A ghostwriter writes on the author’s behalf, but how much do they do?
The answer – is it depends. Since an author typically hires a ghostwriter, how they assist with a project depends on the author’s individual needs and experience with writing.
The involvement ghostwriters can vary from receiving a few ideas and writing independently to a more collaborative approach by which they must interact with the author regularly.
How much a ghostwriter does is also a function of budget; naturally, the more hours they are involved with the project, the more it will cost the author.
Contrary to what you may think, a ghostwriter does more than just write.
Ways Ghostwriters can Support the Author
Please note: there are additional ways that, as a ghostwriter, I support authors. If you want to explore more about your needs, let’s set up a time to chat. Today however, we’ll explore;
- understanding the audience
- outlining and organizing the author’s story
- interviewing the author
- conducting research
- writing
Understanding the audience
Your audience is one of the most important aspects to consider for any piece of content. Understanding your customer persona helps shape the language and tone of the content that your audience will share. A ghostwriter can support the author to understand their target audience better so that content is written in a way that speaks to this group of individuals.
Outlining and organizing the author’s story
A story/message is only as good as the way it is told; a ghostwriter can support the author in outlining the chapters or sections in which a story will be revealed or message shared. This ensures a smooth transition between ideas and a seamless experience for the reader.
Interviewing the Author
While writing an autobiography, interviewing is the critical method by which the ghostwriter obtains information from the author and becomes familiar with their voice (i.e., the way they tell their story). This is key to conserving the essence of the author within the content.
Conducting Research
A ghostwriter can also be given a topic and asked to research and write on that topic. This can range from a well-scoped topic to something more open-ended, giving the ghostwriter the freedom to choose the subject based on what would best resonate with a defined audience.
Writing
By now, you know that ghostwriter writes, but even the amount that a ghostwriter is asked to write can vary. They can only be asked to prepare an outline, pen the first draft, or participate in a project from initiation to completion (including redrafting and editing as required).
In summary, the involvement ghostwriters is entirely up to the author. It is generally a function of three things: the author’s budget, the author’s experience with writing, and how much time the author has to devote to the writing process.
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.
