Have you ever wanted to earn a living as a writer but don’t want the hassle of writing a book yourself? Well, becoming a ghostwriter might be the perfect solution for you. As a ghostwriter, you will be hired to write books, articles, blogs, articles, and marketing copies that will be credited to someone else.
It’s a great way to make a living as a writer without dealing with the pressures of being a published author. If you are interested in becoming a ghostwriter, here are some easy steps to get started.
1. Start with Freelance Writing Jobs
Becoming a full-time ghostwriter is not that much difficult, but first, you’ll have to get some experience as a freelance writer. This will help you understand the process of writing for someone else and give you a taste of what it’s like to work with a variety of different clients. Also, you’ll get to choose the topics and niches you are comfortable writing about and the styles of writing you’re good at.
Freelance writing will help you build your portfolio, and once you have some freelance writing experience under your belt, you can start pitching your ghostwriting services to potential clients. If you’re persistent and put in the work, you can make a great career as a ghostwriter.
You can find ghostwriting jobs on multiple freelancing platforms, including Upwork and Fiverr. These jobs will help you get experience in managing multiple projects at a time and help you build a diverse portfolio.
2. Develop Reading Habits
Reading will help you more than anything else in your ghostwriting career. This doesn’t mean you have to read a book daily, but you should make reading a regular part of your day. You can dedicate an hour or a half to reading daily. This can be books, articles, or even social media posts from reputed organizations.
By reading regularly, you will develop the critical thinking and writing skills that you need to be a successful ghostwriter.
In addition to reading, you should also practice writing every day. This will help you hone your craft and become more comfortable expressing your thoughts and ideas in writing. If you can develop a strong writing habit, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful ghostwriter.
3. Practice with Different Writing Styles
As a ghostwriter, you will be asked to write in a variety of styles, and this can be one of the most challenging parts of the job. But don’t worry; with a little practice, you can adapt your writing style to fit any type of project.
There are a lot of different writing styles out there, and if you want to become a ghostwriter, you will have to start practicing different ones. Some of the most popular writing styles include academic writing, business writing, creative writing, and technical writing.
Each writing style has its own set of rules and conventions. For example, academic writing is usually more formal and complex than business writing. And creative writing often uses more poetic and literary language than technical and academic writing.
4. Hone Your Writing Interview Skills
No matter how skilled you are and how many years of experience you have, you’ll be judged by 15-30 minutes of an interview when getting a ghostwriting job. So, it’s best to prepare yourself for this phase and hone your interview skills in the best way you can.
The best way to do that is to practice answering questions related to your field in a more precise and accurate way. Also, tell your clients or employer about your project management and communication skills. Along with being a good communicator, you’ll also have to present yourself as a good listener. Hone these skills, and you’ll be on your way to starting your job as a qualified ghostwriter.
5. Create a Website for Your Business
A business website will showcase your writing skills and attract potential clients. It is also a great marketing tool that can help you build your brand and grow your business as a ghostwriter. A website will also help you reach your potential clients and let them know about your services.
If you are not much of a tech-savvy person, you can use a platform like WordPress or Wix to create a professional-looking website in just a few hours. After this, you’ll have to choose a domain name and hosting for your website to put your name in the online world. With a little effort, you can have a website that looks great and helps you attract new clients.
6. Utilize Social Media
Along with creating a website for your ghostwriting business, you will also have to build a strong online presence on social media. It will help you attract better projects and clients from multiple industries. However, the question is, where can you start? The quest will begin with choosing the right platform for you.
Currently, LinkedIn and Twitter are two of the most useful platforms for people who want to pursue ghostwriting as a career. LinkedIn can be used to reach potential employers and freelance clients, while Twitter can be used to build a strong network with other writers in the industry and present yourself as a thought leader.
You can also post your blog posts, useful insights, and even podcasts on these platforms to reach a wider audience. But make sure whatever you create is high-quality and informative.
7. Keep Updated with Ghostwriting Jobs on Job Boards
Job boards are online platforms where employers post job advertisements to seek full-time and part-time employees. Once you have built your writing portfolio and online presence as a ghostwriter, you’ll have to keep up with the ghostwriting jobs on the job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor.
These job boards will allow you to work as a full-time or part-time ghostwriter for reputable organizations. On these job boards, you can also network with other freelance professionals and let them know you’re available for work. This can be a great way to get repeat clients or to find new clients who are looking for someone with your specific skill set.
Remember that ghostwriting may take some time to pay off as a lucrative skill, so you will have to be patient and give your 100% during this period. Also, follow the steps mentioned above to polish your skills and present yourself as a qualified ghostwriter.
