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How do you pay someone for writing an ebook?

by aceshigh888
9 replies
Lets say you hire someone to write a long ebook. They write it but you want to evaluate they're work, meanwhile they want to get paid asap.

My thought was to get them to write a few chapters and send them to me, then if they're good and I'm sure the writer is able to complete the task, pay them incrementally. so after they're able to do a few chapters I pay them a certain percentage of the total agreed upon cost, continuing until the book is completed.

Is that a good way to do it? Or is there a better way??? :rolleyes:
#ebook #pay #writing
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Anyone who will agree to that is an amateur. A competent ghost writer will have plenty of samples of their work. You'll base your decision to hire them on that. And if they know what they're doing they'll charge full price up front.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
    Do some research and find a reputable writer. Some writers with good reputations won't ask for money upfront, they wont risk their rep by selling crap, but don't be surprised if they ask for an upfront fee, if they don't know you
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  • Profile picture of the author Tenzho
    I'm sure most reputable ghostwriters have great samples to show you.
    Don't risk buying unknown writers with no authority.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I may have a different take on this. I've written several ebooks for clients about various topics. These were not the 30-50 page sort of ebook but were 100-400 hundred pages of organized and detailed information.

      In some cases the buyer gives me a clearly defined table of contents he wants used. That makes it fairly easy for me as he has done the organizing and planning for the book. When that happens I write the first 2-4 chapters and send him the rough drafts quickly and we go from there.

      In other cases someone has a subject idea only and I do a draft of a table of contents - and send a sample chapter to see if we are on "the same page" with the project.

      That said, twice I've had buyers just say "write me an ebook about XXXX, from XX to XXX long. Both times, with very minor changes it was a draft to final copy deal. They were previous clients so knew what to expect.

      Plan how you will handle the project - how much input/oversight you want to have - and what terms he's willing to work with.

      If it is a long term project, set up milestone payments so that as portions of the book are completed (and delivered to you) he is paid a portion of the money due. Save the largest payment for the final payment. The writer may require some up front money - everything is negotiable.
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  • Profile picture of the author joyfulwraps
    As a ghostwriter my experience has been that clients will pay upfront as long as they have either used me in the past for other writing projects and know that I am a quality writer OR they have viewed my samples and agree to pay at time of order.

    There have been a few times when it has been agreed upon to make installment payments but the projects were always substantial ones.

    If you are a steady client the writer is also more likely to work with you regarding a payment schedule when the writing project is for major bucks.

    Laura
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    I require 50% upfront and 50% on completion of project. If the client doesn't have his own table of contents, I provide one and have it approved before I start writing. Rose
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    • Profile picture of the author Perfect Sidekick
      Originally Posted by Rose Anderson View Post

      I require 50% upfront and 50% on completion of project. If the client doesn't have his own table of contents, I provide one and have it approved before I start writing. Rose
      This requirement is similar to those which I've experienced in hiring writers from sites like elance. I've had multiple ebooks completed successfully on arrangements like this and only ever had an issue once, and a full refund was provided. I think you'll find that most reputable writers are eager to please as their reputation is incredibly important.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I usually get the full payment upfront. I have negotiated that a couple of times with large projects but I always make sure that the client and I are on the same wave length before we start. I have never had complaints about my work.
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    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author faisalmaximus
    For your ebook you should always depend on professional writer, you can't pay them partially or on installment basis, you have to pay them upfront. Of course, professional writer whom you will assign, should have enough feedback and reviews.
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