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Ghostwriting is a popular practice that has been around for longer than most people realize. It refers to the act of writing a book, article, or any other type of content on behalf of someone else who is then granted ownership. The identity of the ghostwriter is usually kept hidden from the public eye, hence the term “ghost writing.”
People seek out ghostwriters for various reasons, ranging from lack of time to lack of writing skills. Some even use a professional ghostwriter to help them create captivating content for their blog that can help them achieve personal or professional goals in a way that they might not otherwise be able to (at least not as consistently).
Others use ghostwriting services to enhance their brand reputation by publishing high-quality content on their behalf. However, finding a reliable ghostwriter that is a good match for your project can be challenging since many people claim to be professional writers without having the necessary skills or experience. To make it all the more confusing, some of the best writers I know aren't necessarily “professional writers”—meaning they haven't started working for other people as a writer and don't have years of experience on the freelancing or professional side of things.
That's why it's important to do thorough research and take your time when choosing the right ghostwriter. In this article, you'll learn some practical tips on how to find a reliable ghostwriter who can deliver quality work tailored specifically for your needs.
The Importance of Finding a Reliable Ghostwriter
Choosing an inexperienced or unprofessional writer can lead to disastrous results and cause you unnecessary stress and wasted time and money. A poorly written book or article may not only damage your reputation but also harm your credibility in the long run. Additionally, hiring an unreliable writer may lead to missed deadlines and poor communication throughout the project, causing unnecessary frustration and delays in achieving your goals.
But that's not all you have to worry about. If you want the best result for your book project, it's a good idea to look for a ghost writer who can be a perfect match for your voice—one who can see your vision for your book idea and help you bring your entire book to life.
Therefore, you have to do your due diligence to choose your ghostwriter wisely by looking at their credentials, experience level, portfolio samples as well as taking into consideration essential factors such as communication skills, their ghostwriting process, and their ability to meet deadlines. Finding a reliable ghostwriter is paramount if you want high-quality content delivered within your stipulated timeline while saving yourself from stress and unnecessary financial losses.
Determine Your Needs
When it comes to finding a ghostwriter, the first step is to determine your needs. Before you start looking for potential writers, you need to know exactly what you want from them.
This involves identifying the purpose and scope of your project, as well as the type of writing style and tone you want. When it comes to identifying the purpose of your project, ask yourself what you hope to achieve by hiring a ghostwriter.
Do you want to write a memoir or a self-help book? Are you hoping to establish yourself as an expert in your field?
Or do you simply need someone to help create content for your website or blog? Once you’ve identified the purpose of your project, think about the scope of what you want to achieve.
Do you have a specific word count in mind? Are there any specific topics or themes that must be included in the writing?
Identify The Type Of Writing Style And Tone You Want
In addition to determining the purpose and scope of your project, it’s important that you also identify the type of writing style and tone that best suits your needs. Not all ghostwriters have experience with all genres or styles, so knowing what style works best for your project will help narrow down potential writers. If this is for fiction writing such as novels or short stories, consider if they can accommodate different voices per character, physical descriptions based on plot relevance and other important elements specific in fiction writing.
If it’s non-fiction work such as autobiography or biographies then it’s important that the ghostwriter can convey their story with authenticity while achieving their desired message. In general, whether fiction or non-fiction work requires more formal language like academic papers depends on who will be reading it – laymen readers may prefer something lighter and more conversational, whereas experts would prefer a more technical approach.
Research Potential Ghostwriters
Now that you have a better understanding of your project requirements, it's time to start researching potential ghostwriters. One of the best ways to find a reliable ghostwriter is through referrals from friends, colleagues, or industry experts.
Ask around and see if anyone you know has worked with a great ghostwriter in the past. Personal recommendations are often the most reliable way to find quality writers.
If you can't get any referrals, don't worry – there are plenty of reputable ghostwriting services and freelance writers available online. Simply search for “ghostwriting services” or “freelance writers” on your favorite search engine and browse through the results.
Look for sites or individual writers that specialize in your niche or genre. When searching online, be cautious of scams or low-quality writers who may offer their services at extremely low prices.
