How to Find Ghostwriter Clients

Calling yourself a ghostwriter is one thing, but getting clients as a ghostwriter is a whole nother story.

Ghostwriting is a fun, exciting and profession but how do you go about getting clients?

That’s the difficult part of any business and convincing people to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a book is tricky.

However, all is not lost (obviously).

Three out of five people think about writing a book at some point in their life.

While that figure isn’t surprising, it’s unfortunate that only one of them will even try to start one. But it sits well for another demographic – writers.

Someone else’s lack of time, skill, or will in writing a book opens up many opportunities for writers to transition from freelance gigs into ghostwriting.

Working as a ghostwriter comes with various perks. Aside from the excellent pay and flexibility, it offers steady work compared to freelance writing.

Once you get hold of one or two clients, you can focus on writing instead of looking for side jobs. In a nutshell, you make more money with fewer projects.

Finding clients is no cakewalk if you’re just starting as a ghostwriter. But there’s an abundance of opportunities you simply can’t ignore, most of which are lucrative.

Follow these steps to make the most out of your search for a ghostwriting gig:

1 – Get referrals.

If you worked as a freelance writer before, use your previous and existing clients and editors to get referrals. One of them may know someone who needs a “ghost” to write a book.

Referrals never fail when finding prospective clients who themselves aspire to be authors but don’t have what it takes to write a book on their own.

2 – Build a network.

Writing and publishing a book means investing time and money, so clients want a guarantee that they’re working with a capable ghostwriter.

This is where your network plays a crucial role; prospective clients prefer ghosts recommended by a reliable source.

No one’s going to recommend you if you don’t exist. If you’re starting from scratch or has little experience in freelance writing, it’s about time to get the word out about your ghostwriting prowess.

Build a network by corresponding with editors, influencers, industry experts, and fellow writers.

Be active online because would-be authors who need help in writing their book spend a lot of time searching for ghosts on the web.

3 – Use your industry knowledge and expertise.

Anyone can be a ghostwriter; in fact, you have the edge if you’re an authority in your niche or a career coach.

Your knowledge and skills work to your advantage because there’s always someone out there looking for an expert who knows a thing or two about writing.

If you’re clued-up in healthcare, law, business, or any niche, use your expertise to find clients in those fields.

You’re most likely to get hired once prospective clients who want to write a book learn of your proficiency.

4 – Establish an online presence.

Don’t discount the value of freelance websites when looking for a ghostwriting gig. Sign up on websites where you can apply and pitch for ghostwriting job listings.

Choose those platforms that hand out resources and comes with forums where you can talk to other writers and potential clients.

The internet is the place to be when you’re learning the ropes. This is where you’ll come across cheap ways to promote yourself as a ghostwriter.

Multiple sites offer classes and resources to help you improve your skills.

Most importantly, create a blog or website that’ll serve as the focal point of your online marketing efforts.

5 – Search for clients in the corporate world.

Company executives and business leaders are the likeliest to hire ghostwriters for a wide range of jobs, i.e., business correspondence, email, and marketing.

It’s a practical starting point for anyone hoping to land a ghostwriting job since corporate clients pay very well.

You may not find the satisfaction of writing a novel, but the lucrative pay is worth the effort.

6 – Network in a small niche.

Although ghostwriters don’t sell themselves like how marketers do, there is still value in networking online.

The “ghost” must do networking within the confines of a small and particular niche. If you’re an expert in sports or medicine, immerse yourself in it.

Look for people who sell products or offer services in that niche – every single one of them is a prospective client who may be interested in writing a book.

Unlike traditional online marketing, you don’t need to extend your reach just to find a client.

7 – Connect with other “ghosts.”

They’re your competition, but fellow ghostwriters give you direct leads and referrals. Unlike freelance writers, ghosts handle one or two projects at a time.

It’s common for them to call on their fellow writers to accommodate an “extra” client. If not, some ghostwriters choose to accept the project but will have someone else write it.

Grab this opportunity to “subcontract” as it’ll help you test the waters while searching for clients.

Anyone can build a lucrative career out of ghostwriting, and it can be extremely rewarding if you have a legitimate passion for writing.

But keep in mind that it’s not all about the money. Ghostwriting is a noble profession where you help people tell their unique stories to the world.