11 Things Ghostwriters Have In Common

If you’ve ever wondered what the life of a ghostwriter is like, here’s the answer: It’s pretty cool. As a ghostwriter, you get paid to help other people write books and sometimes TV shows or movie scripts. 

You might be helping someone remember their past, tell their story or promote their business or product. 

I’ve worked with many clients in different fields (political figures, celebrities and CEOs) who have all been very grateful for my assistance in getting their message out there through writing. But what do ghostwriters have in common? Here are 25 things we can agree on:

Takeaways
1. Gain insights into the shared traits of successful ghostwriters.
2. Understand the qualities that make ghostwriters stand out.
3. Learn about the experiences and challenges of ghostwriting.
4. Discover the importance of versatility in ghostwriting.
5. Find out how ghostwriters maintain diverse writing styles.
6. Explore the art of adapting to various client preferences.
7. Know the significance of confidentiality in ghostwriting.
8. Learn how ghostwriters handle deadlines and manage time efficiently.
9. Understand the collaborative aspect of ghostwriting projects.
10. Discover tips for effective communication with clients.
11. Gain inspiration and motivation from successful ghostwriters’ stories.

1. They’re Almost Always Writing For Someone Else

There are a few exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, ghostwriters are hired to write for someone else. They don’t write their own books and they’re not writing for publishing houses or magazines or blogs or websites. 

They’re usually writing content that is designed to help someone else make money either as an entrepreneur or in another role where they want more visibility or authority with their audience (more on that in a bit).

Ghostwriters specialize in many different fields: business, health, spirituality/personal growth/self-help…

The list goes on! So while they may share some common traits in terms of personality types and interests (more on those below), there’s no one type of person who becomes a ghostwriter.

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2. They Don’t Usually Get Bylines

It’s important to remember that ghostwriters are not the authors of their books. They are simply writing for someone else, and they do so in order to help them achieve their goals.

A byline is a credit given to an author at the beginning or end of an article, book or other written work. 

Many people assume that ghostwriters have bylines because they are writing for someone else and this is true but it’s also true that a ghostwriter will only be credited as such if their client decides to make said client known!

3. Their Names Usually Don’t Appear On The Book Cover

If you’re looking for a ghostwriter, you might think it would be logical to find one who has their name on the cover of books. However, this isn’t usually the case. In fact, most ghostwriters aren’t credited anywhere in their books at all!

The reason for this is simple: It’s not about them it’s about you and your book idea. When you work with a ghostwriter, they want to make sure that everything they do helps build up your brand and make your book shine as much as possible. 

They want everyone who reads it (and everyone who hears about it) to know that YOU are the star of the story, not them!

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4. They Have Good Listening Skills

It’s a common misconception that ghostwriters can’t add their own personality to the writing process. In fact, they’re often required to do so for two reasons: 

One is because clients want their voice and tone in the final product; the other is because when it comes to certain topics and genres of books, ghostwriters need the ability to write creatively. This means bringing your own skills and experience into the mix alongside your client’s input.

5. They’re Experts At Writing In Another Person’s Voice

This skill is invaluable, and it comes down to two things: writing what the client wants and understanding that you’re not the main character.

Writing in a voice that’s not your own can be tough. You might have to do it for a book or article, but if you’re doing it for money, then there will be someone else’s voice dictating how you write. 

That could mean following specific advice from an editor or publisher on how to write a certain scene or chapter or it could just mean muting your own style when writing something like fanfiction or erotica (which are genres I don’t know much about).

Ghostwriters also have to understand that their clients are the main characters of their story, not them! That may sound obvious, but ghostwriters often come into contact with people who think they’re more important than they are: 

Actors who insist on being included in every part of production; writers who want their names attached even though they didn’t write anything; politicians who want credit where credit isn’t due.

6. They’re Real Wordsmiths

Ghostwriters are wordsmiths.

They know how to use a thesaurus, and they can make words flow. They know how to use ellipses and commas, active verbs, and they know that the difference between “that” and “which.”

In short: ghostwriters are masters of grammar!

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7. They Keep Their Clients’ Best Interests

Ghostwriters are often asked to be a client’s therapist, friend and personal PR agent. But they are not any of these things. In fact, they’re the opposite: a professional who is paid to tell you the truth about yourself and your work.

They must be able to say no to requests that don’t fit into their vision for your book. They need to be comfortable saying “no” when a client wants revisions made instantly (because no one can write well under pressure). 

