A friend of mine once called a ghostwriting company so we could actually hear the sales pitch in progress. The sales rep--there was naturally no actual writer or owner or executive to speak with--asked my friend how long his book was. He told her that it was 325 pages long--a thriller. The rep said that $20,000 was the price for a two-hundred-page book since, as she put it, "Books are shorter now. Publishers don't really put out long books anymore."
My friend and I exchanged startled glances. There was no trend in publishing toward shorter books, either in fiction or nonfiction. Was this sales rep not familiar with genre fiction, such a s thrillers, crime, mystery, science fiction, and so many more? Did she not know that the average thriller was 450 pages long? Where did she get this magic number of 200 pages?
Writing a book of 200 pages for $20,000 ensures a maximum profit for the ghostwriting company while minimizing labor. And keep in mind that the companies pay their subcontracted writers very little money, so they don't want to get embroiled in controversy with these underlings by handing them a project that's going to take 400 pages to complete. (The writer is sometimes offered as little as $5,000 for such a project, although the client is unaware of this.)
The result is that a potential client may indeed pay $20,000 for a short book--a book that needs to be much longer and will stand no chance to succeed in the literary marketplace. Ignorance of the publishing industry on the part of the client once again allows the ghostwriting companies to make a huge profit while fulfilling a contract that gives the client nothing but heartache when he or she learns that the book doesn't sell.
~William Hammett
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Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Ghostwriting Companies: Ineffective Marketing Strategies
As we have already discussed, most ghostwriting companies are Print-on-Demand firms that bring in clients by offering ghostwriting services, with the actual writing of books subcontracted out to inexperienced writers (often moonlighters) around the country. They literally create their POD business by having manuscripts cheaply written so they can then upsell customers on further services, such as printing and marketing. Let's look at the marketing part of these "package deals" that ghostwriting companies offer.
The ghostwriting companies, once they have hooked a client, are really enthusiastic about a client's book, whether already written or in need of editing or outright ghostwriting. As one of their clients told me, "They absolutely loved my book and said that it was going to be a big hit!" For people who don't know much about publishing or the literary marketplace, the hopes of a bestselling book blind the client to the fact that he or she is getting a sales pitch, pure and simple.
Once a book is printed by one of these companies, the firms do their level best to get thousands of dollars more to market the book, and some of these alleged "ghostwriting companies" actually advertise that their specialty is marketing books. The truth is that they usually sell almost no books at all. (They may actually put effort into one or two occasionally in order to point to something when they get sued, and they receive numerous complaints about all phases of their operations.) As the woman above said, "I gave my company $4,999.99 and they didn't sell a single book. I turned around and did some blogging and work on Facebook and sold a hundred copies myself and without their help."
So why aren't the marketing strategies of ghostwriting companies effective? First, they send out press releases and to a few hundred bloggers, newspapers, newsletters, and others that have some connection to the publishing industry, even if rather tenuous. They also send out advance PDF files of the books to reviewers. Here's the problem: the people who get these press releases and advance copies are not really interest in the books they read or hear about. They may not even deal in the genre of the book that is being promoted. They may eventually mention the book, write a quick review, or simply put up a link to the book's website, if it has one. Sometimes they do nothing at all. Does any of this sell books? Almost never?
The truth is that anyone can send out press releases, request reviews, and do their own blogging and social media promotion--and they can do it more effectively. And yes, they can do it for free.
Another truth is that the companies charge a marketing fee and don't even bother to send out the press releases or requests for reviews at all. Many clients have told me that the ghostwriting firms did nothing at all.
P. T. Barnum said that there's a sucker born every minute. Thousands of people want to write and sell books. Regrettably, they know nothing about publishing and become the victims of questionable business practices. The companies technically fulfill the terms of the contract (usually), but here's the rub: what the contract promises isn't worth a plug nickel in the real world of publishing.
