Sam Walton: Made in America. Jack: Straight from the Gut. Rich Dad, Poor Dad. These are some of the most famous business books, with millions of copies sold. Surprisingly, they have one thing in common: they’re ghostwritten.
CEOs, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other business executives worldwide are now collaborating with ghostwriters to pen down their stories and insights.
A ghostwriter can act as a stepping stone to help you get seen in a saturated publishing industry. Here’s everything you need to know about ghostwriting for a business book:
What is a Ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a person hired to write a piece of content, such as paperback books, eBooks, articles, newsletters, speeches, and even songs. The written work is accredited to another person’s name as the author, with the ghostwriter working “behind the scenes.” Ghostwriters analyze the client’s intent and translate their thoughts and ideas into well-structured and coherent content.
In the business domain, you can hire a ghostwriter for an eBook or paperback. They can help you write numerous types of non-fiction business books, such as:
How-to
A “how-to” book provides detailed instructions and guidelines on a specific business topic, such as leadership, finance, management, or conflict resolution. How to Lead by Jo Owen and The 7 Principles of Conflict Resolution by Louisa Weinstein are common examples.
Thought Leadership
Entrepreneurs who wish to disrupt traditional thinking about an industry or concept generally prefer this format. Take, for instance, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, a book that analyzes how leaders inspire action.
Business Memoir
If you’re an entrepreneur and have a compelling and inspiring personal story towards success, a business memoir can be the perfect choice. Also known as a hero’s journey book, it can be suitable for various niches. Think of a tech startup founder navigating funding challenges or a retail company adapting to e-commerce.
Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog and Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad are perfect examples (They’re ghostwritten, too!)
Hybrid
The best thing about business book writing? It doesn’t have to fit into a mass-defined standard. Take, for instance, Suzie McAlpine’s Beyond Burnout, where the author digs deep into burnout at the workplace and also features thoughts of people who experienced burnout.
Why You Should Collaborate with a Ghostwriter
As a busy CEO and entrepreneur, finding the time to write a book can be challenging. Here’s how a business book ghostwriter can help you:
- Ghostwriters Have a Knack for Research
Whether you wish to write a how-to guide or a memoir, thorough research is critical for adding credibility and authority to your words. A ghostwriter will delve deeper into your area of interest and interpret complex ideas.
Research is also necessary for tying up loose ends and finding factual information. A ghostwriter will only use accredited sources to minimize errors and maintain the factual integrity of your work.
- Ghostwriters Can Save You Time
Time constraints are one of the biggest challenges in publishing a book. After all, one can’t rush creativity. Fortunately, working with a ghostwriter allows you to meet deadlines without compromising on the content quality.
Professional ghostwriters will dedicate focused time to your project and ensure peace of mind. This is especially useful for industry experts who wish to capitalize on a trending topic or write about a rapidly evolving issue.
- Ghostwriters Do More Than Just Write
What comes to your mind when you imagine yourself writing a book? Sitting in a dark room typing words as the glow of your computer screen falls on your face? This is not always the case.
From idea generation to finding the right words, writing a book is a dynamic process, and ghostwriters play a crucial role in each phase.
A ghostwriter will immerse themselves in your field and industry and capture your intent rather than just words. The importance of teamwork can’t be denied, and that is precisely what ghostwriters offer. If your strength is redefining industry concepts, theirs is filtering and presenting your ideas with excellent craftsmanship. Consequently, you can turn good ideas into great ones.
- Ghostwriters Know What Questions to Ask
Ghostwriters are experts at extracting knowledge from the corners of your mind. Detailed questions allow them to deeply understand your perspective and ensure your story is told with the right tone, voice, and choice of words. Probing questions helps them find unique angles and often-forgotten anecdotes to make the book engaging.
This is especially useful when you wish to write a memoir. Through numerous brainstorming sessions, a ghostwriter will pick apart your memory. The best part is that they’ll remember what you shared months ago and seamlessly tie it back to the current discussion.
- Ghostwriters Will Maintain a Consistent Voice
Business book authors typically have a persona and voice that runs through each one of their books. If you’re planning to publish a series of business books on an interconnected domain or field, there is no better option than hiring a ghostwriter.
Professional ghostwriters immerse themselves in their client’s voice and style and ensure consistency throughout the book. They can also help turn eBook series into full-length books while ensuring a coherent narrative.
- Ghostwriters Can Provide Strategic Input
Most business books are written with a specific business objective, such as marketing your services, positioning yourself as an industry leader, or showcasing your journey and driving lessons. Ghostwriters will thoroughly understand your aim and assist you in developing a strategy. Consider hiring a ghostwriter who has previous experience in your genre or subject matter.
Ghostwriters are objective and even brutally honest. Since they aren’t in-house marketers, ghostwriters will assess your ideas from a fresh set of eyes and give you suggestions wherever applicable.
Stepping Into the Publishing Industry
Navigating a highly complex and saturated publishing industry can be overwhelming. Doing this on top of your business responsibilities will lead to an even more daunting situation. Having a ghostwriter by your side, picking apart your memory, and providing research-oriented insights, can offer ease.
Consider your ghostwriter’s work experience and analyze how comfortable you are with them. Assess their time management skills, attention to detail, and creative abilities to produce a piece that tops New York Times bestseller lists. Take the first step towards business publishing and tell your story to the world!
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