Seven Useful Tips To Ghostwrite Books For Clients As A Freelance Writer

Serious freelance writers know their income maythrough an editor or publisher. You should make
come from other sources, not just writing articleschanges as needed. However, don't wait on final
for magazines or clients. Ultimately, their freelancepayment if your client hasn't received final
writing leads to writing books or e-books forapproval from his publisher.
themselves or as ghostwrites. If you decide toTIP #3: Always write your ghostwrites as if they
ghostwrite e-books and trade paperbacks forare your own. Write with quality and
clients, consider the following:professionalism in mind.
If a client hires you as a "work-for-hire"TIP #4: Never sign a non-compete contract on
ghostwriter, then the client pays you for yourthe subject of the book. It is crazy for the client
work, and he owns all rights. Make sure: 1) Youto ask but crazier for you to do it. If a client asks
receive a 50% retainer before you begin thefor one, walk away. You have your own work to
work; and 2) You receive the balance at or rightprotect as well as the client's work. Remember
before delivery. That's it. If the book turns out tothe saying, "to thine own self be true"? Well, in
be a great success, great! That's wonderful! Youwriting, there's no truer statement.
should be extremely proud -- but from a distance!TIP #5: You owe the client exceptional work and
To be a successful ghostwriter, you must enjoythe client you work for owes you money for a
your glory as a ghostwriter in the shadows. Manyjob well done.
ghostwriters prefer it that way.TIP #6: If your client is dissatisfied with the end
I know a great speaker in the industry whoresult, even after he's paid you, make it right for
commands $10,000 or more per speakingthe client. Satisfied clients usually become repeat
engagement. He is phenomenal to listen to andclients; they will bring you steady work and
even more dynamite to read. However, hereferrals.
doesn't write his books alone. He contributes toTIP #7: Consider using a pen name as a
them but he never writes any of them himself.ghostwriter. Jeanine Anne, a freelance writer and
His ghostwriter, Shelly, is known only to a fewghostwriter, said she uses a pen name when she
writers in a close-knit writer's group. Why doesghostwrites. She said, "I've written most of my
Shelly let this speaker take all the glory for herghostwrites and presented them to my clients
work? She is painfully shy and exceedinglyunder my pen name, Jeanine Anne. First, if
talented as a writer. She once said, "I am where Isomeone decides to spam me, there's no harm
need to be and he is where he should be." If youdone to the name for which I write my own
are going to ghostwrite, stay where you belongwork under. Secondly, when I write for a client, I
(invisible) and accept payment for the job ashave no idea what the client will do to the work,
payment enough.after all it is his work once it leaves my hands.
TIP #1: As a ghostwriter, you should always tryThe client may add content which I may not like
to meet the needs of the true "author" of theor he may write something that is not my style
work. Cover the content they want and do yourof writing." This is something to remember if you
best to make the client happy.write for clients as ghostwrites. The client hires
TIP #2: As with writing any book, ghostwritingyou to do a job and the client owns the work
involves lot of revisions and changes as far out asafter it leaves your hands.
two months, especially if the book needs to go