Ghostwriters must also have thick skin in order to deal with criticism from clients who don’t agree with their changes or edits and sometimes even from readers who don’t like what they’ve written!

8. Writing Is Not The Only Aspect Of Ghostwriting They’re Responsible For

• Ghostwriters are responsible for everything from editing to formatting and marketing.
• They’re also responsible for getting the manuscript to the publisher on time, which means ghostwriters need to be organized and efficient.
• In addition to writing books, ghostwriters often receive other projects as well such as press releases, articles or blog posts.
• Ghostwriters must make sure their work is of high quality so that it can be published by big publishing houses or self-published successfully on Amazon Kindle or CreateSpace (for print books).

9. They Dislike Hype And Never Overpromise Results To Clients

Ghostwriters Are Not Salespeople

They’re not interested in getting you to buy anything. They don’t push you to make a purchase, and they don’t try to convince you that your life will be better with whatever it is they’re selling. 

In fact, ghostwriters believe that clients should only hire them because they want their help achieving their goals not because the clients feel obligated or guilted into doing so because of someone else’s overzealous salesmanship.

As a result, ghostwriters also never overpromise results. They know how hard it is for people who aren’t professional writers to create good content for themselves, which means that promising instant success isn’t realistic in most cases anyway (and could actually backfire). 

When a writer promises too much success too soon, no matter how genuine he or she may be about wanting this client’s best interests at heart—it’ll hurt both parties involved: 

The writer ends up feeling frustrated when things don’t go according to plan; while his client feels let down by him or her as well as discouraged enough not even give writing another try!

Explore the common traits that all successful ghostwriters share. Our article on 11 things ghostwriters have in common reveals valuable insights into the world of ghostwriting and what makes these professionals stand out.

10. They May Be Working With Several Clients At Once

You may think that ghostwriters are only working with one client at a time, but in reality they may be working with several clients at once. 

This is not only possible, it’s common! As you can imagine, this requires an incredible amount of discipline and organization from the ghostwriter to make sure that each project is given the attention it deserves.

Working with multiple clients at once requires excellent time management skills and the ability to stay focused on what needs to be done. 

The writer must also know how long it takes them to complete certain tasks (such as editing or research) so that they can schedule their work accordingly.

11. They Keep Track Of Details, Such As Deadlines, Special Requests, And Formatting Standards

Keep track of details. Ghostwriters are detail-oriented and good at keeping a record of what has been written, when it was due, the draft that was submitted and the final copy for publication. They also note any special requests or formatting standards that need to be followed.

• Keep track of deadlines: It’s important for ghostwriters to have a sense of urgency and follow through on their promises even if they’re not getting paid until after the deadline passes!
• Keep track of special requests: A true professional will make sure all requests (including those from clients) are met in a timely manner. This is especially true for last minute changes because no one likes working under pressure!

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Conclusion

We’ve all been there the struggle to get our heads around a new project, the frustration with writer’s block, and writer’s fatigue. At the end of the day, we’re just like you: normal people who love writing and can’t imagine doing anything else. 

If you’re looking for someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to ghostwriting projects or just need some guidance on how best to proceed with yours, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Further Reading

The Secret Life of a Ghostwriter: Gain insights into the mysterious and intriguing world of ghostwriters as they share their experiences and perspectives.

Ghostwriting Tips: How to Enhance Your Writing: Discover practical tips and techniques to improve your ghostwriting skills and deliver exceptional content for your clients.

11 Things to Look for in a Ghostwriter: Find out the key qualities and characteristics to consider when hiring a ghostwriter for your content marketing needs.

FAQs

What is ghostwriting?

Ghostwriting is a process where a writer creates content on behalf of someone else, and the credited author takes ownership of the work.

Why do people use ghostwriters?

People use ghostwriters to save time, leverage the expertise of skilled writers, and maintain a consistent voice across their content.

Is ghostwriting ethical?

The ethical aspect of ghostwriting varies depending on the context and disclosure of authorship. In many cases, it’s considered acceptable as long as both parties agree and credit is appropriately given.

How do I find a reliable ghostwriter?

To find a reliable ghostwriter, research their portfolio, check for testimonials, and communicate openly about your project requirements and expectations.

What types of content can ghostwriters create?

Ghostwriters can create various types of content, including articles, blog posts, books, speeches, and social media content, among others.