What Exactly Does a Ghostwriter Do? – They Write!

You might have heard the proverb, “Never judge a book by its cover.” You shouldn’t. A shockingly massive number of books are written by someone other than the author whose name appears on the cover. They’ve been ghostwritten.

What Is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter creates written content that is then published under the name of another person. The ghostwriter is the producer of the work, but their name is not associated with it and is rarely mentioned publicly.

Let us explore this further with a small example. Assume a man named John wants to write a mystery novel. For whatever reason, whether due to a lack of expertise, time, or motivation, John does not wish to carry out the actual book-writing process himself. Instead, he gives you money to do so.
Although you would write the book, John would be the named author. Here’s how ghostwriting works in a nutshell.

What Exactly Do Ghostwriters Do?

Businesses want content but may be short on time, or writing isn’t their cup of tea. Here comes the game changers – ghostwriters. They take a brand’s ideas and voice and turn them into blog posts, books, emails, and other forms of content.

Talented ghostwriters are also experts in SEO. Keywords, compelling content, and share-worthy posts? Check, check, check. They create content that appeals to both your target audience and search engines.

These abilities combine to create content that works overtime, driving traffic, establishing authority, and much more.

Other activities that ghostwriters accomplish daily are:

• Creating content briefs and outlines.
• Researching rivals and audiences.
• Interviewing clients and corporate members to develop expertise.
• Using Google Analytics to understand their target audience better.
• Develop campaigns using HubSpot or client-specific marketing software.

Ghostwriting is an excellent choice for people who have valuable thoughts to share but lack the time, energy, or ability to put them into written form. Working with a ghostwriter can provide benefits beyond the final content. Many ghostwriter clients claim that the interview process helps them gain clarity about their methods, business, and branding. Explaining their thoughts to others forces them to articulate and clarify, which these busy professionals rarely do. Compelling written content (such as an essay or a book) often feels like a bonus.

Why Are Ghostwriters Needed?

Ghostwriters are needed for multiple reasons that typically relate to either lack of time, money, skill, or a combination of these factors.

To further acknowledge why ghostwriters are needed, consider some practical scenarios.

• Someone has an idea for a book but lacks the necessary writing skills needed to write it.
• Someone is releasing a book for a particular purpose, such as to promote their business, but has no interest in writing it.
• A book is ghostwritten on behalf of a celebrity whose time is occupied with their primary work, such as performing music or acting.
• A writer wants to become an authorpreneur. Despite having the ability and knowledge to write novels on their own, they are limited by time. As a result, they pay ghostwriters to create content for them in accordance with their style and specifications. This enables them to produce more books in a shorter time than would otherwise be possible.

Do Ghostwriters Do All of The Writing?

We’re sure the first question that comes to mind is, “What is a ghostwriter for a book?” A ghostwriter’s job is to create content for others without taking credit for any of it. Ghostwriters frequently sign nondisclosure agreements or additional contracts to protect the confidentiality of their customers’ works.

In most cases, ghostwriters don’t receive credit for their work. However, if the credited author wishes to acknowledge their work, they may refer to them as a researcher or co-writer at the end of the book.

A ghostwriter’s output can include a wide range of works, such as:

• Autobiographies
• Literary prose
• Journalism
• Magazine articles
• Speeches
• Blog posts
• Memoirs
• Songs
• Screenplays
• Novels
• Academic and medical papers
• Comic books

What is the Purpose of a Ghostwriter?

Have you ever pondered what ghostwriters do that you cannot? Many people, including you, will benefit from hiring a ghostwriter because it streamlines and simplifies the writing process. Many renowned people, including politicians, corporate executives, consultants, and celebrities, hire ghostwriters to write for them.

There are several reasons why someone would consider hiring a ghostwriter. Most people do not produce books or articles because they do not believe they are qualified for the job or do not have the time.

There are numerous reasons why public personalities use skilled ghostwriters, but the most common ones are to save time while ensuring accuracy and quality. They use ghostwriters from blogs to novels, official communications to autobiographies.

Many renowned people use a ghostwriter to write a biography or memoir. Publications like these may give them additional opportunities to generate money and gain exposure.

When famous authors are unable or unwilling to continue writing, they may hire ghostwriters to continue producing content.

