Ghostwriting is one of the most rewarding professions in the writing world. You get paid to do what you love, and you can even make a career out of it if you want.
Ghostwriting is also an exciting way for new writers to start their careers by working with established writers who are ready to give their clients more than just words on paper.
However, ghostwriting isn’t always easy – especially if you’re just starting out! To improve your craft in 2019, here are 10 tips that will help any ghostwriter become better at their craft:
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Know Your Target Audience
Now that you’ve identified your target audience and the platform, it’s time to start writing. But before you do so, make sure you know what style and voice will resonate with them.
This can be tricky because many factors go into creating a successful piece of content: the topic matter, how long it is, who is reading/watching/listening to it, and why they want to consume it in the first place.
But one thing is for certain: audiences will always respond more positively when they feel like they know who is speaking to them from behind their screens or across their headphones.
So if possible (and if appropriate), consider using a real name instead of an anonymous pen name for your ghostwriting gigs.
Understanding the ins and outs of ghostwriting is crucial for success in this industry. Gain valuable insights from someone who’s been there in our guide on Things You Should Know About Ghostwriting: My Experience and pave your way to becoming a skilled ghostwriter.
Research The Topic And Understand The Publishing Platform
It’s important to research your topic and understand the publishing platform before you write so that you can make sure it will be a good fit for both sides. When researching, consider questions such as: Is there a need for this content? Who is my audience?
How can I best reach them to connect with them on an emotional level? Once you have answers to these questions, write with passion about what matters most to your readership.
Consider The Point Of View Of Your Piece And Become That Voice
The first step to becoming a ghostwriter is knowing your audience. This means understanding who you’re writing for and what they need. If you have a target audience in mind, then it will be easier to develop that voice that speaks directly to them.
The next step is considering the point of view of your piece. Is this an article? A review? A testimonial? An interview? Each form has its specific style, tone, format, and length requirements and each requires a different kind of voice as well.
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Write With Authority
The most important thing you can do to write with authority is to use the first person and active voice. When you use the first person, your readers know that you’re writing from experience.
As for the active voice, it makes your writing clear and concise and focuses attention on the subject matter instead of its writer.
Writing in the present tense also helps establish authority in your work because it’s a strong verb tense that demands action.
It’s best used when your subject matter is something that’s happening now or could happen anytime soon for example, when describing current events or informing readers about upcoming events (like webinars).
Finally, using imperative mood that is, giving commands rather than asking questions gives readers what they need: direction! Imperative sentences are usually short and direct;
They don’t waste time trying to persuade people into doing things by asking them politely several times before getting right down
to business
Be Casual, But Be Professional
When you write, think about your audience. Will they be familiar with the terms and references that you are using? Or do you need to explain them in a way that doesn’t make them feel dumb for not knowing what an emoji is?
You should also consider whether or not your tone matches the subject matter. Do you want your writing to sound professional, friendly, formal, or casual? Answering these questions will help you determine how much slang or casual language should be used in each scenario.
In general, it’s best to avoid using too much emoji and emoticon usage because they can add an unnecessary element of fun to something serious like a ghostwriting project. But if it fits well with the topic at hand (e.g., creating a funny blog post), then go ahead and use emojis!
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Have A Vision For An Article Before You Start Writing It
As a ghostwriter, it’s important to have a vision for an article before you start writing it.
You need to know what you want to say, what you want your reader to achieve from reading your work, and where they’re going after reading it. Then, in the short term and long term, these goals should be measurable and achievable.
If you plan on publishing content regularly with this client over time (which is always preferable), then having some sort of framework can bring clarity around what’s working or not working with each piece of content as well as help keep things fresh and interesting for both parties involved in the project.
Turn Off Your Inner Critic While You Write
Writing is a very personal process. You may find yourself constantly second-guessing yourself and worrying about not being good enough. That’s okay! We all have these feelings at one time or another, but it’s important to learn how not to let them get in the way of achieving your goals.
Here are some tips for turning off that inner critic:
- Don’t worry about making mistakes – mistakes are part of learning! You can always fix things later if necessary
- Don’t worry about what other people will think – there’s no reason why anyone should read this before I’m ready for them to read it anyway (and besides, it’s my writing)
- Don’t worry about how long it will take – today is the first day of forever after all 🙂
Don’t Try To Sound Smart – Just Be Yourself
This may seem like a contradiction in terms, but ghostwriting is about being yourself. It’s not about trying to be someone you’re not, impersonating a professional writer, or pretending like what you’re writing is somehow more important than it is.
Ghostwriting isn’t magic; the skills that make great writers great can’t be conjured by simply putting your name on the cover of someone else’s book!
So don’t try to sound smart (unless your client asks). Don’t try to impress with big words and complicated sentence structures that nobody will understand except other writers – and even if they do understand them, they’ll still think less of you for using them!
