[Editor’s note: If you’ve done corporate writing work or ghostwriting for small businesses or other organizations, ghostblogging might be a good next step. Veteran ghostwriter Marcia Turner explains how to get started. — Michelle V. Rafter]
Smart writers are constantly on the lookout for new markets, assignments and income sources. One area garnering attention because of the sheer volume of new material needed is ghostblogging, or blogging anonymously on someone else’s behalf. Part of the appeal may be the paycheck, since well-paying ghostblogging gigs offer $.40 to $1 a word.
Google has repeatedly emphasized how important it is for companies to have new, original content on their websites as a key to achieving higher search engine rankings. As a result, posting new material is key. However, few business professionals have the time to create attention-getting posts on a regular basis. Others lack the interest or ability. That’s created a rising demand for ghostblogging services.
Finding Ghostblogging Work
How can writers connect with clients in need? Several freelance writers who have landed ghostblogging gigs shared these secrets for getting the work:
1. Niche and grow rich.
Boston writer and chartered financial analyst Susan Weiner has done ghostblogging work for a large financial services company that was referred to her. An established financial writer, Weiner advises other writers to “establish themselves in a particular niche that will attract prospects.” Then show you have an understanding of industry issues by writing about them on your own blog.
2. Be a social media standout.
Weiner is regularly referred work in her niche of financial and investment writing because she has a strong social media presence. She is active in LinkedIn groups and shares Facebook status updates that underscore the kind of work she does. She suggests other writers do the same. “Let people know you’re interested in ghostblogging,” she says, by mentioning similar projects you may be working on. “Make it known.”
3. Distinguish yourself on LinkedIn.
“LinkedIn has been very good to me,” says Douglas Glenn Clark, a Los Angeles entertainment ghostwriter. Clark invests considerable time adding to and maintaining his LinkedIn account. Where most writers simply create a profile and leave it at that, Clark shares information regularly, posts videos and blog posts, uploads articles, and contributes to groups. “It’s my hub. I’m actually finding LinkedIn more helpful than my website; I kind of consider it my website,” he says.
4. Introduce yourself.
Elizabeth Hanes an Albuquerque nurse and medical writer, has had the good fortune to have most of her past ghostblogging gigs come to her, primarily because of her niche. Hanes uses her nursing background to market herself as a medical writer. The key words clients have most likely used to find her are “nurse-writer.” She ghostblogged for a plastic surgeon for several months and now has a regular assignment for a large medical group. Hanes recommends other writers who want ghostblogging gigs identify blogs in their niche that have not been updated in a long time — she calls them “orphan blogs” — and then reach out to the webmaster or blogger to see if they’d like help. The owner “may have the desire to have a blog and see the value in it, but may not have the time or the talent to keep it updated,” Hanes says. You could be the perfect solution.
5. Get connected.
Another freelancer had worked as a ghostwriter for about three years but had her first experience as a ghostblogger in fall 2012 when she landed a project through the Association of Ghostwriters’ Find a Ghostwriter service. To connect with available ghostwriting projects, make sure you are listed in member directories so you can receive notices when opportunities pop up.
If you’ve worked as a ghostblogger, how did you get the gig? Share your experience by leaving a comment.
Marcia Layton Turner is a freelance business writer and executive director of the Association of Ghostwriters, which aims to bring its members a steady stream of new ghostwriting projects.