Can you Unlock your Future?

Is there such a thing as a key that can unlock your future? Sure, but it’s not a magic bean or a Holy Grail. And it’s not 1 key, it’s actually 4 of them. Back in 2012, while still stuck in my day job, I stood on the threshold of my future with a ton of uncertainty.

Although I didn’t know what the future held, I knew it was much more than my current reality. I felt it deep in my bones and no one could convince me otherwise.

So what happened? I discovered 4 Keys that unlocked my future, and today—just 5 years later—my life is drastically different.

4 Keys To Success

Key #1: Clarity

My thoughts on clarity: Before we can get what we want, we must know what we want. Clarity attracts and confusion repels. Clarity only comes with action.

Key #2: Creativity

My thoughts on creativity: Today is a brand new chance to create the life you love. Rather than reliving the past, create a new future. Stop comparing and start creating. 

Key #3: Complexity

My thoughts on complexity: Complexity kills clarity. Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)

Key #4: Community

My thoughts on community: Without loving people there is no leading people. The quality of your soul is much more valuable than the quantity of your followers.

In today’s podcast I share how to use these keys to unlock your future. (Listen to this episode via itunes, audioboom, or stitcher).

This Episode is Sponsored By Author Academy Elite

What do all these things have in common? Meeting and partnering with Hollywood celebrities. Going from day job to dream job. Being a guest on top-ranked TV, radio, and podcast shows. Creating global businesses that truly help people. All of these “doors” were unlocked with one single key: becoming an author and publishing the right way.

Author Academy Elite is the premium writing, publishing, and marketing experience. To start your author journey today enroll in our free 7 day course, My Book Hook.

Check Out This Resource Mentioned

If you want Become an Author | Unlock your Future—our newest eBook for FREE—then just click on the image below. It will also include a FREE ticket to our live author training.

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You can tell your friends on Twitter about the podcast by simply clicking this link and sharing the tweet you’ll find at the other end.

And, by all means, if you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page. Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”

I FELL INTO GHOSTWRITING BY ACCIDENT…

I’ve been an author since 2004. But for the first 8 years, it was always a side-hustle. After all, with a wife and 3 kids, I didn’t think I could make a living as a full-time writer. Then in 2012, my friend Scott asked me if I could help him fulfill his dream of writing a book. After chatting further, he said he needed a ghostwriter.

I didn’t know the first thing about ghostwriting, and I certainly never planned on becoming one. All I knew is my friend needed help, and so I jumped in headfirst.

Besides helping Scott write a compelling book, that same year I also left my day job. If you guessed those two events are related, you’re right. In a way, you could say that ghostwriting helped me turn my dream into a full-time gig. 

I TURNED MY PASSION INTO A PROFESSION:

That first gig turned into a second and then a third. Initially, I was surprised at how lucrative ghostwriting can be. The rates below are considered the “industry standard.”

• $10,000 to $20,000: just getting started with ghostwriting
• $20,000 to $30,000: mid-level ghostwriter
• $30,000 to $50,000: veteran ghostwriter
• $50,000: celebrity ghostwriter or really busy

The Professional Writer’s Association of Canada provides clear guidelines for ghostwriters: $10,000 to $50,000 flat fee entire advance + 50% of royalties. And even if you’re not Canadian, The Writer’s Union of Canada establishes a great baseline for ghostwriters everywhere: For a book of 60,000 to 90,000 words, the Union recommends a total minimum fee of $40,000.

Naturally, this variance is based upon several factors including: experience, competence, length of manuscript, deadline of project, etc.

GHOSTWRITERS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND…

Many Traditional Publishing Houses admit that about 70% of their books were written by ghostwriters. Even crazier, nearly 99% of all books published by artists, celebrities, and politicians were ghostwritten. Throughout history, there may have been a stigma with ghostwriting in some circles. But today it’s much different. Many ghostwriters are proudly displayed on the front cover or in the acknowledgments.

Ghostwriters play a significant role by helping clients tell their story. As a result, thousands of people are impacted. Ghostwriters are valuable because:

1. They produce a better book. 
2. They save their clients time.
3. They save their clients money.

INTRODUCING GHOSTWRITER ACADEMY…

Today, I don’t ghostwrite any longer because my current business focus doesn’t offer me the bandwidth. After all, in 2014 I started a publishing company: Author Academy Elite. We’ve published hundreds and hundreds of books from authors around the world.

