What is Ghost Writer? (& How to Become)

Ever heard people saying they’re a ghostwriter and wondered, “What is a ghostwriter?”

You can be the real author of a book, an article writer,  a story writer, or maybe a blog post creator. End of the day, your hard work will be yours alone, as the work you have done will be marketed online under another person or an agency’s name. The one who takes the credit will be called the credited author.

Ghostwriting is a widespread practice, especially for celebrities, politicians, business leaders, and others who wish to publish their ideas but don’t have the time or writing skills to create the content themselves.

In this article, you’ll explore everything you need to know about ghostwriting, including what it is, the benefits, how to become a ghostwriter, and how much money you can make.

What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a writer who is hired to author books, articles, stories, blog posts, scripts, screenplays, and any other texts that will be credited to another person. The ghostwriter does the research and writing, while the credited author provides the ideas, stories, and basic subject matter.

Ghostwriters work either directly for individual clients or are contracted by ghostwriting firms and literary agencies. Their role is to turn the credited author’s ideas into well-written, compelling content while making the writing seem like the credited author’s own style and voice.

Skilled ghostwriters are adept researchers who can immerse themselves in the credited author’s subject matter and capture their tone, perspective, and knowledge on the page. The writing must align with the credited author’s ideas, opinions, and technical expertise. At the same time, the writing has to be engaging and readable for the intended audience.

Benefits of Being a Ghostwriter

If you love to write and can immerse yourself in diverse subjects and writing styles, ghostwriting can be a rewarding career. Some key benefits of ghostwriting include:

• Variety of projects: As a ghostwriter, no two projects are alike. You could be writing about business one week and pop culture or travel adventures the next. Every project brings new subject matter to dive into.
• Flexibility: Many ghostwriters work as freelancers, meaning they get to set their hours and work location. Ghostwriting lets you have a flexible schedule and work from anywhere.
• New challenges: Ghostwriting requires you to become an instant “expert” on each new subject you tackle. The research process is exciting as you constantly learn about new topics and ideas.
• Skills improvement: Being exposed to different writing styles and subjects will rapidly improve your research, writing, and editing skills. Ghostwriting flexes different creative muscles.
• Competitive rates: Skilled ghostwriters can earn excellent hourly rates, especially if they work for high-end clients like celebrities and executives. Many ghostwriters earn over $50 per hour.
• Side income: Ghostwriting can be a lucrative side gig in addition to a regular job. The flexible hours make it easy to moonlight as a ghostwriter outside of work hours.
• See your work published: Even though ghostwriters don’t get a byline, it’s rewarding to see your work come to life in published books, blogs, articles, and scripts.
• Work from anywhere: Most ghostwriting projects can be done remotely via phone and email. As long as you have your laptop, you can work from a home office, coffee shop, or even while traveling.

Why do Businesses Use Ghostwriters?

While ghostwriting may seem deceptive, there are many practical reasons why businesses, CEOs, celebrities, politicians, and thought leaders use ghostwriters:

• Lack of writing skills: Even brilliant people may not be skilled writers capable of translating their ideas into an engaging book or article. Ghostwriters provide writing expertise.
• Tight deadlines: Ghostwriters can quickly produce high-quality content even on a tight deadline, freeing up the credited author.
• Establish authority: Having a book helps establish someone as an industry authority and expert. Writing a book alone is difficult for busy executives.
• Consistent brand voice: Ghostwriters learn the client’s tone and perspective to write content that aligns with their brand voice.
• Lack of time: High-profile figures often don’t have 20 hours a week to dedicate to writing. It’s faster and easier to share ideas with a ghostwriter.
• Specialize in niche subjects: Ghostwriter allows clients to publish specialized content on topics like finance, technology, biographies, or other niches.
• Outsource research: Ghostwriters handle the time-intensive work of research, interviews, and information gathering needed to write an authoritative book.
• Confidentiality: Ghostwriters sign non-disclosure agreements to protect a client’s privacy. Clients can share confidential stories and details.

While critics view ghostwriting as unethical, it allows more ideas and stories to be shared with the world. The credited author still provides the foundational subject matter expertise.

How to Become a Ghostwriter?

If you’re interested in pursuing ghostwriting, here are some tips for getting started:

1. Have excellent writing skills  

Ghostwriting requires strong writing ability across different styles and topics. Take time to develop excellent grammar, vocabulary, and composition skills. 

