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Career and Job Search Guide
  

Ghostwriter

Ghostwriter Ghostwriting provides writers the opportunity to write for large audiences, receive good pay, write about a variety of topics, meet interesting people, and enjoy a flexible schedule.

After completing a project, however, the writer usually does not receive any credit for the completed project. People who enjoy writing and are okay with not receiving credit for their work should consider a job in ghostwriting.

Ghostwriters must be effective and powerful writers, and have good interviewing skills. Ghostwriters need to capture their clients' voice and accept their editing suggestions, even if the writer disagrees with their client.

If a writer would like to work on a big project, he or she could contact a celebrity and request an opportunity to write his or her autobiography. If the celebrity agrees, the writer and celebrity would develop the outline together, and usually with the help of an agent, contact potential publishers.

Ghostwriters can also write speeches or articles for politicians or businesspeople, or they can write content for websites, write family histories, or write memoirs for family members or friends.

Ghostwriters specializing in history, politics, science, business, or autobiography will have more opportunities. Ghostwriters must convey their clients' ideas, and write in their clients' voice, so ghostwriters concerned about that aspect, should select clients they want to work with.

Writers wanting to be paid well without having to write ad copy or for trade publications, should consider ghostwriting.

Salary Data

Median (8 years of experience): $56,900

25-75 percentile (8 or more years of experience): $49,800-111,000

Training

Effective writing is developed through experience. Writers can work with writing groups or private coaches, but writers who read and write a lot usually develop good skills. Writers should seek feedback from their target audiences and professionals.

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