~William Hammett
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The ghostwriting companies, once they have hooked a client, are really enthusiastic about a client's book, whether already written or in need of editing or outright ghostwriting. As one of their clients told me, "They absolutely loved my book and said that it was going to be a big hit!" For people who don't know much about publishing or the literary marketplace, the hopes of a bestselling book blind the client to the fact that he or she is getting a sales pitch, pure and simple.
Once a book is printed by one of these companies, the firms do their level best to get thousands of dollars more to market the book, and some of these alleged "ghostwriting companies" actually advertise that their specialty is marketing books. The truth is that they usually sell almost no books at all. (They may actually put effort into one or two occasionally in order to point to something when they get sued, and they receive numerous complaints about all phases of their operations.) As the woman above said, "I gave my company $4,999.99 and they didn't sell a single book. I turned around and did some blogging and work on Facebook and sold a hundred copies myself and without their help."
So why aren't the marketing strategies of ghostwriting companies effective? First, they send out press releases and to a few hundred bloggers, newspapers, newsletters, and others that have some connection to the publishing industry, even if rather tenuous. They also send out advance PDF files of the books to reviewers. Here's the problem: the people who get these press releases and advance copies are not really interest in the books they read or hear about. They may not even deal in the genre of the book that is being promoted. They may eventually mention the book, write a quick review, or simply put up a link to the book's website, if it has one. Sometimes they do nothing at all. Does any of this sell books? Almost never?
The truth is that anyone can send out press releases, request reviews, and do their own blogging and social media promotion--and they can do it more effectively. And yes, they can do it for free.
Another truth is that the companies charge a marketing fee and don't even bother to send out the press releases or requests for reviews at all. Many clients have told me that the ghostwriting firms did nothing at all.
P. T. Barnum said that there's a sucker born every minute. Thousands of people want to write and sell books. Regrettably, they know nothing about publishing and become the victims of questionable business practices. The companies technically fulfill the terms of the contract (usually), but here's the rub: what the contract promises isn't worth a plug nickel in the real world of publishing.
~William Hammett
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Friday, March 29, 2013
Ghostwriting: The Perils of Hiring a Moonlighter
Is moonlighting a bad thing? Not necessarily. If someone genuinely has a skill, in this case writing, then maybe working part-time isn't a bad thing. But here's the problem: most people who moonlight as ghostwriters or editors may have some level of skill when it comes to writing, but they've never written a book before. Their friends have usually told them that they write well, and they reflect on the great term papers they wrote in college. Some may even have published a story or article and have declared themselves published.
The above facility with language does not make someone a professional ghostwriter or editor. The title of professional should only be accorded to someone who has worked in publishing, published novels or other kinds of literature, or held positions as editors with reputable publications. Preferably, a person should have at least five years of solid experience in editing or publishing before charging people for writing or editing services.
There are tens of thousands of freelancers out there, people moonlighting or just working as a second household income, who have no business charging anyone for their services. Most charge very little money because they are not making a living at what they do. Their work is not professional, and people looking to hire a ghostwriter or editor need to examine the credentials of people they consider far more carefully.
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The above facility with language does not make someone a professional ghostwriter or editor. The title of professional should only be accorded to someone who has worked in publishing, published novels or other kinds of literature, or held positions as editors with reputable publications. Preferably, a person should have at least five years of solid experience in editing or publishing before charging people for writing or editing services.
There are tens of thousands of freelancers out there, people moonlighting or just working as a second household income, who have no business charging anyone for their services. Most charge very little money because they are not making a living at what they do. Their work is not professional, and people looking to hire a ghostwriter or editor need to examine the credentials of people they consider far more carefully.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Google the Ghostwriting Companies and Learn!
Continuing the discussion of whether there is satisfaction with the large ghostwriting firms (that are really print-on-demand-companies, with a few exceptions), there is an easy way to see if people are happy with the writing they get--or the books that are printed, for that matter.
Simply Google the name of a company, followed by the word "complaints" in the search box. Your eyes will be opened. Below are the most common complaints against these companies--and isn't it strange that most of the complaints are the same in nature from one company to another.
1) The work was poorly written, filled with basic errors and little style.
