In our recent post on where to get help in writing a book, we discuss how hiring freelance book writers is the easiest way to kickstart your journey as an author. Below are some tips on how you can find the ideal ghostwriter for your book, and the pros and cons of each option.
What Is a Ghostwriter and Why Should You Hire One?
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who writes books, articles or other content credited to another person. There are several reasons why you might be wondering if you can pay someone to write a book for you–maybe you are not confident in your writing skills or do not have the time to write a book yourself and need a ghostwriter to help you get your story down on paper. They can provide expert knowledge and insight into your book’s subject matter, making your book sound more authoritative and credible.
A ghostwriter can also help market and promote your book, which is essential for reaching readers interested in your topic. They often have extensive publishing contacts and can help you get your book into the right hands.
Where to Find a Ghostwriter
There are various platforms where you can find a ghostwriter for your book. These include freelancing websites, social media communities, referrals, and search engines.
Freelancing Platforms
The easiest way to find a ghostwriter is to sign up on a freelancing platform. There are many to choose from, so make sure you use one with a solid reputation, like Guru. On these platforms, you can post a job listing and receive proposals from hundreds of freelance writers from all over the world.
When posting your job listing, make sure you include as many details as possible about what you are looking for. Details could include:
- Targeted word count
- Genre
- Overview of the plot
- Budget for the project
This is where you should also specify any other requirements, such as needing a writer with experience in your niche or who is based in the United States. Once you have posted your job listing, you will start to receive proposals from freelance writers. You can review their proposals, profiles, and samples of their work to decide if they are the right fit for your project.
Freelancing platforms are the safest way to hire a ghostwriter because they offer dispute resolution services if something goes wrong with the project. Still, it can be difficult to choose a writer on these platforms when there are so many writers to choose from—sometimes, you can never be sure about an applicant until you hire them.
Referral From a Friend or Colleague
If you know someone who has hired a ghostwriter before, ask them for a referral. This is the best way to find a trustworthy and experienced writer because you will get a personal recommendation from someone you know and trust.
When asking for a referral, be sure to get as much information about the ghostwriter as possible, including their name, contact information, and website. You should also ask your friend or colleague for a sample of their work, so you can see if their writing style is what you are looking for.
Social Media Communities
Another way to find a ghostwriter is to join social media groups and forums related to freelance writing, publishing, and book marketing. On these platforms, you can ask for recommendations for ghostwriters and get advice from other authors who have hired ghostwriters before.
Some of the best social media communities for finding a ghostwriter include:
- /r/writing and r/HireaWriter on Reddit
- The Cult of Copy Job Board on Facebook
These communities are one way to connect with writers who might not be available on freelancing websites—but there are risks associated with going this route. For example, it is important to remember that anyone can join these groups, so you will need to exercise caution when choosing a ghostwriter this way. Keep in mind that you will also not get dispute resolution or payment protection services when hiring someone via social media.
Search Engines
Last but not least, you can find ghostwriters by doing a simple Google search. Just type in “find a ghostwriter” or “hire a ghostwriter” and you will get a list of writers who offer their services online. Unfortunately, this restricts you to those writers with a strong online presence, which means you might miss great writers who do not have a website or social media profile but who will still do a great job.
In addition, ghostwriters with their own websites tend to be more expensive than those who do not have one, so this method might not be the best fit if you are on a tight budget.
