Common Questions about Financial Writing, Editing and Ghostwriting Pricing and Projects
What kind of projects do you take on? I take on content writing projects that are business, finance, marketing or insurance related. This includes white papers, press releases, case studies, print and Internet articles, book descriptions, bios, blog posts, reports, video scripts, instruction manuals and books. For a more support-based role, I offer fact-checking services as well as developmental editing for nonfiction books. I also create Twitter and Facebook status updates for clients to enter into their feeds.
What are your financial writing rates? The price on these can range depending on certain factors, but you can expect to pay between $0.75 and $1.00 per word.
What are your book writing rates? The price for book projects can range depending on the scope of the project and the services you need included. You can generally expect to pay $80 to $100 per page.
What services can I choose from when you write my book? In addition to conveying your message the way you want it conveyed, I provide the following:
- Content submitted weekly or monthly, depending on the project timeline
- Interviews by email or phone to establish the direction you want for each section
- Time spent reviewing your existing website and marketing content and completing any additional research necessary
- Title page, copyright info, about page, introduction and table of contents
- Inside graphs, call-outs (highlighted content presented in boxes or other distinguishing graphics), examples, client stories, etc., when appropriate
- Footnoted sources or an additional resources page
- A proofread from a third-party copy editor
- Two rounds of edits per section so that you can give guidance on any direction changes or additions you’d like to see
- A one-hour consultation about uploading your book for sale online (Please note that I can give very little input on formatting and graphic quality.)
- Eye-catching back-matter book description (sometimes called “blurbs”) for the back of the book and retail pages
I will keep design simple, with call-outs and examples in Word-generated colored boxes. It’s a good idea to have a graphic designer/interior formatter look at the files before going to print or uploading for e-book purchases.*
Are books, blog posts and articles paid for upfront? It depends. All non-book projects require a deposit of 50% or $500 (whichever is larger). Final payment is then due upon first draft submission.
Payments for books generally require a downpayment of 25% with another payment of 25% due as each section of the first draft is completed and turned in.
What can I expect when working with you? One of the most important things you can expect is to receive quality work on time. When I agree to a deadline for your project, you can virtually walk away and forget about the project, secure in the knowledge that you will receive your content on the agreed-upon date. And since I provide oversight on the content I create by working with a professional copy editor with a print industry background, you can be confident that your projects will be in compliance with AP or Chicago Manual of Style guidelines and proofed for spelling and grammatical errors.
In terms of content development, I have the ability to create funny, quirky posts and articles should you need them. When ghostwriting, I work to develop the right voice for your project by studying your notes and existing content/marketing pieces and conducting telephone interviews. When you hire me to be your mouthpiece, I have a responsibility to get your voice right.
*Because of the many e-reader devices on the market, I strongly advise you to hire a professional formatter with experience on multiple retail channels, including Amazon, iTunes and Barnes & Noble. I do not include formatting services for any e-readers.
Yolander Prinzel, ACS 