Reasons I Chose To Be A Ghostwriter Over Being A Freelance Writer

When I was first starting as a freelance writer, I was offered the opportunity to ghostwrite (or co-write) an article for a local magazine. 

The pay wasn’t great, but I needed the work and figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. Once I started that job though, something amazing happened: my perspective on writing changed dramatically.

Takeaways
1. Greater Stability: Ghostwriting provides more consistent work and income compared to freelance writing.
2. Diverse Projects: As a ghostwriter, you get to work on various writing projects, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
3. Collaboration Opportunities: Ghostwriting allows you to collaborate with different clients, learning from their expertise and experiences.
4. Confidentiality: Ghostwriting offers the chance to work behind the scenes while respecting client confidentiality.
5. Fulfilling Others’ Visions: Embrace the satisfaction of helping others bring their ideas and stories to life through your writing.

I Like The Pace

As a freelance writer, you’re always juggling multiple projects at once and that’s all well and good until the moment when you have to rush off to meet with one client because they need something by the end of the day while another is expecting your first draft by tomorrow morning. 

There are deadlines to meet, but there’s also pressure to do your best work for each client which means a lot of extra time spent pondering over small details or even rewriting entire paragraphs just so they fit within their stylesheet rules. 

As a ghostwriter though? My clients trust me enough not only with their content but also their deadlines (even if I don’t always meet them) and I get paid regardless if they get what they asked for on time or not!

Check out our comprehensive guide on Why Ghostwriting Is the Best Business to Be In to uncover the 17 reasons why ghostwriting can be a lucrative and fulfilling career choice.

I Love Being Able To Work From Home!

I’ve been an independent contractor since 2016 meaning that instead of having one employer who hires me full-time without benefits or pension plans (something most freelancers find themselves going through).

I am self-employed with my business license and health insurance policy from my online job search site called Upwork (formerly MTurk). 

This means less overhead costs as well as increased flexibility in terms of where/how often we want work done without breaking any laws about minimum wage requirements or employment laws like overtime pay.”

I Like Who I Work With

I’ve mentioned that before, but it’s worth repeating: ghostwriting is a relatively small community of freelancers. 

We all know each other, and we all have a pretty good idea of what our colleagues are capable of and how long it takes them to produce work. 

When you’re looking for someone to do freelance copywriting or editing for you, the first thing most people will want to know is who your writer was previously and why they left their previous position. Are they hardworking? 

Do they meet deadlines? Are they willing (or able) to take on projects that go beyond the scope of what’s been discussed in advance?

The answers matter because there aren’t many choices out there when it comes time to hire an editor or writer; 

If one person turns down an assignment because they don’t feel qualified enough or if another client warns against working with someone based on experience it can make finding good help difficult.

I Like The Money

There, I said it. But let’s be clear about one thing: I didn’t choose to ghostwrite because of the money. It was a happy by-product. 

I picked this career because it allowed me to pursue my passion for helping people achieve their dreams, something that is impossible when writing for other people’s publications on commission alone or working on spec (that’s “on speculation,” as in “I’ll write your book if you pay me later”). 

You see, being a freelance writer means that every time you turn around, someone needs another article written right now and they need it yesterday. 

If you’re lucky enough to snag some sort of gig where there are consistent deadlines and payment plans in place like a monthly column then that’s great! 

More power to ya! But if not… well then there’s nothing stopping them from dropping their subscription tomorrow and leaving an unpaid writer sitting there with nothing but bad vibes floating around their head like so many dust bunnies underfoot during spring cleaning season…

Aspiring ghostwriters working with bloggers should read our article on Ghostwriting for Bloggers: What to Watch Out For to gain valuable insights and tips on navigating the world of blogging and ghostwriting.

I Love Seeing A Client’s Face When They Work With Me And Find Out How Quick And Easy Their Book Writing Experience Can Be

I love seeing clients’ faces when they work with me and finding out how quick and easy their book-writing experience can be. 

I get such a kick out of seeing a client’s book published on Amazon, and then the comments start coming in from people who have purchased their book or downloaded it free because of Kindle Unlimited. It’s just so rewarding to see my clients get great feedback on their books!

I Am A Part Of Something Greater Than Myself When I Am A Ghostwriter

I could write about how altruistic I am for not taking credit for the work that I do. But in all honesty, I’m not that selfless. What being a ghostwriter does is make me feel like I am a part of something greater than myself. 

When you are writing content for a client, you get to watch them grow their business and succeed in ways they never thought possible. 

This type of connection with your clients is what makes it so easy to love this career path. You’re not just writing words that people will read; you’re helping them achieve goals they didn’t think were possible before hiring you! 

They have dreams and aspirations just like anyone else and we get to be a part of making those dreams come true through our writing services!

It’s Fun, Fun, Fun!

You get to work with clients.

What’s not to love about that? There are so many things that you can do with a client. You can discuss ideas, brainstorm, write and edit. It’s a lot of fun!

You get to write what you want and how you want it written.

As a ghostwriter, you get to write whatever kind of content your client wants. As long as it follows the guidelines given by them and meets their requirements for the project, then all is well in the world.

