Let’s begin by clarifying some terms. Traditional “ghostwriting,” where a writer would conduct research and create books or articles for someone else to claim authorship, is not only outdated but also unethical. While it may have been accepted practice for many years, in today’s world, most writers consider it deceptive, a form of public deception, or even a scam. However, what about other types of writing that now require a “ghostwriter,” such as marketing copy, web content, white papers, blogs, and content marketing articles? Are they also scams? Or do we perceive them as fraudulent only because job postings use the term “ghostwriter”? Brand Content and Marketing unquestionably demand strong writing skills, subject knowledge, and expertise in SEO, but these requirements have little to do with the traditional concept of ghostwriting services . This evolution occurred after December 2009, when the print industry faced significant challenges, leading to the dismissal of countless editors by various publishers.
Ghostwriting Books
Ghostwriting services in the twenty-first century is primarily centered around books, serving as a clear boundary. If you engage in freelance ghostwriting for books, chances are you’ll be working as a hired writer rather than an independent entity. The author will determine the price, often opting for the lowest bidder. They may tempt you with the offer of a share in the project’s profits and authorship credit in exchange for immediate payment. However, the contract they provide will grant them full control, including the ability to terminate your ghostwriting services at any time. Despite their lack of knowledge about the actual book industry, in contrast to the abundance of disinformation, consumer information and misinformation found online, they will dictate the project’s positioning, structure, and writing. Pursuing such opportunities, which typically offer payment ranging from $7,500 to $25,000, the typical freelance writer will:
1- Explore websites like directfreelance.com, sologig.com, monster.com, indeed.com, and numerous other platforms to locate any references to the terms “writer” or “ghostwriter”.
2- Enthusiastically provide testimonials, writing samples and a pricing list to anyone interested.
3- Participate in competitive bidding battles to secure the opportunity to write a book for a lower price than their closest competitors offer; and
4- Strain themselves to meet the client’s frequently unrealistic expectations regarding bestseller status, deadlines, and various other desires and demands.
In contrast, professional ghostwriting involves transforming an initial manuscript or an author’s idea into a marketable literary work, presenting new opportunities for revenue. To offer expert ghostwriting services to specific clients rather than relying on job sites, you need to establish yourself as an industry expert and an authority in ghostwriting services. This approach brings about significant changes in the following ways:
1- You have the autonomy to set the fee and determine the payment terms.
2- You create a fair contract that safeguards your interests.
3- You take charge of managing the project.
4- Consequently, the resulting titles often attract the attention of traditional publishers or established hybrid publishers, leading to considerable success.
By working from a position of expertise and authority, you will naturally attract high-profile clients, enabling you to command fees ranging from $35,000 to $150,000 per title.
Becoming a freelance ghostwriter is not a significant decision; it’s simply an additional role for those who already have an established freelance career. Any skilled writer can take on this job, and there is typically an abundance of work available, so its profitability can vary depending on the market demand. However, choosing to become a Professional Ghostwriter is a life-changing choice. The distinction between freelancing and going pro is akin to the difference between being a doctor and a medic, a contractor and a handyman, or a team outfielder and a professional ballplayer in the National or American League. While they share the same fundamental talents and aptitude, professionals have honed their skills to a higher level. In today’s industry, professional ghostwriters are individuals who understand and can provide what in-house editors of traditional publishers used to offer to all authors, but can now only afford to give to high-profile ones. Any dedicated writer can certainly educate themselves on everything necessary to command high-end fees and deliver exceptional results.
To make this transition, aspiring professional ghostwriters should:
1- Gain comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects of the global book industry, including talent, registrations, acquisition, production options, prepress, ROI, costs, marketing, supply-chain players, advertising and promotion ROI.
2- Familiarize themselves with formatting, industry standards for coding and style-guide expectations.
3- Acquire expertise in creative analysis to effectively focus, structure any manuscript and position for its target markets.
4- Develop skills in “deep listening” and “ego restraint” to ensure the author’s voice, style, perspective, and intentions are preserved.
5- Engage in extensive reading to develop a keen sense of musical line editing.
6- Study the submission expectations for fiction, nonfiction and memoir genres in the industry.
7- Conduct research on the potential return on investment (ROI) for various strategies, such as online sales, traditional publishing, bulk sales, and high-volume distribution, in order to create effective bestseller plans.
8- Establish a sound business model, complete with sales tools and a reliable funnel, and learn how to launch, position and market their new ghostwriting business.
This journey towards professional ghostwriting does not involve deceit, scams, or fraud. It simply entails a logical progression towards a practical and lucrative career upgrade.
We are going to share some list of reliable ghostwriting companies in US :
- Write4Glory
- affordablewriting.net
- Ghostwritersforhire.us
- Urbanwriters
- ghostwriting.services
