Last Updated on 3 years by Christopher Jan Benitez
Let’s not beat around the bush:
Do ghostwriters get credits for their work?
If you’re looking for blog ghostwriting services, it’s common to ask this question. Especially if it will be your first rodeo, it’s understandable to want to get the details straight.
So, should you really give them credit?
In this post, we’ll find out the actual answer. This way, you’ll know what to do once you work with a ghostwriter.
Do ghostwriters get credit, really?
No, they don’t. As their title points out, they’re “ghosts”. They’re not supposed to claim that they’re the ones who whipped up online content for the person they represent.
As their client, it’s not your obligation to give them credit. Because the deal is you pay money for their services. And as far as the same deal goes, you’re off the hook once you hand over what is due — and is rightfully theirs.
Now for some real talk. If they’re not getting credit for their work, it’s only fair to wonder what’s in “it” for them.
The answer? Well, one is the huge paycheck waiting for them!
A ghostwriter in New York, for instance, can enjoy an annual salary of about $45,000.
Remember, ghostwriters are usually skilled writers. For other people, they can write a book, get them featured in magazine articles, and more. They can mirror their clients’ writing style, take charge of these people’s personas, and more.
For this reason, they make their clients’ lives a lot easier. And also for the same reason, they’re usually highly compensated.
Beyond the high pay, here are the other reasons a ghostwriter works this way:
- High demand and steady work – The need to create written content will always be there. So, it’s no surprise that the need for ghostwritten works is high.
- Variety of work – Ghostwriters explore different topics
- Thirst to be better – Writing is an ever-evolving skill. And it gives these ghostwriters an opportunity to always do well.
Should I use a ghostwriter?
Ghostwriters don’t really leave empty-handed.
So, focus on what they can do for you. Because they work anonymously, you get to reap all the benefits of their work.
Ready to use a ghostwriter now?
Reach out to them. However, before anything else, think about these things, first:
Length of the project
Will the ghostwriter be working on a short-term project? Or is it a project that will run for months or even years?
Either way, using a ghostwriter is an excellent idea. They will speed things up and help you meet your deadline.
A perk of offering short-term writing projects to ghostwriters? You usually won’t need to invest resources other than the ones for a quick project. Give them instructions and inform them of your expectations, then let them work. If they do a brilliant job, that’s awesome.
And if they performed terribly, a simple course to take is to carry on with your business. Next time, just hire someone better.
If you want to work with a ghostwriter for the long haul, you’re walking in an unfamiliar territory. You may also need to invest in them and help them write well for you for as long as it takes.
Here are some tips that you can share with a ghostwriter to help them handle a long-term project:
- Schedule and start – Jot down what you need to do, create a plan, then start the work.
- Stick to a to-do list – Commit to your plan. Using productivity tools like the Pomodoro Technique can help.
- Rest adequately – Get eight hours of sleep if you must. Willpower is an exhaustible resource.
Ideal ghostwriter
The first person who offers you their ghostwriting services may tell you that hiring them will save you time. It makes sense for them to bring that up because it means you don’t have to spend more time searching for ghostwriters.
Based on that perspective alone, you could nod your head in agreement.. However, if you factor in a ghostwriter’s qualifications, you will start walking in the opposite direction. So only use a ghostwriter if you’ve found someone qualified.
Here are some questions you need to ask before using a ghostwriter for hire:
- Are their organizational skills good enough? If you have plenty of work mapped out for them, they should be able to organize all of them. Then allow them to prioritize the more urgent tasks as they deliver high-quality work for you.
- Are they resourceful? They should always know what to do with what you give them. Rather than keep bugging you with concerns, they should know how to handle things independently, too.
- Are they out-of-the-box thinkers? They should be creative and propose brilliant ideas.
Related: Ghostwriters Get Royalties: True or False?
Typical ghostwriting collaboration
A ghostwriting collaboration differs for every ghostwriter and their client. And it could be easier if you set rules on how to work prior to starting.
Each ghostwriter works uniquely, and so does each client.
To help you work with a ghostwriter effectively, here are some tips you should note:
- Don’t micromanage – No second-guessing or pointing out errors before they polish a project. Remain in the background and let a ghostwriter work how they want to.
- Communicate clearly – Don’t use analogies, for instance. Be direct when delivering your message and ask them if they completely understand you.
- Provide guidance – Offer suggestions if they need them. For example, you can provide research materials.
How much does ghostwriting cost?
As mentioned, ghostwriters can make a lot of money for their writing skills. So if you can provide them with fair compensation, hire one.
Know little you need to shell out for their services? Then, take the factors below into consideration:
Skills
The more skills a ghostwriter has, the higher you should think of paying them. If they can do the work that you originally thought of hiring someone else to do, then let that payment go to the ghostwriter instead.
For example, they can help you manage your social media accounts. They can keep these accounts updated, engage with your followers, and more.
What other skills do ghostwriters need to have for higher pay, you ask? Here’s a few of them:
- SEO knowledge – Can they create and edit meta and title tags, for example? If they know their way around search engine optimization, they’re worth a lot.
- Editing skills – Proofreading and editing can be time-consuming. If you don’t need to hire an editor anymore, take it as a cue that you should compensate higher.
- Familiarity with graphic design – Can they take care of all visual-related elements for you?
Experience and credibility
Hiring a credible and experienced ghostwriter doesn’t come cheap. That’s because it takes time – and effort – to build experience and credibility.
You can’t go from being an undecorated ghostwriter to an experienced and credible ghostwriter overnight, can you?
Here are signs that tell you a ghostwriter is credible and has relevant experience.
- Knowledge about a subject – If possible, they’re willing to show you that they’re experts. If they’re niche-specific ghostwriters, they should be willing to talk extensively about a relevant subject.
- Social proof – It’s easy for anyone to claim that they’re experienced and credible. However, is there anyone else that can honestly support their claim?
- Professionalism – Working with an inexperienced ghostwriter can open the door to unprofessionalism. So hire a ghostwriter who’s reliable, hardworking, and respectful.
Your project’s word count
Let’s be realistic.
Ghostwriters usually charge clients based on the number of words they should write. They can give you a quote for a flat fee. However, this fee would still depend on the number of words that they need to write.
So if you want them to write a relatively lengthy article, be ready to pay them a higher amount. For a 5,000-word article, for example, they will charge you something like this:
5,000-word article = 5,000 x $0.15
If their per-word rate is $0.15, then it’s fair to compensate them $750 for their work.
Related: how much does it typically cost to hire a ghostwriter?
Related: How Much Does It Typically Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter?
Final thoughts
Still asking the question, “Do ghostwriters get credits?”?
And still worried about who gets the credit for their written work once you bring a ghostwriter into the picture? Well, don’t because as the discussion above goes, it’s you -you get all the credit.
And don’t feel bad about the whole setup, either. Ghostwriters are “ghosts”, remember? If they wrote an excellent piece on your behalf, the praise goes to you!
So go ahead and hire a ghostwriter to do magic for your online business.