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3 Sureshot Steps to Make Your Way into the Ghostwriting Industry Successfully

If you read my article on 8 Reasons Why You Should Become a Ghostwriter , you probably have found at least one reason to be one yourself. Or perhaps you've just discovered that ghostwriting is a lucrative niche and you want to discover the amazing world of ghostwriting world. But, how ? I'll reveal the 3 sure shot steps to let you through the doors of the ghostwriting right now. 1. Read, Write, Repeat No kidding. That's how it begins. You write, write and write more. And for good writing, you'll need to read regularly too. This will open up your mind to fresh ideas for writing. Whether its blogs, articles, letters, emails, newsletters, scripts, books, ebooks, reviews or opinions- you write them down. Pitch to the editors of popular publications, newspapers, newsletters, blogs and magazines. In short, pick every opportunity online to get your writing with your byline out there. Once people know you and you have got enough evidence of all your work being publi...

8 Reasons Why You Should Become a Ghostwriter

Despite having published under my own name, I prefer being a ghostwriter. While ghostwriting is not everyone's cup of tea, it just seems to work perfectly for me. The reasons?  1 . Ghostwriting Pays Well Ghostwriting is a lucrative niche . One of the best things about ghostwriting is that you get paid a handsome amount for it. And you get paid upfront. You don't have to wait to write, publish and then market your book to make any money out of it.    At Ghostwriters' World, I offer other writing services such as copywriting but ghostwriting undoubtedly pays the best. You just have to find the right clients- the ones who will pay you well. 2. You Have to do Less Homework Often your clients will have brilliant ideas and stories that they would want you to work on. This means you would not have to start from scratch. You don't have to come up with your own ideas and voice. You would have an outline or plot to begin with so you'll have to do less homewo...

Moving Home May Not be All Glitters and Sparkles but it Should Not Stress You Out

Moving home has never been easy....it will probably never will be. But with a little bit of planning and preparation, the move can be a lot more stress-free than you think. You see, my family and I moved from the UK to Pakistan last year (2018). While it was a big move for all of us, and we had to go through changes we had never expected, we all pretty much managed to adapt ourselves to the new environment quite well. And that too in a short span of time. The question: How did we do so quickly? We did it by: 1. Being Mentally Prepared for What's Coming Our Way Any change in life can be overwhelming- both financially and emotionally. We just have to be prepared for it. Before we moved, we told our minds to expect all this. And guess what? It helped us accept the changes far more easily than we had thought. It helped us become flexible and be ready for new things such as the culture, food, traditions, the way people do things, the new education system for our kids etc ...

The 6 Awesome Strategies I Use to Work From Home as a Freelance Writer While Raising a Family

I am one of those lucky women who has never worked in an office. Yes, I have always worked from home- right from the time I graduated as an engineer and got married in December 2008. It has been a decade now since I have been working as a freelance writer, working from the comfort of my home. During this decade, I’ve not only established a writing career, I have had and raised two kids. One is 7 now while the other one is 4. To those parents who wish to work from home due to family or other reasons, I want to assure you: Yes, you can make money writing while running a household and raising kids. Is it easy? Of course not. It’s been an organizational nightmare for me juggling a struggling career and raising a family. I have worked like a sleep-deprived zombie attempting to write when my kids were napping in those little 1-hour episodes, do housework and then tend to them when they were awake (which felt like always). Seasoned parents advised me to sleep when m...

The Dark Side of Freelancing You Were Never Told About

If you've been reading my blogs, you know I am always encouraging everyone to work from home. I've been sharing my experience of working as a freelance writer here with you. As I have worked from home as a freelance content writer and ghostwriter for the last 10 years of my life, I seem to know the ins and outs of this area well, if I dare say so myself.   Yes, I admit it. I've absolutely loved the challenges of freelancing so far. It has seemed to fit in so well around my family and home. In my previous posts I've bragged about how comfortably I make a living from my couch by just using my laptop. I've talked about how amazingly I have managed to create a healthy work-life balance ....But sorry, guys! Today is not one of those days. Today I'll reveal an honest yet brutal truth of my life. I suffer from something called 'Work At Home Mom Depression' (WAHMD). And before you try to Google the term, I'll tell you it's what I just made up. B...

7 Skills That Will Help You Succeed as a Ghostwriter

You have just found out that ghostwriting is a lucrative career . You wish to become a ghostwriter now, but you know it is not easy to be one. The biggest challenge you will face as a ghostwriter is to see someone else take the credit for your writing. That’s what all ghostwriters sign up for. Developing this sense of detachment is the first thing you’ll need to learn to do, but there are other skills that you’ll need to succeed as a ghostwriter. Besides having a command over the language and mastering the art of writing that we all need as writers, there are 7 other skills that, in my opinion, will help you develop a successful career in ghostwriting. 1. Be Versatile – You should be able to handle different kinds of writing projects with equal ease. While you may be an expert in a certain niche or genre, don’t just confine yourself to ghostwriting books. Expand your skills to write short or long articles, blogs, speeches or essays. Confining yourself to just one area wil...

