The help for writers has exploded in the past 10 years. Between online sources and ‘experts’ offering to help you in one way or another, you have more choices than ever. Thus I recognize I’m just one person in an ocean of writing coaches and editors serving the self-publishing market. This creates questions you deserve answers to:
- How do I filter through all the choices?
- How can identify a fit for my needs?
- How do I ensure a safe financial environment?
These 6 tips should help make the process of hiring and working in a truly professional manner easier.
1. Watch out for ego.
If the role you need is a professional ghostwriter, then the person you hire can’t have one! A ghostwriter has to let go of personal ego and its demands for self-expression in order to get into your head. The best ghostwriters enjoy helping you express yourself. If you don’t feel like you are on the same page from the start, keep looking.
Neither side can afford to let ego become an obstacle to crafting a fantastic read, if you need a substantive editor or collaborator. You want someone who is confident and competent, yet willing to let your voice come through. You need someone with the courage to disagree with you, yet the willingness to give you the final say. Otherwise, you may find yourself mid-project looking for a new editor because you’ve hired someone whose reputation as a writer/editor is more important than your self-expression.
Likewise, you might have to lay ego aside if you want to attain your goals. Hanging onto an approach that’s been proven unmarketable isn’t in your best interest. In a contest between your ego and having a book that sells, which one do you want to win?
2. Seek signs of organization and creativity.
You should be able to answer, “Yes,” to the following questions whether you’re hiring a ghostwriter or writing coach.
- Can he produce a solid outline based on my subject.
- Can she picture the scope of the project?
- Does he contribute ideas as we discuss my book?
- Does she offer more than one strategic approach to my topic?
3. Embrace assertive.
Sure if feels good to have someone who says, “Yes,” to everything you suggest. However, this is usually the best path to mediocrity and irrelevance. It’s what usually renders close friends and family members poor help. Few have the courage to share their honest opinion. This makes them safe, yet ineffective.
You get the best results from collaborating with a professional who has the courage to tell you when your writing needs help. Your best bet is someone who isn’t so desperate for work he or she fears getting fired.
4. Negotiate cover credits.
Look for someone who isn’t motivated by receiving credit before he or she gives their best to your project. A professional ghostwriter must want you to look like a star even if his or her name is never mentioned. Thus, getting credit can’t be the motivation behind striving for excellence.
However, there can be times when giving credit is advantageous for both of you. For example if you prefer to remain anonymous, then giving your collaborator credit as a co-author opens marketing options you cannot leverage under a pseudonym. Also, you may benefit from an established co-author’s name on your book cover. Linking with James Paterson has launched many fiction writer’s careers.
It may also be possible to negotiate a lower cost up front if you are willing to give authorship credit. However, don’t try to negotiate free services in exchange for 50% of the profits unless you’ve already built a strong platform of followers. Just knowing all kinds of dirt on the rich and famous doesn’t mean a book will sell. We all know 50% of zero remains zero.
5. Evaluate the work.
A professional ghostwriter doesn’t have to have years of commercial writing experience to be a good writer. However, a lack of writing samples should be a warning. It might mean they’re all talk and little experience. It could mean this person has trouble capturing other’s ‘voices.’ It could be telling you this person hasn’t stuck to anything.
The only way to evaluate someone’s mastery of written English is to see a portfolio or a content-rich website. Either should demonstrate solid writing abilities.
However, there’s more to writing than skill. There’s style. Carefully study the writing style you see within the portfolio. Is it one you resonate with?
For example, I come from a background where my great-grandparents on one side were German immigrants. My grandmother’s English was loaded with poor grammar, yet she had a passion for story telling. She self-published two books, which she sold at flea markets. Unfortunately, neither book had the market potential they would have had. Why? Because she received little more than copy editing from the publishers she hired. She needed more than grammar correction. Sigh. Such was the nature of ‘vanity’ publishers.
What she really needed was a writing coach/substantive editor to help her with:
- Identifying where she chose beliefs and actions out of harmony with character age
- Eliminating elements that failed to propel the story forward
- Replacing caricature antagonists with complex antagonists
- Developing motivations behind her character’s actions
- Using active settings to create reader connections with her historic setting
- Keeping her time setting consistent
- Etc.
My grandmother had talent for developing story arcs and entertaining characters. However in the 1980s and 90s personalized help for writers was cordoned off to educational institutions and a few magazine advertised courses. When my grandmother was whipping out manuscripts, today’s most powerful writing tool had barely been invented. Her word processor was little more than a glorified typewriter. The internet environment that makes connecting with a skilled writing coach from anywhere in the world possible didn’t exist. So this Havre, Montana talent never had a chance—until now. Even though she’s no longer able to bring the Great Depression to life in person, her legacy will come to life in 2017. It’s just a decision of which manuscript to begin with.
