What You’ll Learn in this Post

• What is ghostwriting
• The 6 types of content they write
• Is ghostwriting lucrative?

Before we get into what kind of content this specialized breed create, we need to define what a ghostwriter is: that’s a writer who provides a writing service for pay, selling all of her rights and taking to credit for the writing.

Essentially, the writer is only paid for the content and not creating a brand for herself.

Why Do Ghostwriters Sell their Creative Rights?

Money. That’s what it comes down to… dollars and sense. And because it’s generally a quick way to earn for what you write.

Early in my career when I was writing for magazine and newspapers, I spent a lot of time drafting and sending out query letters. Sometimes I get lucky and an editor would bite and then I was off and running.

While the editor had lots of input. If they accepted what I wrote, they would buy certain rights, generally First North American Serial Rights (FNASR). After that publication, I would try to sell another set of usage rights to a regional or local magazine or newspaper. And all of this rights included my name (or pen name).

While that’s still a business model, nowadays, because of the Internet, more writers are selling the full right to their content. That’s because more bloggers and marketers want those writes and the ability to add their names as the content.

The Top 6 Types of Content Ghostwriters Sell

Bloggers and marketers are in need of a  wide variety of content. And they’re willing to pay for it.  If you’re thinking about making freelance writing a career, then you need to know what those buyers are looking for. Then decide, what you can provide.

Oh, and don’t worry. They’re not all looking for Internet and marketing material. Their needs cover lots and lots of niches, from parenting to cooking to finance to pet care to… you name it

Another oh! What type of content I’ll be describing is this section is non-fiction. Fiction is a whole other creature and yes, ghostwriters work in that genre, too.

Many of these pieces of content can be ordered and written as one-offs, but frequently a ghostwriter is hired to an entire package around a specific topic as a package with a variety of content types.

eBooks

This is generally the main info product for a blogger or marketer. Often times, it’s the product they intend to sell as a digital info product. It’s generally long and in the 20,000 to 40,000 work range (that’s could run 50 to 100 pages of single space text). It is also generally formatted as a PDF with a title page, table of contents, chapters, and sub-headings.

Ghostwriters of usually paid by the page, which can lead to adding more fluff just to make more money. That’s good, of course, but you don’t want to become known as “that writer.” Write what needs to be written to cover the subject thoroughly.

If a writer is asked to pull screen shots (like for a how-to book), then she should be compensated for the additional type. The client should also provide any graphics if necessary, and again, the writer should be compensated for time.

Web Content/Blog Posts

This can cover a lot of ground. It can be anything from blog posts to web pages such as “About Us” or “Terms of Service.”

If the blog posts are part of an info product launch, they may be a specific number needed, such as 5, 10 or more. They revolve around a single topic and/or keyword. The client should have a very good idea of types of posts they want (general, how-to, review), length, voice (third-person, first-person) and keywords to use.

The other purpose for blog posts is just to fill the blog with content and will drive traffic.

Autoresponder

Email marketing is the bread and butter of the world nowadays, and necessary to keep readers happy, drive traffic and more importantly make sales of one sort of another. It’s one part copywriting and one part creative.

Email marketing is the bread and butter of the world nowadays, and necessary to keep readers happy, drive traffic and more importantly make sales of one sort of another. It’s one part copywriting and one part creative.

Bloggers and marketers generally hire a freelance ghostwriter to create a series of emails. While it’s not really necessary to know all formatting details, a ghostwriter should be aware of the overall set-up of an email sequence, from how many emails, to the types of information that should be offered in each one.

the reader – and make sure the marketer knows which one is first, second, third, etc.

Opt-In Report/Freebie

Generally, opt-in report is a short report (could be anywhere from 5 to 20 pages or so) that’s given away FREE in exchange for a potential customer to subscribe to the marketer’s newsletter.

Opt-in reports will usually be a broad slant on the topic, or perhaps be something nicely paired with the product for sale.

But a report is just one of many free that can be offered. Lately, I’ve been seeing journals, cheat sheet pages and other types of printable. All are tied to the topic (or topics) for a specific campaign or the overall niche topic.

Squeeze Page Copy

It is a very specialized page usually associated with the opt-in. Simply, it’s a sales page that provides the main headline, a sub-headline, and a few bullet points.

The speciation comes in being able to entice the visitor to enter their name and email address and become part of the blogger or marketer’s email list. The best squeeze page copy is short, sweet and effective.

Sales Letter

Another specialization that takes talent. But those that can write a great sales letter will always find work. That’s because not everyone–even seasoned marketers–like to tackle sales copy. It’s a chore!

Sales copy can range anywhere from 5 pages to 25 pages. This is a good add-on addition to a project where you write the info product. Make sure you let your marketer know that you offer this service.

The basic format for sales copy will be the main headline followed by 1-2 sub-headlines. Then you’ll have a storyline with sub-headings sprinkled in as well as blocks of bullet points. You’ll have testimonials to insert and near the end a call to action (urging them to buy), a guarantee, the order form and two Postscripts (P.S. and P.P.S).

Is Ghostwriting Lucrative?

The short answer is “yes!” The longer answer is, “it depends.” There are a lot of factors involved. What type of project the ghostwriter is undertaking, the length, turnaround time and the experience of the ghostwriter.

Ghostwriting a book to be published by a major author for a large publishing house in multiple formats is going to command a bigger payment than writing a “how-to” eBook on organizing a new author.

Just as writing a squeeze page or sales page copy rather than 5-page opt-in report for a blogger. The special talent needed for the ladder two writing formats bring in more money, easily thousands of dollars for just a few pages.

The most important part of what a ghostwriter can charge for her services depends on experience. Obviously, new writers will command less than experienced–and successful–writers.

If you’re interested in ghostwriting, you’ll have to do your due diligence. There are services you can start with, such as UpWorks or you start by trying to sell your own services.

There are also a variety of other types of writing jobs. It’s a niche that never seems to run out of a need. Gina over a Horkey Handbooks as a terrific free source for want-to-be-writer that you should also grab: 200+ Freelance Writing Niches. After you sign up for her list–and get that free resource–make sure to head over to the blog section. She has more great info there and success stories you’ll love to read.

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