Knowing What to Look For in a Ghostwriter
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I f you expect to find a ghostwriter who is perfectly tailored to you and the needs of your project, then it is best if you have a clear understanding of your expectations ahead of time. Searching for someone to help you market your products or services is an entirely separate endeavor from finding someone who will help you to write the Great American novel.
One of the most important things to look for in your ghostwriter is the character and quality of their voice. Remember, your ghostwriter will be a reflection of you. Their name isn’t on the project, yours is. Great ghostwriting requires not only a mastery of writing mechanics but a pliable personality as well.
It is always best to initially consider your primary purpose. If all you need are simple keyword articles with a particular word count so that they can be recognized and indexed by Google, that is work that any freelance writer can easily do. However, if you are intending to produce something more meaningful, that will be read and reread repeatedly, it is worth the extra money and time to polish your project to perfection.
One of the difficulties in searching for a quality ghostwriter is that it is often hard to get examples of their previous work. Just as with your project, much of a ghostwriter’s previous work is protected by nondisclosure agreements. Still, any high-quality ghostwriter should be able to provide examples of well-crafted work. These may not necessarily fit into the exact mold you are looking for, but the quality of their work should be evident.
Never be afraid to ask for writing samples and always take the time necessary to properly evaluate them.
How to Read Your Writing Samples
It isn’t necessary to find something in your potential ghostwriter’s portfolio that perfectly matches your project. It is far more important to evaluate the work you do see on its own merit. You want to look for a sense of the person’s overall skill and general style.
Ask yourself the following questions.
• Does the writing make sense?
• Is the message clearly conveyed?
• Do you find their writing more clear than clever?
• Does the level of vocabulary and writing match your own style and general preferences?
• Is the copy easy to read, yet also clearly intelligent?
• Are there obvious mistakes on the page?
• Can you picture the ghostwriter’s style effectively communicating to your intended audience?
Never be afraid to ask for clarification or context. Who the content was written for can help you to determine if it has effectively done its job. In addition, never hesitate to ask for references, though it is far more important to go with your gut and what the words on the page say about the writer. References can be doctored, unfortunate but true.
