Specifics of Billing and Ghostwriting Costs for Ebooks and Books

One of the most exciting things that the internet has bequeathed people looking for the services of a ghost writer is options. Never did we have such variety in pricing for ghost writing as we can get online today. In your search to get a ghost writer to write your story and help you develop your book or ebook, you can find a ghostwriter from what we generally call the developed world and nations that are now internet-famous as outsourcing hubs.

From looking through community forums on the internet, I think there are important misconceptions from business people seeking ghostwriting services online.

The one school of thought appears to have a mentality that says, if a ghost writer is so-silly-as-to-charge-so-little, we shall continue to fleece them and feel guiltless. Another terribly misguided school of thought appears to believe, if I get a ghostwriter in my neighborhood, then it will be quality work. 
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More information: answers to frequent author questions
•    Ten tips to a successfully completed ghostwriter project
•    Six steps to find and hire a ghostwriter for your book or ebook
•    The most efficient way to author your own book
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The first school of thought is blissfully ignorant of the differences in the economies of the world; what appears cheap to a person who buys at their local store in dollars, euros or pounds, is an incredibly high amount to a person from most of the outsourcing hubs. Writers and ghost writers especially are never as clueless as this school of thought seems to imagine.
The second school of thought is simply naïve. To reject the grand opportunity provided by the internet to move outside your little town is nuts; you can get horrendous work next door and equally horrendous work abroad. Ask Ezine Articles!

The enlightened position for someone looking for a ghost writer for their book or ebook is to evaluate price against several critical factors other than just the dollar amount. On average, using the per page billing, a ghostwriter in the United States, Britain and much of what we understand as the developed nations, will charge anything from 20$ to 30$ per page (for ebooks and books) giving you an average of 25$ a page. A ghostwriter from other nations that are now common outsourcing hubs such as India, Kenya, and South Africa, will charge anything from 5$ to 25$ per page, which reduces the average to 15$ per page.

The enlightened position for someone looking for a ghost writer for their book or ebook is to evaluate price against several critical factors other than just the dollar amount. On average, using the per page billing, an online ghostwriter in the United States, Britain and much of what we understand as the developed nations, will charge anything from 30$ to 200$ per page (for ebooks and books) giving you an average of 125$ a page. An online ghostwriter from other nations that are now common outsourcing hubs such as India, Kenya, and South Africa, will charge anything from 10$ to 160$ per page, which reduces the average to 85$ per page.

In my time on the internet I have found that the quality of work from a ghostwriter degenerates (and I mean declines tremendously) in direct proportion to the reduction of price compared to the average rate within the ghostwriter's region. For instance, you will get very bad work from a ghost writer charging 50$ in a country where the average rate is 125$ (native English speaker notwithstanding).

It amuses me to see the hundreds of forums that tout the joys of getting a 500 word article for 1$. When it comes to writing your book or ebook, please keep in mind that cheap is very, very expensive. The disgusted numbers from the oh-how-silly-of-them-to-only-charge-me-1$-clients that have to get their work completely rewritten (at an extra fee of course) increases daily. (I'm trying very hard to hide a serves-them-right snigger!)

If you get lucky and get good work at a low rate, then I can guarantee you it is only a matter of time before that writer wizens up. I am a member of the Elance service provider's community where a significant number of the quality online writers congregate; I've seen how those eye openers happen.

To get a genuine bargain though, consider pricing as a whole package; what does the writer's independent work tell you and how are their charges in light of their location. A 100$ ghost writer from an outsourcing hub with a great portfolio is a far superior writer than one charging the same amount from a developed country. If you weigh price in that light, then one 100$ is better value than the other – which is good for your book or ebook.  

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More information: answers to frequent author questions
•    Advantages and disadvantages of working with a ghostwriter 
•    Six steps to find and hire a ghostwriter for your book or ebook
•    What documents will I need to give my ghostwriter?
•    Components of the written agreement with your ghostwriter 
•    The most efficient way to author your own book