Ghostwriting Fees | How much Does a Ghostwriter Cost?

One of the most common questions asked of writers is, "How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?" This is actually a common internet search as well. There are a variety of different factors that influence a ghostwriters fees and also how they package their pricing. Some ghostwriters charge by the page, some by the word, and others charge by the hour. One thing that ghostwriters have in common in terms of their pricing is that you will need to pay at least an upfront deposit for them to begin the work, often 25-50%.

Some factors that affect a ghostwriters pricing:

What do you want written?

How long is the piece?

What is your deadline? (You will pay more if your deadline is sooner)

What is the quality of writing you are seeking?

Some people prefer to hire the ghostwriter on a trial basis, such as for a short eBook, to make sure they are a good fit for each other and that the ghostwriter holds up her/his end of the deal (always get a contract in writing).

I charge per word for ghostwriting. This is the way that I recommend paying because you will each know what you are getting. Second, would be to hire by the page; however, you won't be guaranteed a specific number of words on each of those pages. If you pay per hour, your bill could run up quickly for little work with the wrong ghostwriter.

It is sometimes tempting to consider a low offer from a writer, such as if your budget is low and you want a bargain. Consider that a writer who charges low usually has to because they either aren't a good writer or they are inexperienced. Also, a writer who charges low will not be able to dedicate enough time to your project since they will need to take on other work to compensate for their low rates in order to pay the bills. You want a quality writer who is dedicated to your project and is not running themselves ragged with too many jobs they aren't being compensated enough for.

Cheap Writers

Writers who are new or who may not have a good reputation usually have to charge the lowest rates. You may get a "deal," but consider this carefully before buying as to what you are paying vs. what you are getting in return in value. On the low end, writers in this category will charge from $2,000-$5,000 for a 200 page book.

Professional Writers

Pro writers are ones who have been writing for a long time and/or have genuine expertise in the area of writing. For example, a writer who has a degree in English and who has been writing for a number of years, with many publications to their name, is going to be of higher quality. Another example would be of someone who is an industry expert, such as someone with an MBA, certifications, someone who specializes in healthcare or finance, and who has writing experience would be considered on the professional side of ghostwriters. Their rates range from $12,000-$90,000 for a 200 page book.

Celebrity Writers

These are writers who have a number of publications to their name, have a bestseller, or who have written for famous people. You can expect to pay premium rates for their services. Their rates range from $150,000 to $750,000 for a book.

Most people go with someone from the professional writing category. For a nice mix of professional quality writing and staying easy on the pocketbook, I recommend selecting someone from this category as you will get quality writing for a reasonable cost.

If you have questions, please contact me.