Roughly 70% of the books published by traditional publishing houses were written by ghostwriters. Furthermore, the majority of books published by artists, celebrities, and politicians were written with help from a ghostwriter.
If you’re ready to tell your story but aren’t entirely confident in your writing skills, or if you just don’t have the time to dedicate to writing a book, a ghostwriter should be an integral member of your team.
Discover seven great reasons to invest in ghostwriting services below.
What Does a Ghostwriter Do?
A ghostwriter is someone who writes content for someone else, with the credited author being the other person and not the ghostwriter themselves. They essentially lend their writing skills and expertise to create content under another’s name.
Here’s a breakdown of what they typically do:
- Write content: Ghostwriters can write a wide range of things, including books (fiction and non-fiction), memoirs, articles, blog posts, speeches, website copy, and even social media content.
- Capture the credited author’s voice and style: This is crucial in making the final product believable and authentic. Ghostwriters often achieve this through interviews, provided materials, and close collaboration with the credited author.
- Conduct research: Depending on the project, ghostwriters might need to research various topics to support the content and ensure accuracy.
- Meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work: Like any professional writer, they are responsible for adhering to deadlines and producing polished, error-free writing.
7 Reasons to Invest in Ghostwriting Services
Hiring a ghostwriter is a great way to share your story with the world. Here are some of the top benefits of using a ghostwriting service:
1. Save Time
It can take months or even years to write a book from start to finish. Some people spend decades on one novel or memoir. If you want to get your story out sooner rather than later, working with a ghostwriter is a great option.
Ghostwriters are professionals who are used to writing thousands (sometimes tens of thousands) of words per day. They can work efficiently and give you more time to focus on other essential tasks, like running a business, managing clients, etc.
2. Meet Deadlines
Professional ghostwriters are also experts at meeting deadlines. They will keep careful track of essential deadlines, including those imposed by your publisher, and make sure you don’t miss any important dates.
3. Master SEO
The best ghostwriters are familiar with the principles of search engine optimization (SEO). That means they can help your book rank highly on search engine results pages (SERPs) and ensure it gets in front of your target audience.
4. Increase ROI
Your ghostwriter’s solid grasp of SEO best practices, coupled with their excellent writing skills, will result in a greater return on investment for you.
Some people are wary of hiring a ghostwriter initially because they’re put off by the upfront expense. However, when you consider the fact that ghostwriters can help you reach a larger audience and, therefore, connect with more potential buyers, it’s worth it to hire a professional to help you produce your book.
5. Give People What They Want
Professional ghostwriters will spend a lot of time researching your target audience and learning what they expect from a book. They will then use what they learn to tell your story in a way that is most likely to connect with readers.
If you can make a good impression on your readers, they’ll be more inclined to recommend your book to others and give it a positive rating (all of which leads to more sales and more revenue for you!).
6. Get Help with Ideas
If you’ve ever written anything, even something as simple as a social media post, you know how real writer’s block is — and how frustrating it can be to try to overcome. That’s where a ghostwriter comes in handy.
Ghostwriters can help you generate ideas and look at situations and scenarios from different perspectives. They know how to ask probing questions that get you to open up and tell your story in a way that will resonate with your audience.
7. Ensure Consistency
Working with a ghostwriter will help you ensure a consistent tone and style throughout your book. They are skilled proofreaders who will review each page carefully to avoid issues that could be jarring to your audience and prevent them from getting what you want them to get from your story.
How to Choose the Right Ghostwriter
The key to experiencing all the benefits mentioned above is, of course, hiring the right ghostwriter for the job. Here are some tips that can help you ensure you’re working with the best person:
Ask About Their Experience
Ideally, you’ll partner with someone who has experience working on other books — preferably books like yours. Maybe they’ve ghostwritten other memoirs or have years of experience in self-help books. Whatever your preferred genre is, look for someone who knows the field.
Review Their Published Work
It’s not enough to hear about someone’s experience. You should also take a look at some of their published projects, if possible, to learn more about their writing style.
You might not be able to read other books they’ve ghostwritten, but you can still read other writing samples, such as articles or blog posts, to ensure they’re up to the task.
Request References
Ask for references to find out what other people have to say about the writer’s skills, as well as their ability to meet deadlines, take feedback, etc. You can also read reviews or testimonials from past clients to get a sense of whether or not they are satisfied with this writer’s work.
Ask About Pricing
Of course, you’ll also want to ask about the writer’s prices. Consider how much they charge and if they charge a flat rate, an hourly rate, etc. Make sure you’re both comfortable with the arrangement before you agree to partner with them.
Read Contracts Carefully
Generally, a ghostwriter will ask you to sign a contract before they begin working on your book. Review the contract carefully so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to before signing. If you have any paperwork you want them to sign, make sure to share it with them at this point as well.
Final Thoughts
Investing in ghostwriting services is a great way to expedite your book, meet deadlines, and ensure a consistent tone and style from start to finish.
Do you want to work with a ghostwriter who checks all the boxes mentioned above? If so, we’re here to help.
Reach out today to learn more about our ghostwriting services