Turn Your Writing Skill into a Ghostwriting Career

by Cris Yeager
DIGITAL MEDIA GHOST
Ghostwriting

When you talk to different ghostwriters, you will find both people who love their work and those who dislike certain parts of it—not the job itself. Ghostwriting is an interesting way to earn money, creating a steady stream of income through books, blog posts, articles and more. The business is cutthroat, and your services are in constant demand but seldom appreciated. 

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But if you’re up to the challenge of becoming a ghostwriter, here's how you can easily transition from a writer to a ghostwriter as you decide whether it is the path for you.
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“If you have one hour to chop down a tree, spend the first 45 minutes sharpening your ax.”
— Abraham Lincoln​

The same principle applies to writers who want to transition into ghostwriting—by making yourself more attractive before becoming a ghostwriter in high demand. That way, you're actually earning an income while sharpening your writing skills, so that when you're ready, you can turn those earnings into more lucrative ones as an established ghostwriter. Here's how to do it!

Why become a ghostwriter?
Becoming a ghostwriter, even if it can be lucrative, is not all about the money. If you have extensive knowledge of your chosen subject matter, ghostwriting can be a lot of fun! For example, if you like to write horror movies but don't have time to write them, someone with your skill might want your help in finishing their screenplay. Some writers see ghostwriting as an opportunity to expand their craft and at the same time help other writers achieve success.

It's faster to get paid for writing for someone else rather than writing for yourself if you want to make money. That should be the best reason ever to make the move into ghostwriting!
Let's take a look at the good and bad aspects of ghostwriting...

The good

• You have plenty of opportunities to make money. If you're willing to take on quick jobs for lower pay, you can do that. It is also possible to specialize over time if you're interested in making a long-term investment in your career. As a result, you may be able to raise your rates over time while maintaining consistency. Some writers have even been lucky enough to reach celebrity status after putting in years of hard work and earning their own name recognition. And in doing so, it is a lot easier for them to publish their work as an individual as opposed to under a different person's name.
• Ghostwriting isn't a typical job. Whether it's traveling to an interview, doing research, drafting, or rewriting a chapter, there is always something new to do. However, sometimes you won't know your chosen specialty ahead of time, your lecture topic can never be predetermined.
• If you want to make money from it, it's less stressful than many other jobs; if it's a hobby or a side job, the workload is much less. You don't need to arrive early, stay late, or attend unscheduled meetings. You decide when and how long to work. Freedom is found in writing for others. Although there are deadlines to be met, they are typically not as strict as the ones at most other companies.

The bad 

• Ghostwriters are often paid on a per-project basis, which can be both positive and negative. On one hand, it’s nice to get paid for your time but not so nice when the project takes a while. Here's the rule of thumb: Get paid up-front or at least half when the project is picked up and then the rest upon delivery. But...don't spend that money! Why? Because what if something happens and you can't refund the money?
• Additionally, some clients will try to get something from you, asking you to do their project for less than what you were supposed to or asking for you to do extra tasks outside of your agreement with them. It's important to find good clients who will pay well and will respect your time as much as they respect theirs!
• As a ghostwriter, it can be challenging to maintain a healthy ego. Ghostwriters are often approached to write content that may not be hard but is outside their specialization and comfort zone. It can be great for learning new skills, but it can also be challenging to decide when to say no. Establishing boundaries is an important skill in any business, but especially in ghostwriting. From the beginning, establish clear boundaries with clients and respect them.
• Oftentimes, ghostwriters don't get the credit they deserve and this is either an appeal or deterrent depending on the individual. Writing is a skill, but the client is the author. It's a fact you have to accept.

How to get started
You should first decide what type of work you want to do as a ghostwriter. This could mean writing specific types of content. As soon as you know what type of idea you want to pitch, look for editors and publishers by networking with industry professionals and by submitting your pitch to the people in charge. The publishing world is quite small and that should help to find those people that know what they're talking about, editors looking for new talent, and freelance writers in search of their next job. Don't expect to earn money right away—finding clients takes time.

Knowing everything about your client helps you capture their voice. Get to know them like no one else: Determine their goals, their personality, their interests, etc. so that you can write for them in a way that sounds as if they are speaking directly to the reader. Authenticity is something every publisher strives for from ghostwriters. Know that some clients will have already written down what they want from you, and others will not be quite prepared. Questions should be asked, questions answered, and an understanding of expectations, timelines, and deadlines discussed before beginning any project with a new client to ensure everyone is on the same page. Something every publisher wants from a ghostwriter!

Go ahead and ghostwrite!
The ghostwriting industry can be challenging because there is an unlimited amount of work available but limited work in each niche. Despite this, there are ways for you to get your foot in the door and begin learning how it all works. In your career, you'll learn how to write proposals, pitch yourself as an expert in certain areas, manage projects from beginning to end and work with difficult clients who may not pay or provide necessary feedback.

For people who take this job very seriously and intend to do it in the long term, the importance of staying organized cannot be overstated. A way to do this is to keep a task list with all ongoing projects, deadlines, and deliverables. With this tactic in place, you'll be able to focus on what really matters while paying attention to any impending deadlines that may lead to a problem later on.

Before looking for a job, make sure you become familiar with all of these topics, especially pitching. You must get proposals right since your initial pitch to potential clients will be heavily reliant on them. To get hired, you should do research on how to structure proposals, and what goes into writing them. Client testimonials are another key factor in building your portfolio. You should include high praise from past clients in your proposal and use it when contacting future clients!

BEST ADVICE: Start a blog to showcase your writing talent! Post at least one high-quality, a unique post per week, on days when you have no client work due, so potential clients can see what you're capable of. As a result, you will develop an audience of interested readers who may turn into clients or testimonials later on; you will also build up a portfolio that showcases your writing abilities. You need to build relationships with potential clients and show them why they should hire you.

Get started if you know ghostwriting is for you!

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