Ghostwriting 101 How To Land Your First Ghostwriting Project - 2
Ghostwriting 101 How To Land Your First Ghostwriting Project - 2
Ghostwriting 101
How to land
your first
ghostwiring
project
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
A comprehensive guide that helps you land and
manage your first ghostwriting project with confidence.
The
Author
HELLO THERE! I'M DENI.
After a while, failure became a bit tiring. I realised it would be easier to turn
my passion into a profitable income stream with a plan and strategy.
This guide has already helped thousands of my students turn their passion
for writing into a fulfilling and profitable business and side hustle, and I am
confident it will help you do the same.
GHOSTWRITING 101: HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST
GHOSTWRITING PROJECT
Introduction
Welcome to the world of
ghostwriting
WHAT IS GHOSTWRITING
Ghostwriting is the art of crafting written content on behalf of someone else, where you, as the
ghostwriter, skillfully give life to another person's ideas, experiences, or expertise, allowing them
to shine as the credited author while remaining behind the literary curtain.
Ghostwriting is a very lucrative business. Have you ever read a biography of a celebrity? Guess
what - a ghostwriter likely wrote it. In this book, I'll take you through all the behind-the-scene
secrets that will help you launch a successful ghostwriting career, allowing you to grow your
income exponentially.
We live in an era dominated by content, and Your potential for growth and profit as a
the demand for ghostwriters is enormous. ghostwriter is virtually boundless. Learn the
Businesses, authors, influencers, and art of compelling, high-quality content, and
professionals increasingly recognise the you’re on your way to success. Businesses,
value of outsourcing their writing needs to authors, and influencers constantly want to
skilled wordsmiths, fueling the surge in deliver engaging narratives and polished
demand for ghostwriters. As individuals tales. As a skilled ghostwriter, you can find
seek to establish their online presence or yourself in a lucrative position to capitalize
share their stories, and companies strive to on this need.
maintain a consistent and engaging brand This book will teach you all the necessary
voice, the versatile services of ghostwriters skills to stand out from the crowd, giving you
have become indispensable, transforming the confidence to land your first project and
them into sought-after collaborators in the many more.
evolving landscape of digital
communication. Adding ghostwriting to your
income stream could bring you many
rewards.
GHOSTWRITING 101: HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST
GHOSTWRITING PROJECT
CHAPTER 1
Understanding the
ghostwriting
landscape
Exploring various genres and
industries
Becoming a ghostwriter and landing your first project is a fantastic feeling. When I first
embarked on my ghostwriting career, I soon realized there was much more to this industry than
what first meets the eye.
After embarking on a few various projects, it became clear what genres and industries I
preferred, making it much easier to navigate this diverse landscape.
Remember, you don’t need to know everything about everything to become a successful
ghostwriter - but it does help if you can land projects that you are naturally interested in and
drawn to.
When you take on someone else’s dream as a ghostwriter, you often have to conduct a lot of
research and compile data to deliver exceptional results.
Let’s now have a look at the various genres and industries and see if you feel drawn to
some more than others.
Entertainment Industry
Have you ever dreamt about working on scripts for movies, television shows, and even song
lyrics. Then behind-the-scenes contributions to creative projects might just be the right fit for
you.
CHAPTER 2
Developing your
writing skills
Honing your writing style
Developing your writing style as a ghostwriter is the same as fine-tuning a musical instrument;
it's about cultivating a distinct voice that harmonizes seamlessly with the vision and tone of your
clients while showcasing your versatility and skill.
How can you further develop your style? Let's dive into it.
Adaptability is Key
Flexibility is your hallmark as a skilled ghostwriter. Seamlessly adapting your style to suit the
requirements of different projects and clients is a valuable trait. This adaptability showcases
your versatility and ensures that you can cater to a wide range of writing needs.
Start to leverage the power of editing software. Tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid can act
as vigilant companions, offering real-time suggestions for grammatical improvements and
syntactical refinements. However, remember they are aids, not substitutes for understanding the
rules.
Don't forget to practice. Deliberate practice is critical. Engage in writing exercises specifically
designed to target grammatical and syntactical challenges. This can include crafting sentences
with varied structures, experimenting with different punctuation, and refining your understanding
of grammar rules.
Familiarize yourself with style guides relevant to your niche or industry. Different genres and
professions may have specific conventions regarding grammar and syntax. Adhering to these
guidelines will help you stay consistent and align your writing with industry standards.
