If I had my way, the only people who wouldn't hire a ghostwriter for their blogs would be, well, ghostwriters and other professional writers.

Now, before you laugh at me, ghostwriting has a long history. And although the practice has traditionally been reserved for celebrities, politicians, and clergymen, hiring ghostwriters is becoming more and more popular among smaller businesses today.

For nearly every other business out there, though, hiring a ghostwriter to take over their blog content would prove to be a positive move. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of hiring a ghostwriter, and then I'll show you how to tell whether or not you need a ghostwriter for your blog.

Blogs are No Longer Optional

Chances are, not long after you started your business you learned that you needed a blog. Once upon a time, blogs were more like journals. And sure, some of them may have helped to provide some additional insight into something…but for the most part they were little more than an optional place to unload thoughts.

Now?

Times have changed. Blogs have become an essential part of a business's marketing strategy. They help establish authority, provide a central focus to your online presence, boost a website's search engine optimization (SEO), and drive traffic to your website. Having a good blog with a strong content strategy can mean the difference between customers finding you and you having to go out to find customers.

Would it really be a good idea to ignore such an important piece of your business? To me, that feels a bit like trying to run a business while ignoring your budget. Most businesses will have their finances at least reviewed by a professional, and blogging really should be handled the same way.

What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is essentially a skilled individual who remains behind-the-scenes while creating written content for another person or entity. Unlike traditional authors who receive recognition for their work under their own name, ghostwriters maintain confidentiality by not claiming authorship over the materials they produce.

The role of a ghostwriter extends far beyond simply penning words on paper; it involves understanding the client's vision, target audience, brand voice, and objectives. A proficient ghostwriter possesses versatile writing skills that enable them to adapt their style seamlessly according to client requirements while maintaining consistency throughout the body of work.

Importance of Blog Content in Today's Digital Landscape

In the era of ever-evolving technology, blog content has emerged as a powerful tool for communication and marketing. Blogs provide individuals and businesses with an opportunity to share their expertise, insights, stories, and opinions with a vast online audience. They serve as a platform to engage, educate, and entertain readers.

With search engines refining their algorithms to prioritize high-quality content, having a well-curated blog has become essential for improving organic search rankings and driving targeted traffic to your website. Engaging blog posts not only attract readers but also encourage social sharing and interaction on various digital platforms.

But, blogging is not your job

Unless, of course, it is your job.

But most bloggers out there maintain their blog as part of their online presence for their job or their business.

People tend to forget this, but blogging is hard work.

Sure, some of us make it look easy, just like any chef can make his or her recipes look easy. But sitting down to write a blog is a lot more in depth than it sounds. Besides writing the actual content, most blog posts require research into the content, keyword research, SEO, graphics and / or photography (which must be either created or researched and bought), planning, scheduling (which entails researching the audience). And that's just for one blog post.

If you're running a business, chances are you've got your hands full with all the responsibilities that go into running that business. I haven't met an event planner, direct sales consultant, or life coach yet who has ever said “I have so much time on my hands, I think I'll just start a blog!”

It doesn't happen that way. Most of the time, what happens is that, like you, they've been told they need a blog, and then they panic while trying to figure out just how to fit it into their schedule.

And because of this a lot of small businesses start a blog, but don't really know everything they need to know about how to maintain that blog. And let's face it, the only thing worse than not having a blog at all (which is always an option) is to have a blog and abandon it because you couldn't keep up with it (which happens a lot) or to have a bad blog.

What are some of the other benefits for hiring a ghostwriter?

Benefits of Hiring a Ghostwriter for Your Blog

The benefits of hiring a ghostwriter for your blog are manifold. Firstly, it frees up valuable time that you can redirect towards other aspects of your business or personal life.

Instead of spending hours grappling with writer's block or struggling to find the right words, you can focus on more pressing matters such as client meetings or strategizing your online presence. Furthermore, ghostwriters bring their expertise and experience in writing engaging content that resonates with readers.

Their knowledge of industry-specific topics allows them to craft well-researched articles that establish you as an authority in your field. By consistently delivering high-quality posts tailored to your target audience's needs and interests, ghostwriters help enhance credibility and professionalism.

