Ghostwriting and the TV show "Shark Tank" are two things I wouldn't normally think go together, but last week I discovered that they do. Shark Tank is one of my new favorite shows (I love hearing about the interesting inventions and business ideas people have), so imagine my surprise when last week the investors on the show were presented with the opportunity to invest in BusinessGhost, an Irvine, California-based ghostwriting service that assists business people in writing books.
Sadly, the investors were not convinced that the business model was scalable, so owner Michael Levin walked away empty-handed. Before he exited, however, Levin did share some interesting information about his ghostwriting firm.
BusinessGhost has eight ghostwriters on staff, who complete an average of two ghostwriting projects per month. The firm earns between $35,000-75,000 per book project and has annual revenues approaching $750,000 per year.
The good news for independent ghostwriters is that the fees he quoted seem quite fair and the demand for the firm's services seems steady. If there is any bad news, it's that the business may not be scalable, meaning that it may be difficult to grow much beyond a certain point. However, in my mind that's not a surprise. Writing is a skill and individual writers have different voices; one client may prefer a writing style akin to Malcolm Gladwell and another may want Tim Ferris. That difference is what helps differentiate ghostwriters.
Fortunately, if this show is any indication, demand for ghostwriting remains high. We all just need to learn how to leverage what makes us each unique - our writing voice.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Is ghostwriting deceptive?
According to a tweet today from Pastor Rick Warren, "Using a "ghost writer" is PRETENDING to be an Author & claiming credit for another's work. It's deceptive & dishonest."
Oh, really? I humbly disagree. A ghostwriter is not someone who comes up with an idea for a book and sells that idea to someone else who then puts their name on the cover. The role of a ghostwriter is to help a client articulate a message, relate a story, or share a concept - not make everything up and then publish it under someone else's name.
At least that's my personal opinion.
The projects I've had the privilege and pleasure to work on were for honorable people who lacked the time or believed they lacked to skill to produce a book-length manuscript. Truth is, nearly all of my clients have been very capable communicators. However, they may have forgotten some English grammar rules or simply didn't enjoy the process of writing. So they hired me to assist.
By stepping in to help them organize their thoughts, sift through their research, and pull together tens of thousands of words on a particular topic, I'm more midwife than anything else. The baby is theirs, I'm simply helping to deliver it. And just as a midwife or doctor does not attach their name to a newborn baby, I don't attach mine to the books or articles or blog posts I help create.
Is that dishonest? I don't think so. But what do you think?
Oh, really? I humbly disagree. A ghostwriter is not someone who comes up with an idea for a book and sells that idea to someone else who then puts their name on the cover. The role of a ghostwriter is to help a client articulate a message, relate a story, or share a concept - not make everything up and then publish it under someone else's name.
At least that's my personal opinion.
The projects I've had the privilege and pleasure to work on were for honorable people who lacked the time or believed they lacked to skill to produce a book-length manuscript. Truth is, nearly all of my clients have been very capable communicators. However, they may have forgotten some English grammar rules or simply didn't enjoy the process of writing. So they hired me to assist.
By stepping in to help them organize their thoughts, sift through their research, and pull together tens of thousands of words on a particular topic, I'm more midwife than anything else. The baby is theirs, I'm simply helping to deliver it. And just as a midwife or doctor does not attach their name to a newborn baby, I don't attach mine to the books or articles or blog posts I help create.
Is that dishonest? I don't think so. But what do you think?
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The Association of Ghostwriters is the leading professional organization for ghostwriters of books, articles, speeches, blogs and social media content. Members are experienced and aspiring ghostwriters dedicated to providing high-quality content.