Maybe last month’s article has piqued your interest and you want to try your hand at it. There’s a lot to learn but it is certainly possible to do. And while you are learning to be a ghostwriter, you will learn to be a better writer as well. That will be a tremendous benefit to your writing career.
What You Need for Ghostwriting
- You will need a good, reliable computer or word processor to work on. If you have to wonder If you are going to be able to save your work or whether or not the computer will power down and you can’t save anything, it’s hard to work undistracted.
- A good recorder for your interview and chat times. First thing is to ask your client for permission to record your sessions. If he or she is hesitant, explain that you want to make sure you have exact quotes because you have recorded them. You can also learn about your client’s voice through listening to the recordings. Recordings are also time savers. You will not have to call your client as much and ask them to repeat a sentence or a story. It is also helpful to have a recorder that will transfer easily to your computer. Another time saver.
- Notebook and pen. Despite your recorder, you will want to have something you can take notes on. If there is a good story or one you think would make a good lead in the book, jot down a few words to help you remember your thought. You can also make notes of things you want to ask your client to give you a little more information about.
- Camera. (Your phone camera will be fine.) It would be helpful to have a few pictures of you and your client. You will also need a back cover picture and you never know when you might get a good one!
Additional Thoughts about Ghostwriting
- Learn how much writing, if any, your client has done and how much he wants to be involved in the writing of his book. That could make a difference in the amount of time you have to spend with him or her. If your client is planning to write some of the book, be sure he or she is thick skinned and willing to consider the changes you recommend.
- What are you going to charge? It is much easier if you know what you will charge before you have to tell a potential client. So do your research, talk to other ghostwriters about what they charged when they were starting out. Consult the Writer’s Market. They usually have advice on what to charge.
- Discuss your client’s time line, when you will meet, and how much he wants you involved in the publication of the book (that will change your fee.) If your client is expecting you to market the book and find a publisher for it, you will spend a lot more of your time doing that. You can make suggestions to your client but if you are expected to make the contacts with the publishers that will take a lot of time. You will actually be acting as the agent of your client and that takes a lot of extra time.
Next month we will talk about how to market yourself as a ghostwriter and the important elements of your contract between you and your client.
TWEETABLE
I have a friend who is a Ghostwriter. It's a lot of work! People may think, "you don't have to come up with an idea, just write down what your subject says." Not so. It's almost like writing a novel or non-fiction story yourself. And you client can be worse than any editor! haha.
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