Hiring a ghostwriter offers numerous benefits in terms of saving time, leveraging expertise, enhancing credibility, and achieving consistent quality in your blog content. As we delve deeper into this article about hiring a ghostwriter for your blog, we will explore these advantages in greater detail while addressing common misconceptions along the way.

The Role of a Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter is a versatile professional who takes on the responsibility of writing content on behalf of someone else, without receiving any byline or public credit for their work. The primary task of a ghostwriter is to create high-quality written material that aligns with the client's objectives and requirements.

This can include blog posts, articles, social media content, e-books, and more. By understanding the client's vision and goals, a skilled ghostwriter can effectively capture their voice and deliver compelling content that resonates with readers.

Conducting thorough research on the given topic

One crucial aspect of a ghostwriter's role is conducting in-depth research before starting to write. This entails delving into various reliable sources such as books, journals, publications, and reputable websites to gather relevant information related to the assigned topic.

Thorough research allows the ghostwriter to gain comprehensive knowledge about the subject matter so they can provide accurate details and valuable insights in their writing. By utilizing credible sources and staying up-to-date with industry trends or news related to the topic at hand, ghostwriters ensure that their content is well-informed and brings fresh perspectives to readers.

Crafting engaging and informative content tailored to your audience

An experienced ghostwriter possesses exceptional writing skills that enable them to craft engaging and informative content specifically tailored for your target audience. They meticulously analyze your audience demographics, preferences, interests, language style, tone expectations, and more.

By understanding these factors thoroughly, they can create captivating content that resonates with your readers' needs while effectively conveying your message or conveying your brand's voice. A skilled ghostwriter has the ability to adapt their writing style accordingly while maintaining consistency throughout different pieces of written work.

Adhering to your brand voice and style guidelines

Maintaining consistency in brand communication is essential for any business or individual with an established brand identity. Ghostwriters recognize the significance of reflecting your brand's voice and adhering to your style guidelines.

They ensure that the content they create not only captures your thoughts but also aligns seamlessly with your established tone, language preferences, and overall branding strategy. By being familiar with your existing content or by working closely with you to establish these guidelines, ghostwriters can deliver written material that feels true to your brand while engaging and resonating with your target audience.

Ensuring proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Apart from crafting compelling content, ghostwriters also take on the responsibility of ensuring impeccable grammar usage, accurate spelling, and proper punctuation in their writing. They meticulously proofread their work to eliminate any errors or inconsistencies before delivering the final product. By employing strong editing skills and utilizing various grammar-checking tools available today, ghostwriters guarantee that the content they produce is polished and professional.

This attention to detail allows readers to focus on the substance of the message without being distracted by grammatical errors or typos, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the written material. A ghostwriter's role encompasses responsibilities such as conducting thorough research on assigned topics, crafting engaging and tailored content for specific audiences while adhering to established brand voice and style guidelines.

Additionally, they ensure that their work is free from grammatical errors or inaccuracies through meticulous proofreading. By understanding these crucial aspects of a ghostwriter's role, you can fully appreciate the value they bring in producing high-quality written material for your blog or other written endeavors.

Advantages of Hiring a Ghostwriter for Your Blog

Save Money

Most small business owners I come across fear the cost of a ghostwriter. After all, in most cases, the ghostwriter gets paid before the project even has a chance to start bringing in revenue — meaning that hiring a ghostwriter requires an upfront investment. And that can be a scary thought, particularly if you're still trying to get your business (and your blog) up and running. And, just like so many other things, why pay someone if you can do it yourself?

I mean, if you know how to give your car an oil change, would you still take it into a shop every time you needed one? Maybe not — maybe every once in a while you would take the day to crawl under your car and change out the oil yourself. Maybe you would even do just as good a job as the the guy who normally changes it for you. But how much extra time do you have to spend to get it done right? Can you do it as fast? And is your work guaranteed?

Blogging is much the same way. Sure, you can sit down, research, and write out your blog post. Chances are it will take you longer and, unless you happen to write for a living, the quality might not be as topnotch as you're hoping. And in this age of screen readers and search engine bots, if you want to build the type of audience that turns your blog into a source of revenue, you need the quality to be there.

