Niche Writers Versus Generalist Writers: Which Is Best for My Project?

This is a question you will want to answer early in your search for a ghostwriter. I’ve put together a brief quiz (below) to help you determine whether a niche writer or a generalist writer will be best for you and your book.

1.     What is the topic of your book?

a.     It is a very focused topic in an academic field.

b.     It is a business book.

c.     It is a memoir/biography.

2.      What kind of materials will you be incorporating into your book?

a.     heavy research and statistics and perhaps material from scholarly articles

b.     some research and statistics but also practical advice and information

c.     personal documents, memories, and experiences

3.     Who is your intended audience?

a.     other professionals in my field

b.     working professionals looking to better an aspect of their lives, careers, or businesses

c.     anyone who wants to hear the story, though I do have a certain group of readers in mind

4.     Will the average reader (with a college education) understand the bulk of your book?

a.     It seems unlikely; much of the book is targeted toward a select group in my field.

b.     Yes, though I intend for my book to be educational.

c.     Yes, I think many people will enjoy learning from and about my life (or the life of the person I am writing about).

5.     What is the level of complexity of your book in terms of jargon and concepts?

a.     High: knowledge of specific language, terms, and theories is necessary to understand my work.

b.     Medium: my book builds upon previous works and theories, but I will take great care to explain unfamiliar terms or concepts.

c.     Low: I want my text to be easily readable, and the beauty of the prose is important to me.

Mostly As: It sounds like you are working on a complex, scholarly book, and I’d suggest working with a niche writer. You’ll want a writer who is familiar with your topic or field so that you two can do your subject justice. Be sure to provide as much information in as straightforward a manner as you can, especially when you’re getting started on the project. This will help your ghostwriter learn and allow you two to put your information into a strong text.

Mostly Bs: You could work with either a niche writer or a generalist writer. Your book seems flexible in terms of complexity, and even a writer outside of your field would be able to put together a well-written book that would appeal to readers. Of course, a niche writer may be able to improve further with his or her background knowledge on the topic. The more challenging or specific your topic, the more strongly you should consider finding a niche writer.

Mostly Cs: A generalist writer would be a great fit. Ghostwriters, by profession, have to have strong writing skills and the ability to turn out strong prose and compelling narratives. If you want to find a niche writer, you may do so—there are some writers who specialize in memoirs, biographies, and the like. As long as you find someone whose writing you like and whose working style meshes with yours, you should be good to go.


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Before You Hire a Ghostwriter, Ask Yourself...Am I an Ideal Client?

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about how you can find the perfect ghostwriter, but the interview process goes both ways. When you’re interviewing your potential ghostwriters, they are also interviewing you. And many ghostwriters are in high demand and have the ability to pick and choose their projects. So what do ghostwriters look for in an ideal client?

A clear vision. Your vision for your book doesn’t have to be set in stone (in fact, it could be problematic if it is), but you should have a good idea of what you want to see in the final product. Depending on your genre, map out your thoughts in terms of tone, style, and even layout (e.g., bulleted lists, tables, sections, etc.). When you go in for the interview with your ghostwriter, you might even want to put together a sample chapter (it doesn’t have to be perfect) that you can show your writer to give him or her an idea of how the book will flow.

Organization. Are most or all of your materials in one place and in some kind of order? If so, you’re golden. Many ghostwriters plan to do extra research when working on a project, but it certainly helps to have as much (organized) information available as possible.

A realistic schedule. In past blogs, we’ve talked about how long it takes to ghostwrite a book and do it right. Some websites advertise with slogans such as “We’ll write your book in 30 days!” but very few good ghostwriters can provide that kind of turnaround time. Give your writer as much time as possible—ideally four or more months—so he or she can create the best possible product.

Availability. You may be a busy executive, a celebrity, or even a world traveler. But during the book-writing process, your ghostwriter will want to have access to you. If your calendar is completely hectic for the next six months, maybe now is not the right time to do your book. Ghostwriters can work very autonomously, but you will want to be available and involved to make sure you are happy with your book.

Good feedback. Good feedback is not always positive feedback, but it should always be constructive. Ghostwriters look for clients who communicate quickly, concisely, and respectfully. Providing good feedback on everything from minor questions to the final manuscript will make the working relationship between you and your writer that much more enjoyable and effective.

Compatibility. Just as you want a writer who suits you, so, too, will a ghostwriter look for a client with whom he or she is compatible. You two should match up in terms of working style, communication, and personality. If you have certain weaknesses that may hamper the progress of the book, look for a writer who balances you out. You and your ghostwriter are a team, and you should create the best team that you can.

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Day-to-Day Communication Tips for Working with a Ghostwriter

Keeping the lines of communication open with your ghostwriter is essential to creating the book of your dreams. Many authors work with writers who live in different cities or states, but even if your writer works just down the street, you’ll want to follow some best practices for keeping in touch. Below are a handful of ways you and your writer can keep each other up to date on the progress of your book.

E-mail: This is the fastest and easiest way for you and your writer to stay in touch. Unless you have an insanely busy schedule or an overflowing inbox, try to e-mail back and forth two or three times a week. E-mail is where you will ask simple questions and set up meetings and interviews. E-mail is also handy because you can keep a record of the entire process. This is especially important for things such as compensation discussions, important information regarding sources and materials, and any changes you want to make to the manuscript.

Status Reports: At the end of each week, your ghostwriter should send you a status report. This report can include accomplishments of the week (pages written, materials completed, etc.), goals for the coming week, and any unresolved issues that will need further attention. The report will allow you to monitor your writer’s progress and give you a chance to give feedback and guidance.

Phone Calls and In-Person Meetings: Your phone calls and in-person meetings should be used for interviews, macro-level information/material exchanges (think audiotapes), and other big-picture discussions. These contexts allow you to have an extended conversation, bounce ideas off each other, and plan the finished document. Don’t call your writer to provide him or her with minute changes to wording or grammar—a lot can get lost in translation. Direct text changes (and anything else specific that you want the writer to reference) should be sent via e-mail and backed up so you have a written record.

Texts, Instant Messages, and Skype/FaceTime Calls: Some authors and ghostwriters are moving into working in the ever-expanding fields of new media to work on projects. The three options listed above are slightly more informal methods to communicate with your writer, but if you two both like to Skype, then go for it! Just remember to use the other channels above for the conversations you need to track.

I’ve also posted other blogs on this site that discuss working with a ghostwriter long distance, as well as finding ways to work interviews and manuscript reviews into your busy schedule. Be sure to scroll through for more information!

Contact the Jenkins Group and tell us about your project