Publishers frequently use ghostwriters to write books in specific genres, such as romance, young adult, and action, under a single pen name. For example, Tom Clancy’s action novels, the Nancy Drew series, Goosebumps, and the Jason Bourne series have all been ghostwritten.

Ghostwriting work has existed long and isn’t going away anytime soon. Given that it is so simple to publish a book today, the demand for ghostwriters will only grow as more individuals realize the benefits of a book for their financial account, business, and potential to change the world through information or entertainment.

But… how can a ghostwriter ‘be’ someone else?

Seasoned ghostwriters will structure and convey ideas or experiences while preserving the author’s voice and the integrity of their story so that, as a reader, you won’t notice it was written by someone else.

Using a ghostwriter does not deceive readers but provides a more delightful reading experience. We all have stories worth telling, but not everyone has the skill to write interestingly and amusingly.

Previously, being a ghostwriter or utilizing one was considered taboo. Nonetheless, ghostwriters are increasingly recognized as providing a valuable service to authors and readers.

Madeleine Morel, a literary agency, estimates that at least 60% of current nonfiction best sellers were written by a silent accomplice – a ghostwriter – rather than the authors whose names appear on the covers.

While many people identify ghostwriters with books (fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs), their work extends beyond that.

Ghostwriters may assist with various content formats, including blogs, social media content, presentations, speeches, courses, etc. A ghostwriter can help you express your thoughts and ideas in writing form.

It’s absolutely authentic

Here’s the truth: ghostwriting is far from inauthentic. The process of ghostwriting a book often entails substantial by the named author. While someone else sits down and “does the work” of putting words on the page, both sides must be highly intellectually involved.

When ghostwriters write a book, they try to capture their client’s voice. They go through hundreds of pages of interview transcripts, looking for trends and piecing together thoughts. They build on their clients’ genius. Even though they write the first lines, their clients are co-creators. This is reflected in the fact that most ghostwriting clients feel they created the book despite saving more than 300 hours of actual writing time.

How The Ghostwriting Process Works?

While each ghostwriting project requires a unique strategy, here is what the process typically entails for a book.

Initial meeting (phone or video conference): During the initial encounter (by telephone or video conference), the client and ghostwriter assess their compatibility for collaboration. During this session, the ghostwriter frequently asks multiple questions to gain an overview of the project.

Proposal: The ghostwriter submits a project proposal. This should be tailored to the specific book, not a generic “plug-and-play” template. Once the proposal has been signed, the project can begin.

Book outline: The ghostwriter conducts one to three interviews via phone or video conferencing and transcribes them. Following the interviews, the ghostwriter creates a two- to ten-page (or so) book outline, which the client subsequently revises. Typically, they’ll go through several revisions together until it’s just right.

Interviews (in-person): The ghostwriter conducts in-person meetings with clients over 3-5 days, recording them for transcription. This can sometimes result in over 400 single-spaced pages of transcripts!

Expanded Book Outline: After the interviews, the ghostwriter prepares an expanded book outline ranging from 15 to 50 pages based on the book’s complexity. Again, there is some back and forth before agreeing on the final working outline.

Book Draft: The ghostwriter then gets to do what they do best—retreat into a writing cave, only to emerge when the book draft is complete and ready to share with the client. The drafting process can take anywhere between three months and a year.

Author Revision: Here’s where the client can get as involved or uninvolved as he wants. It is recommended that clients “make it their own” by rephrasing, including stories and clarifying concepts. Some clients make thousands of adjustments, while others only make two.

Editing and publishing: The manuscript is edited and published once the final draft is completed.
Assuming everything goes successfully, the average turnaround time from idea to final draft is ten to twelve months, which can vary depending on the project’s needs.

It is an investment

You’re probably not surprised to hear that ghostwriting isn’t cheap. However, the return is typically many times more than the initial investment. While most customers will not recoup their investment in book sales, publishing a (excellent) book will generally result in more prominent clients, better speaking engagements, and even new business opportunities.

So, what is the actual cost? According to Writer’s Market, employing a ghostwriter for a book that includes the writer’s name—the “with” or “as told to” on the cover—costs between $22,800 and $80,000. If no credit is awarded, the range increases to $36,200 to $100,000. The amounts may vary based on the length and complexity of the book. Hourly rates for shorter content, such as magazine articles or blog postings, are approximately $100 per hour. Remember that ghostwriters for hourly projects charge for interviews, e-mails, phone calls, and writing time.