You need a professional writer.
Now I ask you, which would save you money in the long run? To hire a staff writer, for whom you'd need to worry about paid time off, insurance, payroll expenditures, as well as wages? Or to hire a ghostwriter, for whom the only expense is their charge for writing the blog post itself.

Saving time and energy

One of the significant advantages of hiring a ghostwriter for your blog is the ability to save precious time and energy. As a business owner or professional, your plate is likely already overflowing with various responsibilities. By delegating the task of content creation to a skilled ghostwriter, you can free up valuable hours that can be invested in other crucial aspects of your business or even your personal life.

Instead of spending countless hours writing and editing blog posts, you can focus on strategic planning, networking, or simply enjoying some well-deserved downtime. Additionally, by entrusting the writing duties to an expert, you can avoid falling into the trap of writer's block or burnout.

Constantly churning out engaging content can be mentally exhausting and may lead to a decline in quality over time. Ghostwriters specialize in creating fresh and captivating articles consistently, ensuring that you maintain a steady flow of high-quality content without experiencing creative fatigue.

Leveraging expertise and experience

Another compelling advantage of hiring a ghostwriter for your blog is gaining access to their extensive knowledge and experience. Professional writers have honed their skills through years of practice and possess the necessary expertise to craft compelling narratives tailored specifically to your target audience. Moreover, ghostwriters often have backgrounds in different industries or niches, allowing them to provide valuable insights into specific subjects that pertain to your field.

They are equipped with research skills that enable them to delve deep into industry-specific topics, stay updated on current trends, and gather relevant data from reputable sources. This level of expertise ensures that you receive well-researched articles that resonate with readers while positioning you as an authoritative figure in your field.

Enhancing credibility and professionalism

By hiring a ghostwriter for your blog, you have the opportunity to establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Well-crafted, polished content not only engages your readers but also enhances your credibility and professionalism.

Ghostwriters have a keen eye for detail and understand the importance of presenting information in a concise and engaging manner. When you consistently deliver high-quality content, it solidifies your reputation as a trusted source of information, attracting more readers and potential customers to your blog.

Professionally written articles are bound to leave a lasting impression on readers, ensuring that they perceive you as an expert in the field who takes their craft seriously. This perception translates into increased trust and loyalty from your audience, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of your blog or business.

Quick Turn Around

A ghostwriter's only job is to write good content for his or her clients. That means the minute you hire a ghostwriter, they are researching everything about you, your blog, your niche, and blog topics to write about. Unlike you, they aren't trying to fit writing into their business — writing is their business. And their business succeeds when your business succeeds. That means high quality, professionally written blog posts done fast.

How to Find the Right Ghostwriter for Your Blog

A. Assessing their writing style, tone, and versatility through samples or previous work—When searching for a ghostwriter to produce exceptional content for your blog, it is crucial to evaluate their writing style, tone, and versatility. A writer's ability to adapt their voice and tone to match your brand's identity is paramount. Start by requesting samples or reviewing their previous work in similar niches or industries. Analyze the structure of their articles, the depth of research exhibited, and the level of engagement they generate with their audience.

Look for a ghostwriter who can effortlessly switch between formal and conversational tones based on your requirements. Consider whether they have experience in writing persuasive or informative pieces depending on your blog's objectives. Additionally, pay attention to whether they possess the capacity to write engaging headlines that capture readers' attention while still being concise and accurate. By thoroughly examining a ghostwriter's samples or previous work, you can get a sense of their versatility and gauge whether they are capable of aligning with your blog's specific needs.

B. Evaluating their understanding of SEO best practices—In today's competitive digital landscape, search engine optimization (SEO) plays a critical role in driving organic traffic to your blog. Therefore, it is essential to find a ghostwriter who possesses knowledge about SEO best practices. During the selection process, inquire about their understanding of keyword research techniques and how they incorporate relevant keywords naturally into their content without compromising its quality or flow.