These types of writers may not have the necessary experience or skills to produce high-quality work. Always read reviews and check out their portfolio before making any commitments.
Look for Referrals
The power of personal recommendations cannot be underestimated when finding a good ghostwriter. Ask around among people you know; friends who might have published, business associates who might have used collaboration with ghostwriters before, colleagues and even family members could give you some valuable suggestions regarding where to look for someone dependable and trustworthy that can help bring your vision into reality in writing form.
Browse Google
The internet is chock-full of websites that offer writing services at varying degrees of quality and quantity. If fact, you probably already know about several of them or have had several of them recommended to you. Fiverr, UPWork, and Freelancer.com are all popular options.
However, I always recommend starting on Google first, then skip that first page and start reviewing the results on page 2. What you'll find is that the first page of Google is all Fiverr, UPWork, and Freelancer.com. And that's fine, I have nothing against those sites per se, but they don't have the tools that help clients find the perfect ghostwriter for their project. The filtering and sorting tools give glimpses at best, but mostly based on pricing. And there are so many members that it would take years to go through them all just to come up with a list of people to interview.
On Google page 2, you'll find ghostwriters who have started branding themselves outside of those sites. Some of them still have profiles and portfolios on those sites, but they've learned enough to branch out beyond those sites in terms of presence and branding. And these ghostwriters tend to be more experienced not just in writing but in their business. Which means their contracts are more developed, their processes are more refined, and they have something more to offer than merely a price tag.
Once you've found a few ghostwriters, you can always see if they are available on one of those writing sites or if they are completely independent.
Check out Portfolios and Reviews
With ghostwriters, portfolios and reviews work a little differently than, say, copywriters or content writers. This is because with ghostwriters, ownership of the content being written is granted to the client, who is credited as the author. And for many ghostwriters, that means we cannot legally tell you which clients we've worked with or which books we've ghostwritten.
So, in lieu of a portfolio, a lot of ghostwriters will either have collections of books and articles they've written themselves or a blog.
As you are meeting with each ghostwriter, ask them where you can find samples of their writing so you can review their writing style, voice, and skill.
Verify Their Experience and Expertise in Your Niche or Genre
Whoever you hire to ghostwrite for you, they should have experience within your niche or genre.
If you are writing a romance novel, they should have experience with romance; if you are writing a business strategy book, they should have experience with business strategy. Some ghostwriters may actually choose to niche down, or specialize, into a particular niche or genre, while others may decide to stay general writers and take on projects in all sorts of areas, but for you to find the perfect ghostwriter for your project, you want to find one who already has experience in your area.
This is where reviewing those writing samples and their blogs can really come in handy. A lot of ghostwriters will offer insights and advice for the subject they are writing. For example, I have experience with fiction ghostwriting, and have several blog posts dedicated to helping fiction writers write their own books. I demonstrate my writing ability and skill in my blog posts, and I demonstrate my knowledge of the craft by posting those helpful articles where they can learn. I specialize in nonfiction books, especially books on social media marketing, so I also have a lot of posts on this blog about nonfiction book writing and social media marketing.
You can also ask them about their experience. They can't tell you which books they've done or which clients they've worked with, so you won't get anything that sounds like a resume. But they can tell you about how much they know about the industry, niche, or genre you're looking to write for and answer questions for you.
Communicate with Potential Ghostwriters
Schedule a consultation to discuss your project requirements
Once you've narrowed down your list of potential ghostwriters, it's time to start talking with them! Schedule a consultation where you can discuss the details of your project and ensure that the ghostwriter has a clear understanding of your needs.
This initial conversation will help both parties determine if they are a good fit for each other. During this consultation, be prepared to provide the ghostwriter with as much information about your project as possible without divulging proprietary information.
This includes details such as the general topic, length, target audience, and any specific requirements that you might have. It's important to be clear about what you want so that the writer can deliver exactly what you need.
Ask about their writing process and timelines
Some of the best clients I've ever worked with came into our consultation together asking about my writing process, why I write what I write, how I got into writing, and things like that. These may sound like questions that aren't really relevant to your book, but the way the ghostwriter answers these questions can tell a lot about them.
