Should You Hire a Ghost Writer?

If you're a business owner, you already have a million and one things to do - in fact, everytime I start thinking about all the things we do as business owners, I can't help but think about the diagram that business coach Rich Schefren created last summer - did you see it? Along with his manifesto, and the missing chapter, it was a great piece of work with a lot of good information to help small business owners take things to the next level. If you'd like to see Rich's business model (which sadly is the one that too many business owners use), you can find it here: Your Business Model Sucks

Now getting back to whether or not you should hire a ghostwriter...

You're already busy running your business, following your strategic plan, taking care of your current customers, and going after new customers. Chances are, you're doing a million other things too, trying to keep all the business balls in the air.

And maybe you have an e-book that you'd like to right, or you need a few articles written, to help bring visitors to your Website, brand you as an expert in your field and help you achieve your marketing or sales goals.

But what if you hate to write? Or your spelling really sucks? Or you spent 30 minutes staring at a blank screen with no idea of how to get started? Or what if you're just so darn busy that you don't have time to write articles yourself?

These are all valid reasons for hiring a ghostwriter.

So why haven't you hired a ghostwriter yet? Here are some of the most common reasons that I've heard - (I have a little survey that I ask new customers to fill out, and another one that I was using for people who visited one of my Websites, but decided not to hire me.) Do any of these resonate with you?

*I thought it would be too expensive
*I didn't know how to find someone
*I didn't know what to ask
*It's on my list of "Things to Do"
*I'm going to do it myself
*I can't afford to hire someone full time
*It would take too long to teach someone about my industry and market

Let's see if I can answer these questions for you, to save you some time.

1. I thought it would be too expensive:

Well, it depends on what you want to have written, what your timeline is, and what your budget is.

For example, you can go online to places like "Guru.com" or "elance" and put together a project and send it out to bidders. An average going rate for a 300 - 700 word article is between $3.00 and $10.00.

If you want a report, a case study, a white paper or an annual report, you'll probably pay between $300 and $1500. (But it depends on what you want, the amount of research that is involved, the depth and scope of the project, the time involved, etc.)

Ebooks can run the gamut of costs - anywhere from about $40 (for a short one) up to a couple of hundred dollars.

Only you can decide how much your time is worth, and if it would be more cost-effective for you to pay someone else to do the writing for you, while you work on the parts of your business that are bringing in revenue.

2. I don't know where to find someone:

Well, first off, you just did - since you are reading this article, let me just put in a plug for my services first!

And if we're not a good fit, I already mentioned guru.com and elance. But there are other places too. You can do a Google search, you could check out your local want ads, library, community college or Small Business Development Center. You might find a high school or college student who enjoys writing and would be willing to write for a few dollars. Maybe you know someone in your neighborhood. Once you start looking around, you'll find lots of people who have a talent for writing - but just remember, like with anything else, you get what you pay for.

3. I didn't know who to ask.

Again, let me just remind you that you've found someone. And it's easy to get started. You send me an email and give me an idea of what you're looking for, and we'll set up a good time for us to meet. I'll even call you for the first meeting, no charge or obligation.

4. It's on my list of "Things to Do".

Well, good for you. And since you're here, there's no time like the present! Feel free to drop me an email right now!

5. I'm going to do it myself.

Good for you! If you need some help, may I suggest you check out your local library, because they've got some great books on the subject of copywriting, ghostwriting and writing in general. Also, check out this blog, because I'll be adding some free tools and tips that you can use, and there are lots of other great copywriters and ghost writers with Websites that you can learn from as well. (And if that doesn't work out for you, feel free to come back here and send me an email and let's see if we'll be a good fit!)

6. I can't afford to hire someone fulltime.

When you hire a ghostwriter, you're hiring them to work on a specific project for you. When the project has been completed to your satisfaction, it's finished. In fact, that's one of the biggest advantages of hiring a ghostwriter. You don't have to pay employment or social security taxes, worker's compensation or do any of that pesky paperwork that has to be filled out when you hire an employee.

7. It would take too long to teach someone about my industry and my market.

If you're in the Internet marketing field, business to consumer field, or business to business field, chances are I already have some experience writing about your type of product or service, or at the very least, something pretty similar. But the point is, that as a professional writer, it's my job to learn - and to learn quickly - how to write the type of copy that will interest, inform, educate and move to action your prospects. I always guarantee my work - so if I don't get it completely right the first time, I'll fix it.

If you've got any other questions, feel free to drop me an email, and I'll do my best to answer them for you!