2) The editing and proofreading that was promised was never delivered.
3) Deadlines were not met and clients had to wait for up to eight months to get a response on the status of their projects.
4) The books were poorly printed, with bad or inappropriate covers used.
5) Clients are only allowed to speak to writers or editors for ten hours, no longer. The rate per hour ranges from $110 to $150.
6) There is little access to company personnel after the contract is signed.
7) The marketing strategies promised were ineffective and did not yield any sales.
It's on the web if you take time and do your homework. People are losing thousands of dollars to these companies because they don't understand publishing.
~William Hammett
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Simply Google the name of a company, followed by the word "complaints" in the search box. Your eyes will be opened. Below are the most common complaints against these companies--and isn't it strange that most of the complaints are the same in nature from one company to another.
1) The work was poorly written, filled with basic errors and little style.
2) The editing and proofreading that was promised was never delivered.
3) Deadlines were not met and clients had to wait for up to eight months to get a response on the status of their projects.
4) The books were poorly printed, with bad or inappropriate covers used.
5) Clients are only allowed to speak to writers or editors for ten hours, no longer. The rate per hour ranges from $110 to $150.
6) There is little access to company personnel after the contract is signed.
7) The marketing strategies promised were ineffective and did not yield any sales.
It's on the web if you take time and do your homework. People are losing thousands of dollars to these companies because they don't understand publishing.
~William Hammett
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Ghostwriting Companies and the Better Business Bureau
Surprisingly, most ghostwriting companies get an A+ from the BBB, regardless of where they are located. But there are several reasons that this is the case. First, most people never take the time to complain because it's a hassle. Secondly, most people don't read the very complicated contracts tendered by the companies and don't have a leg to stand on. The deceptive Internet advertising aside, the companies deliver what their contracts promise since the contracts have a lot of small print that allows them to offer the least amount of effort and services for a maximum of money. If complaints are filed--and they are--the companies will cave in very occasionally to keep in good standing with the BBB. But the bottom line is that what is promised to the client on the phone and what is offered in the contract are two different things.
In the next entry on this site, we'll take a revealing look at how you can find out what people really think about these companies.
~William Hammett
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In the next entry on this site, we'll take a revealing look at how you can find out what people really think about these companies.
~William Hammett
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Sunday, March 24, 2013
Ghostwriting Companies: Are They Really Print-on-Demand Publishers?
Many large ghostwriting companies quickly branched out into offering package deals when POD took off. They have now dropped their prices for writing your book, but why? The answer is painfully simple. They're trying to get clients to use their printing services, and later, they want clients to start investing even more money in their useless and ineffective promotional packages.
There are many print-on-demand companies out there, and the ghostwriting companies have some stiff competition with companies such as iUniverse. With most people extremely dissatisfied with the quality of writing they receive from these firms, the companies decided to extend the "full range of their services" so that they could keep the sleight-of-hand--the misdirection going--and to keep the false hopes of the client alive.
An honest independent ghostwriter can never guarantee publication, but lo and behold, if the ghostwriting company is actually going to publish the book too, well then it's a case of "problem solved." The client doesn't have to worry about the reality that 98% of all books are not accepted for publication. So the client, ignorant of the publishing industry, buys into the sales pitch about the package deal--the writing, the printing, and the promotion.
The writing is not a great concern to these companies, which is why the manuscripts their subcontracted writers produce are so filled with errors. They want the client to go for the entire package. And you know what? People fall for the scam every day of the week.
Talk to a writer, not a ghostwriting company.
~William Hammett
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There are many print-on-demand companies out there, and the ghostwriting companies have some stiff competition with companies such as iUniverse. With most people extremely dissatisfied with the quality of writing they receive from these firms, the companies decided to extend the "full range of their services" so that they could keep the sleight-of-hand--the misdirection going--and to keep the false hopes of the client alive.
An honest independent ghostwriter can never guarantee publication, but lo and behold, if the ghostwriting company is actually going to publish the book too, well then it's a case of "problem solved." The client doesn't have to worry about the reality that 98% of all books are not accepted for publication. So the client, ignorant of the publishing industry, buys into the sales pitch about the package deal--the writing, the printing, and the promotion.