6. Pay for What You Get.
The potential for profits correlates to investment. People who know what they are doing don’t offer their services at starvation wages. At the same time, using money as your measure could leave you missing your profit potential. Your genuine need is to balance spend against ROI. Ask yourself, “Will what I’m spending now produce profits?” Yes, there’s some risk, because we can’t predict the future. However, you can choose a strategy that increases your profit potential.
Self-publishing Requires Multiple Skills.
“You pay for what you get.” Overused? Absolutely, yet it’s too true to ignore. I don’t charge what I did ten years ago. Why? Because ten years ago, I was just starting to write again after nearly 25 years hiatus. Honestly, what I offered then wasn’t worth more than $15/hour. In fact, I don’t even charge what I did five years ago. Between 2011 and 2017, I’ve poured over books on writing. I’ve taken classes. It has changed my writing and the knowledge I have to share.
Here’s an example. I wrote this article for the first time in 2010. When I opened it on EzineArticles today, my instant reaction was, “Delete that.” It reflected little of the quality I now demand of myself. Why did I react in this way? It failed to reflect techniques I have learned through my ongoing search for advanced writing competence. Its six points offered too little explanation. The article felt more like a good outline. Today, I’m not satisfied with that.
The same applies to my understanding of self-publishing. You may or may not be able to get all services in one place. Getting a book to press takes more than a manuscript. It requires at minimum:
- An editor
- Proof readers (at least 2)
- Beta readers (at least 2)
- Interior layout designer and cover designer
- Marketing copy writer (includes book description, author bio, press releases, etc.)
- Marketing strategist (includes social media, events, SEO, etc.)
- Marketing website
Publishing without beta readers and proof-readers is not an option, and I tell my clients this. A writer and his or her editor become too closely associated with a manuscript to catch all the inconsistencies and problems within a book. Fresh eyes are mandatory. Professional interior and cover design sell a book. Marketing copy and strategy help promote a book. A website gives people a place to buy your book from you directly.
The two I focus on are 1) crafting a great read and 2) formatting a visually attractive interior and cover. I guide my clients toward other experts in the area of marketing (even though I do cover these areas on this website). Why? Because I work best when I’m focusing my energies within one arena at a time. Designing and crafting a great read enlist the imaginative side of my brain, complementing each other. Marketing, in contrast, requires a more business-oriented focus.
I have a strong business/marketing side. So why am I abdicating this service to others? Switching between these sides consumes energy I’d rather channel more effectively.
A one-person-does-it-all package can be advantageous when:
- You choose a business that has team members dedicated to different services.
- You work with an individual who only works with one person at a time.
Of course, you must confirm the ability to deliver all aspects of the package if you do choose a one-stop option.
Keeping Safe Financially Takes Planning.
Beware of anyone who asks for all the money up front, with or without a signed contract. While you should always ask for a contact—it keeps expectations clear on both sides—there’s always risk once your money is in someone else’s possession, especially if you don’t already have product in your hands. I believe it’s important to alternate reasonable risk between both parties.
While I rarely work on any of these hiring platforms today, I encourage you to consider using Upwork, Freelancer or Guru to manage the job—especially if you would suffer significant hardship if the working relationship sours.
Most of my clients work directly with me through PayPal. I do ask for a deposit up front; however, I keep this at no more than $500.00. We agree upon a delivery date before I receive the advance. Once I’ve delivered, then my client has the opportunity to discuss what I’ve done and ‘approve’ it before we proceed. In this way, we alternate the risk. It’s also a part of any contract, that my client can terminate our working relationship at any time if the deliverables fail to meet expectations.
This has happened! In three situations since 2007, my writing style just didn’t work. In two cases, we negotiated a 50% refund. In the third situation, the client didn’t ask for a refund. She asked me to submit the book in a different format, which I did. (I’ll always wonder if she was as unhappy with the book as she claimed.)
Recently, a client’s unexpressed expectations meant my first draft was off target. The client preferred to go a different direction over working through to a second draft. (I did offer to do so at no additional cost.) When asked for a 50% refund, I gave it. Why? Because no matter how carefully I work to make sure I’m a good fit, things don’t always work out.
Summary
Apply a healthy dose of common sense, along with these six tips. Don’t be pressured into a hasty decision. A true professional won’t rush you. If you are feeling pressured, keep on looking.
Humility may be one trait you can sense immediately. However, honesty isn’t something you dare leave to your senses. That’s how con artists make their livings.
So vet your options before you proceed. It’s okay to take your time. It’s important you know what you need. After all, it’s more than a financial investment. It’s also an investment in you!
