Ghostwriters may sound like something out of a bad fiction novel, however, they are actually rather common and utterly mundane. A ghostwriter is someone who is hired to produce written content, such as a book, script, or article without being listed as the author. This seems unethical and overly complicated, but in actuality, it is more common than you might think. Let’s delve a bit deeper into ghostwriting, how it works, and some of the most common reasons it’s used.
How Does Ghostwriting Work?
In a ghostwriting arrangement, there are usually two parties; the freelance writer/independent writer and the client seeking the writing. In some cases there may be a third party involved such as a publishing agent, but this is not as common.
The client will hire the ghostwriter to produce content on their behalf. They will pay a set fee for the work and take credit for the work once the fee is paid. The ghostwriter, depending on the size of the work ordered will either get paid upfront or at certain milestones for their writing. They understand going in that they will not be listed as the author or get credit for the work they produce other than their agreed-upon payment. This is basically a typical “work for hire” arrangement.
Who Typically Hires A Ghostwriter?
Anyone can hire a ghostwriter to create content on their behalf. Big companies who launch ad campaigns, regular people who need help creating a perfect resume, or even lectures who are great at delivering verbal content but just can get things on paper are all common types of clients. Most websites and blogs you see on the internet are populated with content generated by ghostwriters. A lot of biographies you read are also written by ghostwriters. In fact, there are even full-length novels from notable authors that were actually ghostwritten.
How Common Is Ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is one of the most common types of writing out there, but also one of the least talked about. Consider it the dirty little secret of publication. There is nothing wrong with ghostwriting and in many cases, it is the only way to obtain professional, targeted content for a brand, business or idea. When a company wants to upgrade its website, a ghostwriter will often be called in to rewrite all of the existing content to help it better reflect the company’s current ideas.
There is a lot of content out there, but not as many people available to actually create professionally high-quality copy that generates conversions. This is where ghostwriters come in handy. They get paid to get a brand or person’s message across in a way that will draw in readers. Be it commercial copy or literature, capturing the attention and the minds of those reading the content is critical.