Ghostwriting: A How-To Guide for Beginner Writers (2024)

"A ghostwriter is like a chameleon, adapting to different styles and voices to create a seamless narrative." - Roz Morris, ghostwriter and author.

A chameleon – I felt exactly like one when I immersed myself in the world of ghostwriting in 2021 and 2022. My family started calling me a walking encyclopedia when I couldn't settle into one topic niche but explored them all.

My brain felt like it was exploding with all the different voices I had to emulate and the countless facts I had accumulated. I covered everything from journeying into the world of data analytics to exploring the benefits of petroleum jelly.

While ghostwriting can be a fascinating adventure, it is also a good way to turn your writing skills into a profitable career. This guide covers everything you need to know to begin your ghostwriting journey.

Contents:

1. What is Ghostwriting?

2. Why do People Need Ghostwriters?

3. Famous People Who Used Ghostwriters

4. What Are the Most Popular Ghostwritten Content Types?

5. A Deeper Look into the Difference Between Articles and Books

6. Getting Started as a Ghostwriter

7. What Not to Do as a Ghostwriter

8. Where Can a New Writer Find Ghostwriting Jobs?

9. How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid?

10. Resources

11. Final Thoughts

What is Ghostwriting?

Ghostwriting is the practice of writing for someone else, usually for a fee, and not receiving credit for your work. In other words, you write content that is attributed to your client.

It's a good way for new freelance writers to enter the market and practice their writing skills.

Many busy professionals and high-profile individuals require quality content to promote their businesses and brands. Ghostwriters are often hired to write blog posts, articles, social media content, speeches, and even books.

I read somewhere that more than 50% of non-fiction books on the bestseller lists have ghostwriters hidden behind their covers. Some in the industry say it's possible that this number could be as high as 90%. Does this surprise you?

Read on to find out why these numbers could be so high.

Why do People Need Ghostwriters?

There are three main reasons why business professionals and authors choose to use ghostwriters.

1. Time Constraints

They don't have the time to do it themselves. Writing a book can be time-consuming, and for an author with a busy schedule, it may not be feasible to devote the necessary time and attention to writing a book. In such cases, a ghostwriter can be an excellent option, as they can take care of the writing process while the author focuses on other aspects of their work or personal life.

Running a business can be incredibly time-consuming, leaving little time for writing a book. Hiring a ghostwriter allows a business person to focus on their core competencies while still having a book published under their name.

2. Lack of Writing Skills or Experience

Writing a book requires a certain level of skill and experience, and not all authors have the necessary writing skills to complete a book on their own. A ghostwriter can help in such cases by writing the book on the author's behalf while preserving the author's ideas and voice.

A poorly written blog can damage a business's reputation and credibility, but a professional ghostwriter can ensure the content is polished and error-free. A skilled ghostwriter can conduct research and write content relevant to the business's industry, target audience, and marketing goals.

3. Need for Objectivity

Writing a self-help book, for example, can be a very personal and emotional process, and an author may find it difficult to maintain objectivity when writing about their own experiences and ideas. A ghostwriter can help in such cases by providing an objective perspective and ensuring that the book is written in a way that will resonate with readers.

Famous People Who Used Ghostwriters

Many bestselling authors, celebrities, and public figures work with ghostwriters to help write their books, memoirs, or autobiographies.

• V.C. Andrews wrote the "Flowers in the Attic" series with ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman.

• George Lutz worked with ghostwriter Jay Anson on "The Amityville Horror."

• Miley Cyrus and Tori Spelling worked with Hilary Liftin to write their memoirs.

• Siobhan Curham had Zoella (Zoe Sugg) help her write the novel "Girl Online."

• Richard Branson partnered with Edward Whitely to produce "Losing My Virginity."

• Wayne Rooney collaborated with Hunter Davies and Chris Hunt to write his books.

• J.R Moehringer, the highest paid ghostwriter in the business, penned Prince Harry's memoir.

• Ghostwriter Daniel Paisner has ghostwritten over 50 books for celebrities, including Serena Williams and Denzel Washington.

These are just a few examples, but there are many more ghostwriters out there who have worked on a wide range of projects, from novels and memoirs to speeches and articles.

According to some academics, even Shakespeare couldn't keep up with his own genius; he used a ghostwriter for some of his works!

Did Shakespeare use a ghostwriter? That is the question.

What Are the Most Popular Ghostwritten Content Types?