A skilled ghostwriter should have experience optimizing meta tags, headlines, subheadings, image alt text, and incorporating internal links within articles. Furthermore, ask prospective writers about strategies they employ to enhance readability scores and improve overall user experience on your blog. A solid grasp of SEO principles will enable them to produce content that not only captivates readers but also ranks favorably in search engine results, boosting the visibility and reach of your blog.

C. Discussing pricing structures, timelines, and project management—Before finalizing your selection, it is crucial to have transparent discussions about pricing structures, timelines, and project management with potential ghostwriters. Establishing clear expectations from the outset ensures a smooth working relationship. Discuss the writer's preferred payment method: whether they charge per word, per hour, or by flat fees for specific projects. Ensure you understand the scope of their services included in the agreed upon price. Moreover, inquire about any additional costs that may arise for revisions or expedited delivery if required. Timelines are also essential to consider.

Determine whether the ghostwriter has availability to meet your desired publishing schedule consistently. Align their commitments with your expectations to ensure prompt delivery without compromising quality. Discuss project management practices and communication channels that will be utilized throughout the collaboration. Establishing a clear system for providing feedback and receiving updates is crucial for maintaining a productive partnership with your chosen ghostwriter. Finding a ghostwriter who not only meets your budgetary constraints but also aligns with your preferred timelines while demonstrating effective project management skills ensures a harmonious working relationship that fuels consistent quality content creation for your blog.

Common Misconceptions about Hiring a Ghostwriter for Your Blog

A. Addressing concerns about authenticity—One of the common misconceptions surrounding hiring a ghostwriter for your blog is the concern about authenticity. Some may worry that having someone else write their content will compromise their brand's voice and integrity. However, it is essential to understand that a skilled ghostwriter's primary goal is to capture and emulate your unique voice, tone, and style. They work closely with you to understand your brand's values, target audience, and desired messaging.

A professional ghostwriter will conduct in-depth research to gain a comprehensive understanding of your industry, ensuring that the content they produce aligns perfectly with your expertise. By collaborating closely with you and utilizing detailed briefs or style guides provided by you as the client, they are able to craft high-quality articles that not only reflect your brand but also resonate with readers on an authentic level.

B. Debunking myths about losing creative control—Another misconception often associated with hiring a ghostwriter is the fear of losing creative control over one's blog content. It's natural for individuals to have a deep connection with their personal or business blog since it represents their ideas, insights, and expertise. However, working with a professional ghostwriter does not mean relinquishing creative control entirely.

In fact, hiring a skilled ghostwriter promotes collaborative efforts between you as the client and the writer themselves. This collaboration starts from initial discussions where you provide valuable input on topics, themes, or specific angles you wish to explore in your blog posts. Throughout the process of content creation, feedback loops ensure that revisions can be made until you are completely satisfied with the final article. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication throughout the project allows for ongoing discussions on any changes or adjustments required during different stages of writing – all while upholding your vision and maintaining your creative influence.

C. Highlighting collaboration between you as the client and the ghostwriter—One significant aspect that often goes unnoticed is the emphasis on collaboration when working with a ghostwriter. Rather than simply being a hired writer, a professional ghostwriter becomes an extension of your team, working together to achieve your blogging goals. The process typically begins with detailed briefs or initial meetings where you can provide specific instructions, preferred styles, or desired outcomes for each piece of content.

By establishing clear communication channels and maintaining regular updates on progress, both parties can ensure that the writer captures not only your voice but also integrates well-researched industry insights and SEO best practices. Collaboration allows for ongoing discussions about feedback and revisions to fine-tune the content until it aligns perfectly with your expectations. This collective effort ensures that the final result is a high-quality blog post that effectively communicates your ideas while incorporating the expertise and writing skills of a professional ghostwriter.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hiring

Addressing concerns about authenticity

When it comes to hiring a ghostwriter for your blog, one common concern revolves around authenticity. Many individuals worry that by having someone else write their content, they are compromising their own voice and credibility. However, it's important to understand that a skilled ghostwriter can adapt their writing style to match your brand voice seamlessly.

They will spend time studying your existing content, understanding your tone, and incorporating your unique perspective into their work. Through open communication and collaboration with the ghostwriter, you can ensure that the final product represents your authentic voice while benefiting from the expertise of a professional writer.

