|
How to Work With a Ghostwriter
I have talked to many, many busy professionals who must bring in new business and new clients. Without exception, they all know that if they could only find the time to write a book or a series of articles, their marketing would become much easier and faster.
But who has the time? After all, we just said we were talking about busy professionals. Moreover, while these individuals may be very skilled in their own fields, most of them do not have the skills to write publishable material.
Enter the ghostwriter: a professional writer who can write your book, articles or content for your website, for you to publish under your own name.
But how do you get the best finished product from working with a ghostwriter? Here are a few tips that may help you out:
1. Select a writer with knowledge of your field. If a doctor needs a ghostwriter, she should choose someone with a background in medicine. A lawyer should choose someone like myself with a Juris Doctor degree and experience practicing law.
You simply don't have time to bring someone up to speed if your field of knowledge (and the topic of your book or articles) is specialized.
2. Allow time for the writer to interview you. Let the ghostwriter ask you questions, and get the benefit of your knowledge on the subject. Let's say, for example, that you are an attorney who wants a book on several high-profile cases you tried. Share how you approached your strategy on the cases, describe the moments when the outcome was in doubt, and reveal your personal feelings as the cases unfolded. Don't leave these personal insights to chance, these are aspects of the writing you must share with your writer.
3. Provide as much relevant written material as you can. For example, when writing for a lawyer, I would like to have her briefs, trial notes and even copies of case law that was put together in preparation of the trial.
4. Stay in touch and be accessible. Nothing bogs a writer down more than to have a key unanswered question that remains unanswered for a week or more.
Remember, working with a ghostwriter is a collaboration. Both of you have a role to play and a share of the workload. The final result will show how well the two of you as a team worked together.
COPYRIGHT(C)2007, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.
Charles Brown is a Dallas, Texas based freelance copywriter who writes web copy, advertisements, white papers and direct mail. Read his "Freelance Copywriter Secrets" at dynamiccopywriting.blogspot.com or contact him at 817.715.3852 or **charbrow@gmail.com**.
|