Ghostwriting is a versatile service that can be applied to a wide range of content types. Some of the most popular ghostwritten content types include:

Books: Ghostwriting books, especially memoirs, autobiographies, and self-help books, is one of the most common types of ghostwriting. This includes both traditional print books and e-books.

Blog posts and articles: Many companies and individuals hire ghostwriters to create regular blog posts and articles for their websites or social media channels. These posts can cover a wide range of topics and industries.

Social media posts: Some businesses and individuals hire ghostwriters to create posts for their social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. George Takei, known for his role in Star Trek, has a ghostwriter penning his Facebook and Twitter posts.

Scripts and screenplays: Ghostwriters may also write scripts for YouTube videos, podcasts, television shows, movies, or other forms of media.

Song Lyrics: Yes, even rappers and other artists in the music world commission ghostwriters to write for them. Nas ghostwrote Will Smith's classic 'Gettin Jiggy Wit It.' Bruno Mars was the writer behind Adele's "All I Ask."

Speeches: Political figures, business leaders, and other public figures often hire ghostwriters to create speeches for them to deliver at events or on television. Barack Obama, well known for his eloquent speeches, had speech writer Jonathan Favreau composing his speeches.

White papers: Companies may hire ghostwriters to create detailed reports or white papers on industry trends, new technologies, or other topics of interest to their audience.

Academic papers: Some academics may hire ghostwriters to help them write research papers or other academic documents.

Other content types: emails, newsletters, web copy, case studies, and online course material.

Some ghostwriters specialize in more than one genre or content type. For instance, I ghostwrite SEO articles and self-help books.

A Deeper Look into the Difference Between Articles and Books

Ghostwriting for articles and books requires strong writing skills and the ability to research and organize information effectively, but there are significant differences in length, format, and style.

Articles are shorter pieces of writing that can range from a few hundred to a few thousand words. They are written for online publications or magazines and are intended to inform, entertain, or persuade readers on a specific topic.

Ghostwritten articles are more focused on providing useful information to readers and require some research and expertise in the topic area.

Books are much longer and more complex than articles. Ghostwritten books can be anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of words long and are often written in a narrative format.

Ghostwritten books can take several months or even years to complete and may require extensive research, multiple interviews with the author, and collaboration with publishers and editors.

Books are also typically more personal and reflective than articles, as they are often written in the author's voice and tell a story or share insights into the author's life or work.

Getting Started as a Ghostwriter

If you are considering becoming a ghostwriter, here are some tips to help you get started:

Find Your Niche

Like any other freelance writing career, finding a niche in which you excel is important. Specializing in a particular area will allow you to charge higher rates and make marketing your services easier.

When I began my ghostwriting adventure, I explored a range of niches until I found the ones that interested me the most, and I focused on those.

Experience and Skillset

You don't need ghostwriting experience, but you should have writing experience, research skills, and some editing skills. Be capable of interviewing people and be able to write on a variety of topics. Read widely to become familiar with different types of texts and styles.

Being adaptable and able to write in a variety of styles is crucial to success in this field.

Network

Building relationships with potential clients is crucial to building a successful ghostwriting career. The best way to find clients is through networking.

Attend industry events, join writing groups, and connect with professionals in your niche on LinkedIn.

Practice Confidentiality

Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of ghostwriting. Your clients trust you with their personal and professional information, and it's crucial that you maintain their trust by keeping all information confidential.

You can only disclose who your clients are or display their work in your portfolio if you get their permission first.

Understand Your Client's Voice

Voice refers to the style, tone, and personality of the writing; it's what makes the writing unique and engaging. As a ghostwriter, you need to be able to write in a way that sounds like your client wrote the content.

Finding the right voice for a piece of writing can be challenging, especially for new writers. One way to do this is to review your client's previous writing to get a sense of their writing style. You can also ask your client about their preferred writing style and any specific tone or voice they want to convey.

It's essential to remember that you're writing for your client's audience, not your own. This means you need to adapt your writing style to suit the audience you're writing for. For example, if you're writing for a more formal business audience, you may need to use more professional language.

Ultimately, finding the right voice takes practice and experimentation. With time and experience, you'll develop the skills and confidence to write in a variety of voices and styles, making you a more versatile and valuable ghostwriter. (Welcome to the world of chameleons.)

"The best ghostwriters are the ones who can capture the voice and style of the person they are writing for." - Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter and author.