And don’t try to write like some kind of mythical archetype of “the perfect client-pleasing manuscript expert” who exists only in your imagination, because I assure you: no such person exists in real life either!
Just write from the heart – from the place where nothing matters but honesty and authenticity – just do what comes naturally out of who you are as an authorial voice.
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Break Down The Writing Process Into Small Steps
You’re not a professional writer, so breaking down the writing process into small steps can help make it less daunting. Here are some things you should do:
- Write a draft.
- Edit your draft before you send it off to the client (or publish it on your site).
- Read your draft out loud, preferably to someone else who will give you honest feedback about what works and what doesn’t in this particular piece of writing.
Rather than just providing praise or criticism based on what they think is good or bad writing in general terms they may not be aware of any specific rules that apply to ghostwriting!
You can also read from different parts of the document aloud and ask them if anything sounds awkward when spoken aloud; this will help identify areas where sentences need trimming back for clarity purposes later on during editing steps after hearing them read aloud by yourself firsthand as well as others involved in providing feedback throughout this process too (like editors).
Edit again after getting other people’s feedback; if possible make changes right away but don’t rush through them either because there may be fundamental structural problems with what’s written so far which would require making major changes later down line instead!!
You might find yourself having spent hours working on something only realize later that those hours could’ve been spent doing something else . . .
Be Flexible With Your Writing Style To Match The Client’s Need For Formality Or Informality
When you are ghostwriting, it’s important to write in a style that is appropriate for the client. Here are some tips when considering how formal or informal to make your writing:
Be flexible with your writing style to match the client’s need for formality or informality. The needs of your clients may vary depending on their industry, their audience, and the platform being used.
For example, if you’re ghostwriting an article for a magazine and have never written specifically for this type of publication before.
It would be wise to ask someone familiar with its style guidelines about what words and phrases should be used and which ones should be avoided at all costs!
Be aware of the client’s style. If you know that your client prefers more casual language over formal speech patterns.
Then you should use fewer big words (unless they’re necessary) and avoid using grammar corrections unless they’re really necessary which they rarely are unless there’s something majorly wrong with the sentence structure!
Considering a career as a ghostwriter? Get started on the right foot with expert advice on Becoming a Ghostwriter: How to Get Started. Learn the essential steps and best practices to kickstart your journey into the world of ghostwriting.
Ghostwriters Can Apply Simple Tips To Improve Their Work
Know your target audience. Ideally, you want to write for a publication that reaches an audience with the same interests as the people who will be reading your piece.
Research the topic and understand the publishing platform. You’ll need to know where and how to submit your work before you start writing it, so do some research on these things first!
Consider the point of view of your piece and become that voice. Think about what kind of voice would be most appropriate for your article: formal or casual? You should also consider how much research you want to do beforehand.
Will this be a short blog post or long-form content? If you’re writing about something unfamiliar or complex, it might make sense not only for readers but also for prospective clients if they can see how well versed in their topic(s).
You are by reading through previous work samples first before hiring someone like yourself.* Write with authority. Be casual but professional. Have a vision for an article before starting
Conclusion
When it comes to ghostwriting, there are so many things you need to consider. Your target audience and the publishing platform are just two examples of things that will affect your writing.
By following these simple tips, you can improve your ghostwriting skills and become a more well-rounded writer who can tackle a variety of projects with ease!
Further Reading
10 Strategies of Successful Ghostwriters: Explore essential strategies employed by successful ghostwriters to enhance your own ghostwriting skills and achieve excellence in this field.
The Step-by-Step Process to Using Ghostwriting as a Leadership Tool: Discover how ghostwriting can be utilized as a powerful leadership tool, and learn a step-by-step process to implement it effectively.
5 Tips to Excel in Ghostwriting: Enhance your ghostwriting prowess with these five valuable tips to deliver outstanding ghostwritten content and exceed clients’ expectations.
FAQs
What are the key strategies employed by successful ghostwriters?
Successful ghostwriters employ various strategies, such as understanding the client’s voice, conducting thorough research, maintaining confidentiality, and effectively communicating with clients, to deliver high-quality content.
How can ghostwriting be used as a leadership tool?
Ghostwriting can serve as a leadership tool by allowing leaders to share their insights and ideas through written content, thereby enhancing their influence and establishing thought leadership.
How can I excel in ghostwriting?
To excel in ghostwriting, focus on honing your writing skills, understanding different writing styles, meeting deadlines consistently, being adaptable to client preferences, and maintaining professionalism throughout the process.
What is the step-by-step process to use ghostwriting for leadership purposes?
The step-by-step process involves identifying key leadership messages, working with a skilled ghostwriter to convey these messages effectively, reviewing and editing the content, and finally, publishing and promoting the written material.
What are the benefits of following the tips for excelling in ghostwriting?
Following the tips for excelling in ghostwriting can lead to enhanced client satisfaction, increased demand for your services, better reputation in the industry, and more opportunities for high-paying ghostwriting projects.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