Most professionals split the cost of big projects into three or four payments; you should never be asked to pay the entire fee upfront. Always get a complete project bid or specified hourly pricing before starting a project. It’s simply just good business.

Perks of Hiring Ghostwriters for Book Writing:

Now comes the fun part. Do you know there are various advantages to working with reputable ghostwriters? Do not believe us? We’ve produced a list of some of the most lucrative pros. They are as follows.

1. Hiring Ghostwriters Can Save You Time

Often, people underestimate how long it takes to write. Writing is a full-time job that takes a lot of time, whether working on a book or another type of content. Before you can start writing, you must spend a reasonable amount of time conducting extensive research.

Once that is completed, the writing process begins, including editing, proofreading, formatting, etc. It can be exhausting, but hiring a ghostwriter gives you more time to unwind and focus on other tasks. Hiring a ghostwriter will allow you to retain more valuable time than you might think.

2. Lead With an Impactful Voice

You might be highly skilled at what you do for a living. However, being exceptionally talented does not imply having the skills required to create exceptional work. You might also need other skills, such as an extraordinary ability to conduct research. In addition, you must be able to create any content, ensuring that your writing is organized to have the most significant impact.

A professional ghostwriter understands how to transform your unique ideas into well-structured, engaging, and informative text.

3. Own Your Book

Many individuals fail to understand this part. If you employ a ghostwriter, they will use your words and ideas to write a book for you, but you will still get credited for the work. This helps you get your name out there and establishes you as an industry expert.

The best part is that you won’t have to worry about getting credit—that’s how ghostwriting works. A ghostwriter creates content without receiving credit. This is why they’re dubbed “ghostwriters”: they work behind screens.

4. Ghostwriters Are Familiar With SEO

There is no point in writing content for you if your audience cannot find it. This is where SEO comes in. Search engines must find your content before the audience can discover it. Search engine optimization (SEO) is integral to making any content appear in Google searches so people can see and read it.

You may be familiar with SEO, but the goal is ever-changing as algorithms evolve. A skilled ghostwriter understands the best ways to use SEO and will structure your work so that it becomes a search engine favorite quickly.

5. The Experts Analyze the Competition

You may be aware of your industry’s competitors, but do you know how successful they have been in publishing their books? Professional ghostwriters may research competitors and other writers in your sector to devise a plan to set your work apart.

They can identify holes in your competitors’ work and adapt those elements into your content to make it more interesting. Understanding your competitors is critical if you want to outperform them; hiring ghostwriters can help.

6. Content That Resonates with The Audience

Ghostwriters are skilled at researching prospective clients and writing with their target audience in mind. They can use primary language, understand their target audience, and create quality content accordingly. Regardless of the subject, ghostwriters have the ability and expertise to create meaningful words that resonate with their audience.

What Should You Consider Before Hiring a Ghostwriter?

When hiring a ghostwriter, ensure they respect your brand’s ethos and use a voice consistent with your previous written work. For that, it’s advisable to look at some of their earlier work, if you have any, to gain a sense of their writing ability.

Consider whether hiring a ghostwriter familiar with your industry or the subjects they will address would be beneficial. At the same time, it is ideal for writers to have a solid understanding of the subject matter and business jargon, have an outsider familiar with your industry, and study your industry’s ins and outs to provide a fresh point of view.

They may be able to look at the subject from a different angle and develop new ideas to captivate your audience. A top-tier ghostwriter can quickly understand new material, conduct extensive research, and write authoritatively on any subject.

You might submit an outline to the ghostwriter to ensure that they provide you with all the content you need and that it addresses the subjects you want to cover in your book. Another alternative is to ask the ghostwriter for guidance on tackling a specific topic.

The more information you provide the ghostwriter about your company, your brand, the tone you want them to adopt, and the themes you want covered, the more satisfied you will be with the result.

Is a Ghostwritten Book still your Book?

You may ask yourself, “If a ghostwriter writes it for me, is it still my book?” or “Will it still sound like someone else wrote it?”; the answer to both is a resounding “yes.”

Your ghostwriter hasn’t led the life you’ve led. They haven’t got the skills or experiences you’ve got. Without you, there would be no book.

A ghostwriter has the skills to write in different tones of voice and make sure your book sounds like you wrote it.

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions