Should You Hire a Business Ghostwriter?

As a former journalist, I’ve written plenty of bylined articles over the years (and even a few books!). But while it’s always fun to see my name in print, I’ve also loved working as a business ghostwriter, where I help people tell their stories in their own words — only better.

If you’re considering hiring a ghostwriter, here’s what you need to know.

What a Business Ghostwriter Can Do

Simply put, a ghostwriter writes words that are published under your name. You may think of a ghostwriter as someone who helps write a memoir or book. But actually a business ghostwriter can do much more. While I’ve certainly worked on book-length projects, the vast majority of my ghostwriting clients have brought me in to write shorter pieces. Some projects I’ve worked on include:

• Articles published in industry and trade magazines.
• Op-eds published in the local news media.
• The “President’s Letter” in a company newsletter that was circulated to 800 employees.
• A healthcare “Q&A” column answering reader questions.
• Informational blog posts.
• Marketing emails.

On all of these projects, the writing was published or posted under the client’s byline, and my name was never attached. 

Why Hire a Business Ghostwriter?

The most common reason people hire me to ghostwrite something for them is because they’re simply too busy to write it themselves. In most cases, a business leader’s time is better spent meeting with clients and running the company than writing a blog post or the employee newsletter. And while they may have a PR department, they may still decide to outsource ghostwriting to a freelancer. That’s because their communications team might be busy with other projects, or they want to bring in someone with a specific type of writing expertise.

Here are a few other reasons you might decide to hire a ghostwriter:

• You recognize that a professional writer could put your thoughts into words more eloquently than you can.
• You’d like to publish something in a magazine or newspaper and want someone who knows how to write in that style. 
• You know how to communicate with your peers, but need help cutting through the jargon and writing in a way that the average person can understand.
• You’re sharing something sensitive and want an experienced communicator to make sure you get the messaging right. 
• You’ve already tried writing it yourself and aren’t happy with the result. 

Next Steps

Once you’ve decided to work with a ghostwriter, the next step is to find the right person. Think about the requirements of your project, and look for someone with the specific experience you need. That might be writing an article, a speech, social media posts, or a book. You might want to work with a writer who knows your industry, especially in fields like science or medicine. What audience are you trying to reach? Consider whether you need someone who can speak credibly to experts, or who’s good at breaking things down in simple language. 

Finally, spend time talking with the writer about their process. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and their approach. After all, you’re trusting a ghostwriter with something very precious: your words. So it’s vital that you have a strong rapport, clear communication, and a business relationship that you feel good about. 

In my next post, I’ll cover tips for how you can work with a ghostwriter to make sure your project is a success. 

Need a ghostwriter for your next writing project? Contact me for a consultation.