The ghostwriting business is flourishing today. As the demand for content shows no signs of abating, ghost-written content tends to be highly valuable for business professionals who don’t have time to focus on content creation. But what is a ghostwriter? The name itself sure sounds intriguing. A ghostwriter works with a customer or client and transforms their ideas into well-written prose. There are generally two parties who are a part of this relationship. First is the ‘author’ who hires the services of a freelance writer to get content and takes the credit for it. The second is the ‘ghost’ or the freelance writer who gets paid in advance for completing a specific content task.
What Is a Ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a person who works with different customers to turn their vision or ideas into clear and appealing pieces of content. They don’t claim any credit for it. This is the major ghostwriter definition. These writers can work in two primary ways.
- Some ghostwriters take their client’s ideas, refine them, and give them a shape through the written word. Here, the client can even create much of the content and provide the ghostwriter with a rough draft of what they generated. The ghostwriter, then turns it into an appealing piece of text.
- There are also other ghostwriters who collect ideas for their customers. They do it by undertaking research and interviewing other people. They then write the information they have gathered under the supervision of the client. The client can decide whether they want to take the entire credit for the work or give some to the writer.
Although many people think that ghostwriting is associated only with books, this assumption is not true. Ghostwriters can create any type of content like articles, eBooks, and whitepapers. They can also write nonfiction books, book proposals, online content, and public speeches. Professional ghostwriters work hard to keep your unique brand voice and style. They ensure that the content they create fully showcases your personality.
Many people know what is ghostwriting but aren’t so sure about how it is different from co-authoring. The difference between them is quite simple. Co-authors are teams of authors who get acknowledged as authors of a particular work. It is not the case with a ghostwriter. Although they author work and get paid for it, they don’t get a byline. Only the author that’s named on the cover gets all the credit for it
Why Work with a Ghostwriter?
Now that you know what is a ghostwriter you can find the various reasons to hire one for your content needs. Ghostwriters are majorly employed because many business owners do not have sufficient time and creative writing skills to create various types of content for their services. Here are the significant scenarios where it makes a lot of sense to work with these writing experts.
1. You Lack Time to Create Content
Many people live a busy life, and there’s no space in their schedule to jot down ideas for their book or article. You might be visualizing a great story, but if you want to see it become a reality, you need to devote sufficient time to it. Time constraints prevent people from engaging in research and writing. That’s when ghostwriting proves as a godsent option.
2. You Lack Creative Skills
Often people may have a story in their mind but not the writing skills to communicate it properly. To create content, you need to possess brilliant writing skills. Whether it’s a fiction or a nonfiction story, it won’t garner the audience’s engagement without impeccable writing. That’s why people hire ghostwriters who are experienced in churning out successful stories.
3. You Need To Boost Your Content’s SEO
Another reason why people hire ghostwriters is when they want to enhance their business’s online visibility through SEO. Ghostwriters are up-to-date with Google’s algorithms. They also have the writing skills to create SEO-optimized content. They brainstorm ideas and draft SEO-friendly articles and blog posts. Additionally, ghostwriters also shape the branding and tone of marketing materials like websites, social media content, and the like.
4. Gain Time and Cost-Efficiency
A majority of ghostwriters provide their services at nominal fees. Beginner ghostwriters will charge as little as $12 to 15000 to write a book that’s 200 to 300 pages long. The established ones will charge significantly more. If you consider a ghostwriter’s charge and compare it with the cost that would accrue when you are writing something on your own, you’ll find the ghostwriter’s charge quite less.
5. Get a Variety of Short-Form Content
Short-form ghostwriting entails nonfiction, mainly essays, articles, speeches, and social media posts. Ghostwriters can craft memorable speeches and well-researched blog posts on various topics. In fact, most corporate blogs belonging to prominent personalities have content written by ghostwriters. Business owners who don’t have much time can easily outsource their requirements to these freelance writers.
How Can You Become a Ghostwriter?
After finding out what is a ghostwriter, you may be curious to know how to become one yourself. Well, to be a ghostwriter, you should have both excellent writing and listening skills. A good ghostwriter can translate their client’s voice into words that sound exactly like their client is speaking. Given below are some important tips for every person who wants to enter into this field.
1. Start by Becoming a Freelance Writer
To become a successful ghostwriter, it’s a wise idea to start as a freelance writer. Freelance writing forges your credibility. It is how you can get high-paying clients and benefit from a profitable ghostwriting career. Prospects can easily find your pieces and reach out to you for their projects. Ensure that you have a writer’s website so it can get the attention of potential clients. On your website, start showcasing your best works.
2. Develop a Network
You can attract potential clients only when you proactively build your network. Personal connections go a long way in making you land a gig. You also benefit from word of mouth when you meet the correct people. It won’t take long for new clients to seek your services.
3. Learn the Art of Writing for Someone else
Ghostwriters need to be fluid with their writing. You should be able to adjust your writing styles according to the needs of your customer. For instance, blogs require a conversational tone. But if your client needs their blog in a fully formal tone, you need to familiarize yourself with that style and follow it. It’s essential to write in the voice of the brand you are working for.
4. Gain Valuable Interviewing Skills
Ghostwriting jobs involve lengthy interviews between the client and the writer. Many ghostwriters and their customers go through the whole planned work chapter-by-chapter. Interviewing your customer will help you understand their needs to the best of your ability. It will thus help you create a work exactly how your customer has envisioned it.
Final Words
Being a ghostwriter can undoubtedly be a very lucrative career. Increasingly, many brands are hiring ghostwriters to publish different forms of content. If you are a business owner wanting to enhance your online presence through impeccable content, consider hiring reliable ghostwriting services. These services have experienced freelance writers who are adept at creating any kind of content imaginable. They will ensure that you get high-quality copies that appeal to your target audience.
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