Wondering how to become a ghostwriter? Trying to get into it but not sure where to find ghostwriting clients? Bored of other writing gigs and want to challenge yourself with writing books for a living? I get it. Literally. I get exactly the same email about this roughly once a month. And it goes a lil' something like this:
Hi Liz,
I want to become a ghostwriter. I've been researching the ghostwriting industry, and I love your site. Do you have any tips for how to become a ghostwriter and how to get ghostwriting clients?
Thanks,
Neville Newbie
Well, thanks for asking, Neville! Helping people share their stories is a wonderful profession, and I'm glad you're interested in it.
Since I've now answered this email soooooooo many times, I decided to compile my best recommendations into a blog post for you, Neville, and all the other newbie ghostwriters looking for advice. If you've ever thought about becoming a ghostwriter, keep reading for my top advice for breaking into the industry.
1. Learn to market yourself
There are countless great ghostwriters in the world, but honestly, not many are also great marketers. If you can learn a few solid marketing and sales skills, it will push you to the top of the ghostwriter pile. It our industry, it doesn’t take much to get ahead in this respect, but you do need to put some effort into learning the skills.
I learned by taking the Make It Work Online program. I don’t know where you’re at in your journey or if this would be appropriate for you, but I highly recommend it. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be successful today without having taken this course. Whether you take this or not, learn to market yourself!
2. Find a Ghostwriting community
It can be lonely working from home, and online businesses are a unique challenge from corporate life. I would’ve really struggled without people I could turn to who understood what I was trying to do.
I’m a member of the Association of Ghostwriters and I highly recommend the group for networking and community. They have an associate membership level for newer ghostwriters. I also found a community of other online service providers through the Make It Work Online program.
I know some people find community from local business groups, chambers of commerce, and other Facebook groups. However you do it, take the time to connect with people, pay the dues to organizations that facilitate this, and find a sense of community and support.
3. Blog (or podcast, or video) for Potential Ghostwriting Clients
I get about eighty percent of my leads from Google search results, and I get decent Google search results because I blog about twice a month. I’ve also found that the more I blog, the fewer requests I get for writing samples—which can be a challenge for ghostwriters who aren’t allowed to share their clients’ work.
Whether you choose to blog (like this), produce a podcast, or make videos, find some way to produce frequent content so people can find you and learn to trust you before they book a consult call.
It’ll make getting and converting leads so much easier.
4. Get in with a Ghostwriting agency
I’ve worked with two ghostwriting agencies. One was weird. They sent me work but the clients were difficult and the process was confusing. I bailed out after three projects.
The other agency I’ve freelanced with is are incredible. They have a well-defined ghostwriting process, they set clear and fair expectations for clients, and they demand a high standard from their ghostwriters—while actually providing editing and project management support to help them achieve it.
It can be difficult to get in with an agency when you don’t have experience, but if you can swing it, it’s great for honing your skills, learning from other professionals, and getting work without worrying about marketing, contracts, and all the other bullshit.
You’ll have to do your own due diligence in finding an agency that’s a good fit for you, but I can recommend (from personal experience or hearing good things on the grapevine):
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Ghostwriter
Ghostwriting is a really fun gig. You get to work with interesting clients, learn new things, stretch your brain solving content structure problems, and work from home in your jammies.
As with other freelance work, if you want to do the fun client work, you also need to market yourself, conduct sales calls, manage a business, and occasionally drag yourself out of your jammies.
The good news? These are all learnable skills—and fun once you know what you’re doing! I love sales calls. It’s energizing to talk to people who are excited about their new book ideas.
So put in some effort, learn to market yourself, find a community, create content, and—if you can—get in with an agency. You’ll be ghostwriting a bajillion books in no time!
Thanks,
Liz "You Can Do It!" Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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