Can ghostwriters negotiate royalties or profit-sharing?
Think about weightlifting. When you're doing your regular sets, maybe something you know you can handle for 8-10 reps, you're in control. You lift it, you put it down, job done. That's pretty much like the standard way most ghostwriters get paid – a flat fee for the project.
You know the weight, you know the reps, you get it done, get paid, and move on. It's predictable.
But what happens when you want to push for a new personal record? You're aiming higher, maybe loading up more weight than you've ever lifted. You could try it alone, but the risk is higher. A smarter move, especially when you're advanced, is often to have a spotter, or at least use safety bars.
You're still doing the heavy lifting, but there’s a mechanism, a partner in that moment, sharing the risk and potential reward. That spotter isn't lifting it for you, but they're there if you falter, helping you manage the increased risk for that bigger achievement.
That's kind of like negotiating royalties or profit-sharing as a ghostwriter. It’s less common than the standard fee, involves shared risk because you're aiming for a bigger potential payoff, and requires a different kind of setup.
You're likely working hard, writing blog posts or other content for businesses, and maybe you're wondering if there's more to compensation than just the upfront payment, especially with everything changing so fast. Let's break down how payment usually works and what those other, heavier-lifting options look like.
The Standard Set: Flat Fees
Most of the time, you'll work on a work-for-hire basis. This means you agree on a price for the project, maybe get paid in stages as you hit milestones, deliver the final piece, and that's it. You get paid for the work you did, usually a one-time thing. This is the most common setup.
Why? Honestly, it’s straightforward. You know exactly how much you're earning, regardless of whether the book or blog becomes a bestseller or sits collecting digital dust. It gives you certainty, which is important when you've got bills to pay.
It also means you don't usually have to worry about marketing, sales figures, or anything after you hit 'send' on that final draft. For the author or business, it’s simple budgeting.
Going for the PR: Exploring Royalties and Profit-Sharing
Now, even though flat fees are common, they aren't the only way. You absolutely can negotiate for a piece of the action down the line, like royalties or profit-sharing. It’s just not the default.
Getting a Slice (Partial Royalties): Sometimes, you might negotiate a lower upfront fee in exchange for a percentage of the book's sales or profits later on. Maybe you take 20% less on the initial payment but get 5-10% of the royalties.
This can work if the author wants to lower their initial cost and you believe the project has serious potential. It shows you have faith in the project, too.
Becoming a Partner (Business Partnership Model): This is like having a dedicated lifting partner for the long haul. Here, you might heavily reduce or even skip the upfront fee entirely for a much bigger slice of the profits – potentially up to 50%.
This usually means you're more involved than just writing. You might help find an agent, work with the publisher, maybe even get involved in marketing.
It's less about being a hired writer and more like a joint venture. It requires the least cash from the author upfront but asks for the biggest share of potential success.
Things to Consider Before Adding More Weight (Royalties)
Negotiating royalties isn't just about asking; several things come into play.
Your Relationship with the Client: Trust matters. If you have a solid, long-standing relationship with a client, they might be more open to discussing royalties. They know your work ethic and reliability. If it's a new client, building that trust first is key.
How the Book is Getting Published: If the author is going the traditional publishing route (with agents and publishing houses), royalty discussions might be more common because those deals already involve advances and royalties. If it's self-publishing or a corporate project, flat fees tend to be the default.
Market Reality and Risk: Most books don't become huge bestsellers; only a tiny fraction turn a significant profit. Remember the saying, "A percentage of nothing is still nothing." You need to realistically assess if the potential reward outweighs the risk of getting paid less (or nothing) upfront.
Blaming the market or the author if it doesn't sell won't help; it's about making the best decision with the available information.
Balancing the Risk: Is "Skin in the Game" Fair?
Authors sometimes like the idea of the ghostwriter having "skin in the game" through royalties. The thinking is that it motivates you to do your absolute best work. And maybe it does.
You could write the best book in the world, truly amazing stuff, but if the marketing falls flat, the cover design is wrong, or it's released at the wrong time, it still might not sell.
You, as the writer, usually have zero control over those things once your part is done. That's a big risk to take, especially if royalties are your main source of payment for that project.
That’s why many experienced ghostwriters prefer guaranteed payment. They see potential royalties as a possible bonus, not the main meal.
Making Royalty Deals Work (If You Go For It)
If you decide to pursue a royalty arrangement, be smart about it.
Get It Crystal Clear in Writing: Your contract needs to spell everything out. What percentage do you get? Is it based on gross sales or net profit (big difference!)? When do you get paid?
How will you get reports? What happens if there are new editions or audiobooks? Don't leave room for misunderstandings. Being direct and clear upfront saves headaches later.
Think Bonus, Not Base: Consider negotiating royalties on top of a fair base fee, rather than instead of it. This gives you financial stability while still allowing you to benefit if the project takes off unexpectedly.
Finding Your Best Path
So, can you negotiate royalties? Absolutely. Is it the standard deal? No. Flat fees are more common for good reasons – certainty and simplicity.
Deciding whether to push for royalties depends on the project, your relationship with the client, your tolerance for risk, and the potential upside.
There’s no single right answer; it's about figuring out what works for you and the specific situation. You need to weigh the options and pick the route that feels right for your career.
The key is clear communication, realistic expectations, and a solid agreement that respects the work you do.