6 of the Most Commonly Asked FAQs About Ghostwriting: Is it Actually Ethical to Ghostwrite?

When people talk to you, they can be insensitive and brutal at times. People ask me, "What do you do?" "I am a ghostwriter . I write books for my clients. " "And what does that exactly mean?" they ask naively. "Do you write about ghosts and haunted places?" " Actually, I write for others. I  never get the credit for what I write." "Oh, that's weird. Is that actually a job? I'd never do that. What's the point of working so hard when you never get the credit for it?" they say bluntly. Heartbroken, I still try to keep that smile on my face. I lift my spirits up to explain how helping others brings the element of satisfaction to me. Of course, ghostwriting pays well too, but this is what I do because I enjoy ghostwriting more than writing in my own style does. I actually wrote an entire post on what's in it for me as a ghostwriter when I am working behind the scenes. The post explains my point of ...

6 of the Most Commonly Asked FAQs About Ghostwriting: Does Ghostwriting Actually Pay Well?

Does ghostwriting actually pay well? This is by far the most frequently asked question about ghostwriting. I meet someone every other day who asks me about how well ghostwriting pays. What's interesting is the fact that the majority of these aren't writers or people thinking of making ghostwriting their career. These are just those nosy people who want to judge your 'financial status' by finding out how much you make as a ghostwriter. That's why I will answer this question now, right here, right now. Question 5 Does ghostwriting actually pay well? Answer Yes, it does. I actually answered the same question on this blog back in 2013. You may read it here. As mentioned in the article above, the rates of ghostwriters vary a lot. They depend on: A ghostwriter's experience The quality of work he/she offers The quantity of work demanded by the client Some ghostwriters charge on an hourly basis. Others charge on a per word basis. Ei...

6 of the Most Commonly Asked FAQs About Ghostwriting: What if Your Ghostwritten Work is Rejected by Publishers?

Ghostwriting is not easy. I get that. That's why I have created an entire series of posts for both new and experienced ghostwriters. Each one is dedicated to answering a FAQ on ghostwriting. So far, I have answered 3 FAQs. Time for the fourth one. Without further ado, let's get onto today's question: Question #4:  What if Your Ghostwritten Work is Rejected by Publishers? All ghostwriters may have a different say on this one. For me, while I do my best to ensure the quality of the work is publishable, I take no responsibility for getting my client published. And I state that clearly in the contract. In my opinion, a client should engage with a publisher or agent before hiring a ghostwriter and they can all work in conjunction then. With the increase in the demand for self publishing, getting your work rejected by the publisher is, of course, not a concern at all. However, if your client prefers going the traditional route for publishing his or her...

6 of the Most Common Ghostwriting FAQs Answered: What to Include in My Contract Before Ghostwriting My Client's Book

Having answered the top two most frequently asked questions about ghostwriting, it is now time for the third one. Question #3: What should I include in my contract before I start ghostwriting my client's book? Answer: To state the obvious, a written and signed contract is one of the most important elements a ghostwriter needs before he or she undertakes a ghostwriting job. A contract is a mutual agreement between you, as the ghostwriter and the client you are ghostwriting for. Because a ghostwriting job can take several weeks and even months to complete, what you include in this contract should be all carefully worded. So, what should you include in the contact? From my personal experience as a ghostwriter, I believe any terms that you and the client have mutually discussed and agreed on should be penned down in your contract. Nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING should remain a part of your verbal communication. It all has to be in black and white and ...

6 of the Most Common Ghostwriting FAQs Answered: How to Conduct Research for Ghostwriting Your Clients' Books

This post is the second part of my current series of articles where I'll be answering the most common FAQs on ghostwriting that I am being frequently asked. In case you missed the first one, you can catch up here . Today's question is: Question #2: How do I conduct research for ghostwriting my clients' books? Answer: When you are ghostwriting, you have to make sure every bit of information that you have is accurate. In case of a non-fiction book, things may be easy as most of the facts are out there already. Fiction books, on the other hand, are not as simple. They have made up stories alright, but the happenings and events must be related somehow to the real world. In case of biographies, memoirs or historical books, things get a little bit more complicated. You may be asked to write stories that are personal to your clients. Nobody may have experienced or witnessed events that they did. Your clients may state the facts as they know or can recall ...