You also decide on how you want your writing style and voice portrayed in the content that will be created for them.

You get paid! This is always good news when someone writes something they enjoy doing into their job description while still getting paid handsomely for it! How cool is that?!

Interested in becoming a ghostwriter? Learn from personal experiences in our post, How I Survived as a Ghostwriter for 7 Years and Counting, to understand the challenges and triumphs of a long-term career in ghostwriting.

Easier Writing Process for Me

If you’re a freelancer, you know that money is not easy to come by. It can sometimes feel like getting blood from a stone. 

You will likely be competing with other freelance writers and others in your field for jobs that pay peanuts compared to what the client is worth on sites like Upwork or Freelancer.com (or however else people hire freelancers these days).

Being a ghostwriter means working one-on-one with clients who are willing to pay you fairly for your work instead of being part of an extremely competitive pool of writers fighting over every bit of business they can get their hands on. 

It means being able to focus on making sure that every piece meets its deadline while having fewer distractions (and more money) than if you were trying to drum up a business yourself as a freelancer.

Easier Marketing For Me

As a ghostwriter, you don’t need to worry about marketing. Marketing is not your job at all. You’re hired by the author to write their book not promote it. 

This is one of my favorite parts about being a ghostwriter: I can focus on my strengths and my niche while letting someone else handle the rest of it!

As an independent freelancer writer, you’d have to do all of these things yourself (and probably more). 

As someone who’s working for himself or herself, there will be so much involved in getting your name out there and making sure that people know who you are and what kind of work you offer. That takes time away from writing itself the thing that got us into this whole business in the first place!

Who Doesn’t Want To Help Someone “Get ‘er Done?”?

As a freelance writer, you’re essentially a contractor. You don’t get to see the result of your work until it’s published and your client sends you a check. That’s it. With ghostwriting, I get to help people make their dreams come true!

And why wouldn’t they want that? We all have something we want to accomplish with our lives a goal or dream that may be just beyond our reach right now: publishing a book, launching a new business venture, or creating an app or website.

Learning how to play guitar…the list goes on and on! Many of us have these goals in mind but lack some crucial skillset or knowledge base that prevents us from reaching them. 

Ghostwriting allows me (and other writers) the opportunity to step in as a guide and mentor for someone who has big plans but doesn’t know where or how to start on their journey towards achieving them.”

Embrace the craft of ghostwriting by exploring the nuances of Ghostwriting: The Art of Doing Other People’s Words. Our guide delves into the intricacies of effectively bringing someone else’s voice to life.

More Variety (Although It Can Also Be Less)

Ghostwriting is a great way to get your foot in the door with a variety of clients and projects. With freelance writing, you may be limited as to who you work for and what types of projects you write about. 

For example, if you’re a freelance writer specializing in health and wellness topics, it can be hard finding clients outside of that niche because most people don’t understand the health and wellness field well enough to know what they need or how it works.

With ghostwriting, however, this isn’t an issue because I get to do everything from fiction novels to non-fiction books on business management. I also have several first-time authors who are just starting in their careers; 

They have no idea how much time goes into writing an entire book by themselves! 

They need someone like me (a ghostwriter) who has been through this process multiple times before so they understand what’s involved as well as what needs done step by step throughout their project(s).

Not sure if you need to outsource ghostwriting services? Check out our article on 15 Signs You Need to Outsource Ghostwriting to identify the scenarios where hiring a ghostwriter can be immensely beneficial to your projects.

Conclusion

I hope you now have a better idea of how ghostwriting can be a good fit for you. And if it isn’t, I hope that’s okay! If nothing else, I’d like to leave you with one thought: If writing is something you love doing, then keep doing it. 

As long as it makes sense for your goals and career path, there are many ways to make money off of your craft.

Further Reading

The Perks and Perils of Being a Ghostwriter Short Description: Gain insights into the advantages and challenges of the ghostwriting profession in this comprehensive article from Writer Unboxed.

How to Become a Ghostwriter: Insights from an Experienced Ghostwriter Short Description: Kindlepreneur provides valuable tips and first-hand experiences for aspiring ghostwriters on their journey to becoming successful in the field.

Freelancing vs. Ghostwriting: Understanding the Differences Short Description: Explore the distinctions between freelancing and ghostwriting and learn which path may align better with your writing goals in this Medium article.

FAQs

What are the benefits of being a ghostwriter?

Ghostwriting offers various benefits, including consistent work opportunities, diverse writing projects, and the chance to collaborate with interesting clients.

How can I become a successful ghostwriter?

To succeed as a ghostwriter, focus on building a strong writing portfolio, networking with potential clients, and developing excellent communication skills.

Is ghostwriting a viable career option?

Yes, ghostwriting can be a rewarding and lucrative career choice for writers who enjoy the challenges of working behind the scenes to bring others’ ideas to life.

What types of projects do ghostwriters typically work on?

Ghostwriters work on a wide range of projects, including books, articles, blog posts, speeches, and even social media content, depending on their expertise and clients’ needs.

How do I handle confidentiality as a ghostwriter?

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial in ghostwriting. Establish clear agreements with clients and prioritize their trust by keeping their identities and project details confidential.