Professionals who invest in building their own brand can see up to a 25% increase in recognition of their skills, according to a survey by Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). At the same time, on-demand publications—including books developed with ghostwriters—grew by 15% in 2023, with a highlight on the non-fiction segment, according to data from the Brazilian Book Chamber (CBL). The combination of these factors drives the production of original works as a tool for positioning and generating new business opportunities.
Specialists, executives, and entrepreneurs who wish to expand their presence in the market are increasingly turning to book publishing as a way to translate experience into authority. The process is conducted by professional ghostwriters, who organize the author's ideas, structure the content, and deliver a work aligned with the strategist's objectives — even if they don't write a single line.
SecondJulyanne Guimarães Amadeu, ghostwriter, writing mentor, and founder of theAlma PublishingThe model is especially designed for professionals who accumulate knowledge but lack the time or familiarity with writing. "Publishing a book is not just sharing what you know. It's leaving your mark, becoming a reference, and opening doors that didn't exist before," he/she/they states.
How does the process work
The editorial journey follows a structured schedule, with well-defined stages:
- Briefing and editorial planning (1 to 2 weeks)Initial meeting to define objectives, target audience, key messages, and value proposition of the work.
- Interviews and content extraction (4 to 8 weeks)The content is collected orally, in recorded sessions. "The specialist brings the experience, and we bring the technique. This careful listening process is what guarantees authenticity to the book," explains Julyanne.
- Construction of the narrative structure (2 to 3 weeks)The team determines the number of chapters, the order of topics, the pace, and the editorial structure.
- Writing and editing (6 to 12 weeks)The work is written under the author's supervision and undergoes spelling, grammatical, and technical revisions.
- Design, ISBN, and publication (4 to 6 weeks)The material proceeds to layout, cover design, ISBN registration, and physical and/or digital publication.
The total time ranges from four to six months, depending on the complexity of the project and the author's availability.
Investment and return
The investment in a book with a professional ghostwriter ranges from R$ 18,000 to R$ 50,000, and can be higher when the project includes mentoring, promotional videos, or launch campaigns. The publication becomes a strategic asset, used in training, branding activities, product launches, and public relations.
"It is a project with a beginning, middle, and end, that requires planning, dedication, and clarity of purpose. The return comes in the form of positioning, authority, and the generation of new opportunities," completes the founder of Editora Alma.
When publishing a book, specialists begin to be perceived as references in their fields. "What was once just an idea now takes shape, depth, and strategy," concludes Julyanne.
