There are several ways to gain experience as a ghostwriter. These skills are in high demand, so if you are organized and approach this new career opportunity in a professional manner, you can add this to your list of revenue streams while establishing a growing reputation as a talented and reliable ghostwriter.
What Is a Ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter writes a piece of work, such as non-fiction or fiction, but does not put their name on it. Instead, they allow the client who hires them to put their name on it and give them the copyright to it. In other words, they give the client full permission to use the work as if it were their own creation.
Ghostwriters produce what is termed work for hire – a written work commissioned by a client on the understanding that the work produced as a result of the two working together will be one that the ghostwriter has no rights to once it is finished and will grant the client full rights to it to use as they wish.
How Can I Gain Experience as a Ghostwriter?
This is going to sound hilarious, but first, you need to be able to write well! If you are a poor writer, then this may not be the job for you. You have to do more than come up with great ideas. Most authors who are serious about their craft tend to be very good at this. What they need help with is fleshing out the skeleton of a story they have created.
However, if you are a great writer but have not had the opportunity to showcase your skills, consider creating a blog centered on topics you are well-versed in and able to write about. Most ghostwriters try to focus on high-demand topics like health, finance, and self-help. You can also mention on your site that you are available for hire.
Ask Friends If They Need Help
Offer your writing skills to your friends and family in exchange for a recommendation and word-of-mouth marketing. Chances are they have websites or businesses and will need content.
Create a Portfolio
Once you have some good blog posts and have completed projects you have done for your friends, put together a portfolio of your best work. Be sure to include your full contact information at the top of the webpage and the titles of each piece of work you want to showcase. Don’t forget to hyperlink the title to the page for each piece of work.
Keep a Folder of Your Best Work
Make sure that you keep a copy of each of your best pieces in a folder on your computer so you can attach them as needed or upload them through an interface when applying for ghostwriter gigs. This work should be error-free and formatted for easy reading with a 12-point font, such as Arial or Calibri.
List Your Services on Fiverr
In all honesty, I am not a huge fan of Fiverr.com for a plethora of reasons. However, it can be one quick and easy way to get ghostwriting projects. Check out some of the current listings and try to be competitive in terms of your pricing.
Use Freelancing Websites
Top freelancing websites include Upwork.com and Freelancer.com. Take the time to build a strong profile that will inspire people with confidence in your professionalism. Brag on yourself a little by linking your profile to your portfolio to show off your writing skills.
When applying for jobs, start by looking for short gigs that suit your talents. They may take a while to find, but the goal is to get projects quickly, finish them fast, and get good reviews so more people will be willing to hire you.
Regular Clients and Word-of-Mouth Opportunities
In addition to looking for work on the main freelance websites, you should develop a list of regular clients who will be eager to work with you on their various projects, such as content for their websites. These clients will also most likely be happy to recommend you to others.
When you have regular clients, the work comes to you, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time chasing it. It also means you can pick and choose your projects a bit more, selecting ones on topics you can write well about and are interested in.
A lot of aspiring ghostwriters often wonder how much they can make. The answer really depends on how motivated they are and what types of projects they are working on. You can read more about this in my previous blog article, Wanna Make a Profit? Consider Ghostwriting. But truly, if you are organized and have excellent research skills, you have the potential to make a significant amount of earnings.
Until next time, keep writing!