Freelance Writing Business
Tips for Contracting Ghostwriters
Written by Charles Mburugu for Gaebler Ventures
Do you feel guilty for either needing or wanting to outsource all or some of your writing to other people? Well, you should not. Many other businesses do the same thing, and as a result make good money. Quite a number of online businesses outsource their writing needs. Even famous bloggers have been known to hire ghostwriters to write on their behalf! How do you go about contracting a good ghostwriter?
Ghostwriters are some of the most common outsourced contractors.
There are very professional and helpful writers who can help ensure the prosperity of your website while you take care of other issues in your business. With your direction, a ghostwriter creates content under your name.
However, to work well with a ghostwriter, you should first determine what you want. Ask yourself; Where do I need help? What type of writer do I require? The answers to these questions should help you decide the kind of writer you need. As a business owner who knows the value of targeting a particular niche, you will also realize that every aspect of business also has its own specialties. Similarly, not all writers have the capability of writing everything you may need. Conversely, one writer cannot write about everything.
You might want to consider evaluating different writers by asking for samples of their writing, as well as reading their blogs and visiting at their business or personal websites. You should be able to get an idea of their writing style this way. It's vital to realize that frequently, the kind of material you want written is likely to require some specialized skills. If the contractor you have chosen has no previous experience with the specific kind of writing required, you may have to take time to train them to do things in the proper manner.
Another important factor to consider is your ghostwriter's native dialect and language. Writers who are not native English speakers can sometimes have a problem communicating effectively with their audience in a casual or relaxed tone. This also applies to writers who speak a different English dialect. For instance, it might take some time for an American writer to understand a British business owner's tone and spelling.
It is important to make some things clear to your contracted ghostwriter; 1) All the work done by them will be posted under your name. 2) They shall not have any right to the work they supply to you. 3) You will maintain exclusivity to all the work. This means the same work cannot appear anywhere else.
As for payment details, these will vary depending on each project or writer. It is advisable to decide on your preferred payment method early, before the hiring process starts. Consider if you want to pay per project, per hour or per word. If you have a budget, make that clear to the writer. In addition, offering extras such as ad revenues or profits upfront could help you get someone who will accept your payment process and personal preferences.
Ghostwriters can be located through internet searches, yellow pages, freelance marketplaces or copywriting agencies. However, you could consider posting an ad online and having writers apply to you directly. This may save you more resources and time in the long run.
Charles Mburugu writes for us from his home in Nairobi. He has a graduate degree in Business Management from Kenya Institute of Management. He is interested in writing about branding, CSR and intellectual property.
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