As a writer, you must develop a meticulous proofreading ritual. Dedicate focused time to review
and refine your work, explicitly scrutinizing grammar and syntax. This attention to detail
becomes a habit over time, resulting in cleaner, error-free writing.
Perfecting grammar and syntax isn't just about adhering to rules; it's about enhancing the clarity
and impact of your writing. As a ghostwriter, impeccable language skills not only elevate the
quality of your work but also instil confidence in clients, establishing you as a professional with
an unwavering commitment to linguistic excellence.
Creating a diverse writing
portfolio
When landing your first ghostwriting job, the more experience you have, the better.
Your portfolio of previous writing projects gives your client a good idea about your style,
experience, and knowledge.
Use your portfolio to showcase your versatility, expertise, and ability to seamlessly adapt to
various writing challenges.
DON’T PANICK!
You don't have to worry about previous professional clients. It's ok to be a complete newbie. We
all had to start somewhere.
Build a portfolio of your work - write about your interests. Write in different styles, such as blog
post, short form, or long form. Create an ebook about your interest and offer it for free on
Gumroad for a short period.
Create samples from a spectrum of genres and writing styles. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction,
technical writing, or creative storytelling, demonstrating proficiency across diverse genres
signals to clients that you can handle many projects.
Showcase your adaptability by including pieces from different industries. For example, you
could pick your favourite magazine, study its published articles, and attempt to write a similar
one. Do this with the tech sector and supplement it with healthcare, finance, or lifestyle content.
This will demonstrate your ability to understand and articulate content specific to various fields.
Include this information in your portfolio if your writing has contributed to tangible results. For
example, if a blog post you wrote attracted a significant increase in website traffic, showcasing
such achievements adds a powerful dimension to your portfolio.
Your diverse portfolio isn't just to showcase your past achievements; it's a dynamic tool that
evolves with your skills and experiences. It serves as a persuasive document, convincing
potential clients that you're not just a writer but a versatile and adept collaborator ready to bring
their unique vision to life.
How to land your first job
Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need that much. We all had to start somewhere.
You might look at some ghostwriting agency websites and see requirements like, ‘you must have
written an Amazon or New York Times bestseller’ and similar absurd requirements.
Come back to those in a couple of years.
Then there are the ones that operate as an ‘agency’ to portray a professional image, but in
reality, they’ve been set up by writers who have no intention of taking on extra staff. Sad, but it’s
true.
Remember! Never pay an agent to take you on as a ghostwriter. Watch out for scammers!
Get a portfolio website as soon as possible and optimize it for SEO. Include your bio. You
can set one up on Contently or Clippings. me. Also, check out Behance. (I would register on
all three)
Sign up with some content agencies (be prepared to be vetted and willing to pass some
initial tests, but it is worth it)
Pick a niche and industry that resonates with you and start writing blog posts related to that
topic, focusing on SEO.
Get some magazines that feature articles for the same niche and audience. Examine these
in great detail, then try and rewrite them in your own words.
Build an online presence — start writing on platforms like Vocal. Media, Medium, and
LinkedIn.
Register on Fiverr or Upwork, but bear in mind the competition is very high. You might have
to take on a few projects for as little as five bucks. It might be worth it for the experience and
feel of what it’s like to be a ghostwriter.
Get ready for some cold pitching. My first ghostwriting gig resulted from me cold-pitching to
an Instagram micro-influencer. I followed her on social media and offered her a free blog
post.
Unless you pick fiction or nonfiction literature as your primary ghostwriting income, you must
get good at SEO. SEO is crucial to landing a job as a ghostwriter for publishing articles for
businesses and influencers.
Create a plan — set realistic targets for yourself. I dedicated one week to setting up the
basics when I first started. I launched my website, created profiles on the platforms I linked
above, and prepared some example blog posts. I also wrote articles on niche topics heavily
focusing on SEO. I used the analytics from my posts to show my potential clients how my
writing could improve their online visibility. If you already have blog posts that are doing well,
your analytics could help you land your first client.
Plan your rates and practice negotiating. Today, I can charge $50+ per hour for my work. I
was happy to pick up projects for less than $10 three years ago.
ESTABLISHING YOUR PRESENCE ON SOCIAL
MEDIA
We often consider Instagram and Facebook the two dominating social media platforms.