Build a diverse portfolio of writing samples like magazine articles, blog posts, short stories, and non-fiction pieces. Practice writing in different tones and voices to showcase your versatility. Becoming a skilled, flexible writer takes dedication, but it’s crucial for ghostwriting success.

2. Choose a niche 

It’s easier to establish yourself if you focus on an area of specialty knowledge like business, self-help, health, or technology. Research popular niches and identify the ones you have an interest in and aptitude in. 

Take on projects in your chosen niche as you’re getting started. Over time, you can expand into other verticals once you have experience.

3. Learn interviewing techniques 

As a ghostwriter, you’ll need to interview your clients extensively to understand their perspectives, ideas, motives, and vision for the project. 

Practice open-ended questioning, probing, and active listening skills. Record interviews so you can reference them as you write. Studying interview techniques used by journalists is great preparation.

4. Study successful books in the genre 

Dissect how top-selling books in your chosen niche engage readers. Analyze the tone, language, structure, pacing, and storytelling techniques used by masters of the genre. Deconstruct what makes their books so compelling and apply those lessons to your ghostwriting.

5. Develop research skills 

Ghostwriting requires extensive research to flesh out the details and back up any claims in the content. Practice researching various topics quickly and efficiently. 

Learn how to find reliable sources, conduct interviews with experts, aggregate data, and immerse yourself in unfamiliar subject matter. Strong research skills allow you to provide authoritative content.

6. Find clients 

Reach out to entrepreneurs, CEOs, politicians, professors, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals who may benefit from collaborating with a ghostwriter to share their ideas or stories. 

Attend industry events, network online and offline, pitch your services, respond to job boards, and ask for referrals to build up your client list.

7. Sign agreements 

Always sign a ghostwriting agreement or contract detailing your pay, byline, credits, deadline, rights to the work, confidentiality standards, and other expectations. Legal documentation protects both you and the client. Never begin work without an agreement.

8. Ask for referrals 

As you complete projects, ask satisfied clients if they can refer you to associates, colleagues, or contacts that may also need ghostwriting services. Referrals will quickly grow your client base since they come pre-endorsed. Offer referral incentives to happy clients.

With persistence and stellar writing skills, you can build a successful career as a professional ghostwriter.

How Much Can You Earn as a Ghostwriter?

Earnings for ghostwriters vary greatly depending on your experience level and types of clients:

• Entry-level: Beginner ghostwriters can expect to earn $20-30 per hour. Rates may be on the lower end when first building your portfolio.
• Mid-level: Ghostwriters with a few years of experience under their belt can earn approximately $30-50 per hour. These rates apply when working for less established authors and smaller companies.
• High-end: For ghostwriting entire books or scripts for celebrities, politicians, CEOs, and major brands, rates of $50-80+ per hour are common among top ghostwriting firms.
• Per project: Some ghostwriters charge per project rather than an hourly rate. Rates can range from $5,000-$20,000+ for authoring a book. Articles may fetch several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on length and complexity.
• Royalties: For ghostwriting bestselling books, you may be able to negotiate ongoing royalty payments based on sales, typically between 1-10%. For commercially successful works, royalties can mean substantial long-term earnings.

The more specialized expertise you have and the bigger your client’s platform, the higher rates you can charge for your ghostwriting services. Developing a reputation and portfolio as an expert in a profitable niche is key for commanding top-tier ghostwriting rates. Consistently delivering excellent writing for clients will help you quickly increase your fees.

Also Read:

• Rhetorical Strategies To Engage Your Audience
• Handpicked Books On Writing
• Mechanics of Writing For Effective Writing

Concluding Notes: What is a Ghost Writer?

Ghostwriting is an interesting career path that allows skilled writers to work flexibly while helping influential figures share their ideas with the world. Ghostwriters provide the research and writing talent, while the credited author supplies the vision.

Becoming an expert ghostwriter takes dedication to hone your writing skills and build a diverse portfolio. Choose a profitable niche, pitch clients, and continually expand your knowledge base. With hard work, you can earn excellent rates writing for executives, thought leaders, celebrities, and major brands.

Ghostwriting requires adaptability as every project brings new subjects to dive into. If you love writing, researching, and working behind the scenes to bring other people’s stories to life, a rewarding career as a ghostwriter may be perfect for you. Work flexibly while getting paid to sharpen your skills.

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