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How much to have Ebook created

by smstafford
21 replies
I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate cost to have an ebook written. I'm guessing in the 30 -40 page length range. I need something of value to give away to entice visitors to opt-in. I'm new to this, so any advice
would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Scott Stafford
#created #ebook
  • Profile picture of the author Roland Hop
    There are lots of variables to your question. It depends who you outsource to first off (their quality, skill, speed, etc.). It also depends on if you have any pre-created information that can be used in the ebook or if the outsourcer will have to find the information themselves. Lets say if you have an outline created for the ebook you'd probably be looking on average at a dollar a page? This is pretty bland but if you have any other questions regarding this don't be afraid to ask
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      Originally Posted by Roland Hop View Post

      if you have an outline created for the ebook you'd probably be looking on average at a dollar a page? This is pretty bland

      A dollar a page?

      One US dollar per page?!

      Yup ... that's "bland", alright. Seriously, even at the cheapest-of-the-cheap, lowest-of-the-low, no-questions-asked, bottom-dollar freelance sites where the standards of English leave almost everything to be desired, I'll be extremely surprised if you can get an e-book written for $1 per page? That probably works out (in hourly rate terms) at about 20% of what burger-flippers at MacDonald's earn, doesn't it? :confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author Roland Hop
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post


        A dollar a page?

        One US dollar per page?!

        Yup ... that's "bland", alright. Seriously, even at the cheapest-of-the-cheap, lowest-of-the-low, no-questions-asked, bottom-dollar freelance sites where the standards of English leave almost everything to be desired, I'll be extremely surprised if you can get an e-book written for $1 per page? That probably works out at about 20% of what burger-flippers at MacDonald's earn, doesn't it? :confused:
        Hah, it's not too hard to find content rewriters who will do a dollar a page. I am of course talking about rewrites not research and writing. Give them a pretty decent outline and they can return some pretty great work! I look for speed as well as quality.
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        • Profile picture of the author ara67
          I use PLR products and it is working for me and I even get them for free and use on my squeeze page and it works well, why would you want to pay for something you can get free?
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          • Profile picture of the author Roland Hop
            Originally Posted by ara67 View Post

            I use PLR products and it is working for me and I even get them for free and use on my squeeze page and it works well, why would you want to pay for something you can get free?
            Because at the end of the day it is still PLR material.
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    • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
      Originally Posted by Roland Hop View Post

      There are lots of variables to your question. It depends who you outsource to first off (their quality, skill, speed, etc.). It also depends on if you have any pre-created information that can be used in the ebook or if the outsourcer will have to find the information themselves. Lets say if you have an outline created for the ebook you'd probably be looking on average at a dollar a page? This is pretty bland but if you have any other questions regarding this don't be afraid to ask
      At $1 per page I wouldn't even waste the virtual ink telling you were to stick that dollar. I wouldn't even raise my left bum cheek and noisily salute you for it LOL

      I can only hope you were guessing and there isn't actually someone working at the rate, and if if there is, may god have mercy on their souls.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    I've paid $170-$300 for 40-50 pages. As has already been noted the price will vary on the person you hire. Skill-set, experience, do they have to do all the research, are they starting from scratch, location native English speaker, etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author smstafford
      I'm thinking to just let them start from scratch since I want original content. I thought about looking for some PLR material but that scares me a bit. Just not sure what kind of quality I'll get with PLR. Definitely want to use American writers. Anybody had any luck on Fiverr.com with this sort of project?
      Thanks for the responses.
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      • Profile picture of the author smstafford
        Victor,
        I'm liking the idea of a 5 - 10 page report. The reason I mentioned a 40 -50 page ebook was to address my genuine concern to give something of real value. I'm sure I was over analyzing the situation. What you say makes sense. That's why I came here with the question. I knew I'd get some great feedback. I do have a website with content already added and am ready to start adding the elements of an opt-in box, video, etc.
        Is there a recommended place to find PLR content or should I just google it?

        Many thanks for the helpful answers,
        Scott Stafford
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        • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
          Scott,

          I wouldn't touch Fiverr with a 10-ft pole for this type of work. You can post it on oDesk. Good writers there. Sometimes you'll find good deals on the WSO or Warriors for Hire. If you don't know them make sure you get samples and references. It's not like oDesk where they hold your money so there is some level of protection.

          I had a well-know Warrior writer who was running a WSO and I paid $167 for around 20-pages and it was worth ever penny. But that was a special offer but keep your eyes peeled.

          I recommend you don't use PLR "as is". Put some elbow grease in re-writing it so you make it into your own. I love PLR but I never just turn around and use it as is.

          The price to have someone re-write PLR for you is lower than having a ghostwriter research and write your ebook or report from scratch.

          There was a thread here listing a ton of PLR providers. Do a search for it on the forum. I think it was started by Michael Mayo.