However, when landing a writing job, Facebook and Instagram are not the best places to start.
You must understand your client when you embark on a mission to land your first ghostwriting
gig.
Your client is interested in your work and in your professional profile. We’ve already established
that nothing beats having a website with your name as a domain and other platforms where you
should create your portfolio.
With the rise of platforms like MEDIUM.COM and VOCAL.MEDIA: they are not only great for
making some extra cash from your writing but also fantastic for gaining new followers and
showcasing your work to potential clients.
For example, Medium pays writers based on member-only reads, but Vocal.Media pays for
external reads. Both are great options for building a habit and making money from writing and
landing a ghostwriting client.
Ghostwriting services
Affiliate marketing
Sponsored tweets
Super follows
Selling products
Ticketed spaces
These are just a few ways to make money from Twitter (X)
LINKEDIN FOR WRITERS
LinkedIn is a platform for professionals. It is a perfect way to connect to fellow writers and join
communities.
Optimize Your Profile: Craft a compelling and professional LinkedIn profile. Emphasize
your writing expertise in the headline and summary. Use a high-quality profile picture and
include a concise yet engaging bio that highlights your skills, experience, and writing niche.
Share Your Work: Regularly showcase your writing on LinkedIn. Whether it's articles, blog
posts, or snippets of your latest project, sharing your work directly on the platform increases
its visibility and allows your network to engage with your content.
Engage in Thought Leadership: Establish yourself as a thought leader in your writing
niche. Share insights, industry trends, and your perspectives on relevant topics. Engaging in
discussions through comments and posts helps you build credibility and positions you as an
authority in your field.
Connect with Fellow Writers and Professionals: Build your network strategically by
connecting with fellow writers, editors, publishers, and professionals in your writing niche.
These connections not only expand your reach but also open doors to potential
collaborations and opportunities.
Utilize the "Articles" Feature: Take advantage of LinkedIn's "Articles" feature to publish
long-form content. This allows you to delve into topics more deeply and showcase your
expertise. It also contributes to building a portfolio of your written work directly on your
LinkedIn profile.
Seek and Provide Recommendations: Request recommendations from colleagues,
clients, or collaborators who can vouch for your writing skills. Additionally, don't hesitate to
offer recommendations to others in your network. This reciprocal exchange enhances your
professional credibility.
Join Relevant Groups: Engage with writing-related groups on LinkedIn. Participate in
discussions, share your insights, and connect with group members.
Showcase Your Writing Services: Clearly outline your writing services and
expertise in your profile. Whether you offer content creation, editing, or other writing-
related services, make it easy for potential clients or collaborators to understand how
you can contribute to their projects.
Utilize Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your profile that potential clients
or collaborators might use when searching for a writer. This increases the
discoverability of your profile in LinkedIn searches.
Stay Consistent: Regularly update your LinkedIn profile with new achievements,
projects, or publications. Consistency is key in maintaining an active and engaging
presence on the platform.
GHOSTWRITING 101: HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST
GHOSTWRITING PROJECT
CHAPTER 3
Crafting a
compelling pitch
How to pitch to
potential clients
Pitching to potential writing clients is a skill that can significantly impact your success as a
freelancer or professional writer. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to craft a compelling
pitch:
Research Your Client: Before reaching out, thoroughly research your potential client.
Understand their business, industry, and target audience. Tailor your pitch to showcase how
your writing skills align with their needs.
Craft a Compelling Introduction: Begin your pitch with a robust, personalized introduction.
Address the client by name and briefly highlight your relevant experience. Make the
introduction attention-grabbing to encourage the client to read further.
Highlight Your Expertise: Clearly articulate your expertise and how it relates to the client's
needs. Showcase your writing skills, relevant projects, and any specific accomplishments
that make you a standout candidate for their writing requirements.
Understand the Client's Pain Points: Demonstrate an understanding of the client's pain
points and challenges. Address how your writing services can provide solutions or add value
to their business. This shows you've done your homework and are genuinely invested in
their success.
Provide Samples or Portfolio: Include samples of your previous work or a link to your writing
portfolio. This gives the client tangible evidence of your writing style, quality, and versatility.
Choose samples that align with the client's industry or content needs.
Tailor Your Pitch to Their Needs: Customize your pitch for each client. Avoid using generic
templates. Instead, emphasize how your writing services specifically address the client's
unique requirements, making your pitch more compelling and relevant.
