Career Profiles: Ghostwriter

What is a ghostwriter? How does it differ from a ghost or a being a ghost? A better question might be that of how it differs from being a freelance writer.

The career profile of a ghostwriter is unique in itself. It differs from that of a freelance writer, who openly seeks personal recognition for his or her writing. The ghostwriter writes and publishes for others, without receiving any recognition or at best, he or she may receive minimal recognition.

Nowadays, there are many people who are not able to write well, do not have time to write or prefer to hire a professional writer with Internet skills. They seek someone who is able to write professionally and do formatting, as well as editing and publishing on the Internet for them.

In other words, they want to hire a professional ghostwriter. Some ghostwriters find employment creating web pages, web sites or writing autobiographies, while others obtain work by creating blogs, flyers and e-books, etc. for others.     

Becoming a ghostwriter is not an elusive career (like being a ghost). Ghost writing can be or become a viable source of income for someone who loves to write. The ghostwriter must be willing to become the ghost of the proclaimed author. 

Homeincomeopportunities.com suggests that becoming a ghostwriter presents a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants to start a new, home-based business. 

TheFreeDictionary.com web site defines the word ghostwriter as “a writer who gives the credit of authorship to someone else”.

This means that the ghostwriter does not assume authorship for his or her work, even though he or she is the actual writer. The authorship, as such, always belongs to the person who pays the writer to write for him or her. There can be substantial financial remuneration for writing professional books, stories and articles, the actual amount paid, worked out between the author and the ghostwriter. Remuneration depends upon the number of words, the length of an article or amount of content on a web page.     

The ghostwriter is essentially “hired to ghost” the author or owner of the web page or web site.  

The best current market for ghost writing is on websites, with the ghostwriter actively approaching prospective website owners who desire content or mega-content for their websites.

The ghostwriter needs to be able to write well in different genres and must have professional skills with respect to writing, editing and publishing on the Internet.  

Developing White Hat search engine optimization (SEO) skills, as well as professional marketing skills, are an asset for a ghostwriter.

The ghostwriter must be motivated to work under the guidance or directives of a prospective author, usually has a contract to sign and method payment specified. The ghostwriter may be required to make corrections or do revisions on web sites, as necessary. The author may choose to give credits to the ghostwriter or decide not to post his or her name or company profile, on his or her web site.

  

Ideally, the ghostwriter will have his or her own registered business with an office setting including a computer, printer, and fax machine. He or she needs to have acquired basic writing, as well as bookkeeping skills, (or have access to a professional bookkeeper and accountant).

Because the ghostwriter is working independently at home, he or she can choose his or her projects under specific authors, as well as set his or her own work hours. The ghostwriter may prefer to work with a broker who provides ongoing employment for him or her.

Ghostwriting is an excellent way to gain writing skills and to keep updated with respect to changing Internet technology. For new writers, ghostwriting offers many opportunities for later promotion. For baby boomers and seniors, ghostwriting can be a wonderful way to stay mentally active into retirement.