EDUCATION

How to Be an Effective Ghostwriter

The author recounts a moment where they were met with surprise and confusion from their family members after describing their profession as a freelance ghostwriter. The family members had a difficult time understanding the concept of freelance writing and were shocked to learn that the author writes content on behalf of others. Some even questioned the legality and ethics of the practice. The author, however, takes pride in their work as a ghostwriter. They view it as a demonstration of trust from their clients, who rely on them not only to translate their thoughts into words, but to do so in a way that reflects their unique voice. This is a challenging task, and the author acknowledges that it is a highly valued ghostwriting service, allowing them to charge a higher rate. They are not ashamed of their profession, and feel that ghostwriting services are where they are truly in their element. One of the benefits of ghostwriting services is that it often involves a deeper level of client interaction. The more the author can get to know their clients or at least speak to them, the better they can reflect their voice in their writing. This has allowed the author to work with fascinating entrepreneurs and business leaders, who have shared their personal struggles and lessons learned while running their businesses. Overall, the author encourages anyone who is interested in ghostwriting to pursue it. To help those starting out, they offer five pieces of advice to improve their ghostwriting skills. Despite the initial confusion and skepticism from their family members, the author is proud of their profession and the unique challenges and rewards that come with being a ghostwriter.

1- Listen More Speak Less

The advice provided in this passage appears to be sound and applicable in most situations. Engaging in dialogue does not necessarily lead to acquiring knowledge, whereas listening intently has a higher likelihood of yielding valuable information. Writing on behalf of someone else requires mastering the art of emulating their unique communication style, particularly for clients who struggle with writing or speaking eloquently. Despite not being tasked with producing mediocre writing or employing elementary language, it is still imperative to accurately reflect the client’s personality in your writing. Depending on the nature of the project, this might entail conveying their sense of humor, sharing personal anecdotes, or articulating their viewpoint. To accomplish this, one must first comprehend what their perspective is. While most clients might send their brief in writing, it is advisable to schedule a one-hour call beforehand to seek clarity on the instructions and learn more about the client’s personality. Even if the instructions are straightforward, taking the time to communicate with them will help in building a rapport. It’s up to the writer to gauge the level of familiarity and cordiality to display during interactions. If the task involves writing an informal piece, pay attention to the client’s humor, the frequency of their jokes, and the subject matter. To gain insight into their sense of humor, ask questions and listen actively. For a more formal, business-related article, inquire about their opinions, listen for how they structure their arguments, determine their priorities, and how they arrived at their conclusions. Avoid making assumptions about what their answers might be and instead ask open-ended questions while actively listening.

2- Be Tolerant

It is crucial to remember that when writing on behalf of a client, your objective is not to express your personal opinions, but rather to convey the client’s stance. Even if you may not agree with their views, it is essential to accept that and be prepared to ‘agree to disagree.’ However, contrary to popular belief, being in disagreement with a client is not always a negative thing. In fact, it can be advantageous because it provides insight into potential rebuttals that readers may have. By sharing these with the client, you can strengthen their argument and enhance the persuasiveness of the piece. Similarly, if you find it challenging to relate to a particular story, it might be useful to find an analogy or a metaphor that appeals to a broader audience. You can also rephrase a joke to make it more tasteful and less contentious. Utilizing your differences to your advantage will improve your writing skills and help you develop more compelling content.

3- Build a Growth Mindset

If you aspire to be a successful ghostwriter, you must comprehend that it is not a one-time gig, and you will have to write for various clients. Each client will have a distinct personality, experience, perspective, and expression style. Thus, to be a proficient ghostwriter, you must be adaptable and tailor your writing to cater to their unique characteristics. There are two strategies I find useful to achieve this. The first is consuming diverse content. It implies reading a wide variety of literature, including non-fiction books by American men about organizational behavior, novels authored by Indian women set in India, and watching documentaries about extreme sports, as well as reality-TV cooking shows. The broader range of content you consume, the more versatile your writing will become. The second technique may sound odd, but it works for me. I do not want to bother my clients with frequent questions, as they employ me to make their lives easier. Therefore, during our first conversation, I attempt to recognize who the client reminds me of, such as a friend, family member, or a fictional TV character. This identification helps me understand their personality and how they would articulate their views. For instance, if I ever get stuck on expressing a specific point, I can ask myself, “What would Kate Hudson say?” This approach assists me in creating a voice that resonates with the client and their intended audience.

4- Stay Updated

When it comes to ghostwriting servicesfor corporate clients, it’s important to keep in mind that the projects can be lengthy and require a significant investment of time and effort, sometimes spanning several months. If your assignment involves writing a business article that is specific to a certain industry, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments and trends that might impact your client and their work. Even if you don’t have prior experience or expertise in that particular field, it’s your responsibility as a skilled ghostwriter to proactively seek out this information and ask your client for their insights. After all, your goal isn’t simply to offer your own analysis of the situation, but to effectively convey your client’s unique perspective and expertise. To stay on top of industry trends, it’s a good idea to regularly read publications and news sources that cover the field, attend relevant events or conferences, and ask your client to provide you with any updates or information that may be relevant to your work. By staying informed and engaged, you can ensure that your writing is always informed, insightful, and reflective of your client’s expertise and voice.

5- Enhance Efficiency

When it comes to the craft of ghostwriting, maintaining confidentiality is of utmost importance. The very essence of ghostwriting is that the client assumes the role of the author while the ghostwriter is the one who actually creates the work. Therefore, divulging information about the client’s identity or the specifics of the project would entirely defeat the purpose of ghostwriting. While it may seem like a simple task to keep quiet about such matters, there have been instances where previous ghostwriters accidentally sent the wrong work to their clients. To prevent such errors from occurring, it is recommended to use a separate pen drive for each client’s work. After completing a project, it is safe to transfer the work to a personal computer or a shared drive. However, for ongoing projects that require frequent back-and-forth communication, it is best to keep the work completely separate from any other clients to avoid confusion and maintain confidentiality.

For all the aspiring writers out there, I strongly urge you to consider trying your hand at ghostwriting. This particular form of writing can be both exhilarating and challenging, offering a unique creative outlet that allows for interactive collaboration. The most satisfying aspect of ghostwriting, however, is the sense of reward that comes with helping clients who are unable to write due to time constraints or lack of writing proficiency. As a ghostwriter, you have the power to amplify their ideas and enable them to reach a broader audience that they would not have otherwise had access to. It is an experience that you can take great pride in, as you are helping others achieve their goals and share their insights with the world. So, if you are seeking a new writing challenge that combines creativity and reward, give Write4Glory a chance, and you may just find a new passion.