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 will potentially restrict your growth.
2. Explore Your Creativity– Part of your job as a
ghostwriter would be to come up with ideas, solutions and approaches
that contribute to the success of the project. Not all clients have
very clear ideas and often the ghostwriters have to develop the
entire project on their own. Creativity helps to infuse new ideas and
processes into the writing, making it more interesting and valuable
to read.
3. Be Adaptable– A ghostwriter has to mimic the style and
voice of his or her client. This requires a degree of adaptability.
If you have a strong personal style or voice, you will find it
difficult to emulate the client.
4. Dig in the Facts– Not only does a ghostwriter have to
research the client to mimic the style and voice, but also the topic
for the project. Your writing should always be factually correct and
substantiated from authoritative sources. Be diligent. Develop an
insight to dig in deep for information. It is imperative that every
thing you write is well-researched and authenticated.
5. Learn to be Flexible– Sometimes there will a
difference of opinion between you and the client. In such cases, you
should be flexible enough to accommodate what the client desires. If
it seems that your work would be undermined, you should be able to
stand up to your client and explain your point of view.
6. Take Responsibility– The ability to be self-motivated,
diligent and responsible is highly appreciated in any working
relationship. It is no different for ghostwriting. Delivering your
work on time, being honest, communicative and available to the client
are key to the success of a ghostwriter. Regular communication and
updates will keep your client apprised of the progress.
7. Be Eager to Learn and Improve – In this fast-evolving
world, stagnancy has no place. The ability to learn new skills and
improve is invaluable for a ghostwriter. Keeping in tune with what is
happening around the world will help you stay abreast and continue to
improve your craft. When writing for someone else, there is always
some criticism. If you take criticism as an opportunity to learn and
improve, you are bound to succeed.
The Gist
While this is not a comprehensive list of skills you’ll need to a
successful ghostwriter, it is enough to give you an idea what it
takes to be one.
Success will finally rest on ensuring your clients’
satisfaction by delivering beyond their expectations.
Let your work
speak for itself!
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