Have you ever wondered how some people manage to write and publish content on a regular basis with ease, despite also having jam-packed schedules in their full-time job?
Here’s the secret: they might not have written that content themselves.
Today, ghost writers regularly help business leaders, senior executives and other busy professionals by creating content on their behalf in a process known as ghost writing.
From blogs and articles to social media posts and newsletters, key pieces of content are created by ghost writers more than you might think. Today, they are a silent force of writing partners, helping thought leaders get their voice and ideas out there without having to spend time agonising over how to articulate themselves.
What is a ghost writer and how do they help?
The role of a ghost writer is to take the ideas, stories and knowledge of their clients and turn them into polished, professional content that sounds just like the person that hired them. They work out your preferences, language and style and create the content, but the credit and authorship belong to you.
Ghost writers can write just about anything, but some common ghost writing services include:
- Blog posts and social media updates
- Articles for magazines or websites
- Email newsletters
- Speeches and presentations
- Business reports and white papers
- Books and memoirs
- Even screenplays and novels
As ghost writers are behind the scenes assistants, they will usually sign NDAs and other confidentiality agreements. They’re happy to forego a byline and remain anonymous, passing on the credit to their clients.
What is ghost writing for?
Ghost writing is all about helping people turn their ideas into content in a quick, professional, stress-free manner.
Often, it’s busy professionals like business leaders, entrepreneurs or thought leaders that work with ghost writers. Picture a CEO – they’ll likely have some great ideas, insights and knowledge of their industry, but rarely have the time to turn those thoughts into refined articles.
This is where a ghost writer can help, picking their client’s brains to translate those thoughts into compelling content that the CEO can proudly call their own.
The difference between ghost writing and copywriting
Ghost writing and copywriting are both important content creation tools in the world of marketing and communications. However, there are some differences between the two.
Ghost writing involves writing for someone else. The idea is to channel another person’s ideas, knowledge, voice and vocabulary into written content that sounds like them. In this sense, ghost writing is something of a creative chameleon, capable of adopting different tones, styles and perspectives in their writing.
Copywriting, meanwhile, involves creating content with the aim of educating, influencing or persuading an audience. In this sense, copywriting is usually persuasive, punchy and direct, designed to grab attention when selling an idea, product or solution.
Ghost writing is writing on someone else’s behalf.
Copywriting is writing to educate, persuade or influence.
3 key benefits of hiring a ghost writer
There are many reasons why someone might want to acquire a dedicated writing partner, with three main benefits being…
#1 – Time
Full-time jobs are just that: full-time. They leave little-to-no time for writing. Ghost writers can bridge that gap, helping you to turn your ideas into written content without you having to spend hours doing so.
#2 – Quality
A manufacturing specialist or financial analyst may not be confident with writing, and that’s okay. It’s not their job. By working with a ghost writer, you can say what you want to say in a way that truly reflects your expertise without having to be a literary expert.
#3 – Speed
Ghost writers write day in day out, so they’re used to quickly turning work around as and when you need it. Don’t get stressed out by deadlines – work with someone that can ease the load.
How to work with a ghost writer
To get the most out of a ghost writing partnership or service, it’s important to treat it as a collaboration. You provide guidance on your ideas and writing preferences, and they provide the words.
But what does a successful collaboration look like?
First, it’s important to find a ghost writer that fits your needs. They need to have knowledge of your industry. You wouldn’t hire a travel writer for writing a technical medical whitepaper, for instance. Therefore, it’s worth checking their portfolio, not only to see if you like their writing style, but also to understand whether they have experience in your chosen field.
Interviewing them is a logical step to take. Personality and communication matter if they’re going to be representing your voice. Equally, it’s worth kicking things off with a trial piece, such as a short blog, to see how well you work together.
Once you’ve found a writer you like, you need to keep the communication going. It’s no good leaving them to their own devices for prolonged periods – they’re not mind readers.
For a truly successful partnership, it’s important to be clear about:
- What you want to achieve with the content. Do you want to establish yourself as a thought leader, or educate potential prospects about your business and/or products?
- Your wider business strategy and goals. Where are you headed, and how should that influence the content strategy?
- Your tone. Do you want to be formal, or more casual and conversational?
- Your preferences. Do you like content to be snappy and punchy, or deliver more in-depth analyses and commentary on topical issues?
Only by retaining regular and consistent contact with your ghost writer will you be able to convey exactly what is needed from your content. Without that communication, the results may be off-track or sub-par.
4 different examples of ghost writing
Ghost writers can provide writing support across a broad range of projects. Here are some of the most common examples:
- Corporate writing: Annual reports, sustainability reports, press releases, internal communications, and speeches for business leaders.
- Marketing and branding: Marketing decks, website copy, email campaigns, video scripts, advertisements, award entries and case studies.
- Thought leadership: LinkedIn posts, blogs and articles for bylines for media publications.
- Creative storytelling: Novels, children’s books or podcast scripts that bring imaginative ideas to life.
If you have a question about a ghost writing project, or are ready to work with a dedicated ghost writer, please contact us to find out how we can help.
