Ghostwriting - Who is that "difficult" client, how to manage situation

The White House is bracing for double-digit unemployment.  Simultaneously, many of us ghostwriters feel overwhelmed by being too busy.  Hard times mean accelerated communications and executives, political leaders, and entrepreneurs look to us to ghostwrite those books, articles, opinion-editorials, blog posts, tweets, business plans, and white papers.   In U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Marty Nemko called it right when he named ghostwriting as a "Best Career for 2009."

As in every line of work, we have our agonies in the garden.  At the top of the list is: That "difficult" client.  The experience is jarring.  It can block us, shake our confidence, even lead us to consider a career change.  Yeah, it's that bad.

I've invited ghostwriter, editor, author in her own right, and trainer in ghostwriting Claudia Suzanne to walk us through combinations and permutations of that ordeal and guide us on how to manage it.  She just published the second edition of "Secrets of a Ghostwriter."  In the fall, she will provide online training for Ghostwriter Certification.

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Claudia Suzanne, The "Difficult" Client, exclusive interview for this blog.

JG:  How do you define "difficult" client?

CS: Jane, I consider a client "difficult" if:

A) Their "pride of authorship" is so strong it interferes with my ability to help them create the strongest, most compelling manuscript possible

B) If our personalities clash to such an extent that I cannot establish or maintain my position of authority, which essentially results in the same circumstance as above, or

C) If they argue about my contract, which I've vetted numerous times, or resist paying my fee.

JG:  Claudia, your "B" might explain the recent puzzling experience I had with healthcare consulting firm Scisive.   I was dealing with Scisive's Managing Partner Frank Russo.    He is also on the board of Gilda's Club in New York City.

Perhaps this situation, which I perceived as negative as well as traumatic, was simply one of a clash of personalities.  Confession: In our initial phone conversation about the assignment I had that gut flash that perhaps the fit wasn't good.  Lesson, a brutal one: Ghostwriters heed intuitive.  Who comes out the worst in these misalignments, I contend, is usually the ghostwriter, rarely the client.

CS:  Yes, it's important to "screen" assignments before we accept them.  Fortunately, there is so much work available, we are in a seller's market.

JG:  I have a hunch, though, that there could be advantages which come from working with "difficult" clients.

CS:  Yes, there are.  In fact, finding that "gold" is part of the ghostwriting process.

For example, when ghostwriters make a "difficult" client happy, the sense of accomplishment is enormous.  Of course, that begs the question: Can you ever make a difficult client happy?

If I'm dealing with excessive pride-of-authorship, the answer is probably yes.  If I'm dealing with a personality clash, again, the answer is probably yes too.   However, if a client argues about the contract or the fees, I don't see value in working with them.

JG:  When should a ghostwriter consider not taking on a "difficult" client?

CS:  The system I teach in Ghostwriter Certification Training involves assessing both the project and the prospect.  If it's a wonderful project but we suspect the person will be challenging to manage, I'll usually accept the assignment but add on an "aggravation fee" to my price.  If the project doesn't provide me value, be it learning or exciting work, I'll simply refer the prospect to someone else on my network.

JG:  In your experience, what are the proven strategies for managing "difficult" clients?

CS:  There is no one short answer.  In fact, it is the culminating module of the 14-week, progressive Ghostwriter Certification Training Program. 

The brief version: In a nutshell, you must be able to demonstrate sufficient book-industry and ghostwriting expertise to establish your authority with the client at the initial meeting. Such authority is necessary in order to accomplish the job, which requires more than just ghostwriting, rewriting, and editing.  Ghostwriting also involves hand-holding, manuscript guidance, and career advice.  It is both individualistic and intimate.  You must, at times, be able to maintain an objective perspective on the project, its best "spin," and its chances in the marketplace.

Once your authority is established, you need to maintain it by keeping your client intimately involved in every step, even if they are not required to write one word.

JG: Can there be problems, even if the relationship is managed well from the get-go?

CS: Of course.  Books are intimate every step of the way.  They are intimate for the author, for the ghostwriter, for every reader.  Where there is intimacy, there is potential for problems.

JG:  How can those interested in a ghostwriting career or who want to enhance their skills and business know-how find out more about you and your training?

CS: They can call 1-800-641-3936 or email me at claudia@wambtac.com.

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Claudia Suzanne has ghosted and edited over 100 titles, including a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling non-fiction book and two award-winning novels.  She provides manuscript assessment, substantive and line editing, ghostwriting, and submission-preparation services as well as consultation and academic editing.  This fall her Ghostwriter Certification Training will be offered online for the first time.

Comments

[abercrombie fitch jackets]

She provides manuscript assessment, substantive and line editing,

[Air Jordans]

The man who has made up his mind to win will never say "impossible".

[Aliso]

"Ghostwriter Certification"? Who made that up? There is no such thing. This is just another scam to milk some money out of the dream of writers.