I’ve had a vision to train up a guild of ghostwriters. Until now, I haven’t had the margin to do so. But within the last year, after turning down several potential books inside Author Academy Elite due to a lack of ghostwriters, I realized we couldn’t delay any longer.

I knew that many writers, editors, and ghostwriters would join Ghostwriter Academy and start their own businesses or level up their current ones. This is all part of the plan. Whether you get your gigs on your own or through The Guild, I believe in abundance. After all, if 82% of the population wants to write a book, then the world needs high quality ghostwriters defined by clarity, competence, and confidence.

WE GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED…

1. Ghostwriter Guidebook:

An 86-page interactive guidebook chock-full of resources. This is the proven process I used to go pro.

2. Video Modules:

Benefit from 7 Masterclass modules comprised of 29 videos, each designed to be clear, concise, and direct. Leverage these “forever access” tools and tactics in your own ghostwriting business.

3. Curated Content:

The ghostwriting industry has shifted over the last few years, and you need to cash in on these changes. Dive into this curated content via hand-selected articles and websites.

4. Contracts and Checklists:

Turning your passion into a profession means looking professional. Utilize these contracts and checklists within your own ghostwriting gigs.

5. Global Community:

Much of the business world runs on relationships. Enjoy lifetime membership to our global community of generous collaborators.

6.  Ghostwriter Certification:

Upon completion of the modules, you will receive a professional level certification, declaring you as a successful graduate of Ghostwriter Academy.

THE GHOSTWRITER ACADEMY FRAMEWORK^©

Module 1: Your Creation Story

PAST: You are your business, so stop hiding your story. As the adage goes, people buy from those they know, like, and trust. Until you learn and leverage your creation story, you’ll feel stuck and stagnant. “Sticky” brands have sticky stories. Package your past struggle with your present solution so you can design a new future for your eventual clients.

PRESENT: The truth is that until you see yourself as a ghostwriter, no one else will either. It starts with an internal identity. Soon after, it seeps into an external reality. Ghostwriter Academy is designed to help you turn your passion into a profession. Whether ghostwriting is your side-hustle or your main gig, fortifying your WHY will help you clarify your WAY.

FUTURE: You’ve probably heard that envisioning your future and goal achievement are interrelated. Sometimes it’s called beginning with the end in mind. Other times, it’s called moonshot thinking. If you want to turn your passion into a profession, then you need to fill in some blanks. What new reality do you want to create?

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Module 2:  Why

TIME: Before you can develop a thriving business, you must understand why the world needs ghostwriters. Simply put, ghostwriters save their clients time. Many clients are too busy to take time away from their careers, businesses, and lives to write a book.

SKILL: Ghostwriters bring a unique skillset to their clients. Many clients think they can write, until they try. Not everyone can write, nor should they try. About 99% of politicians, celebrities, and musicians use ghostwriters to write their books. Many traditional publishers state that around 70% of all their books are written by collaborators and ghostwriters.

MONEY: Ghostwriters bring value to their clients because they save them time, and everybody knows that time is money. Many clients would lose money by spending their limited time trying to write a book.

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Module 3:  What

GHOSTS: Most nonfiction books solve problems—even oftentimes memoirs. In other words, they offer solutions. A framework is a solution broken down into simple steps. All three books I ghostwrote contain frameworks. It’s an effective way to write because it helps your reader see and feel an intentional beginning, middle, and end.

GIGS: It’s important to know the different terms that apply to “writers for hire.” Most clients who need help don’t know the correct terminology. They may think they need a copyeditor when they truly need a developmental editor—or even a ghostwriter who collaborates with them. Clarity comes once you know how the gigs differ and where you fit in.

GUILDS: A guild is an association of artisans or merchants who oversee the practice of their craft in a particular town. Guilds were first organized in the late Roman Empire and rose in popularity during the Medieval period. Naturally, guilds benefit their members if managed properly. Discover which guilds are helpful, which are harmful, and most importantly why.

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Module 4:  How

RATES: Many ghostwriters simply don’t know what to charge. The rate for ghostwriters varies quite a bit. This variance is based upon several factors including: experience, competence, length of manuscript, deadline of project, etc. Learning the formula will help you charge with confidence.