First of all, the more you learn about any ghostwriter, the more you'll be able to tell how much you'll enjoy working with them. After all, it's a lot easier to work with someone, especially on a project as long and involved as a book, if you like the person.
Additionally, watching a ghostwriter talk can tell you whether or not they can keep up with you. Whenever you hire someone to work on your book with you, whether it's a writing coach, a ghostwriter, or an editor, one of the things you want to watch out for is that the book will still sound like you. This is one way to alleviate that fear and get that answer: if they can match your energy while they're talking to you, then they can match your voice while working on your book with you.
Overall, communication is key when it comes to finding a reliable ghostwriter. By scheduling a consultation and asking these important questions upfront, you can ensure that both parties are on the same page before beginning any work together.
Get a Quote and Take Your Time
When you've found a ghostwriter that you feel comfortable working with, let them know and in most cases they will send over a personalized quote for your project based on your exact needs. Take your time to mull it over and think about everything you know about this ghostwriter before choosing to agree.
This is where a lot of my clients start feeling some pressure, they want to give me an answer right away but let's face it, ghostwriting and even editing can be pretty expensive. It's a huge time commitment and money investment. It's not a decision to make lightly.
Most of the time, the quote will also list out that scope that the fees are based on, sort of an itemized list of services that are included within the quote. If anything is unclear, you can always ask questions, and you can always talk about reworking the scope by adding or removing certain services until you like it.
Once you've agreed on the scope and quote, it's time to get a contract.
Review and Sign the Contract
It's vital to sign a contract that outlines the terms and conditions of your agreement. The contract should be comprehensive and protect both parties' interests.
This is not only an essential step in ensuring the quality of your project, but it also establishes clear expectations for all parties involved. To protect your interests, ensure that the contract covers all aspects of your project, including payment terms and schedules. Even if the ghostwriter you're hiring is one of your friends, do not skip this step.
A good contract should also outline any revisions that are allowed or whether additional fees will apply if there are extensive changes. Moreover, It's vital to include confidentiality clauses in the agreement as ghostwriters may have access to sensitive information about your business or personal life.
More than likely, because it's such a core part of their job, the ghostwriter will already have contracts set up within their business which they can modify and send over to you, rather than you having to hire a lawyer to draw one up. Still, take your time to review it, make sure you understand the terms, and ask any questions if they come up. It also helps to have a lawyer review the contract with you to make sure you aren't missing any important information.
If you're using on of those writing services websites, you will also be held to the terms and conditions of their website policies. Some ghostwriters who work through those services will just use those sites' terms in lieu of a formal contract, and that's okay because at least there is some type of a contract in place. Others will use those sites' terms in addition to their own contract that they will send to you; in these cases, their contract cannot contradict what the sites' terms and conditions state, only add to it. But a lot of times you'll find more detailed explanations of scope and timelines in these personal contracts.
Remember, the Contract Should Protect Both Parties
Like I said, before you sign on that dotted line, take some time to review and understand all terms and conditions within the contract. Make sure everything is clear to you before agreeing to anything. You should discuss any concerns with your ghostwriter beforehand so that they can make necessary adjustments regarding any potential discrepancies.
Make sure there are no hidden fees or additional charges beyond what was initially agreed upon beforehand. Make sure they understand what you expect from them, what the delivery requirements are, and what you need. This ensures a smooth project execution without any conflicts or misunderstandings down the line.
Make sure you understand what is expected of you, when to send the ghostwriter your materials, and (most importantly) what happens after the work is completed. Most ghostwriters have set expectations as to when to send your reviews and feedback for the work before they will agree to revisions and the like. If you hang onto the work too long and come back months later asking for revisions, you may find yourself being asked to start a new contract with new payment.
Set clear expectations regarding payment, revisions, and confidentiality
It's crucial to establish payment procedures upfront so there are no surprises or discrepancies during later stages of writing. Typically ghostwriters charge by word count or project, and they usually expect payment up front before any work begins. Regardless, Be sure both parties agree upon compensation before beginning work together as well as discussing how revisions will be handled if needed.