What Not to Do as a Ghostwriter

If you are new to the ghostwriting niche, here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

1. Do not expect credit for your work.

2. Do not brag about your clients or showcase their work.

3. Do take pride in your work even if your name is not on it.

4. Do not accept low rates. Never undersell yourself.

5. Do negotiate with clients for a fair rate.

6. Do not jump into ghostwriting without fully understanding what a ghostwriter does.

7. Do create original content at all times. Never copy and paste work attributed to others. This is a form of plagiarism.

Where Can a New Writer Find Ghostwriting Jobs?

There are several ways for a new writer to find ghostwriting jobs:

Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow freelancers to create profiles and bid on ghostwriting jobs that clients post.

Job boards: Websites like Indeed and Glassdoor have job listings for ghostwriters. You can also sign up for email alerts for new job postings.

Referrals: Ask friends, family, or colleagues if they know of anyone who needs a ghostwriter.

Social media: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to network with potential clients and showcase your writing skills.

Ghostwriting agencies: There are agencies that specialize in ghostwriting services, and you can reach out to them and submit your writing samples for consideration.

Publishers: Many publishing companies hire ghostwriters to provide an additional service option to their authors.

Guest posting: Showcase your writing skills and grow your portfolio by writing guest posts on blogs.

Ghostwriting jobs can be competitive, so it's important to have a strong portfolio, excellent writing skills, and good communication skills to succeed in this field. Additionally, get used to the fact that you won't receive credit for the work you do, as ghostwriting is a confidential service.

How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid?

The payment for ghostwriters can vary widely based on the complexity of the project, the length of the work, the expertise and experience of the ghostwriter, and the type of publication or medium.

Ghostwriters can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per project.

For example, a ghostwriter working on a short e-book or long-form blog article may earn between $500 to $2,000, while ghostwriting a full-length non-fiction book could pay anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 or more.

The payment for ghostwriting a memoir or autobiography can also vary widely, ranging from $5,000 to over $50,000 (for celebrity ghostwriters).

Many ghostwriters work on a project basis, charging a flat fee for their services, while others may charge by the hour. Some ghostwriters may also receive a percentage of royalties or profits generated from the work they helped create, particularly for larger book projects.

On freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, blog article rates range from $5 to $50 or more for a short blog post. When searching for jobs on freelance platforms, it is important to keep in mind that $5 and even $10 is not a fair fixed price rate for a blog article.

Ultimately, the payment for ghostwriting work depends on various factors, and ghostwriters must negotiate a fair rate for their skills and experience.

Resources

In addition to this how-to guide, here are some other ways you can learn about ghostwriting:

Books and articles: The Freelance Writer's Handbook by Andrew Crofts and Secrets of a Ghostwriter by Isabel Wolf.

Online Courses: Find courses that teach the fundamentals of ghostwriting on popular platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, and Masterclass.

Professional Organisations: Joining a professional organization such as the Association of Ghostwriters is a great way to network with other ghostwriters.

Online forums and communities: Connect with other ghostwriters and share tips and advice through online communities such as the r/Ghostwriting subreddit.

Mentorship programs: Some experienced ghostwriters offer mentorship programs to aspiring writers. Look on platforms such as LinkedIn. Some may even be in your network.

Final Thoughts

Ghostwriting is an important and often misunderstood specialization in the writing industry. Many people have heard of ghostwriting but may not fully understand what it entails. In essence, ghostwriting involves writing content for someone else without receiving credit.

Ghostwriters work behind the scenes to help their clients convey their ideas and messages effectively, often adapting their writing style to match that of their clients.

To become a successful ghostwriter, you must have excellent writing skills, a strong understanding of the subject matter, and the ability to adapt to different writing styles and tones. Some of the most popular types of ghostwritten content include books, blog posts, articles, speeches, white papers, social media posts, and scripts.

If you want to become a ghostwriter, there are several ways to find job opportunities, including networking, freelance websites, and job boards. While ghostwriting can be a lucrative career, it is important to remember that confidentiality and professionalism are essential to success in this field.

"A ghostwriter is a professional who can write anything, anytime, anywhere." - Noreen Wald, ghostwriter and author.

Shamila Iyer - Author, writer, and writing coach.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with other aspiring writers who would like to enter the ghostwriting niche.

Want to learn more about my journey into ghostwriting or how I can help you with your writing? Schedule a call to chat about your needs.