RULES: Without the proper guidelines you could make a big mistake. The right rules protect you and your client. Get forever access to the proper intake forms, release forms, and sample contracts to help you turn your passion into a profession.

RISKS: Savvy business owners mitigate risks by taking the proper precautions. By completing our checklist, you’ll set yourself up for success.

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Module 5:  When

CONSULTATION: Too many ghostwriters don’t set clear expectations or boundaries with their clients. As a result, they end up working for far less than their worth. By integrating our system, you’ll end up creating value for your clients while getting paid.

COLLABORATION: Most of us with something to say or sell would benefit if we had a bigger platform. We try partnering with top leaders, hoping to give our message the exposure it needs. Why do some people break through while most are blown off? Discover how to change the pattern by following nine steps for gaining favor with influencers.

CREATION: You’ll need to find your own voice as you write your client’s story. Think of this process as a delicate dance. How do you maintain your own freedom, while respecting their message? In this module you’ll discover a model and a metaphor to help you achieve both.

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Module 6:  Where

INWARD: Most ghostwriters struggle getting gigs because of one fatal flaw. Discover how to secure more ghostwriting gigs than you can handle. This strategy enabled me to get all my gigs without even asking.

OUTWARD: Each of us have limited time and so we must make our time count. Looking in the wrong places for gigs will drain your energy and creativity. Isn’t it time you learned how to look and who to look for? We’ll show you where to find quality leads when looking outward.

DOWNWARD: Anyone with something to say or sell needs a bigger platform. As a ghostwriter, this works to your advantage. There’s no better platform than a well written, published, and marketed book.  With 82% of the population aspiring to be authors, if you know the right steps, you can land the right gigs.

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Module 7:  Your Career Story

PAST: Many times, we can see everybody else’s gifts and talents, but not our own. Yet—if we take a moment to list all of our experiences, skills, and hobbies—we’ll often be surprised by the assets we can bring to our potential clients.

PRESENT: When I was trying to go pro with my passion, I had a choice. I could wait until I got clients before I gave myself a title, or I could give myself a title and then get clients. Some people ignorantly label this a “fake-it-till-you-make-it” tactic. I disagree. There was no pretending for me. Rather, I made an internal commitment before I experienced external validation.

FUTURE: You’ve grown into a new person. Your role as a ghostwriter will literally change people’s lives. You serve as the bridge between authors and their audiences, and without your skills their stories would remain untold.

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Bonus Module: The Guild

This special invitation is only for our Ghostwriter Academy graduates. These certified ghostwriters are the only ones qualified to join The Guild.

About the instructor

KARY OBERBRUNNER is Igniting Souls. Through his writing, speaking, and coaching, he helps individuals and organizations clarify

who they are, why they are here, and where they should invest their time and energy.

Kary struggled finding his own distinct voice and passion. As a young man, he suffered from severe stuttering, depression, and self-injury. Today a transformed man, Kary invests his time in helping others experience unhackability in work and life.

Kary’s writing career spans 15 years and counting. He is a 6-time traditionally published non-fiction author (The Journey Towards Relevance, Called, The Fine Line, Your Secret Name, The Deeper Path, Day Job to Dream Job) as well as a fiction author (Elixir Project). He has ghostwritten three books, published over 400 books through his publishing company, Author Academy Elite (AAE), and has trained over 60,000 authors through online education.

Kary is also the founder of Ghostwriter Academy and The Guild. He has negotiated publishing deals and gained the title Master-Level Marketer due to his ability to turn books into 6-figure businesses through his 18 Streams of Income^© model.

He is the founder of Redeem the Day, which serves the business community, and Igniting Souls, which serves the nonprofit community. He and his wife, Kelly, are blessed with three amazing children and live outside Columbus, Ohio.

I’ll show you how to level up your business…

Besides teaching you the skill of ghostwriting, I’ll also show you the business side of ghostwriting, too—including lead generation, marketing, contracts, collaboration, and much more. Over the last 15 years, I’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs – in nearly every industry – start, scale, and level up their businesses.

Check out the Flip Book & Podcast

If you have more questions scroll through the flip book and listen to the podcast. 

 

In today’s podcast I share the entire backstory behind Ghostwriter Academy. (Listen to this episode via itunes, audioboom, or stitcher)

 

(Listen to this episode via itunes, audioboom, or stitcher.)

Are you leveraging the hottest tool on social media?