The writing is not a great concern to these companies, which is why the manuscripts their subcontracted writers produce are so filled with errors. They want the client to go for the entire package. And you know what? People fall for the scam every day of the week.
Talk to a writer, not a ghostwriting company.
~William Hammett
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Ghostwriting Companies: Use of the Closer
Have you ever bought an automobile and, when the negotiations with the salesman reached an impasse, you were brought to the sales manager? He's the real deal-maker, the closer. Ghostwriting companies have closers as well. The writer you talk to in order to close the deal may not be the writer who executes your manuscript.
Here's how it works. You call the company (or it calls you in response to your email query) and you talk to a secretary, who then puts you in touch with "one of our top-selling authors." This person may have a writing credit or two and is paid a fee by the company to close the deals and get potential clients to sign contracts. But he's not necessarily the writer who will compose your manuscript--not the person you will work with for three to four months.
Next, the "closer" explains company policy to you, giving a hard sales pitch full of promises that the client can expect great results and fantastic writing. He or she then says that it might be best if you talk to a few other writers and, gosh darn, you yourself can make the selection. The three or four writers you talk to will usually be inexperienced writers since these companies pay very little--they keep about 70% of the fee--and almost no writer with any real credits or experience is going to work for these outfits, especially for the low wages they pay. By now, your head is spinning, but the closer will pop in and try to confuse you with a lot of talk about ghostwriting and publishing that is pure hype since the potential client knows nothing of the process and simply receives some technical jargon and more promises.
It's a shady business, in my opinion. The companies don't break the law (although some do, and they've been prosecuted and convicted), but they certainly violate dozens of ethical standards. The owners of these companies are simply executing a business model. The owners usually have no background in writing. In the age of the Internet, they can reach millions of people who have always wanted to write a book, people who don't realize that the ghostwriting company is simply going to take their money and give them a manuscript that is substandard and will be printed on-demand, if at all.
Want a book written? Talk to an honest independent ghostwriter. Talk to a writer and not a closer.
~William Hammett
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Here's how it works. You call the company (or it calls you in response to your email query) and you talk to a secretary, who then puts you in touch with "one of our top-selling authors." This person may have a writing credit or two and is paid a fee by the company to close the deals and get potential clients to sign contracts. But he's not necessarily the writer who will compose your manuscript--not the person you will work with for three to four months.
Next, the "closer" explains company policy to you, giving a hard sales pitch full of promises that the client can expect great results and fantastic writing. He or she then says that it might be best if you talk to a few other writers and, gosh darn, you yourself can make the selection. The three or four writers you talk to will usually be inexperienced writers since these companies pay very little--they keep about 70% of the fee--and almost no writer with any real credits or experience is going to work for these outfits, especially for the low wages they pay. By now, your head is spinning, but the closer will pop in and try to confuse you with a lot of talk about ghostwriting and publishing that is pure hype since the potential client knows nothing of the process and simply receives some technical jargon and more promises.
It's a shady business, in my opinion. The companies don't break the law (although some do, and they've been prosecuted and convicted), but they certainly violate dozens of ethical standards. The owners of these companies are simply executing a business model. The owners usually have no background in writing. In the age of the Internet, they can reach millions of people who have always wanted to write a book, people who don't realize that the ghostwriting company is simply going to take their money and give them a manuscript that is substandard and will be printed on-demand, if at all.
Want a book written? Talk to an honest independent ghostwriter. Talk to a writer and not a closer.
~William Hammett
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Ghostwriting Companies Prey on Clients' Ignorance
I often ask myself how so many potential clients can fall for the sales pitches given by the large ghostwriting firms. The owners' names aren't revealed, the writers are not named, and secretaries and middlemen coordinate the communication between client and writer. The writer who closes the deal is not always the writer who composes the manuscript. (More on this in a later post.)