Debunking myths about losing creative control

Another misconception is that hiring a ghostwriter means relinquishing creative control over your blog. However, this is far from the truth.

Ghostwriters are here to help bring YOUR ideas and vision to life. With a clear project brief and regular communication throughout the writing process, you can maintain complete control over the direction of your blog posts.

A professional ghostwriter understands that they are working as an extension of your brand and will respect your input at every stage of the writing process. By establishing guidelines and providing feedback, you can shape the content to align with your vision while benefiting from the expertly crafted prose provided by a skilled writer.

Highlighting collaboration between client and ghostwriter

One aspect often overlooked when considering hiring a ghostwriter is the potential for collaboration between you as the client and the writer themselves. Instead of viewing it as handing off all responsibility for content creation, think of it as forming a partnership with someone who has specialized skills in writing compelling articles tailored specifically to engage readers in today's digital landscape. By collaborating closely with a reliable ghostwriter who values open communication and seeks feedback actively, you have an opportunity to jointly create content that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful engagement.

How to Tell if you Really Need a Ghostwriter

Of course, just because a ghostwriter can help you, that doesn't mean you need a ghostwriter. Plenty of small business owners are able to maintain both their blog and their business (at least at the beginning), so there's no reason to assume you can't do the same. But, if you're not sure, here are some signs that you might need a ghostwriter:

1. Your blogging todo list is getting longer and longer. As I said earlier, blogging takes more than simply sitting down and churning out words. Time and research goes into each post. So if you start to see that your list of topic ideas and “to-write” lists are growing faster than you have time to address the topics, it might be time to hire a ghostwriter.
2. You're a better talker than you are a writer. This happens to be the case for a lot of people. Get them into an elevator with you and they can explain everything in two minutes flat. Ask them to put those words into writing, though? And they really struggle. If you find you're one of these people, you may need a ghostwriter.
3. You want to share your distinct point of view about your industry. Chances are, there are already several blogs up about your industry. Some of them you might agree with, and others not so much. But if you want to stand out amongst these other experts, that means more than simply writing, sharing, and retweeting. That is going to mean putting your best writing forward, with the best content, the best SEO strategy, and the best marketing strategy. And for that, you'll probably need to hire a ghostwriter.
4. You've worked and networked in your industry for so long, you don't know what people don't know. I see this happen all the time — heck, I'm guilty of this sometimes. I have been ghostwriting for so long, and hanging out with other ghostwriters, editors, and authors for so long, I forget that many people don't know what ghostwriting is. And I stumble over myself trying to explain it to them because it baffles me that they wouldn't understand it. And I've seen other professionals do the same thing: direct sales consultants unable to explain what they do; wedding planners unable to describe the most basic aspects of their business. It's not a flaw, but it does make it harder to break your industry down to the most basic level and explain it to someone who may not have ever heard of it before.
5. You can't seem to carve out big enough chunks of time to handle the blogging itself. Trying to write a blog post using bits of time here or there is almost impossible. Ideas get lost, direction and flow suffer, the content suffers. While you might be able to whip out 800-1200 words in a couple hours, if you can't find those hours or if you can't pull away from the rest of your responsibilities for those couple hours, you may need a ghostwriter.

So, Should you Hire a Ghostwriter?

Only you can answer that. But before you go running off to go looking for one, you might want to find out more about hiring one. Find out the most important questions to ask before hiring a ghostwriter.

Conclusion

Hiring a ghostwriter for your blog can prove to be an invaluable investment. It saves you time and energy while ensuring that your content is professionally written, well-researched, and tailored to your target audience. Although concerns about authenticity and creative control may arise, a skilled ghostwriter can effectively address these issues through open communication and collaboration.

By finding the right match based on writing style, expertise, and understanding of SEO practices, you can work together with the ghostwriter as a trusted partner to produce high-quality content that enhances your credibility and establishes you as an authority in your field. Embrace the opportunity to leverage the talents of a professional writer as you navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence.

Hiring a Ghostwriter FAQ