So you want to become a ghostwriter and start making money by writing for other people. That’s great! There are many benefits of being a ghostwriter, including the fact that you can work from home in your pajamas. But before we get into that, let’s discuss what exactly ghostwriting is.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Explore Ghostwriting Opportunities: Delve into the world of ghostwriting to discover various opportunities for creating content on behalf of others. |
| 2. Financial Rewards: Learn how ghostwriting can be a lucrative writing career, providing the potential to earn money by crafting compelling content. |
| 3. Develop Your Writing Skills: Enhance your writing abilities as a ghostwriter by adapting to different tones, styles, and subject matters to meet clients’ needs. |
| 4. Client Collaboration: Understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration with clients to bring their visions to life through your writing. |
| 5. Maintain Anonymity: Embrace the art of remaining anonymous as a ghostwriter while allowing clients to take credit for the content you create. |
What Is A Ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a person who writes books, articles, reports, and other texts for clients. The client hires a ghostwriter to write material for them but the client’s name appears on the work. Unlike editors or proofreaders, ghosts do not get credit for their work.
They should be skilled writers with experience in the industry they are working in and know how to research topics to help provide ideas for your project.
Hiring a professional ghostwriter can save you time and elevate your content. Discover the top reasons why you should probably hire a ghostwriter for your next writing project.
The Difference Between A Ghostwriter And A Co-Author
A ghostwriter is someone who has written a book for someone else. A co-author is a person who helps with research and editing but does not write the book. The ghostwriter is paid, while the co-author typically isn’t. The credit goes to the ghostwriter, not the co-author.
Are Ghostwriters The Same As Content Writers?
While you could be a content writer, this may not be your best career choice. Content writers are typically paid by the word and write for marketing teams. In contrast, ghostwriters are often hired by individuals who want to have the writing done for them but don’t want their name on it.
Ghostwriters can also charge more than content writers because they offer a higher level of quality and confidentiality when working with clients.
How Much Money Can You Earn As A Ghostwriter?
The amount of money that you can earn as a ghostwriter depends on several factors. First, the type of project you’re working on will affect how much you earn.
Writing fiction is more lucrative than non-fiction, but if you’re writing for an established author and publisher (or even a celebrity), your fees will be higher than for someone who’s just starting in their career.
Secondly, your experience and reputation work together to determine how much money you get per project:
If a client hires me to write their next novel because they’ve read my previous work and know that I’m good at what I do (and therefore have no other reason not to trust me).
Then there’s less risk involved in hiring me so they’ll probably pay me more than if they’d never heard of me before!
The final factor influencing how much money ghostwriters make comes down to negotiation skills: negotiating well allows us to ask for higher rates without scaring off potential clients (which would reduce our chances of landing future projects).
As a client, knowing what to teach your ghostwriter can enhance the collaboration. Learn the essential insights in our guide on things you can teach your ghostwriter for better results.
How Do You Find Ghostwriting Gigs?
The best way to find ghostwriting gigs is by using a freelance marketplace. There are many of them out there, but we recommend Upwork or Fiverr because they have a large pool of clients and allow you to set your rates.
Many clients have also reviewed their experiences with these websites, so you can read feedback on the companies before committing to work with them.
Additionally, try looking for job postings on job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn; utilize your network (friends and family) to see if anyone needs some help, and keep an eye out for opportunities on social media platforms.
Like Facebook groups or Pinterest boards (which usually have pinned posts). You’ll never know what opportunity might come your way!
The Following Are Some Ways To Help You Get Ghostwriting Jobs
Develop a portfolio of your work. You can do this by pitching articles to publications or making up your content and publishing it on websites like Medium, where you would be paid per article.
Or you could write for blogs that accept guest posts without requiring links in return and then collect these as part of your portfolio (though these sites have varying standards for what they publish).
Leverage relationships. If someone knows about something interesting happening in their field.
Ask if they’d like to have it written up into an article by a professional writer that way, not only will they get the content they need but also an expertly crafted piece from an experienced writer who understands what makes good writing great!
The same goes for hiring people directly: if there’s someone else whose skills complement yours well enough that they might want help with a project, why not pitch them?
Even if nothing comes out of it right away, there’s no harm done in reaching out! Risks pay off when calculated carefully enough.”
Develop Your Portfolio
To be considered for ghostwriting opportunities, you’ll need to show off your skills and experience.
This is where your portfolio comes in handy. Your portfolio should include examples of your previous work as well as personal samples that showcase what you’re capable of producing.
Some common samples include:
- Articles (written or edited) that were published on blogs or websites
- Blog posts and social media posts written by you (or others)
- Professional documents like resumes, cover letters, résumés, business plans, and more
Starting your journey as a ghostwriter? Master the basics of ghostwriting with our comprehensive guide to kickstart your career in this exciting field.
Send Cold Pitches To Prospects
The next step is sending out a cold pitch. This means you’re reaching out to prospects who don’t know you and haven’t asked for your services yet.
Try not to get discouraged by the fact that this will probably be one of the more difficult parts of ghostwriting, but if you’ve followed all the steps so far, it’s time to start getting paid!
