Should I be a ghostwriter?

Do you want to be a writer but prefer working behind the scenes?

Ghostwriting might be the right job for you!

A ghostwriter writes content (like books, articles, or speeches) for someone else, under that person’s name.

Is ghostwriting a scam?

No. It’s a professional service where a writerhelps someone bring their ideas to life, and both sides agree that the credit goes to the client. Ghostwriters are also called collaborators.

Ghostwriters are hired by anyone who needs to write something but doesn’t have the time or necessary skills. For example:

• Authors who have ideas for novels or non-fiction books but need assistance with the writing process.

• Celebrities and public figures who want to write books or memoirs but don't have the time or writing skills.

• Business leaders who need help writing articles, books, speeches, or social media posts (like Twitter or LinkedIn).  

• Bloggers and content creators who want to publish regular content but need help with the workload.

• Academics and researchers who need assistance turning their findings into publishable papers or reports.

A day in the life of a ghostwriter is a mix of creativity and organization:

1. Writing — Drafting the content while trying to capture the client’s style and ideas, as if they wrote it themselves.

2. Client meetings and communication — Discussing project goals, tone, and content with clients.

3. Research — Reading up on the subject matter to make sure you capture the client’s voice and expertise just right.

4. Revisions — Editing andrefining drafts after receiving client feedback or making personal revisions.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Most ghostwriters tend to work as freelancers because of the diverse nature of the work. This gives them the flexibility to take on a variety of projects, from books to blog posts, for different clients.

Other employment types include:

• Working with agencies that find the clients and handle the projects.

• Working in-house, for example, at corporations. This would mean writing for the same client over a long period.

Ghostwriters often have the potential to earn more than regular writers, especially for high-profile or larger projects like celebrities' books or corporate content. This is because ghostwriting typically involves more in-depth work, confidentiality, and adapting to the client's voice, which can lead to higher fees.

That said, earnings can vary widely based on the type of writing, experience, and clientele.

The average salary for a ghostwriter in the U.S. is $63K,000 a year (USD).

The average salary for a ghostwriter in Canada is $54,000 a year (CAD).

• Enjoy writing without the need for public recognition

• Love variety in your work

• Are a natural collaborator

• Adapt easily to different voices and styles

• Appreciate learning about new topics

• Value flexibility

• Need public recognition

• Dislike frequent revisions

• Prefer creative freedom 

• Find tight deadlines stressful

• Have a hard time with collaboration

• Aren't interested in diverse topics

Emma

• A freelance writer and blogger who specializes in writing personal essays for magazines and websites.

• Manages a community to help young writers develop their careers.

Jake

• Highly creative writer who enjoys working on his own projects, driven by his personal ideas and vision.

• Not a fan of outside input and has a hard time changing his writing to fit other people’s ideas.

Sofia

• A writer who thrives on teamwork and loves adapting to new challenges.

• Doesn’t enjoy the ongoing work of promoting finished pieces on social media.

If you are interested in starting your ghostwriting career, you should build both your writing skills and a network of potential clients: