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user-pic  3 Speed Writing Cheats and Hacks for People Who Can't Write
By: Mark Joyner

"I'd really like to be a best-selling author, but I don't know how to write."

What's funny is that most of the "best-selling authors" I know can't either.

There are some writers, like me, who do indeed write all their own work, but most of the writers I know use other tactics to get the job done.

Here's just a small sample ...

1. Hire a ghost-writer

You'd be surprised by how cheaply you can find quality writers overseas. They'll write an excellent book for you at a price you'd scoff at and say, "Surely this figure is too low!"

And get this: you then even have the legal right to say you are the author of the work.

(Just make sure you use a good contract.  You can find boilerplate contracts of all sorts at places like nolo.com or lawguru.com - or you can hire an intellectual property expert like Bob Silber if you want to fly first class.)

2. Record conversations with experts

This is so simple it's funny that so few people do it.

Just record a collection of conversations with experts, have the conversations transcribed, and - poof! - instant book.

You may not be an expert yourself, but by association everyone then thinks you're an expert, too.

It's so easy it's almost unfair.

And experts will fall over themselves to do these interviews with you because the smart ones know it's long term free publicity for them.

3. Record a conversation with a buddy

OK, so you don't want to write, but you have some thoughts.

Well, ask one of your friends to talk to you about it and ask questions.

You then have those conversations transcribed and massage the final result into a book.

If the conversation is good, it may stand as a book on its own.

If not, you can just massage your responses a bit and - voila! - instant book!

Suggested Resources: 1.  7 Day Business Turnaround Kit (for the "Outsourcing Secret Weapon" module - shows you how to find qualified people overseas for pennies on the dollar - without exploiting anyone), 2. Conversations with Bestselling Authors

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Comments

Love it! "simple" and easy to access....just like it should be!
Jeff

Posted by: Jeff May | March 21, 2008 3:20 AM

Hi Mark and "high marks". Another excellent tweak on an already excellent information source. Keep it coming! I've already done 4 of your courses and working on the fifth. Would of liked to have been doing your Author's course, but only so much my brain can handle effectively at one time. I hope you offer it again in the future.

Alan

Posted by: Alan Steacy | March 21, 2008 7:10 AM

This format is "simply" super. I'll be looking forward to more great information.

Alan

Posted by: Alan | March 21, 2008 7:13 AM

I'm sure there are writers out there who are willing to get paid nothing for their work, but it doesn't help those of us who are American freelancers who are trying to make a living with good pay. We already live with everything being outsourced from the US - and this seems another low blow.
I say pay a fair price for fair work - and hire an American freelancer.

Posted by: Vickie | March 21, 2008 7:41 AM

Now I know it. Thanks for telling me that.

Posted by: Freddy How | March 21, 2008 9:25 AM

Yes, like the new format. I think it is better to send a short email with what I will call "teaser-links". Emails have gotten too long these days, that emails themselves have become de-valued. However, if I expect short emails from you, then I will go ahead and look and see if there is something for me. If I click on a link, then I am now at a web page, and people expect to stay longer on a webpages than a single email. Plus, you have the ability to see what people click on and know what information your subscribers value enough to click through.

Posted by: Saul Castellanos | March 21, 2008 9:45 AM

I can personally attest to Speed Writing Cheat #2. I wrote an ebook by recording an interview with a close friend/associate who works in the same field I do(videography), but in a specialty that I didn't know much about.

It really is a great way to "cheat" at writing a book. I highly recommend it.

Hey Mark,

I LOVE simple and easy. Got to agree with Alan, the long emails are losing value because they are losing my time (not wasting it - I just subscribe to too many email lists now and don't have the time to go through them all).

One suggestion: Can you include a "little" text as well, just so we have some more insight into what we will be reading before we click?

Thanks for all your help!

Keep it Simple!

Brett

Nice. Clear and concise.

Posted by: Alexander | March 21, 2008 2:59 PM

Mahalo Mark, this new e-format is the bomb! I like to read eveery word but sometimes dont have time . This solves that problem in a hurry !
Terence,
Maui Hawaii

Posted by: Terence 'Tree' Lowery | March 21, 2008 3:12 PM

Hi Mark,
Thanks for more great tips. for anyone who is interested in the first tip, "Hiring a Ghost Writer," there are a few places you can go. First is Elance.com and the second is Guru.com. Both of these sites are great places to hire high quality writers.

Three tips for hiring ghost writers.

1. Get examples of their previous work, and view comments from other people that hired them.

2. Don't get ripped off. For example, if you are hiring a ghost writer to write 400 to 600 word articles for you it should cost you no more that $15 an article.

3. Be careful of writers that tell you they will stuff your writing with a bunch of keywords. The search engines don't like that and your site could get black listed. It can also damage your reputation online. Good Luck, Ryan

Hey Mark, You are full of suprising info. Glad to be on your side. Keep them comming.
Millie

Hey Mark,
Interesting possibilities.
I will use it!
I too would have loved to be on your "Author" course, but am still on 103 (second time) and the blog course.
Need to concentrate on handling these first.
Thank´s a million, You always have worthwhile information.

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