Considering a Freelance Ghostwriter Career: Is It For You?

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Mike Hanski.

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One of the most popular and profitable forms of professional writing today is ghostwriting. And with good reason. Depending upon the project, client and associated budget, ghostwriters can garner pay that’s equivalent to a yearly 9 to 5 salary, for just one client.

And you can too, with the right skills and information.

But, before we address how to make money in this lucrative field, you’ll need to know some of the important basics. So, get those pencils ready.

What is Ghostwriting?

Simply put, ghostwriting is writing materials for a client without the benefit of a byline.

In other words, they get the credit and you get compensated for your time, effort and creativity. Think of it as “role playing” with words.

Who Uses Ghostwriters and Why?

According to Kelly James-Enger, noted ghostwriter and author of Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, “An estimated 80 % of celebrity authored books are ghost written.” She states further that “Ghost writers can make good money, even in today’s economy.” The figures reported are: book proposals going for $5000.00 to $10,000 and book projects starting at about $10,000.00. Some full-time ghostwriters boast six-figure incomes.

Ghostwriting services are provided to individuals and businesses for both professional and personal purposes.

Reasons Vary, but Here Are a Few Common Ones:

• Businesses – A busy executive or entrepreneur lacks the time and energy to produce his own articles, blog posts or information products. Yet realizes its importance in establishing his expertise, increasing his visibility, and broadening his customer base. Ghostwriter to the rescue! Many of these executives and bigwigs subscribe to the philosophy: “Publish or perish.”
• Individuals – A celebrity, “average Joe,” or activist wants to share his/her personal story; one that they feel has an important message of inspiration, highlights a significant social cause, or perhaps preserves their legacy for loved ones. The problem? Poor, ineffective communication skills (grammar, spelling, structure, etc.) So they contract a ghostwriter to polish their work and help with their publishing goals.

 Most Typical Projects

Ghostwriting gigs run the gamut. But, below are some of the most requested types of work the average “ghoster” will likely encounter:

• Books
• Articles and blog posts
• Essays
• Speeches
• Songs

Qualities of a Good Ghostwriter:

Here’s how to tell if you stand a “ghost of a chance” at becoming a successful ghostwriter:

• Are you a skilled researcher?
• Do you have the ability to listen well?
• Can you follow directions to the letter?
• Can you maintain confidentiality?
• Do you have a broad knowledge base or natural curiosity?
• Can you meet deadlines consistently?
• Do you take pride in doing a good job for others (even without getting the credit)?

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, you’re well on your way!

The Pros and Cons of Ghostwriting for Today’s Writers:

Author and entrepreneur, Mary Lou Kayser touts its virtues in stating the following: “Some people prefer ghostwriting because of its anonymous nature. For some writers, ghostwriting is the ultimate profession. They get paid to do what they love – write – while maintaining their privacy in an age when privacy is on the brink of extinction. Many ghostwriters make very good livings quietly penning for other people, and wouldn’t want to be in the spotlight if their lives depended on it.”

Here Are Some Additional Pros of Ghostwriting:

• Ghostwriting pays well – the more pay, the easier it is to escape the “feast or famine” cycle that is so common for writers. It also allows you to avoid content mills, and to be more selective in the clients you get to work with.
• Upfront pay – ghostwriting clients pay an initial down-payment to secure your services (the amount varies, depending upon what is initially contracted). No more waiting to be paid in 30-60 days for work you’ve already performed and provided.
• Meaningful work – ghostwriters have the opportunity to help individuals get their work out into the public arena, and potentially make a positive difference in the lives of others.
• Networking opportunities – partnering with business executives, celebrities, teachers and others often leads to more work and increased demand for your expertise.

Cons of Ghostwriting:

• Your work is done anonymously (without a byline).
• Work is not as abundant as other areas of writing comparatively.
• You can’t use your writing samples as clips, due to the nature of the work.

Things You’ll Need to Know When “Onboarding” New Clients:

To optimize your efforts, (and for everyone’s benefit) here are a few things you’ll need to address when you secure a client. Ideally, you should outline these areas in a formal agreement or written contract.

• The purpose of the project (to entertain, inspire, educate, etc.)
• Deadline for the project completion
• The target audience
• The desired “tone” and voice
• Word count
• Budget and covered expenses
• Contract deliverables and expectations (who does what and when)
• Method for gathering information ( interviews, research, meetings, emails, phone consultations?)
• Anything you’re unclear on, in terms of future direction

Best Practices and Principles for Success:

• Never perform work without a contract. However, “directives” in the form of an email, can also serve as proof of working conditions and terms. Just make sure to have it documented somehow.
• Never start work without an initial down payment. “Better safe than sorry.”
• Seek work through reputable sources. Places like Problogger, Writers Weekly, and Bloggingpro are a few suggestions here.

Take the “mystery” out of ghostwriting by applying the info, tips and strategies shared in today’s post.

When you read a blog post on a popular freelance or marketing blog there’s a chance it was written by Mike Hanski, who is a ghostwriter behind various online businesses. He also create content strategies and blogs on behalf of Bid4papers, where he shares his writing advice with students and job seekers.