If you’re not using video for your book, brand, or business you are missing out on increasing your influence, impact, and income.

The truth is though, most of us are scared or at least a little intimidated to enter the brave new world of video or vlogging.

There is a solution. I invited special guest, the queen of vlogging, Amy Schmittauer, to join us.

 

Her #1 Bestselling book—Vlog Like a Boss—is sweeping the globe. She has now captured the word VLOG on all of Amazon.

Amy is here to show you how to kill it online with video blogging. With a collection of strategies and tactics from years of experience in online video, Schmittauer shares time-tested, proven methods to creating brand awareness with vlogging that will build a loyal community for years to come.

Listen in and learn. Your future clients will thank you.

And to learn how I can help publish you through Author Academy Elite like I helped Amy, watch our FREE author training for a limited time.

Did I really say the “ONLY” THING?

As is in: One? Uno? Single? Sole? Lone?

Yep. It’s true.

There’s only one thing you need to become an author.

But that’s not what the Internet says?

The Internet says you need an agent, a proposal, and a platform. It says you need a big book advance and huge budget with a savvy publicist who’s a social media ninja master on twitter and Snapchat. It says you need a tour bus wrapped from top to bottom with a color version of your book cover (purple is best). And a plug from Oprah…and billboards too. Yeah, billboards of your face help a ton too.

WHATEVER? 

Last time I checked, to become a mom or dad you just need one thing—a kid. You can buy all the baby stuff you want: strollers, car seats, bottles, pack-and-plays, onesies, diapers, changing tables, and cribs. But none of that stuff makes you a mom or a dad.

And billions of moms and dads all over the world have NONE of that baby “stuff.” Zero! Zilch! Nada! Zip! All they have is the one thing that actually counts…the baby!

Stop arguing for what you don’t want

Most “aspiring authors” never become an author because they overthink the process. They believe the lie, the hype, and the myths. They worry, stress, and freak out about what step #5013 might look like and so they never take step #1.

“Aspiring” authors fall into a trap—arguing for what they don’t want. Of course they say they want to write a book…82% of the population does. But sadly, 99% never do  because they get caught up in all the other stuff…just like “aspiring” parents and “aspiring” homeowners. All talk…no action.

The first step is the hardest…and the easiest

I’ve written 6 traditionally published books, 1 indie book, ghostwritten 3 others, and coached/consulted hundreds of authors. Every book required only one single thing. That’s it.

Trust me. I’ve had some strikes against me. I’m bald. I have a girl’s name. I was labeled by professionals as “learning disabled” in elementary schools for a severe stuttering problem. I overcame an addiction to self-injury as a teenager and in my young adult years I finally pushed through a decade long battle with on-and-off depression. I understand Resistance.

Sure I was scared to take the first step, but I’m so glad I did. Today I get messages from all over the world. People tell me how my books changed their lives. Most of these people I’ve never even met.

As one of my mentors told me:

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. (Tweet this)

Here’s the only thing you need

I love the movie Inception. In it the main character Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio’s character explains,

“What’s the most resilient parasite? An idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules.”

I’ve had the privilege to coach hundreds of authors, through their own Resistance and into their dreams of becoming an author. I always begin with the first step…helping them create a killer book idea.

Want me to help you create your own killer book idea?

Over the years many people have emailed, tweeted, called, and sent smoke signals asking me to help them create their killer book idea too. I hated to say no, but I had no other choice. I was busy coaching my own clients and managing my own writing career.

Saying no to all these aspiring authors was bugging me—big time! And so a few months ago, I blocked off a couple days down in West Palm Beach to shoot a FREE 7 day video course. It’s called My Book Hook.

Already thousands of aspiring authors have gone through the course and used it to begin their own writing career. In the course I teach you how to create your own killer book idea.

For a limited time, you can get the full course FREE. Just tell us where to send it by clicking here or on the pic below.

Then for the next 7 days I’ll show up in your inbox. There’s even a place where you can shoot me your questions. I’ll personally respond with my thoughts and advice on your book idea.

Nothing fires me up more than helping aspiring authors become real authors.

The only question is…when can we start? I’m ready. Are you?

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POST BELOW: I’d love to say hi to you. Please let me know your name where you’re from.

I believe you have what it takes. You may just not have the tools…at least not yet. Click on the pic above to get instant access to my free 7-day system for creating your killer book idea.

( And if you know someone else who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post.)