As an independent financial advisor, you have years of experience and knowledge to share with potential clients. Writing a book is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract the attention of potential clients.

However, not everyone is a natural-born writer. You may have thought of writing a book to share your insights, but you may not have the time or energy to do it yourself. Or you may find yourself struggling to find the time to put your thoughts down on paper.

If this sounds like you, then hiring a ghostwriter may be your best option. Ghostwriters can help turn your expertise into a well-written, professionally published book. However, before you begin your search, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure that you’re hiring the right person for your book.

Here are seven questions to ask a ghostwriter to help you decide if they’re a good fit:

Question 1 – What is your experience in writing in my industry?

It’s important to know if a ghostwriter understands the finance industry. Ensure you hire someone with relevant experience in your area of expertise. Ask for samples specific to your field, and reviews from previous clients.

I’ve been writing for financial advisors since 2018. I understand certain limitations but I’m also creative with getting around them in order to communicate concepts like promises. There are no guaranteed results, but you can emphasize that you’re committing yourself to serving the best interests of your client.

Question 2 – What’s your process for taking on ghostwriting jobs?

You need to know how they will incorporate your ideas and insights into the book. Determine if their process aligns with your preferences. Do they conduct interviews, research, or provide book outlines?

It’s important to find a ghostwriter who has an organized approach toward book development. After all, that’s why you need the help. You want someone who can clearly guide you from Point A to Point Z.

Question 3 – What’s your experience level?

Do they have any professional writing qualifications? Ask for previous experience in writing books and the genres they specialize in. You should seek to work with someone very proficient in writing and capable of understanding your goals.

For lead-generation books, you want a ghostwriter who has marketing experience, too. Your book should be seen as a marketing asset, not just a regular non-fiction book. Do they understand how to use the book to promote your business? Are they familiar with press releases and other publicity strategies?

Writing and publishing a book takes work, but then to truly get results, you need someone who can develop a marketing strategy for you.

Question 4 – How will you handle revisions?

Ask your ghostwriter about their revision process as well. Will they make unlimited revisions until you’re satisfied? Will you be charged extra if you want to make changes after the final draft is delivered? Get all the details ahead of time to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

A caveat: Every writer in the world must reach the point where they stop making changes to their manuscript. It’s difficult to let go because you often may wonder if you missed anything. Newsflash… yes, you will miss a few items or ideas you wanted to include in your book. But don’t worry. Simply save those additions for your second edition!

Question 5 – What is your turnaround time?

The longer the ghostwriting process, the more you’ll pay. Discuss the project timeline and schedule deadlines with your writer. It’s important to have a clear understanding of when you can expect the book to be finished.

The turnaround time also depends upon your book’s length. Do you have a “mini-book?” A mid-sized book? Or a hefty tome? The longer the book, the longer it will take to complete it.

Question 6 – What’s your fee?

The price of a ghostwriter varies depending on experience and expertise. Hire someone who is upfront with their billing system and who will provide an invoice for their services. Check if they have additional charges for revisions, edits, or changes.

You want to stay away from anyone who offers to write a book for under $10K. And if you want a book that has 20,000 – 30,000 words, expect to pay at least $20K. Ghostwriting fees can be invoiced in payments, so discuss the options with your ghostwriter.

Question 7 – What support do you offer?

What other services do they provide in addition to ghostwriting? Do they offer editing or marketing materials for the book? Ask exactly where they can provide support and what services you could be looking for separately.

Other potential services: press releases, Amazon product page description, social media promotion items (graphics, updates), media appearances, website design for a URL dedicated to your book, launch team development.

Keeping the Focus Where You Want It

As an independent financial advisor, you want to focus on serving clients, building your reputation, and growing your business. Hiring a ghostwriter to write your book will give you the ability to share your knowledge with a broader audience.

By asking the right questions such as what experience they have in your industry or their fees, you’ll be able to work with a writer who aligns with your goals and supports you in achieving them.

Be sure to hire someone who has experience, meets your financial requirements and is also a good fit for your personality. You’re entering into a long-term relationship with your writer. Partnering with the right person will give you a high-quality end product that will bridge your ideas and expertise to readers around the world.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you to add me to your list. Go here to schedule a time for a conversation.