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(It says "download file" but most browsers actually stream it...some may require you to download first, though I've never personally experienced that.)
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Find out the difference between a ghostwriter and a writing coach and how each path can help you become an author! And, of course, which one I can do for you ;)
P.S. It usually says "download" but most browsers actually stream the audio.  What's the difference between a ghostwriter and an editor? Click the file below to listen.
P.S. It might say "download" but most browsers actually stream it!
There are three distinct phases to getting your book DONE. Spoiler: Only one of them is actually "writing." Pre-writing You can't really outsource the pre-writing. This is the big ideas and purpose - the core of your brand. This is what your brain is full of, what you want to share with the world, the sparks that make you love what you do! The good news is that most people have already DONE this work. If you've been a key note speaker, taught a workshop/course, or coached people, you've already done this part! This is the perfect time to get in touch with a ghostwriter, because you can outsource the rest! Writing This is the fingers on the keyboard phase. You have to spend many many many hours with your fingers on a keyboard. Sound awful? Outsource it. When I write for my clients, THEY are the author because THEY are the genius! To me, the part of it where the book goes onto the page is more like speaking a foreign a language. I take your genius and translate it into a book format! Post-writing This includes editing (multiple rounds), proofreading, formatting the page, cover design, uploading and writing book descriptions, etc. This part is fun to watch unfold, but tedious to manage (and kinda overwhelming for the first few books LOL). Luckily I've done it many times and can take care of it for my ghostwriting clients. I go into more details in the video below. There are a few questions that come up with clients and colleagues on a regular basis. One is whether to self publish or go traditional publishing. Another is what "the book" should contain. I'll save the former for another day, and today we will dive into the latter. What should you put in your book? I always start with challenging folks to think about this in terms of two books. I mean, in reality, you could probably write a dozen books, but not everyone needs that many books. Two books, however, is a very reasonable number of books to write and has some strategic benefits. What should you put in your first book? I always advise people with this: Make you first book what you want your clients to know (and possibly do) before they hire you! Strategically, your first book should be the shorter of the two, and you should self-publish it. This allows you to control the entire process (keeping it perfectly on brand), complete the project much more quickly, establish yourself as an author, and get the essential info into the hands of your clients and potential clients. The best idea I may have ever suggested for a first book was for a CPA to write a book about the four quarters of the year, with a few simple tasks for each quarter, so that their clients are are prepared for a successful tax season. Their clients got awesome value, and their job actually got easier! Quarters is a great way to organize a finance book, and it's also practical in terms of do-able tasks for the reader. Of course, the first book for your clients will be unique to your business, and I'm always happy to hop on the phone and brainstorm! The overall idea is to create an introduction that gives value and hopefully turns the reader into a model client. What should you put in "the" book? When I say "the" book I usually mean the book of your brand or business (or for some clients, their life story). This is the book that should be longer, may take longer, and for some clients will be picked up by a traditional publishing house. In this case, you are wanting to capture a great deal of your expertise. You probably know everything that needs to go in your book already, but it will take some organizing. (When you hire a ghostwriter, the ghostwriter can organize it for or with you. You don't need to do this step on your own.) In a sense, this book is the book that explains everything you do for your clients. It is perfectly OK to tell your clients HOW to do this work in your book! Your book will sell you, and you do not need to make your book sales-y for it to do so. Most people will still need your help, and the ones that have the time to do it themselves very likely didn't have the money to hire you anyway, and that's OK. In fact, that is the beauty of writing a large (and action focused) book; you can share your knowledge and wisdom with more people than could ever possibly hire you, making a bigger impact in the world. Give the maximum value possible in your book; it will speak for your quality and expertise. As always, it's fun and easy to write a book when you hire a ghostwriter. Let's chat and see if it makes sense for you and your business!
I'm super excited to announce that I'll be presenting my signature talk on how to go from the idea of wanting to write a book to writing the book to actually publishing the book - which you can do in 101 days!!!
