How to Manage Your Ghostwriter

How to Get the Most Out of Your Ghostwriter

There are many variables to consider when trying to find the ghostwriter that’s the best fit for you. Along with price, location, and all the other details, project management is another thing that is important to consider when looking for the right writer.

What you expect from your working relationship will largely define what you eventually receive.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you prefer to receive many smaller updates over the course of your project, or would you rather have fewer yet more substantial status reports?
• Do you tend to have many specific ongoing questions, with a constant exchange of dialogue, or are you the type to save up your questions for sporadic brain drains?
• Are you the type of client who would ask their writer to tweak a word here or there, or are you more likely to leave a writer to their own devices?
• Will you require justification for every editorial decision your writer will make during the length of the project?

The thing to remember, there are no right or wrong answers. You can only operate upon your preferences; ideally you and your writer should match as much as possible. If you don’t, you may find yourself in trouble before your project ever takes flight.

Finding alignment in your management styles can have a dramatic impact on the success of your finished project. For example, a confident writer with a super-sized personality is likely to clash with an overly detail oriented type. On the other hand, a quiet, methodical writer who requires continuous prompting will be an absolute nightmare if you are more of the “let the writer write” type of manager.

Consider the ways you work best, then use that information to help you hire the best ghostwriter for you and your project.

One more thing to consider, if a writer questions you about your preferences and management style, don’t be defensive. Chances are, the writer is only trying to save you both future headaches. Their questions could be the best thing to ever happen to your project.

Ghostwriter Dad