Why do authors use ghostwriters rather than writing the content themselves? After all, isn’t the person who owns the story (or came up with the idea) in the best position to write about it?
Ghostwriters can provide authors with a lot of support and value.
Here are five reasons why many authors use ghostwriters:
- Writing Experience
- Experience with SEO
- Time Management
- Short Turn Around Times
- Legacy writing pieces
Deeper Dive into Why Authors use Ghostwriters
Writing Experience
This one is the most obvious – ghostwriters are writers, after all.
The reality is that writing is not everyone’s forte. Many authors love telling their stories verbally/visually or speaking at public conferences and events but do not enjoy the process of writing or content creation. However, the energy goes into every action we take, so if an author is writing and dislikes the process along the way, it will likely show in their work.
Authors use ghostwriters to tell their story in a coherent, meaningful, and organized way so that when readers consume a piece of written work, the content affects them the same way as if it were coming directly from the author through their preferred means of storytelling.
Experience with SEO
Experienced ghostwriters hired to support the creation of blogs, e-books, marketing materials, or social media content likely have a good understanding of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This can help ensure that the content gets delivered to the right audience and boost engagement.
Time Management
Authors may require written work (for a course, book, or social media content), but they do not have the time to devote to it due to other business or personal priorities. In this case, the ghostwriter can step in and share the workload so that the content creation gets completed rather than being put off to the side for another day, week, or year.
Short Turn Around Times
Popular authors that write for publishing companies or social media accounts with large followings may be required to produce content on short timelines to meet customer expectations. However, since ghostwritten work is often created more quickly than if the author were to do it alone (as the ghostwriter’s time is devoted to serving the client), this can significantly reduce the time required to complete a project.
Legacy Writing Pieces
Some authors pass away, leaving bits and pieces of future content plans with friends, family, and publishers. To allow the deceased author’s content to continue to be shared, a ghostwriter is sometimes hired to continue writing (under the author’s voice) so that family and fans can continue to indulge in the stories they know and love. One example of this is the Jason Bourne series; while the author passed away many years ago, old outlines and ideas left behind by the author have allowed Robert Ludlum’s legacy to live on.
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Want to learn more about ghostwriters? Check out the other articles in this series:
- What Exactly Does a Ghostwriter Do?
- Difference Between a Ghostwriter and an Author
- How Much do Ghostwriters Do?
Resources
What type of Content Creator are you? Take the Quiz! – 4 different types of creators, which one are you?
Email: catherine@catherinenikkel.comNeed help telling your story in your own voice? Let’s make it happen. Schedule a consultation with me hereCatherine Nikkel is a content creator, ghostwriter and the founder of Mindful Media. She specializes in helping CEOs, entrepreneurs and influencers create copy that engages and converts. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, Authority Magazine, FemFounder and more.
