If you have ever worked with a ghostwriter, you probably already know how helpful it can be for your business. But before you start working with a ghostwriter, there are a few pointers that you need to consider. Read through this article and answer these questions to find out how effective communication can get you positive results when working with your ghostwriter.



Part 1: Meeting Your Expectations

* Have you considered confidentiality? Make sure all the projects you hand over to your ghostwriter will be kept in confidence. Just because your ghostwriter is working on a particular project for you does not give them the right to share it with others or use it for their own benefit. Consider having your ghostwriter sign a non-disclosure agreement.

* Turnaround Time: Ensure that you provide an expected turnaround time. Sometimes delays are encountered, but by providing a deadline, it ensures open communication and the ability to meet your needs more effectively.

* File Format: Let your ghostwriter know if your require specific file formats (For example .doc or text, any font type or style)

* U.S. or British English: There is a difference in the spelling of U.S. English and British English words. Make sure to advise your ghostwriter of which spelling is needed for your particular project.

* Clarify Payment Expectations: Familiarize yourself with how your ghostwriter wants to receive payment. Sometimes partial payment is necessary before your ghostwriter starts working on your project. Once the project is completed, the balance is due and once paid for you can start using the completed work.

Part 2: Writing Process

* How does your writing voice and style sound? Every writer has their own voice in every article that they write. It is important that you provide your ghostwriter with some samples of your own writing so that she can understand how you expect her to write using your voice and style.

* Which angle do you want to highlight? Again, communication is the key here. Make sure to speak to your ghostwriter about your specific opinion about the article so she can complete the project using your point of view.

* Sentence & Paragraph Formatting: If they're writer is familiar with online writing, they will already know this. But if you are working with a writer who is accustomed to print writing, you may want to inform them about the unique requirement online writing requires. For example, eye fatigue can happen easily on long, so keep paragraphs and sentences short and simple. Paragraphs should be 3-5 sentences. Sentences should also be relatively simply and convey one idea at a time. Bullet points make content much easier to read.

* Tell Them What You Want Covered: If you're knowledgeable in a topic area and you want an article written on that topic, don't assume that writer is going to know which points you'd like to have covered. Give them a short list of points to cover in the content. It just takes a moment and will give you a better finished product.

* Plagiarism and Rewriting Content: Professional ghostwriters know that copying another author's work is unacceptable. However, if you are training a new writer, you must be sure to tell them of that. Cutting and pasting other articles or sentences and rewriting some of them is also not acceptable. Although writers can do some research and read other articles to learn about specific topics, the final written article must be 100% their own original work. Many people use special software to rewrite article. Simply rewriting an article does not make it an original article.

* Use of Hyperlinks: Often content is designed to promote a product/ business/ website, etc. That often means that links to outside websites is often a distraction to the content your ghostwriter creates. You need to tell your writer if you want them or don't want them to link to outside resources.

* Evergreen Content: Most writing projects you will give your ghostwriter are meant for evergreen content. Seasoned ghostwriters will already know this but it won't hurt to remind them. But, if you wish your article to be timely and to point out specific seasonal events, you need to let your ghostwriter know as well.

* How many edits are included with the project? Will your ghostwriter edit her work for you? Some ghostwriters will include edits and some won't. Know what to expect by asking before your get the project started.