Getting into Ghostwriting: A Guide for Freelance Writers

Are you looking to mix up your usual freelance writing schedule of blogs, press releases, and short articles? Do you want to flex your writing muscles with some long-form work that requires working with clients for extended periods of time? If so, then ghostwriting could be right for you. Not every freelance writer loves the idea of ghostwriting, but those who do often enjoy lucrative assignments and the satisfaction of writing book-length works that requires a great deal of collaboration. Could ghostwriting be a good skill to add to your freelance writing resume? Here is what you need to know about getting into ghostwriting.

What exactly is a ghostwriter?

Ghostwriting is the process of writing something that someone else puts his or her name on and presents as his or her own. Although some ghostwriters write blogs and articles, many work on books. A typical project for a ghostwriter is to write a book that ultimately credits someone else as the author.

For some freelance writers, this concept is a non-starter. As a ghostwriter, you will not receive credit—at all. There will not be a special credit to say that you actually did the work, and you will not be able to add the book to your resume as a writer. You are selling your writing, and once you cash the check, it belongs to the other person.

Why would any writer become a ghostwriter and let someone else take credit for his her work? There are many different reasons. Some writers prefer working books and like substantial projects like ghostwriting to juggling multiple small pieces daily. Some enjoy the large earning potential for ghostwriting. Others dabble in ghostwriting to gear up for writing their own books.

How can I get into ghostwriting?

Generally speaking, becoming a ghostwriter is not something most freelance writers do at the start of their careers. If you’re new to freelance writing, you may want to take some time doing shorter projects, so you can get more accustomed to working with clients and creating a writing portfolio.

These steps will help you get started as a ghostwriter:

• Build experience by writing shorter pieces, like guest posts, as a ghostwriter. This will help you get used to this kind of work and writing only for what the client wants—without your name being on the finished piece.
• Continue with your own writing, building up a portfolio of pieces that bear your name to show your writing skills.
• Experiment with writing in different voices. You will need to replicate the voice of your ghostwriting client, so having samples that show how adaptable your writing skills are will help you.
• Research the publishing industry. Many clients who hire ghostwriters also want advice about what to do with the manuscript. Understanding the publishing field will let you provide that advice.
• Market your ghostwriting skills. Your Writers Work profile is a good place to start. Be sure to sell the benefits of a ghostwriter, including having a professional manuscript in a fraction of the time that an inexperienced writer would need.
• Write job-specific pitches that go into detail about the writing services you can provide and how you view the client’s project. If you get past this step, schedule a call with the client. Ghostwriting projects are lengthy and complex, so you need to be clear about exactly what the client wants and realistic about whether you can deliver it.

How do I get my first ghostwriting gig?

To find your first ghostwriting client, scour the Job Finder on Writers Work. In some cases, clients who can benefit from a ghostwriter may not have even considered it as a possibility, so in addition to looking at the Job Finder, review your list of regular clients. Is there someone with whom you already have a working relationship who could benefit from publishing a piece with a ghostwriter? If you have a great idea, don’t hesitate to pitch it to a client. Some of the best ghostwriting clients come around this way.

How should I set my rates?

Ghostwriters can charge hefty rates because of the scope of the project. Typically, charging anywhere from $10,000 to $75,000 per project, for books between 100 and 300 pages in length is common. As a new ghostwriter, it is typical to command fees at the lower end of the scale and increase them as you build up experience. You can also charge more if you will be helping the client make publishing decisions.

Some ghostwriters charge $100,000 or more per book. However, this top tier of writers is established and sought-after within the industry. Often, these ghostwriters work with agents and publishers and are referred to clients directly.

One mistake to avoid with ghostwriting as with all other kinds of freelance writing is undercharging. Some ghostwriters will work for as little as $1,000 per project, but writers in this price range have a reputation for being unreliable and for taking jobs and then outsourcing them to freelancers who are willing to work for pennies per word, pocketing the difference. Your price should reflect that you are an experienced and committed writer who produces quality work.

What steps should I take next?

Ghostwriting is very much a relationship business, and each project will be different. However, one thing you will need for every client is an agreement that protects your rights. Every agreement should include these basic details:

• What the project is
• How much the fee is
• What is included in the fee—what pieces will you deliver
• What the timeline is
• Who owns the copyright (this will be your client in most cases)

This kind of agreement will ensure that both you and your client always know where you stand and what to expect from the project.

New freelance writers looking for jobs for beginners and seasoned writers who are interested in ghostwriting—and every writer in between—can find what they need on Writers Work. From our robust Job Listing page to our Writers Marketplace, we are where writers and clients meet. You can find out more about the benefits by signing up for a risk-free 30-day membership today.