This article is meant to be of assistance to both ghostwriters and clients alike. If you want to hire a ghostwriter, or start a ghostwriting business, you’ll need to know the standard prices that are acceptable in the ghostwriting industry.
I have found that, in this business especially, it is best to charge the median price. If you go too low, then clients will wonder why your work isn’t worth more, and if you charge too much, you won’t be able to find clients. Likewise, it is important for clients to find ghostwriters with middle-of-the-road prices because you’ll want to get what you pay for in the final product.
Prices for ghostwriting depend largely upon the type of ghostwriting required for the project. Non-fiction ghostwriting is almost always more expensive than fiction ghostwriting because of the research and technical work required. You’ll also have a different price range dependant upon how long the manuscript will be. For example, an article price should be charged differently than a full-length manuscript.
The median prices for ghostwriting are as follows:
1. Fiction Manuscripts (200-400 pages)
Fiction manuscripts usually cost between $7,000 and $12,000. This is dependant upon the length of the manuscript, the amount of research, and the subject matter.
2. Non-Fiction Manuscripts (200-400 pages)
As I said before, non-fiction manuscripts are typically more expensive than fiction novels. The median price is $15,000, though some ghostwriters charge as much as $50,000 for an in-depth book. This should depend largely upon the intensity and complexity of the material.
3. Articles (500-1,000 words)
Full-rights articles typically cost between $60 and $100. Some ghostwriters charge as little as $15.00 for a 500-word article, while others will settle for no less than $200. This is a matter of how well the ghostwriter can write an article, and how important it is to the client.
How a ghostwriter sets up his or her payment structure is based upon the following factors:
::Experience
::Skill Level
::Resume
::Industry Knowledge
If you can demonstrate above-average significance in one or more of the aforementioned qualities, you can charge more for your services than someone else with less experience.
The most effective way to set your pricing list is by a guess-and-check method. If you find that you are not able to obtain clients, consider adjusting your pricing schedule accordingly.
Remember that ghostwriters should always charge an up-front deposit (typically 15-30%) and that references should be checked before a contract is signed to begin work.
Laura J. College is a professional ghostwriter with more than ten years' experience writing fiction and non-fiction manuscripts. Her work can be found all over the Internet, and she is currently accepting ghostwriting clients. Check out her website at http://www.laurajcollege.com.
Source: www.articlesbase.com