Showcase Results: If applicable, highlight any positive outcomes or results from your
previous writing projects. Demonstrating the impact of your work helps build confidence in
your abilities and showcases the value you bring to the table.
Be Clear on Deliverables: Clearly outline what you can deliver. Specify the type of content
you can create, the expected turnaround time, and any additional services you can provide,
such as revisions or post-publishing support.
Transparent Pricing: Provide transparent and reasonable pricing details if the client hasn't
specified a budget. Break down your costs and explain the value they'll receive. This
transparency builds trust and helps the client make an informed decision.
Include a Call to Action: Conclude your pitch with a clear call to action. Invite the client to
discuss the project, ask questions, or provide additional details. Encourage the next step to
keep the conversation going.
Follow-Up: If you don't receive an immediate response, follow up after a reasonable
timeframe.
Remember, an effective pitch is about showcasing your skills and demonstrating a genuine
interest in the client's needs. Personalizing your pitch and emphasizing the value you bring
increases your chances of establishing a successful and long-term client relationship.
Showcasing your unique value
propostition
There are many ways to land a ghostwriting project. Some include a lot of trial and error; other
ways are being more intentional with your words.
When it comes to clients and their decision to hire you as a ghostwriter, they must be able to
feel that you are the right person who can and will deliver their message.
Identify Your Specialized Skills: Pinpoint the unique skills that set you apart as a ghostwriter.
Clearly define what makes your approach distinctive, whether it's a particular writing style,
expertise in a niche industry, or a rare combination of skills (e.g., storytelling and technical
writing).
Highlight Your Niche Expertise: Make it a focal point if you have expertise in a specific
niche. Clients often seek ghostwriters who understand their industry's intricacies and can
communicate complex concepts effectively. Emphasize how your specialized knowledge
adds value to your ghostwriting services.
Demonstrate Versatility: Showcase your versatility as a writer. Illustrate your ability to
seamlessly transition between genres, tones, and styles. Whether it's creating engaging
blog posts, technical documentation, or captivating novels, versatility is a valuable asset that
appeals to a broad range of clients.
Emphasize Results and Impact: Highlight your previous projects' tangible results or impact.
Whether it's increased engagement, positive reviews, or achieving specific goals, concrete
examples of your success demonstrate the real-world value you bring to clients.
Offer Unique Packages or Services: Differentiate yourself by offering unique packages or
services. This could include additional rounds of revisions, personalized consultations, or
comprehensive research services. Tailor your offerings to address common pain points in
the ghostwriting process.
Provide a Personalized Approach: Emphasize your commitment to a personalized and
client-centric approach. Express your willingness to collaborate closely with clients, adapt to
their preferences, and tailor your writing to align seamlessly with their vision and objectives.
Transparent Communication and Collaboration: Highlight your communication and
collaboration skills. Stress the importance of transparent and open communication
throughout the ghostwriting process. Demonstrating your ability to understand and
incorporate client feedback fosters a collaborative and productive working relationship.
Integrate SEO and Online Presence: If applicable, showcase your understanding of SEO
principles and how you can optimize content for online visibility. A strong online presence,
including a professional website and active social media profiles, further enhances your
credibility and visibility as a ghostwriter.
Continual Professional Development: Signal your commitment to continual professional
development. Mention any relevant certifications, workshops, or training programs you've
undertaken to stay updated on industry trends and writing techniques.
GHOSTWRITING 101: HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST
GHOSTWRITING PROJECT
CHAPTER 4
We’ve already talked about creating a portfolio on various platforms and how to make the most
of LinkedIn, Twitter, and writing platforms like Medium and Vocal. Media.
In this chapter, I will introduce you to some more websites where you can find potential clients.
We’re also looking at a ‘business plan’ and a strategy to get you closer to landing many
ghostwriting gigs in the following months and years.
VISION: Establish the niche and genre you want to provide your ghostwriting services for.
Ideally, these are niches you are genuinely interest in and are happy to expand and learn more
about. In order to land a ghostwriting client, you must be able to show genuine interest in a
related topic.
MISSION: What you do? - Who you do it for? - Why you do it? These are three
questions you must be able to answer in order to land a successful pitch. You should be able to
define in a clear way the types of projects that light you up, who are you writing for and why?
