Do you want an affordable ghostwriter?
Searching the internet, you can easily find ads for affordable ghostwriters. They’re all over, a dime a dozen. However, is that really what you want?
Of course you should look for a good deal, but you need to avoid the bargain-basement writers. Please don’t hire a cheap writer, someone whose rate is well below the norm. If you do, you’ll get a product that is inferior, which will probably need to be rewritten. It would be better to skip the project completely.
Plagiarism
A new client asked me today, “What problems could I run into with an affordable ghostwriter?” It’s a good question.
Plagiarism is a real concern. If you search the internet for articles on a subject, you’ll quickly see that the popular ones have been copied (with maybe a few words changed). I’m sure those writers didn’t charge much for “their” work.
I remember researching a topic I knew well and was mortified by the slew of similar articles with incorrect information. Tracing it back, it all started with one article written by someone who didn’t know the material at all. His facts were wrong and the cheap writers just copied him, so those errors were propagated all over the net.
No experience
Another problem, probably most common with a low-end writer, is that they have little experience. As a result, they have no real idea of the work involved to complete a book. It takes time, hundreds of hours. If you pay them too little, chances are they’ll never finish.
In the end, you’ll have to hire a real writer to complete your book and they’ll probably need to start over. The sad thing is that by this time most people give up on their project and scrap the book concept. It’s too frustrating for them to continue.
It’s better to write the book yourself
If you cannot afford to pay a writer, consider writing the book yourself and hiring an editor. You can find editors who will charge three to ten cents per word, which might include light rewrites. It is an affordable approach.
My advice? Don’t hire an “affordable ghostwriter.” It’s much better to pay an experienced writer what they deserve and get a book that will make you proud!
Additional articles you might find helpful:
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriter?
Easy Tips For Writing Your Book
Should you hire a local ghostwriter?
Working with a Ghostwriter – What steps should you take?
Author Bio
Excellent point, Laura. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard clients lament the fact that they paid a few hundred or a few thousand dollars to a purported ghostwriter who really didn’t know what they were doing. When handed a poor quality deliverable, the client then simply has to shell out more money for serious editing or to start the whole process over. With respect to ghostwriters, you’ll almost always get what you pay for, so don’t pay as little as possible.
Thank you, Marcia, for lending your experience to the conversation! Yes, it is sad when someone comes to me with an unworkable manuscript. I almost always turn them down, as they are so burnt out on the process that I’m working from a losing position. I’d love to connect with you more! Feel free to email me through my site and we can chat!
Ok, so can you charge by the chapter?
Hi, Randy! I tried to contact you through your email, but it didn’t go through. Yes, I can sometimes charge by the chapter. I’d need to learn more. Thanks for writing! Laura
I would like to know how do you charge?
It was a pleasure to email back and forth with you. I look forward to helping you!
Hi laura, at work do not have time to explain, however, im, looking for an affordable ghost writer, please give me a call at your earliest convenience please,
Thanks for writing! I’ll write to you privately!
Hello
I’m in need of a ghostwriter but I don’t know where to start?
Hello, Jeanine! I’d be happy to help you. Please write me privately and share a bit about the book, the budget and deadline. I’ll do my best to at least guide you!
im looking for a ghostwriter to write a short aoto about my life, maybe 3 hundred pages.
I’d love to talk to you about your project. Please email me directly, so that we can set up a time to talk!
Laura