4 Essential Tips for Hiring a Ghostwriter

Let’s say you wanted to write an autobiography on your life, or co-write a novel. But you lack the required writing skills or the time to pull it off. This is where a ghostwriter comes in. 

With a ghostwriter, you can start on your writing project with as much confidence as possible. But it takes a great deal of forethought and planning to hire a ghostwriter. This is because there is a myriad of ghostwriters out there. 

And they don’t follow a set standard. Some of them are highly skilled, while others lack experience or ability. So before you hire a ghostwriter, you should know what you are looking for. 

Here are 4 essential tips for hiring a ghostwriter:

  • State what you want in a ghostwriter

Before you go out and look for a ghostwriter, you should first know what you are looking for. List down the qualities you look for in a ghostwriter. Should the ghostwriter be a veteran? 

Should the ghostwriter be well-read and eloquent? Should the ghostwriter be easy-going or driven? By knowing what you want in a ghostwriter as early as possible, you will be able to find the best ghostwriter to work with.

  • Look into their past works

Once you list down the key traits you are looking for in a writer, you can now start looking for them. Luckily for you, there is a myriad of websites that advertise ghostwriters and their rates. But getting a ghostwriter is easy. 

The hard part is choosing one. This is because a ghostwriter can say he or she is skilled and could offer you great service. But if you really want to know the extent of their skills as a writer, it is better if you look into their past works.

 Contact the ghostwriters that you feel compatible with, and ask for their past works. Take note of their writing styles and their ability to translate their client’s ideas into writing. Check whether their writing style will work for your topic. 

You should also be on the lookout for any mistakes or deviations from their client author’s idea. Remember, your ghostwriter should work for you. And while he or she could give key writing advice, the final decision will always be yours.

  • Check on their former clientele

Aside from looking into your ghostwriter’s past works, it is also a good idea to check on their former clientele. You could check for reviews about the ghostwriter. Be on the lookout for potential red flags like laziness, sloppy output, or just general unprofessionalism. 

If you have the opportunity, you should also call their former clients and ask them if your potential ghostwriter is worth hiring. It may seem a bit extensive, but seeing as you will be the one paying for his or her services, it pays to be as careful as possible.

  • Slow down and don’t settle for second best

One of the key points of getting a ghostwriter is not to rush it. Remember that you will be working with the ghostwriter for months or even years, depending on the speed of your work and the overall effectiveness of the ghostwriter. And the success of your book could rest on the skills and effectiveness of the person you hire. 

So take it easy. Have a good long look at your potential ghostwriters and never ever settle for second best.

tips for hiring a ghostwriter

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