What’s the Real Value Behind a Ghostwriter’s Fee?

From the desk of Jeffrey A. Mangus, CEO, Mangus Media Group

Growing up, all I ever wanted was to play the guitar. From age six, I was obsessed. I dedicated every waking hour to practicing, learning, and playing, spending countless hours in my bedroom, fingers on the strings. I’d play until my fingers were black and blue, nearly bleeding, but I kept going, all to master my craft. A few years later, at seventeen, I got an invitation to play in a garage band. Someone offered us one of our first gigs. But the club owner? He wouldn't pay us. He claimed playing would give the band good “exposure.”

I’ll never forget what our bandleader said: “Exposure is great, but we gotta make money too. So, we want to get paid.”

The club owner just laughed. “I can get another band right now,” he sneered.

He didn't see our value as a group, as musicians.

That always stuck with me. What the club owner didn’t see was the years of dedication and hard work we had poured into our craft. I had spent countless hours practicing, making mistakes, experiencing failures, and enduring pain, all to reach a point where I was confident in what I was doing.

The same goes for ghostwriting.

Ghostwriting and ghostwriting fees aren't just about putting words on a page. They’re about the unseen work, the relentless hours spent perfecting your craft, the unwavering dedication to your skills, and the innate ability to capture a voice and tell a compelling story. They’re about creating something that genuinely helps others, and that’s just one reason we charge what we do.

The Fundamental Qualities of a Professional Ghostwriter

Here are a few fundamental qualities a professional ghostwriter must have:

• High Level of Expertise and Experience: This is one of my most deeply held beliefs, and something every true ghost should possess. Expertise isn't something you just declare; it's earned by sitting in the chair, writing, doing it repeatedly until you reach a level of mastery. Anyone can call themselves a ghostwriter, but until they've actually ghostwritten many full-length books, can they truly claim to be an expert? I know the ropes and intricacies of ghostwriting a book, the publishing side, and everything it entails. There’s undeniable value in my expertise, as I leverage my knowledge to authoritatively and accurately ghostwrite on complex or specialized subjects. This deep understanding ensures the content is credible and of the highest quality, giving the reader complete assurance.

• Unending Creativity: Every single day, from the moment I open my eyes, I prepare myself to bring peak skills and creativity to my writing. It has to be firing on all cylinders. Creativity in ghostwriting is essential for keeping the content engaging and original. I use my imagination to craft captivating stories, unique writing styles, and fresh takes on conventional topics. Being truly creative makes the content unique and ensures it resonates powerfully with the audience.

• Attention to Detail: Many compare being a ghostwriter to being the captain of a ship, and it's spot on—both roles demand an intense focus on detail. I have to remain vigilant, keeping the project on track and paying meticulous attention to the minute details of each book, chapter by chapter, until it’s complete. My innate attention to detail ensures the writing is polished and error-free, contributing significantly to the finished book’s overall quality.

• Elite Professionalism: This might sound cliché, but not everyone who claims the title of "ghostwriter" is actually a professional. Elite professional ghostwriters, like myself, know how to maintain clear and consistent communication with clients, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and adapt to client needs while remaining humble. They also keep their egos and personalities firmly in check while maintaining absolute confidentiality for the project.

 What Else Fuels Ghostwriter's Rates?

We can't overlook the sheer sacrifice, hard work, and dedication it takes to be a professional ghostwriter, coupled with the guts and grit required to put ourselves out there every single day. Included in our fees are all the hard lessons learned from real-world failures and mistakes. It demands years of study and practice in the craft of writing. As a professional, I've had to master listening, embrace compassion, dive deep into grammar, punctuation, style, psychology, and develop the ability to uncover an author’s most profound thoughts and desires with finesse and a truly unique voice.

Under the hood, behind the scenes, you’ll also find a diverse professional who brings unmatched insight, tenacity, and perseverance. You'll find an elite team that is dedicated to making every book and project exemplary from the first word to the finished product. Hands down, we deliver the best for every author, and never compromise or take shortcuts. Never.

Each new project presents an opportunity to explore new subjects, conduct in-depth research, and write for diverse audiences, thereby broadening my horizons. It’s a delicate dance of creativity and professionalism, where every word carries weight, and every story must be told with nuance and precision.

Finally, our agency package and project rates reflect over two hundred years of cumulative writing and publishing experience working with the world’s best writers, elite publishing houses, editors, and literary agents.

 At Mangus Media Group, we bring world-class writers and writing to world-class leaders. Our elite team of NYT bestselling writers and publishing professionals doesn't just put words on a page; we build entire content strategies around your vision. We work as a unified force, fostering an environment of total transparency and camaraderie that ensures every project benefits from a collective well of expertise.

 The intrinsic value we deliver through every engagement is immense. Our high-level fees aren't just for writing; they're an investment in the unmatched experience, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication of an entire agency. This means you're not just hiring a ghostwriter; you're gaining a partner committed to transforming your ideas into a compelling, bestselling book that stands the test of time and amplifies your message to the world.

These are the key attributes that inform our writing and publishing fees. If you want the best product and a bestselling, money-making book, you hire the best the market offers. I am proud to say that our team at Mangus Media Group is the ultimate choice.

 Let’s discuss your book and concept. Speak with our team today. (Click Here)