As a writer, you want to earn money, right?
You’ve announced your availability to write to everyone on Facebook, including your family. To promote yourself and show off your skills, you have been writing guest posts one after another. It’s possible that you’ve already secured a few freelance writing positions. Well done.
However, a potential customer emails you and asks, Do you offer ghostwriting services?
And you’re at a loss. Perhaps you’ve heard of ghostwriting. Perhaps you know what a ghostwriter is. You don’t want to reply with an email that reads, Err… what do you mean? and appear foolish. That seems like a surefire way to drive away a potential customer.
In this post, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the topic to answer your question, How does ghostwriting work?
What is Ghostwriting?
You may already have insufficient concepts about ghostwriting. When we first learned about ghostwriting, we assumed it was limited to memoirs written by famous people.
As it happens, memoirs are only the beginning. Ghostwriting can be found everywhere, from well-known bloggers using WordPress to independent authors using Amazon’s Kindle book publishing.
What is it, then?
When you ghostwrite, you allow someone else to claim credit for your writing. In other words, you receive absolutely no authorship credit.
The copyright is usually owned by the person who commissions the work, which gives them the freedom to alter or republish it however they see fit.
So why would someone employ a professional ghostwriter? Are they too indolent to write their own books or to think of original ideas or works?
Not always. Although there are many reasons why people hire ghostwriters, the following are the most popular ones:
- Their business has grown so much that they no longer have time to write (all) their own material.
- Even though they have a lot of knowledge or a compelling story to share, they either detest writing or are not very skilled at it.
Additionally, ghostwriting is nothing new because it has existed in one form or another for centuries.
Our own wordsmiths have shared their insights to help you get a better idea of how does ghostwriting work in real life:
- Taking a rough draft, editing it heavily, and expanding on it where necessary.
- Taking a blogger’s rough notes and transcribing them.
- Putting together short, functional blog posts (e.g., announcing a new writing podcast).
- Taking an assigned topic and a very brief outline, then “ghost blogging” a post in the client’s voice and writing style.
- Writing a post based on a title and nothing more.
- Coming up with ideas, getting them approved, then ghostwriting the posts (though this is rare!).
As you can see, ghostwriting can range from writing a piece entirely from scratch to something like an editing relationship. If you’re new to this, learning some ghostwriting tips early on can help you adapt to different client needs, maintain their voice, and produce content they feel confident putting their name on.
But Why Would You Let Someone Else Take Credit for Your Writing?
Why would you want to work as a ghostwriter if your goal is to establish your own reputation as a professional writer? You won’t receive any of the credit, after all. The article won’t contain your name, and you most likely won’t be able to identify yourself as the author.
Why do so many authors enjoy ghostwriting?
Well, because there are major benefits:
Benefit #1: Being a Good Ghostwriter Pays Exceptionally Well
Money is a major motivator for entering the ghostwriting industry. Generally speaking, ghostwriting pays more than traditional freelancing.
Why Ghostwriting Commands Higher Rates
When you have a byline, you can use that piece of work to establish your reputation, show off your skills, and possibly draw in new customers. Without that credit, it’s appropriate and standard practice to raise your hourly rate to make up for the loss of these benefits.
No Fixed Rule, But Rates are Higher
There’s no hard-and-fast rule for exactly how much more you should charge for a ghostwriting gig compared to ordinary freelance writing, but the premium is widely recognized.
Better Rates by Returning Clients
Once you’ve built a relationship with someone as a ghostwriter, you often receive more work from them. Clients value consistency, so it makes sense to keep working with the same writer.
Efficiency and Speed as a Bonus
Over time, you’ll likely produce work faster than usual for repeat clients, an added benefit that boosts both productivity and earnings.
Benefit #2: Ghostwriting Lets You Develop Closer Relationships with Big Names in Your Field
As a ghostwriter, you often work closely with your client. That could mean interviewing them, going over their rough notes, or shaping ideas from mind maps.
Working in a Focused Niche
If your ghostwriting centers on one area, like a specific blog topic, you’ll likely connect with respected figures in that industry.
Learning from Established Voices
This work gives you a behind-the-scenes view of how successful blogs or books come together, along with the thought process behind them.
Ideas You Can Use Later
The experience can spark ideas for your own projects when the time comes to launch something yourself.
Extra Support from Clients
As you build trust, clients may share your other work on their platforms, helping you reach a bigger audience.
Building Valuable Industry Ties
Strong relationships with well-known, credible people can be a big boost to your own career, and ghostwriting puts you right in their circle.
Final Thoughts
In the end, ghostwriting isn’t something everyone agrees on. Some writers think readers should always know who wrote the words. Others don’t want to hand over credit because they’ve worked hard to build their own name.
Even so, ghostwriting can be a good way to earn, whether you’re working with one or two clients or taking on a bunch of projects. It doesn’t stop you from writing under your own name either. You can do both.
If you’re new, a few ghostwriting tips can help you do better work, keep clients happy, and build strong working relationships.
In our opinion, it’s worthwhile. Now, whether it’s right for you…is totally your call.
Have a story but no time to write? At Pixel Writing Studio, we’ll get your ideas down in your own voice and turn them into something readers will want to keep reading.
FAQs
1. What exactly is ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is when a writer creates content for someone else, who then takes full credit. The client usually owns the copyright and can edit or republish it freely.
2. Who typically hires a ghostwriter?
People hire ghostwriters when they lack time, dislike writing, or want professional help turning their stories, knowledge, or expertise into a polished book, article, or blog post.
3. Do ghostwriters earn more than regular freelancers?
Yes, ghostwriting often pays higher rates because the writer sacrifices public credit. Clients pay extra for confidentiality, consistent voice, and professional quality that reflects their brand or personal style.
4. Can ghostwriting help build industry connections?
Absolutely. Ghostwriting often means working closely with established figures, giving you access to behind-the-scenes processes, valuable advice, and long-term relationships that can boost your career and open future opportunities.
5. Can I ghostwrite and still publish under my name?
Yes. Many writers balance ghostwriting for clients with publishing their own work, using ghostwriting income to support personal projects and develop their writing skills further.
