If there’s something strange in the neighbourhood, who you gonna call?
Ghostwriters!
Sorry, what?
That’s right (write?), ghostwriters.
Okaaaaay, what’s one of those, then?
I’m so glad you asked that, dear reader, because that’s what this week’s blog is all about. So, slip into your most comfortable proton pack, order a Twinkie the size of New York, sit back and relax. Together, we’ll find out answers to questions like what is a ghostwriter, why would you need a ghostwriter, how much does a ghostwriter cost, and just what did Egon do with that slime…
What is a ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter is a person who creates content for another person or business but does not receive any credit for their work. The term “ghostwriter” comes from the idea that the writer’s work is “ghostly,” or “invisible,” so it’s not as spooky, creepy, or supernatural as you might first think. It happens all the time in the movies – ghostwriters do uncredited work polishing up scripts and plot rewrites and you’d never know unless you were told.
What does a ghostwriter do?
Ghostwriters have been used for years to write books. A classic example of this is the bizarre sub-culture of celebrity novels. Celebrities who ‘write’ novels often don’t write a word of it themselves – it’s a clever clogs writer behind the scenes that does all the graft while the celebrity just sticks their name on the front cover once it’s done and goes out doing the PR tour bit.
More recently, though, ghostwriting has expanded to include other literary forms including articles, blog posts, speeches, and even social media content. Ghostwriters also do a smörgåsbord of other tasks, depending on the needs of their clients. Some write content from scratch, while others might specialise in editing or revising existing content.
No matter what the task, ghostwriters have to be able to adapt their writing style to the needs of their clients, write clear, concise, and engaging content, and be amazing at researching. They might even be called upon to conduct interviews if the job calls for it.
Ghostwriters typically work under a contract that specifies the scope of work, the deadline, and the payment. The contract may also include a confidentiality clause, which ensures that they won’t disclose any information about the project to anyone else.
Why would you hire a ghostwriter?
There are loads of reasons why someone might hire a ghostwriter. Some of the most common reasons include:
Lack of time: Many people just don’t have enough hours in the day to write their own content, so a ghostwriter is the perfect solution.
No writing skills: This is no reason to be embarrassed – we’re all good at different things, after all. If you’re not a good writer, a ghostwriter can help you create content that’s polished and professional.
You hate writing: having to sit and write is some people’s idea of hell. If that sounds like you then why put yourself through it?! Let a ghostwriter do it for you and save your nerve endings the stress.
You’ve no idea what to write: You sit down with good intentions but then BAM! Silence. Crickets. Tumbleweeds. Not a single decent creative thought in your head. If that sounds familiar then let a ghostwriter worry about it for you instead.
Expertise: If you’re not an expert on a particular topic then a ghostwriter can help you research and write about it.
Confidentiality: If you need to keep your identity or the details of your project confidential, who you gonna call? Ghostwriters!
How to Find a Ghostwriter
If you’re considering hiring a ghostwriter, here’s how you find a good one. First, ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues. You can also search online for ghostwriters who specialise in the type of content that you need.
Second, when you’re interviewing ghostwriters, be sure to ask about their experience, rates, and availability. You should also ask for samples of their work.
Finally, and this one is really important, you need to find a ghostwriter who you feel comfortable working with. You should be able to communicate your ideas clearly, and you should feel confident that they’ll be able to deliver the content you need.
How much do ghostwriters charge?
This is impossible to answer because there are so many variables to try and factor in. The ghostwriter’s experience, how much research needs to be done, how long the written piece needs to be, how short the deadline is, whether the work is a one-and-done scenario or regular retained work etc, etc, etc
The best thing to do is just ask your ghostwriter for their fees. No writer worth their salt just gives you a price without itemising what you actually get for their services, so ask them for a breakdown of what work they think is involved for the fee they’re commanding.
Need to hire a ghostwriter?
Then you just arrived at Spook Central, my friend! I’ve got some availability to take on a new ghostwriting project, so if you need blogs, articles, or LinkedIn content ghostwritten in a down-to-earth, informal, entertaining human tone of voice then our courteous and efficient staff are on call 24 hours a day to service all your supernatural elimination needs.
Sorry, got carried away there.
What I meant to say was, hit the button below to book a FREE 1:1 session with me and let’s talk more about how I can solve your writing problems with a flick of my ghostly pen.
Ste
N.B. Egon definitely did.