It’s a tough ask being a ghost writer, a job where you do the work and others take the credit. Of course, they do pay you well, but there are times when seeing your name on the cover of a bestseller beats making a ton of money ghostwriting for others. Ghost writing is not for all writers; in fact, it takes a certain kind of skill and talent to be able to make a success of writing using pseudonyms and aliases. So how do you know if you have what it takes to make it as a prolific ghost writer?
• When you’re in it for the money alone: A ghost writer can never hope for a byline, so if you’re writing to market yourself, think again. The gigs you take on do pay good money, so if that’s compensation enough, then you’re bound to enjoy ghost writing and be satisfied with your career. If not, you will feel disappointment and resentment creeping in at someone else hogging credit for your work and enjoying the fame it brings.
• When you’re ok with relinquishing intellectual rights: As a ghost writer, you’re not allowed to tell people about or claim the articles you write as your own. So if you’re ok with not being able to strut your stuff around, you could take this up as a full time job. Remember though, you may not have samples to offer new clients because your old ones hold the copyrights to your previous work. So write a few articles for yourself, writing that you can show to new clients to demonstrate your talents.
• When you’re a beginner hoping to break into the writing domain: Ghost writing is a profitable venture for those who are looking for writing gigs to both hone their talent and make some money till they’re ready to break out on the own and write the book they’ve been dreaming off.
• When you can work according to instructions: As a ghost writer, you’ll be expected to write according to the guidelines provided by your clients, which means that you may be expected to compromise on your natural writing style. If you’re not the eccentric artistic type who tends to get offended or hurt at criticism, even if it’s constructive, then ghostwriting is right up your street.
• When you’re savvy enough to avoid getting cheated: While most clients are upfront and honest, there are quite a few with no ethics who have no qualms in taking you for a ride. They make you renounce all claims to your writing and then pay you very little or not at all. To avoid such situations, use sites that feature dispute resolution arbitrators to look for ghostwriting gigs.
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This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of distance learning universities. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
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Thanks to Kelly for her great article. It’s true ghostwriting is not for everyone but if you don’t mind not seeing your name in print then I definitely recommend you give it a try.
Amanda