How to Find the Best Freelance Writing Service for Nonfiction

Hiring a freelance writing service can be the perfect solution if you want to publish a nonfiction book to grow your business, but writing isn’t your forte.

In fact, the business value that you’ll derive from a nonfiction book will be much higher than the one-time cost of hiring a freelance writing service.

A nonfiction book can multiply your businesses revenue streams in many ways. For example, you could:

• Open new markets half the way around the globe, thanks to low-cost global book distribution channels.
• Attract and close leads at a much lower cost – books have several times the conversion rate of even the best ads.
• Be booked to highly paid public speaking opportunities as a published expert in your industry.
• Develop profitable strategic partnerships using your book and your new status as an expert as a calling card.
• Land lucrative contracts since your book and your recognition as an industry expert can create a significant competitive advantage in your bidding.

In order to find the best freelance writing service for your nonfiction book, you’ll need to make sure they have mastery in the following areas:

Audience Knowledge

Nonfiction is an audience-centric genre. Your book is going to solve a problem your target audience is currently experiencing and in-depth knowledge of their hopes, dreams, fears and challenges will be an essential element of your book’s effectiveness.

Therefore, you need to find a writing service that’s already familiar with your audience, or at least is willing to commit the necessary resources to researching it thoroughly. For your book to succeed it must connect with its intended audience.

Before committing funds to the book writing, ask the service you’re considering to create a customer avatar. This is a one or two page profile of an ideal member of your target audience.

Even if they ask you for a small fee up-front to produce this document, it’ll be worth it to ensure that they truly understand your audience.

If the avatar they produce doesn’t match who you think is your ideal customer (not dissimilar from your current clients) then it’s probably not a good idea to hire them.

Business Knowledge

The freelance writing service you’re considering must also have some knowledge of your area of expertise.

The professional writer who’ll be developing your book must do so in your own voice, so prior knowledge of your subject matter is a requirement.

Ask them to provide you with samples from nonfiction books they’ve written in your niche. Freelance services have a large roster of clients and chances are they’ll have plenty of material to show you.

If your subject is very specific and they don’t have an exact sample for you, they should be able to supply you with content on a similar or adjacent subject. If they don’t have any experience writing in your niche or a similar niche, it’s better to move on down the list.

Focus on Nonfiction Books, Not Content Marketing

Many freelance writing services specialize in content marketing for websites and blogs, but not necessarily nonfiction books.

The depth of writing required for content marketing, where most articles range between 1,000-5,000 words, is not adequate for the creation of a 50,000-word manuscript.

Choose a service that has experience writing nonfiction books and ask for book samples so that you can get a sense of their writing style. Then compare those samples with popular nonfiction books in your niche.

Hire a service only if you feel that the quality of their writing measures up to other popular books in your industry.

Focus on Problem-Solving

Finally, your nonfiction book will offer a unique solution to a problem faced by members of your target audience.

In order to deliver your solution effectively your book will need to engage your audience at an emotional level, where you can create a meaningful connection.

If you only engage with their intellect, for instance by using language that’s perhaps too academic or scientific, you’ll fail to deliver your solution in a way that can make a difference in their lives.

Make sure that the service you’re considering is skilled in writing problem-solving nonfiction that connects with readers, not just books that are informational in nature.

Study nonfiction books that they’ve previously written to see if they have the skills required to engage with readers at an emotional level. If they do, then you’ll be in good hands.

Next Steps

Freelance writing services may require a significant financial commitment on your part, but they also have the ability to produce the high level of quality that is necessary to compete in the nonfiction genre.

This isn’t a decision that you can rush into. Take your time using the above tips to screen enough candidates until you’re able to find the right fit.

Good luck!

If you enjoyed this article and are in the process of writing a nonfiction book, be sure to check out my free nonfiction success guide, drawn from years of experience editing books for bestselling authors (including a New York Times bestseller) and ghostwriting for CEOs and politicians. Simply click here to get instant access.

Ben

Leave me a comment below if you have any questions or a specific need that I can help you address – I operate an author services firm that specializes in helping entrepreneurs, professionals and business owners who want to publish books as a calling card for prospects, to establish their status as an expert or to just to generate additional leads for their businesses.

Here are some related posts I highly recommend:

How to Write a Compelling Book in 12 Steps: A Must-Read Guide for Nonfiction Authors

How to Grow Your Business Writing a Nonfiction Book

How Long Does it Take to Write a Book to Help Grow Your Business?

5 Book Cover Maker Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Nonfiction Cover

Write Your Own Book and Become an Expert: 11 Reasons Why You Should

Bennett R. Coles is an award-winning author of six books published through Harper Collins (New York) and Titan Publishing Group (London). He is also the publisher at Promontory Press, editor for multiple bestselling authors (including a NY Times bestseller), ghostwriter for CEOs and politicians and the founder of Cascadia Author Services, a boutique full-service firm that specializes in premium author services specifically designed for busy professionals. Our end-to-end services include writer coaching, ghostwriting, editing, proofing, cover design, book layout, eBook production, marketing, printing and distribution.