Let’s not confuse “ghost”writing with “horror” writing. They’re two different things… usually.
Ghostwriting is the practice of paying one person to write something another person will take credit for it. If the writer is not paid, well, that’s usually plagiarism and I wouldn’t recommend it.
But ghostwriting, on the other hand can be a writer’s best friend… most of the time.
Ghostwriters can and are hired to write anything from books, to speeches, to resumes. For our purposes, let’s talk about ghostwriters that pen business articles. Pick up any magazine, especially a trade journal, and read an article “by” an influential industry executive. Though I don’t have hard and fast stats because most companies don’t publicize their use of ghostwriters, from my own career as a writer, I’d bet at least 80% of those articles have been written entirely or in part by a hired wordsmith.
Now, that’s not to say that the executive who gets the “By line” doesn’t influence the article: most times, when I write for someone, I start by interviewing them to get a feel for their personality and speech patterns. This also helps me get a basic understanding of the message they want to convey. However, I have to admit, I have seasoned some articles with tidbits of my own research and personal perspective, especially if the person I’m writing for is a real dud.
The best part of ghostwriting is the potential to make a consistent living from it. Not everyone can write well, and that includes the top dogs running corporations. They may be extremely smart and exceptionally savvy at their jobs, but that doesn’t mean they can write a sentence worth reading. Or, frankly, maybe they’re just too busy or otherwise uninterested in doing it. Not a problem. People like me will happily take the task off their hands.
Making Money
Depending on the company and the scope of the research you’re expected to sift through, a senior ghostwriter can earn roughly $1k – $2k per 1,000-word article. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It’s nothing to sneeze at.
The Ups
If you love to write, being someone’s hired pen is a pleasure. You get to build a story for readers to devour while earning a living and building a happy – and hopefully, repeat- relationship with clients. Personally, I find ghostwriting to be extremely educational. Since I begin by reading everything I can get my hands on. I become a virtual “expert” about what I’m writing, even if only until the final article is submitted and my short-term memory fades like chalk on a sidewalk. Plus, it’s lots of fun to interject the often-obscure facts you find into conversations at cocktail parties: when I was writing about Medicare prescription drug plans, I too particular pleasure in explaining the “donut hole” of coverage to anyone who’d listen – the more blank their stare, the more amused I became. Sad, I know.
The Downs
As for the downside of ghostwriting, it is two-fold. First, if you have an “author” who is unpleasant, indecisive, or just plain dense, you may feel reluctant to promote them to the world-at-large when you do not feel they deserve reader respect or even a smidgen of additional success. Sometimes, it is hard to grin and bear it.
But, even harder, is when you do a lot of ghostwriting – stuff you are really proud of – and the client swears you to secrecy. Not only do you get no obvious credit for doing top-notch work, but you also miss out on the chance to puff up your portfolio with pieces that would really Wow a prospect. Talk about humble pie. Ghostwriting is no place for egos.
If ghostwriting still sounds like something you’d like to do, the following 5 Tips for Ghostwriting Success will help you get started.
4. Keep your word count in mind. If they ask for 500 words, don’t deliver 1000. If they asked for 1000, don’t come in with 750. Rule of thumb: if you have to err, err on the side of too long rather than too short. It’s a lot easier to cut than to add.
5. Mum’s the word. Before you sign on to do the piece, make sure you know if you are expected to keep your identity a secret. Some companies are sticklers about this. Make sure you read all confidentiality agreements before you sign. If, on the other hand, you’re allowed to use the articles for self-promotion, make sure the client knows you would like to have a reprint of the article once it is published. You may have to pay a few dollars for it, but it is worth having your words in a professional layout, as opposed to a Word document.
Looking to hire a ghostwriter?
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