| According to Professional Ghost, “50% of the non-fiction books on the bestseller lists have been written with the help of a ghostwriter service.” |
Numerous peers possess exceptional creative thinking skills. However, due to their unsatisfactory writing skills and insufficient time, they are unable to showcase their talent to the world. This is when ghostwriting comes to the rescue! Though it’s a great initiative for authors who don’t want to waste their talent due to such barriers, many people have negative thoughts about this.
As a ghostwriter, I have faced many challenges throughout my journey. This is primarily because so many people are still unaware of it. This is why I have decided to help such people know more about ghostwriting and teach them how to become a ghostwriter.
Are you also interested in becoming a ghostwriter, but unsure how to do it? If so, then you don’t have to worry because I am here to guide you!
In this blog, I will provide a brief overview of ghostwriting and its differences from traditional writing. In addition to this, I will also guide you on how you can become a ghostwriter as well.
So, are you ready? Let’s begin!
What is Ghostwriting?
First things first! Let’s initiate our conversation by understanding the basic concepts of ghostwriting.
Have you ever wondered if I can hire someone to write my story for me?
When you read a book, chances are that the first thing you notice after reading the title is the author’s name. Now the question is, is the author actually the one with the name on the book, or someone else? Well, you can’t guess it based on any stats. However, the chances are high that the book was written by someone else (a ghostwriter) and the author gets the credit. Now you might be thinking that this is illegal because it contains copyrighted material? Is it? Well, to your surprise, it is not illegal! Yes, you have heard it right. Ghostwriting is legal as the author pays a professional ghostwriter to write for them, and in exchange, the author receives the credit, and the ghostwriter receives the income.
In simpler words, ghostwriting is the practice of hiring an expert to write for you, and you will be the one to receive the credit. For instance, if you have a bunch of great ideas but lack literary finesse, then you can seek trusted and reliable book ghostwriting services from a professional.
I hope you have a clearer idea of what ghostwriting actually is. Now, let’s understand the difference between ghostwriting and traditional writing.
What is the Difference between Ghostwriting and Traditional Writing?
Traditional writing and ghostwriting are quite different from each other. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the two once the book is published. The following table shows some of the key differences between the two:
| Ghostwriting | Traditional writing |
| Less creative control | Full creative control |
| Higher priced | Lower priced |
| Takes less time | A time-consuming process |
| Ghostwriters get paid once | Traditional writers receive royalties and ongoing cash from their books |
However, if you still have doubts between the two, you can consider taking a look at Ghostwriting Vs Traditional Writing: Which One Is Right for You?
How can you Start your Career as a Ghostwriter?
Now comes the main question: how can you start your career as a ghostwriter?
Firstly, before beginning your career, you must ensure that you possess these skills:
● Strong Writing Skills:
First and foremost, the most crucial skill to become a ghostwriter is to have proficiency in writing. You can begin with writing samples for no cost and request feedback from your friends or colleagues who have a keen interest in reading. Additionally, you can use social media platforms and follow artists who provide writing tips and tutorials.
● Extensive Research Skills:
Furthermore, you must ensure that you have satisfactory research skills. This will help you search for valid facts and theories, enhancing the credibility of your writing.
● Adaptability to Different Voices, Tones, and Styles:
In addition to this, you must be able to adapt various voices, tones, and styles. For this, you can read an author’s different books and try to write a book in their style. Repeat this with other authors to get expertise in it.
Once you are ready to become a ghostwriter, you should start working on starting your career. The following are some ways through which you can begin your career as a ghostwriter:
● Get Experience:
First of all, you must start by gaining experience to enhance your credibility in the industry. For the experience, you can utilize online platforms, such as Fiverr and Upwork. You can work at these platforms as a freelancer and provide your services at cheap rates so that more clients can approach you.
● Create a Portfolio:
Now that you have gained sufficient experience, you need to create a professional portfolio. Build a website to showcase your best writing pieces. This will help develop greater trust from clients in your work. However, you must focus on a specific industry in which you have expertise.
● Build your Network:
After that, you need to build your network to get recognition in the industry. For that, you can inform your friends and family members who share the same. Additionally, you should also stay active on social media platforms like LinkedIn to stay connected with authors, agents, and sometimes even clients.
● Grow your Business:
Finally, learn basic marketing skills and grow your business through social media platforms via ads and other marketing tactics.
All in all!
To conclude, ghostwriting can be a quite profitable and prestigious career. However, it is essential to be aware of its criteria. If you also want to begin your career as a ghostwriter, then you can use this blog as a guide.
This brings us to the end of our guide!
I hope that this blog will help you get a better understanding of ghostwriting and how you can become a ghostwriter from scratch. Best of luck for the future!