          A couple good spots...

          http://www.allstarplr.com/
          http://www.plrminimart.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Eliot Proud
    It's not only the cost of the ebook. Have you a website to put it on. For someone to start from scratch would cost a bit.
    If you're just starting then think of either affiliate or plr. If you can get hold of some good plr and then re-write it that should get you started.
    I think affiliate marketing is a brilliant way to start as the ebook and salespage is already done.
    Fiverr is good for some things but an ebook for $5. I don't think so!!

    Just my thoughts
    Eliot
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  • Profile picture of the author NicoleBeckett
    There is absolutely no way on this planet that you will find someone to write you an ebook for $1 per page... at least anyone good, that is.

    As someone who has written ebooks, I can tell you that it's a very involved project. For my own clients, I give them a full outline before any of the writing begins. But to do that, I need to do the research - meaning that I'm devoting a big chunk of time to the project before a single word gets typed. Then, of course, there's the writing. And, finally, the proofreading at the end. Does it sound like it's worth $1 per page?

    If you plan on using this ebook to entice people to opt-in to your list, then this is your 1 chance to make a good impression. Give them a garbage ebook, and they'll never take you seriously.

    If I were you, I would plan on spending at least $10-$15 per page... Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author auradev
    A custom ebook can cost anything. You could probably find a student to do it as a portfolio piece, or a pro to do it for $5000.

    Its just like the question of how much does it cost to make a website.
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  • Profile picture of the author Victor Edson
    You could find someone to do just the writing for about $200 or so for a 30-40 page report.

    If you're just looking for a freebie to give away you should do a smaller report though. A poweful 5-10 page report will provide some good upfront savings, and interest the readers just enough to keep them looking for what you say next.

    You should/could also get an ebook cover made if you're advertising it on the side of a blog or something like that.

    If you're planning on setting up a squeeze page and promoting it you'll need graphics too, which you can get for $100-$200.

    A few great places I like to get writers/outsourcers from is here on the Warrior for Hire section of the warrior forum, oDesk, and Elance.
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    • Profile picture of the author nursewriter
      I recently wrote an Ebook and I charged the client $1000 for 40 pages. Of course this included outlining, doing the research (online and offline), fact checking, proofreading, formatting and PDF conversion.

      I think my client received her money's worth and more.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ti
    I've paid $1000-$2000 for 100 page ebooks in the past.

    If you want to toss in garbage to the Internet with minimal returns, then you'll pay accordingly.

    However, if you want a true subject matter expert to write for you an accurate, highly qualified document, then you will pay accordingly as well.

    For example, which do you think will give you a better quality eBook? A lose fat guide written by a random writer found from a freelance site for $100, or a lose fat guide written by a recent medical college graduate looking for work for $1000?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
      Originally Posted by Ti View Post

      I've paid $1000-$2000 for 100 page ebooks in the past.

      If you want to toss in garbage to the Internet with minimal returns, then you'll pay accordingly.

      However, if you want a true subject matter expert to write for you an accurate, highly qualified document, then you will pay accordingly as well.

      For example, which do you think will give you a better quality eBook? A lose fat guide written by a random writer found from a freelance site for $100, or a lose fat guide written by a recent medical college graduate looking for work for $1000?
      Just because they're a recent medical college graduate doesn't mean they can ghostwrite a book or e-book for you. Ghostwriting takes talent and a special skill that's why top ghostwriters make buku bucks. So I wouldn't pay $1,000 just because they recently graduated from medical school. I would want to see samples of their writing.

      I would pay $1,000 for a well-know, highly-skilled ghostwriter who is an expert at research with a lot of writing experience than a recent college grad.
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      • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
        Originally Posted by Alan Petersen View Post

        Just because they're a recent medical college graduate doesn't mean they can ghostwrite a book or e-book for you. Ghostwriting takes talent and a special skill that's why top ghostwriters make buku bucks. So I wouldn't pay $1,000 just because they recently graduated from medical school. I would want to see samples of their writing.

        I would pay $1,000 for a well-know, highly-skilled ghostwriter who is an expert at research with a lot of writing experience than a recent college grad.
        I would not suggest trusting samples.

        The best way is to talk to them by email. It is too easy to fake an example, but very different when it comes to engaging in a discussion.

        Ask them where they live and what the weather is like. That is a perfectly normal thing to ask a person in an email, but impossible to prepare for.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
          Originally Posted by Colin Palfrey View Post

          I would not suggest trusting samples.

          The best way is to talk to them by email. It is too easy to fake an example, but very different when it comes to engaging in a discussion.

          Ask them where they live and what the weather is like. That is a perfectly normal thing to ask a person in an email, but impossible to prepare for.
          That's why I mentioned asking for references which you can call or email but I guess those can be faked as well. I haven't been burned so far (knock on wood). But yea interviewing them is a good idea. I like it.
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          • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
            Originally Posted by Alan Petersen View Post

            That's why I mentioned asking for references which you can call or email but I guess those can be faked as well. I haven't been burned so far (knock on wood). But yea interviewing them is a good idea. I like it.
            I don't really do the whole ghostwriting gig anymore, but the main concern I used to hear from customers was that the client had previously received a sample that was not representative of the end product. i.e. the sample was great, what they got was crap.
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