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What Do I Need to Become a Ghostwriter? cont.
Like other freelance writing fields, it is also a job you can start out doing on the side while holding down a full-time job, and the only thing you need to get started is a computer.
Not everyone is cut out to be a ghostwriter. Some people dislike seeing someone else get the credit for their words, or find it hard to adopt different voices and tones in their writing. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before taking up ghostwriting:
Do I like writing and am I good at it?
This is the minimum requirement, of course. Any ghostwriter needs strong writing skills. Moreover, if it is something you will be spending hours doing each day, you need to really enjoy the process. To establish yourself as a ghostwriter, you should also have some writing credits of your own that show that you can produce publishable work, and to show prospective clients samples of your writing.
Am I consistent and motivated?
This is an important question for anyone considering making writing a career. You have to be disciplined to put your butt in the chair and words on the screen every day. You don't have the luxury of waiting for the muse to come to you -- you have to hunt her down and put her to work! In order to get and maintain clients, you must be able to meet deadlines and follow through on the promises you make.
Am I organized?
One of the biggest reasons people need a ghostwriter is that they have ideas but not the time or the ability to organize their thoughts into a coherent product, whether it is a 500-word blog post or a 50,000-word book. If you are someone who can look at a mass of ideas, facts, and data, and see how to give it shape and definition, this may be the field for you. Moreover, you have to be organized at a project level too -- ghostwriters frequently have multiple projects going at the same time, and you need to be able to juggle deadlines and remember details of contracts and requirements for each client.
Am I flexible?
Writing for others is not the same as writing for yourself. You must keep their needs and desires in mind, even when you would do things a different way on your own project. You must be able to learn new topic areas and absorb research quickly. You need to be able to write in a variety of tones and voices. And when clients have new ideas or want to change directions, you must be able to go with the flow.
If you answered all these questions in the affirmative, ghostwriting may be a good fit for you. You can investigate further by researching ghostwriting services online to get an idea of fees and marketing. There are even professional organizations for ghostwriters that offer how-to seminars and provide client referrals. Once you learn more of the details of how ghostwriting is done and how to market and charge for your services, you will have a better idea whether you want to pursue this writing specialty.
The first thing that you need to do is to select a professional author head shot to display on your profile page. This should not be a selfie or family photo. Instead, choose a picture where you are the only person present. You can opt to have professional pictures taken or you can ask a friend to take a nice photo of you. When readers see your face, they'll feel a connection. Suddenly, you aren't just a name on the cover of a book. You're someone real that readers can relate to. When they feel this draw, they'll be more likely to pick up a copy of your manuscript.
Your autobiography should also be filled out. Most writers care a great deal about privacy. This is fine. Even if you're a very private person, you can still share information with your readers that will let them know more about you. Your first sentence should be something exciting or interesting that will catch their attention. You could share a nickname you have, include a personal quote, or even share what made you become an author.
After that, you should share a bit of information that demonstrates your personal skills or life experiences. Let your readers know why your book is valuable and why you're qualified to write it. For example, if you published a book on psychology and you have 10 years of counseling experience, include this in your autobiography.
The final portion of your autobiography should include a call to action. Encourage readers to buy your book. Let them know what they can expect when they buy it. Give some more information about your story or simply share why your book is important. If your book is about weight loss, for example, let your readers know who your target audience is and why your book is different from the rest.
Finally, always include contact information on your author profile. Did you know that many readers want to reach out with questions and comments? If you include your contact information, such as your email address or website, your readers will be more likely to feel like you're a reliable, dependable author they can count on. More importantly, they'll feel like you're someone they can relate to. That trust can often lead to greater sales and strong reviews.
How to Market Your eBook Using Your Author Profile cont.