The answer is simple but sad. People know virtually nothing about ghostwriting and even less about the publishing industry. And they are taken in by the idea that a self-proclaimed "industry leader" is going to write and publish their book. But have people grown so naïve as to think that one or two people can't put up a slick website and pretend to be a large firm with dozens of staff members buzzing around a busy office? (Those offices don't exist!) Apparently, the answer is a big "yes."
The reality is that the manuscripts produced by these large companies (and I've been shown very many) are poorly written, and they haven't been ghostwritten by any bestselling authors--or anyone who has worked for the major publishers listed on the company sites.
Next, you can't trust the publishing packages that these firms offer. They are POD firms trying to get clients by offering ghostwriting services. The books they publish are NOT carried by conventional bookstores--only online.
The companies' promotional packages are worthless. The press releases and reviews they procure are seen by a handful of people, and the reviewers do not handle the wide range of books sent to them. The press releases are read by virtually no one.
If you want a book ghostwritten, you need a qualified independent ghostwriter who knows the publishing industry.
~William Hammett
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The answer is simple but sad. People know virtually nothing about ghostwriting and even less about the publishing industry. And they are taken in by the idea that a self-proclaimed "industry leader" is going to write and publish their book. But have people grown so naïve as to think that one or two people can't put up a slick website and pretend to be a large firm with dozens of staff members buzzing around a busy office? (Those offices don't exist!) Apparently, the answer is a big "yes."
The reality is that the manuscripts produced by these large companies (and I've been shown very many) are poorly written, and they haven't been ghostwritten by any bestselling authors--or anyone who has worked for the major publishers listed on the company sites.
Next, you can't trust the publishing packages that these firms offer. They are POD firms trying to get clients by offering ghostwriting services. The books they publish are NOT carried by conventional bookstores--only online.
The companies' promotional packages are worthless. The press releases and reviews they procure are seen by a handful of people, and the reviewers do not handle the wide range of books sent to them. The press releases are read by virtually no one.
If you want a book ghostwritten, you need a qualified independent ghostwriter who knows the publishing industry.
~William Hammett
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Thursday, March 21, 2013
Ghostwriting: You Get What You Pay For
Lately, many people who contact me are requesting that I write their books for $4,000 or less, this being the price quoted by many competitors. More on the competition's fees in the next post. But for now, let me say that this is a ridiculous price. I suppose there may be someone very competent out there who wants to write as a hobby and pick up mad money to play the slots. Who knows? Most individuals who write books for such a low price are inexperienced writers who know nothing about publishing, editing, or writing. They want some pocket change if the spouse is off earning the big bucks to buy the daily bread.
Would you pay a doctor $50 to take out your appendix? Would you pay a lawyer $25 to handle your case? If you want a seasoned professional to write your book, one that is written correctly and with style, you need to pay a professional price. Someone in the publishing industry who helps you get into print is worth a lot more than $4,000. Besides, it takes months to write a book, and I don't know of anyone who is a professional writer who can stretch $4,000 over a six-month period.
Most books by ghostwriters don't get published and most are poorly written. People are largely ignorant of the publishing industry and they go online when they decide to get their story into print. They then become part of the food chain for predators who will capitalize on people's ignorance of the literary marketplace. Let the buyer beware. You get what you pay for. $4,000 to write a book? I don't think so.
~William Hammett
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Would you pay a doctor $50 to take out your appendix? Would you pay a lawyer $25 to handle your case? If you want a seasoned professional to write your book, one that is written correctly and with style, you need to pay a professional price. Someone in the publishing industry who helps you get into print is worth a lot more than $4,000. Besides, it takes months to write a book, and I don't know of anyone who is a professional writer who can stretch $4,000 over a six-month period.
Most books by ghostwriters don't get published and most are poorly written. People are largely ignorant of the publishing industry and they go online when they decide to get their story into print. They then become part of the food chain for predators who will capitalize on people's ignorance of the literary marketplace. Let the buyer beware. You get what you pay for. $4,000 to write a book? I don't think so.
~William Hammett
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