09 May How to Find a Good Ghostwriter

Having an idea is easy. It’s putting it down on paper that’s hard. Fortunately, there are people out there – ghostwriters – that have the skills necessary to get your ideas and content out there for clients to see. A ghostwriter is a person who is hired to author books, manuscripts, screenplays, articles, blog posts or other texts that are always credited to another person. If you’re in the market for a good ghostwriter, here are a few traits to keep in mind:

Your ghostwriter should listen.

Working with a know-it-all can be exceedingly difficult, especially if their ideas don’t match up with yours. Your ghostwriter may have perfect grammar and know the best structure for your content, but in the end, it’s your thoughts and ideas the clients are reading, and only you know how to get them across in the right way. Ghostwriters should listen and put their egos to the side; they can certainly interject from time to time, but if this is your story, you should have the final say.

They won’t see you as a “career push.”

Most writers want you to hear their voices, but a ghostwriter’s directives should be to aid and assist. In other words, they’re someone who knows the content they’re writing is yours. Therefore, they should never insist on any kind of co-authorship deal. If your ghostwriter knows the ropes, they’ll do the work they were hired to do and willingly hand over whatever they’ve written as your property.

They won’t judge you.

Sometimes, content contains information a ghostwriter may stand against, but whether they like your story is completely irrelevant. They’re doing a job that calls for an external point-of-view. Putting their own thoughts and feelings into the mix could create a negative atmosphere, with either one or both of you getting hurt in the end. A person accompanying a singer at an audition doesn’t stand and berate them for what they might consider a poor song choice – the same goes for a ghostwriter. If they do anything other than tell your story, things could get ugly.

They’re okay with criticism.

A ghostwriter is putting your story on paper, and they shouldn’t take offense if you ever want anything changed. Whatever knowledge they have of structure or the English language could go against the flow or pace you’re ultimately looking for. Don’t be afraid to tell your writer exactly what you want, and if they don’t stick to it, tell them again. If they can hear your comments while keeping a straight face, your ghostwriter is probably a keeper.

They’re very experienced.

It sounds cliché, but the more experience your ghostwriter has, the more they’ll exhibit all the above-mentioned qualities. A younger person or one starting out in their career is likely too eager to make a name for themselves. They could be taking this “gig” on the side while striving to land their big break, and as a result, they may not give your project the attention it deserves. Someone who’s been ghostwriting for many years could be more focused in the hopes of solidifying their relationship with you and turning you into a repeat or possibly referring client. Having a professional team maintain your website and social media presence is the perfect way to increase traffic. If you’re in the market for a website marketing package but don’t know what steps to take, contact us today. We look forward to helping your business reach the next level of success.