Your enthusiasm will show your potential client not only that you are interested in a job, but also
that you are the right candidate for delivering their message to a wider audience. You must be
able to share values and propositions with your client for a successful gig.
GROWTH:This is the part of your business plan that will enable you to plan your next
project. A lot of ghostwriters, and freelance writers in general struggle to find clients. The
biggest problem is, they do not have a plan in place. After a gig has finished, they have to start
the search all over again. By creating a business plan and growth strategy, you will be able to
have projects planned in advance and on a waiting list. Your growth strategy includes getting
good at networking, posting on social media with the intention to raise exposure, and having
clients on standby who want your services.
The Strategy
A strategy is a step-by-step process that you can follow. The outcome depends on how well and
fast you implement the strategy.
Earlier in the book, I mentioned that I took seven days to create profiles on various platforms
and started building my portfolio. And I highly recommend you do the same.
Commit to a task, e.g., creating profiles on various platforms or writing a portfolio with a niche in
mind.
Let’s look at a strategy that you could implement in the next week or so that could help you land
your first client:
START WORKING ON
YOUR WEBSITE (for a
free website, use
BLOGGER.COM
CHAPTER 5
Managing your
ghostwriting project
Getting grips with the basics
Managing a ghostwriting project requires a delicate balance of creativity, communication, and
organization. Whether you're working on a book, blog posts, or other written content, here's a
guide on effectively managing your ghostwriting projects:
Establish Clear Objectives: Begin by clearly defining the objectives of the project.
Understand your client's goals, target audience, and the desired outcome of the written
content. This clarity sets the foundation for a successful collaboration.
Agree on payments and milestones. Do not deliver a project until this part of the
contract is fully established and signed by both parties.
Set Realistic Timelines: Work with your client to establish realistic timelines for the project.
Consider factors such as research time, drafting, revisions, and finalization. Clearly
communicate milestones and deadlines to ensure alignment with the client's expectations.
Detailed Project Scope: Develop a detailed project scope that outlines the specific
deliverables, project phases, and any additional services included in your ghostwriting
agreement. This document serves as a reference point throughout the project to avoid
misunderstandings.
Effective Communication: Establish a communication plan with your client. Clearly define
how often you'll provide updates, the preferred communication channels, and how feedback
and revisions will be managed. Open and transparent communication is crucial for a
successful ghostwriting partnership.
Understand the Client's Voice and Style: Invest time in understanding your client's voice,
style preferences, and any specific guidelines they have. This could involve reading their
previous work, conducting interviews, or creating a style guide that captures their unique
tone.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins with your client to discuss the project's
progress. These can be virtual meetings, phone calls, or email updates. Regular
communication ensures that any adjustments or clarifications can be addressed promptly.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Be flexible and adaptable throughout the project. Clients may
have evolving ideas or may need adjustments to the original plan. A flexible approach
demonstrates your willingness to accommodate their needs.
Thorough Research: Conduct thorough research as needed for the project. Whether it's
fact-checking, market research, or understanding a specific industry, comprehensive
research ensures the accuracy and credibility of your writing.
Revision Process: Clearly outline the revision process in your agreement. Define the
number of revisions included and the process for requesting and implementing changes.
This helps manage expectations and ensures a smooth collaboration.
Protect Intellectual Property: Discuss and establish the ownership and rights to the written
content. Clarify whether you'll be credited as a co-author or if the client will retain full
ownership. Clearly outline these details in your agreement to avoid any misunderstandings.
Quality Assurance: Implement a quality assurance process to ensure that the final product
meets the highest standards. Proofread, edit, and review the content to eliminate errors and
inconsistencies.
Final Delivery and Follow-Up: Upon completion, deliver the final content according to the
agreed format. Follow up with your client to ensure their satisfaction and address any
lingering questions or adjustments.
Writing can be an advantageous and great way to earn an income. But as you can see, two
roads lead to success. One can be lonely and make you feel less optimistic, while the other is
more refined and planned.
Whenever you encounter a problem, don't forget to return to your plan. Start networking from
day one, even if you have not created a portfolio. Connecting with others is rewarding and can
lead you to some real gems.
There are many ways to land a writing job, but with the knowledge you acquired here, I hope it
has helped you see a more straightforward path.
The pathways and techniques I included here helped me land my gigs. They are tried and
tested by many fellow writers now on top of their games.
Wishing you all the best and good luck on your journey!
Deni Sahaya