Maybe you are writing your own book and have come to a halt; you need more bottom line to help you get started again. Or maybe ghostwriting is your business. More and more people – bloggers, consultants, speakers, even doctors - are relying on ghostwriters these days, great news for those of you looking for work. But there is something new ghostwriters need to understand – you can produce the most wonderful work in the world but it will never be yours. What you write will be sold in the name of the person who hired you. Still interested? Then there are some things you need to know about becoming a ghostwriter.

It’s not for entry-level writers

Really you should have a decent and checkable track record in writing and can prove that you can manage large projects before you can write in another’s voice. Have some samples you can show potential clients, especially ghost-written projects.

It isn’t about you

It isn’t enough to be a good writer; you need to be able to do it in your client’s voice, telling their story the way they would. You need to match the way they talk, the speed and the style, even if you think your voice is better. They are paying you to write as them and you need to be comfortable with that.

You must be a writer and a publishing consultant

There have been some serious changes in the publishing world and getting a book deal with a major house is much harder. Add to that the self-publishing market, growing at a huge rate, and ghostwriting is the more attractive option these days. Not only are you a writer, you need to be able to tell your clients how their project should be structured, as well as giving them some ideas about publishing options – if you can do that successfully, you will be in demand.

Price yourself right

Obviously, novices will have lower fees, but if you have plenty of experience, not just in writing but in editorial work too, then your price should reflect that experience. The more work you get, the more credentials you pick up, the higher the fee should be – the trick is not to swamp yourself with low-paying jobs.

Don’t forget to network

Otherwise, it can get very lonely. Effectively, ghostwriters are invisible and you don’t get to go to the book parties or the signings that the authors do. In fact, you don’t get any of the accolades because your name is not in print. You must have a decent support system in place, people that you can hang out with, be it virtually or otherwise. The AOG (Association of Ghostwriters) is a good place to start, as is the Ghostwriters Unite conference.

The most important thing is this – if you are a good writer, if you have the experience and the work to show, then put yourself out there as a ghostwriter. Don’t be afraid to blow your own trumpet – no-one else is going to do it for you and sometimes the bolder ones win the big contracts.