’s initial outline/structure set. While others may be okay with once a month. Make sure the frequency required works for you.
- What is your typical turnaround time? Ghostwriters can take anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on the complexity of your book, its length, how fast they write, and their schedule. You’ll want to make sure their timeline works for you before signing up.
- Will you sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement? Client agreements that include a confidentiality and non-disclosure section are standard for most ghostwriters, and they shouldn’t have a problem signing one. The agreement should also include deliverables, expected turnaround times, payment, and extra fees and outline any additional expectations for the writer and client.
- What are the deliverables? During the writing process, you should be given access to multiple drafts for your approval. This could include any combination of an initial outline, a sample chapter, a finished first draft, or the entire manuscript, and the final version once completed. Most ghostwriters will include a professional edit as part of the ghostwriting process, but you’ll want to confirm. For financial ghostwriting, it’s also a good idea to request access to research documentation used to write the book.
- Are there any additional expenses that could be incurred during the process? Depending on the needs of your project, additional expenses may be incurred, such as travel (e.g., interview with industry experts), research, or fact-checking costs.
- What are your payment terms? Ghostwriting payment terms can vary, but expect to pay a portion up front (e.g., half down) and the balance once the work is completed.
- What is your process for capturing my voice and vision? You want your book to sound like you. You also want to ensure that the completed book reflects your vision. Most ghostwriters will want to spend one-on-one time with you to hear your voice and cadence (i.e., the rhythm with which you speak). They’ll also be listening for repetitive phrasing or subtle nuances that make your delivery unique. It’s okay to ask your ghostwriter their process for ensuring that the final book accurately reflects you as the author.
- Do you offer revisions? If so, how many? Ensuring that you have a good communication schedule set up at the beginning will make the writing process go smoother and limit the number of revisions; however, it’s still important to ask what the revision process offer is just in case.
- Who retains the rights to the work once the book is written? As the author, you should retain the rights to the work. Consider it a red flag if the ghostwriter says something different.
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Pros and cons of hiring a financial ghostwriter
Pros
- Overall time investment. As a busy professional, it’s hard to find time to get your daily tasks completed, much less write a whole book. A ghostwriter takes the stress out of managing the rigors of writing.
- Expertise. Hiring a subject matter expert ghostwriter can offer additional insight for your book that you may not have considered. They can make suggestions for rounding out content and even be a sounding board for ideas you’d like to explore.
- Writing skills. Ghostwriters write books for a living, so they’ve often developed an efficient process for getting the work done in contrast to you writing a book and having to figure out how all of the pieces fit together.
Cons
- Cost. Hiring a ghostwriter is often like hiring a specialist at your company for six months to a year. They are putting in the work and the time to create a product that hopefully generates leads and makes you more money, so you can expect to pay a premium.
- Miss the mark. Ghostwriting is not an exact science, so there’s always the chance that a ghostwriter doesn’t get what you envisioned exactly right. This is why communication is critical for the success of a book project and an option for revisions in the client agreement. Before you sign a contract with a ghostwriter, make sure you’ve vetted them thoroughly. This will alleviate many of the potential problems that can occur during the writing process if they are not the right fit.
- Initial upfront time investment. If you want a great book, especially a technical one, then you’re going to have to spend some dedicated time with your ghostwriter in the beginning. This is to ensure that the scope of the project is well-developed and that your vision for the book is clear. It also gives your ghostwriter a chance to get to know you, which will help them create the best book possible.
How to find a financial ghostwriter
There are several different ways to find a qualified financial ghostwriter to write your book. Most freelance writers have their own websites, but most will market their services on third-party platforms. Here are some places to find a financial ghostwriter:
- Social media. While you can search for ghostwriters on any social media platform, LinkedIn is the go-to resource. Since the site caters to business folk, ghostwriters find their ideal clients on the site. To find a list of ghostwriters on LinkedIn, do the following:
- Log in to LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com. (If you do not have a LinkedIn account, sign up. It’s free.)
- In the search bar at the top of the page, type in “financial ghostwriter.”
- When the results populate, click on the “people” category in the left sidebar.
- Next, click on “See all people results.”
- Freelancer websites. There are websites dedicated to connecting freelancers and clients. Sites like UpWork, Reedsy, and Fiverr list ghostwriters on their sites. Just ensure that you read their reviews carefully, look closely at their samples, and make sure they have solid experience in your topic. When it comes to financial ghostwriting, cheaper is not always better. It’s also true that an expensive ghostwriter isn’t a guarantee of a quality book. No matter where you find a ghostwriter, vetting them thoroughly is the best way to determine if they are the right fit for you.
- Associations. Writers often join associations to network, get career training, and list their services for clients. Websites like the Association of Ghostwriters, the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), and the Authors Guild have databases that list their members. You can filter the list based on the type of ghostwriter you’re looking for.
- Ghostwriting companies. Some companies like self-publishing.com, Gotham ghostwriters, and Kevin Anderson and Associates offer ghostwriting as a stand-alone, a-la-carte item or as part of a larger package.
How much does financial ghostwriting cost?
With ghostwriting of any kind, pricing will vary by book genre, complexity, and the ghostwriter’s experience. Experienced ghostwriters who have written bestsellers often command six figures, while those just starting out may charge $1,000, depending on the book’s length.
While ghostwriting prices for books can vary drastically from $1,000 to over $100, 000, for a financial ghostwriter, you can expect to pay 20-26.5 cents/word or $77.50-$100 per hour, according to EFA (e.g., For a book with 50k words, you can expect to pay a minimum of $10,000.).
Don’t let the sticker shock of ghostwriting make you miss the potential ROI. Quality ghostwriting is an investment. Anyone can write a book, but if you want a professional book that grabs readers’ attention and has the best chance of selling, you want to hire the best you can afford.
Note: Just because someone charges a ton of money for ghostwriting (whether a company or a person) doesn’t guarantee they know what they’re doing, so do your research. The same way you would research before investing in real estate or stocks, the same care and scrutiny should be taken when hiring a ghostwriter for your book.
It’s time to write your book
If you have a book idea brewing in your head that you’re ready to get written yesterday, then hiring a ghostwriter might be a good fit. Before you commit to investing your money and time, ask yourself a few questions:
- Do I have a solid book idea that I can fully articulate to a ghostwriter? Remember that specificity is key to ensuring you get the book you want.
- Do you have the budget to pay a quality ghostwriter? Sometimes, it’s better to take your time and write a book yourself if your budget is tight. It will take longer to write it yourself, but in the end, you can hire a developmental editor to shape up the book for a fraction of the cost of hiring a ghostwriter.
- Do you have the time or means to find the best ghostwriter for your book project? Vetting a ghostwriter takes time. You don’t want to cut corners on this crucial step.
- Are you open to suggestions? A professional ghostwriter’s job is to know the subject matter but also have a good handle on the market and what will work. Using a ghostwriter is a partnership and should be treated as such.
For the author, this means being open to suggestions from a professional who may have insight. Ultimately, you will make the final decision, but flexibility and an openness to listen can produce a better book.
If you’re ready to hire a financial ghostwriter for your next book project, you have options. Click here to learn more about the ghostwriting services we offer.
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