In terms of how exactly you should pitch yourself as a potential ghostwriter, several things should go into every pitch email:
Use your real name (not a nickname), which will make it easier for them to research who they’re dealing with if they choose to hire you.
Be polite and friendly in tone but concise enough that they don’t feel like their time is being wasted by reading through unnecessary information or asking too many questions about what type of books/blogs/pages etc.,
Need writing for them specifically before agreeing on terms like price per hour or total cost upfront upfront upfront upfront…
Send Guest Posts Without Requiring Links In Return
If you’re not into the idea of doing freelance work for pay, then you can still use your writing to make money by publishing guest posts on other people’s sites.
If a site allows, post something every once in a while that is relevant to that site’s audience and offers some great insights or tips. You will likely be asked if there are any links back to your site and sometimes even how much money you want when writing these articles.
I would suggest having an established blog or website first before writing guest posts on someone else’s website because it may help to demonstrate your credibility as well as give them more confidence in allowing you to publish on their site(s).
Having a good reputation online also helps with guest posting because many readers will trust what someone writes more than they would trust someone who has no experience or credibility at all (in my opinion).
Leverage Relationships
Leveraging your network is one of the most effective ways to find work as a ghostwriter, even if you have no previous experience. If you’re well connected, consider asking friends and family for referrals and recommendations.
If you don’t know very many people in the industry yet, there are online forums where writers gather together to share tips on how they got started in their field (and also share information about clients who are looking for ghostwriters).
You could also approach potential clients through social media or email with a note explaining who you are and what services you offer.
Want to thrive as a ghostwriter for the long haul? Gain valuable tips and tricks from someone who has survived as a ghostwriter for 7 years and counting.
Join A Freelance Marketplace Like Upwork Or Fiverr
Join a freelance marketplace like Upwork or Fiverr. These are websites where you can list your services and find clients, much like Craigslist but with more visibility and less spam.
I recommend using one of these sites because they allow you to bid on jobs, which means that you can set the price for your writing (unlike most paid writing gigs).
The downside is that many freelancers are competing for each job, so it can be hard to get noticed unless your profile is in tip-top shape.
When reaching out to potential clients through freelancing platforms, keep in mind their needs first: what do they want from their ghostwriter? What’s their budget?
Once you know those things, write an introductory email telling them about yourself and why you think you’re a good fit for the project at hand. For example: “Hi Jane! I am very interested in working with you on this project because…”
If someone says yes and more often than not people will say yes if they like what they read then it’s time for negotiations! Make sure that both parties agree on payment terms before starting any work together
Use Linkedin.Com To Find New Clients
You can use LinkedIn to find new clients by connecting with other professionals in your field and making sure that your profile is complete and up-to-date.
You can also use the search function to find people in your industry and start a conversation. Make sure you have a professional email address, like [email protected].
Contact successful businesses or influencers in similar niches and build partnerships with them where you contribute content for free as part of an exchange for backlinks and exposure.
Contact successful businesses or influencers in similar niches and build partnerships with them where you contribute content for free as part of an exchange for backlinks and exposure.
If you can find a way to provide value to someone else’s audience, they will be more than happy to return the favor by promoting your website through their social channels.
This is how I got my first 5,000 email subscribers on my blog I provided some guest posts on other sites in exchange for access to their audience.
Dreaming of ghostwriting for reputable publications? Our guide on how to ghostwrite for Huffington Post and other publications will equip you with the knowledge to make your mark in the publishing world.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to make money writing, there are many ways to do so. The most common way is by partnering with other businesses and influencers in your niche.
You can also find jobs through freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr or even directly from potential clients on LinkedIn.
You can also find opportunities by reaching out directly via cold pitch emails and guest posts without requiring links back in return. Whatever method works best for you, just remember that it takes time before anyone will hire you as their ghostwriter!
Further Reading
The Art of Ghostwriting: Discover the secrets and nuances of the craft of ghostwriting from seasoned professionals in the industry.
Be a Ghostwriter and Unleash Your Writing Skills: Learn how to leverage your writing talent to become a successful ghostwriter and work on exciting projects.
Become a Ghostwriter: A Lucrative Writing Career: Explore the opportunities and benefits of embarking on a rewarding career as a ghostwriter.
FAQs
What is ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is the practice of writing content on behalf of someone else who takes credit for the work. The ghostwriter remains anonymous, allowing the credited author to present the content as their own.
How much do ghostwriters get paid?
Ghostwriting rates vary based on factors such as project complexity, the experience of the ghostwriter, and the client’s budget. Generally, ghostwriters can earn a substantial income depending on the scope and prestige of the projects they undertake.
Do ghostwriters retain any rights to the work?
In most cases, ghostwriters relinquish their rights to the work upon completion and payment. The credited author usually retains full ownership and control over the content.
How can I become a ghostwriter?
To become a ghostwriter, focus on honing your writing skills and building a strong portfolio. Networking with clients and other writers in the industry can also help you secure ghostwriting opportunities.
Is ghostwriting ethical?
The ethical considerations of ghostwriting can vary depending on the context. While some may view it as a legitimate service to assist busy or less proficient authors, others may raise concerns about transparency and authenticity in the writing process. It’s essential for both parties to have clear agreements and understandings regarding the collaboration.
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.