Please join me! Sign up for the event here: https://hopin.com/events/momentum-2021 Then click "9A: Go From "I Want to Write a Book" to PUBLISHED in 101 Days" to add it to your calendar. Of course most people will need a little bit of help to write so much so quickly. If you don't have the time or the bandwidth to dedicate to such a task, there are so many ways to help yourself succeed, which I will cover in the "golden nuggets of getting it done" section of the talk. Here are a few key questions on such a decision: Do you have the inner desire to spend many hours with your fingers pressing keys on a keyboard? (If yes, proceed to next question. If no, hire a ghostwriter.) Do you have ample time to write a book? (If yes, proceed to next question. If no, hire a ghostwriter.) Do you have the writing skills needed to write a book? (If yes, skip the next question. If no, proceed to next question.) Do you have time to learn to write well? (If yes, proceed to end, if no, hire a ghostwriter.) Do you honestly have the mental capacity to hold space for a huge and time consuming project? (If yes, proceed to end, if no, hire a ghostwriter.) Are you incredibly organized AND creative? (If yes, proceed to end, if no, hire a ghostwriter.) If yes to all, you should write your own book. If no to all, you should hire a Ghostwriter. If yes to some and no to some, you'll have to brutally prioritize until you can answer yes to all. I'm happy to answer any questions that you have! Also... I use the phrase ghostwriting but I really consider myself more of a scribe. I put your ideas and your concepts on the page. It's not really my writing. It's yours. I'm translating it from whatever way YOUR brain works best to the way my brain works best: A book. I'm taking it out of your brain and I'm putting it on the keyboard. I have a special interview and information collection process so that this takes a minimal of your time. But it's still based completely on your ideas and your vision and your mission :) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How can I write my book? 1. Write it your self. You need to be an excellent writer, or have the time to learn to become an excellent writer. You also need to know how to write a book vs writing short form content like emails and blogs. 2. Hire a coach. A coach will take you through the process and may also provide accountability services, etc. You will learn what you need to write a book with a coach, and it will take a long time and/or a lot of effort. I am not a writing coach. 3. Hire a ghostwriter. This is the fastest most efficient way to get your book done. This is what I do! What is the difference between a writing coach, a ghostwriter, and an editor? A writing coach will take you through the process, and you will do the work. You will still need to hire an editor after you've written the book. A ghostwriter will do the bulk of the work for you, and it's most efficient to hire a ghostwriter before you even start "writing." My signature approach emphasizes the PRE-writing phase as the most important phase for my clients... that means you just keep doing what you do best, and when you decide you want a book call me, and I'll take care of the rest!!! An editor reviews a completed manuscript; everyone who writes a book needs an editor, and possibly more than one (there are different types of editing). I am not an editor. I have an amazing editor who works for me and reviews all my books and all my client's books, and this is included in the project price for my clients. If you write your book yourself, make sure you find a good editor. Is it still "my book" if I hire a ghostwriter? Absolutely!!! Your book is based on all the brilliance inside your brain! (And, no, it's not "cheating" at all!!!!) I have a personalized process to help my clients share that information with me in a fun and efficient way so I can create YOUR book. I really like to consider that when I write my clients' books, I "channel" your book. I get it out of your brain, and onto the page. Versus when I write my own books, it's my own ideas and genius on that page. The skill of writing is involved in both, but the source of inspiration, ideas, wisdom, expertise, and value is all based on your brain and genius! I have a blog. Can't I use that for my book? No. Please don't just publish a bunch of blog posts as a book. A blog might help you write a book, or it might actually hold you back because you feel attached to what you already wrote. A book is long form. A blog is short form. They are very very different. I have a course, workshop, webinar, presentation, coaching process, etc, etc, etc... Please contact me! You are my ideal client, and I can take what you have already created and make it into an amazing book that will add value to your business and for your clients! But, no, you still can't "just turn it into a book." I've seen it attempted, and it makes a very lame book. What is your process, Alegra? My specialty is in what I refer to as the "Wisdom Memoir" - a book focused on sharing knowledge and expertise, based on the author's personal voice and experience. I consider myself a channel to get your words and concepts from where they already exist (talks, presentations, workshops, classes, coaching programs, short articles /blog posts, diaries, etc) and simply put them on the page. It's particularly suited for those in service and/or personal development realms. The beautiful thing is that ghost writing is really a form of outsourcing. It takes a minimal amount of your time, which is usually in an interview format (so does not require you to prep). And it's fun! (If you are actually looking for a writing coach, or don't know what the difference is, let's hop in the phone! I can explain the difference and make a referral if needed.) If you have questions about my process or approach, please let me know. I'll work with you to gather all I need to create a detailed outline. I'll keep in touch as the book progresses, allowing you to review each chapter as I go. You approve every step along the way. Expect a maximum of about one hour of your time per chapter. Most books are completed in 3-4 months. All my work is also independently proofread to ensure a polished product. You own the entire thing and my name appears no where. (unless you want it to, which is cool, too!) All our work together is confidential, unless you don't care. Do you write print books or ebooks or both? I write both! Let's have a conversation about what makes the most sense for your business! One of the added value features I love to bring to my clients is HOW a book will actually serve them in their business, and which can help make a decision on the best type of book to create. P R I N T & E B O O K R E A D Y To keep things flexible, making your book print ready is offered as an add-on service. You can choose to publish with Amazon, IngramSpark, or Barnes & Noble (I'll walk you through the pros and cons). This package is a complete self-publishing service. After your book is written, I'll manage the interior design and formatting, the production of the ebook, the design of the front and back cover (you get the final say), assign your book to distribution channels, and even write the keyword rich book description. This is a "done for you" service! W O R K B O O K S & J O U R N A L S Add another revenue stream with a workbook or journal! These can be freestanding purchases or compliment the book I write for you. Workbooks and journals can help your audience learn about your topic and also get to know you. They are a consumable product, which your clients will love to buy! All workbooks and journals include a custom publication package catered to this form of media, in which they are print ready and available for sale as pdf (this is different than ebook formatting). The option to make them ebook ready is also available at no additional cost, if you choose to include it (not all workbooks perform well in this format). FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Hate reading? Take a listen to my FAQ audio!
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