How To Choose, Find, Use and Profit From A Ghostwriter
The rest of this report will teach you about how to find, choose, use, work with, and get results with a ghostwriter; as well as some of the major pitfalls and red flags to avoid; and some ideas to get you started in finding that great ghostwriter for your next project.
For a moment, think about why and where you might want to use the services of a ghostwriter:
· E-books – without question this is the most popular use for ghostwriters today. While traditional big-house publishing is out of reach for most entrepreneurs and would-be authors, it is also unnecessary with the advent of the “e-book,” or electronic book. E-books range in length from just a couple of dozen pages in Microsoft Word format to elaborate “publications” in formats like Adobe Acrobat, complete with illustrations. E-books have a variety of business uses including brand-building, promotion of a services business, and in many cases, the direct sale of information itself.
· Traditional manuscripts or screenplays – another common use of ghostwriters is where people have ideas for, say, a novel or movie, and can’t quite flesh out the story in the way they want. You can present a ghostwriter with some chapters, a full book that needs to be “scrubbed” or “punched up” or even just some ideas, and get a better book written much faster than trying to complete it on your own.
· Articles for publication – one great way to build a consulting brand is to publish articles in relevant places, online, or elsewhere. Frequently though, subject matter experts have great insight into materials but less than great ability to craft compelling reading about it. A big percentage of the articles in major legal, medical, marketing, and other trade and professional journals are ghostwritten, and it’s a great way for anyone to look like a star in print.
· Marketing materials with a byline – such as letters, direct mail, emails, “welcome” materials on web sites, auction listings.
Now that you’re thinking about how you might be able to use a ghostwriter, how do you find one, and what should you expect when you do?