Make sure the contract specifies who has ownership of the work and how it will be used once completed (e.g., ghostwriting credit). Be transparent about expectations regarding confidentiality so that there are no issues that arise later on in the project.
Collaborate with Your Ghostwriter
There is a misconception that once you hire a ghostwriter, all you have to do is give them the premise of your book and then they will go disappear to develop and write everything and come back once it's done.
The truth is, that rarely happens.
Working with a ghostwriter is more about collaborating. The two of you will work together to strategize, plan, and outline the book together. Only after that's all done will the ghostwriter pull back to begin putting your thoughts into words. And a lot of times, they will still meet with you during the writing process for course corrections and to make sure they are meeting your vision.
The more information you provide to your writer, the better they will be able to see and carry out your vision. This includes details about your target audience, writing style preferences, tone of voice, and any other requirements specific to your project. It's important to give your writer ample time to review and digest this information before starting the writing process.
Be prepared to answer any questions they may have about the project or its requirements. The more clarity you can provide upfront, the fewer misunderstandings there will be later on.
Maintain open communication
Throughout the writing process, it's important to maintain open lines of communication with your ghostwriter. Ask them for regular updates on their progress and make sure they are meeting deadlines.
If any issues arise or changes need to be made along the way, it's important to address them as soon as possible. Don't wait until the end of the project to request major revisions or changes – this could lead to delays or additional costs.
A good way to facilitate communication is by setting up regular check-ins via phone or video chat. Email is fine for small updates but having real-time conversations can help avoid miscommunications that can sometimes occur via text-based messaging systems such as email or instant messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Review and Revise
Carefully review the completed work for accuracy, style, and tone
Congratulations! You’ve finally received the first draft of your project from your ghostwriter. This is a big moment.
It’s time to take a deep breath and dive into the content with a critical eye. Start by reviewing it for accuracy, style, and tone.
Accuracy is important because it affects the credibility of your work. Ensure that all facts are correct and all sources are cited properly.
If you find any errors or omissions, make a note of them so that you can discuss them with your ghostwriter later. Style is also important because it sets the tone for your project.
Look at how sentences flow together, how paragraphs connect to each other, and whether the language is clear or confusing. Decide whether you want to keep the style as-is or change it based on your preferences.
Tone is another crucial aspect of writing that affects how readers perceive your content. Is it too formal or too informal?
Does it sound like you? Make sure that the tone matches your desired voice so that readers connect with your message at an emotional level.
Be Clear when Requesting Revisions
Most ghostwriters do not offer refunds if you're not happy with the work being produced. And with the amount of communication and collaboration happening throughout the project, there really shouldn't be any reason for you to be unhappy with the writing once its done.
But there may still need to be revisions made either due to typos, a change of scope, or if something just feels a little “off”. Most ghostwriters have some sort of policy regarding revisions built within the scope of their quote and contract, so make sure you understand what those policies are. Request revisions within specific time frames they've explained (e.g., two weeks). Be clear about what changes you want when communicating with your ghostwriter—failing to give clearly defines instructions can lead to more confusion than clarity and the need for more revisions down the line.
Explain why changes need to be made and how they will benefit the project. It’s important to remember that the final product isn’t just about you, it’s also about your readers.
Final Thoughts on Hiring the Perfect Ghostwriter
Finding the perfect ghostwriter for your project can be a challenging task, but it's worth the effort to ensure that you get a quality product that meets your needs. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be on your way to finding a reliable and competent ghostwriter who can help bring your vision to life.
One of the keys to success when working with a ghostwriter is clear and open communication. Make sure that you are both on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and payment terms.
This will help avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications down the line. Don't forget to give credit where credit is due.
If you're happy with the final product from your ghostwriter, make sure to acknowledge their contribution. This can include giving them a byline or mentioning their name in acknowledgments or promotional materials.
By showing appreciation for their hard work and dedication, you'll build a positive relationship that could lead to future collaborations. Finding a ghostwriter may seem daunting at first glance but with determination and patience it is achievable!
Remember that every writer has different strengths so take some time researching what type of writer will work best for your project. communicate clearly and appreciate their hard work; these small gestures will go along way in ensuring future collaborations!
