Tips on How to Add Ghostwritten Projects to Your Portfolio

As a ghostwriter, you can use your portfolio to showcase ghostwritten projects.

FAQ: How do I showcase my ghostwritten projects in my portfolio?

Content writers new to the freelance world often pop up in my LinkedIn DMs seeking guidance on how to get started as a freelance writer.

One of the topics that frequently comes up in our discussions centers around building a credible portfolio.

Many new freelance writers I chat with began their writing careers as ghostwriters on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. In most cases, they have nothing else to use to build up their portfolios, so they would like to find some way of including their ghostwritten projects.

The problem: They are not the authors credited with the writing projects they work on, which makes it difficult to add the projects to their portfolios.

If you find yourself in this conundrum, read on to find out how you can showcase your ghostwriting projects in your portfolio without running into problems with your clients.

But before we dive into how to add your ghostwritten projects to your portfolio, let's look at some other questions that need answers first.

Do I have to have a portfolio?

Yes. As a freelance writer, it helps to have a portfolio to showcase your writing. Clients prefer to see samples of your written work before hiring you. Having your writing samples in a portfolio is one of the most efficient ways of presenting them.

There are many free online sites available to help you build a good digital portfolio. Some are easier to use than others. Do your comparison research thoroughly and choose the one that best suits the work you want to display.

Check out sites like:

1. Journo Portfolio – Specifically designed to create digital portfolios and easy to use. This site offers pre-built templates and supports a high level of customization.

2. Clippings.me – A highly visual, free portfolio maker used primarily by journalists and writers.

3. About.me – Create a personalized homepage highlighting who you are and what you do. Used by freelancers and entrepreneurs to grow their audience. Offers free and paid plans.

4. Squarespace – Offers template options for portfolios and add-ons for selling products and services.

5. Behance – A social media platform that allows you to showcase your work for free. Connect to your Adobe Portfolio. Used mostly by designers but hosts all creatives.

6. Wix – An all-in-one website builder similar to WordPress, which allows you to build your site for free. The site offers both free and paid plan options. Easy to use and navigate. Free templates.

7. WordPress – A website-building site similar to Wix. Popular with bloggers. It offers over 1000 themes and templates to help you build your portfolio. Includes free and paid plan options.

8. Adobe Portfolio – Create your portfolio or build a personalized website to showcase your work. Free if you have a Creative Cloud subscription.

When building your portfolio, include a diverse range of your work. This will demonstrate your versatility as a writer and give potential clients a comprehensive view of your capabilities.

Remember to update your portfolio regularly as you gain more experience and add new projects.

Can I display ghostwritten work in my portfolio, and how do I do that?

You can display your ghostwritten projects on your portfolio page. However, you must always consider your confidentiality and legal agreements with your clients before doing so.

An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is a legally binding document that creates a confidential relationship between you and your client.

Ghostwriting projects are typically conducted under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), so it's important to verify if you can showcase them publicly.

No NDA? You will still need to request permission directly from the client to display parts of the work or links to blog articles. Remember, the work belongs to your client, not you.

What if I cannot get hold of the client, or they don't give me permission?

In that case, here are a few ways you can work around this problem:

1. Use general descriptions: Provide a general overview of the project and the type of work you did without disclosing specific details or the client's name.

2. Showcase the genre/niche: Mention the genre of the book you worked on without revealing the title or the author's name. The same goes for the subject area or niche of the article you worked on.

3. Share the results: Highlight the book's success, such as whether it was a bestseller or received great reviews or if your blog article garnered many views or positive feedback. If it ranked high on Google's first page, definitely mention this.

4. Use before and after examples: Display excerpts of the writing before and after editing or rewriting without revealing the client's name or the book or blog's title. Use screenshots.

5. Create a page for ghostwritten projects: Create a separate page on your website for ghostwritten projects and password-protect it so only potential clients can view it.

Example: Two pages from my writing portfolio on Wix.

It is crucial to be transparent about the fact that certain projects in your portfolio are ghostwritten. This transparency will build trust with potential clients.

You can also mention that you cannot disclose the client's name due to a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement.

With the right approach and respect for your client's rights, it is possible to showcase your work and build a strong portfolio.

Happy Portfolio Creating

Shamila

When I first ventured into the world of freelance content writing, I took on a few ghostwriting projects (books and articles). Since then, I've moved on, but I still refer to some of these projects in my portfolio. Knowing that I have a writing background helps to establish more confidence in my coaching and editing clients. I bring my author and writing experience into my coaching and editing work. Book a free 15-minute chat to discover how I can help you with your writing goals.