“For many people, publishing a book, a column or
series of articles has been a super-highway to fame and major financial
success.” – Donald
Moine, Ph.D.

Have you ever had a brilliant idea
for an article, book or Website, but never got around to doing anything with it? Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Trust and
credibility are vital in creating consumer confidence. Being able to tell the
world who you are, what you do and how you do it is the best kind of confidence-building
free publicity…producing results that can beat the pants off standard
advertising.

That goes double for online
articles. Millions of searches are done to certain keywords. When
these keywords are typed on search boxes of search engines, indexed websites
containing articles with those keywords will be displayed. This is what leads
traffic to websites with keyword-rich articles. Yes, the magic word is
articles.

Content Reigns

You can say that again, but why is that? Here
are just some of the benefits writing articles can give your business.

• Writing articles is now one of the most widely used Internet or print marketing media.
• Internet surfers and paper-and-ink readers just can’t get enough of information on various fields, and that includes your target (or niche) market.
• Providing information through those articles is a surefire way to drive hot traffic to your web site.

It is demonstrably true: Being
a published author gets results. But even if you can crank out
passable copy on your own, most business owners should be spending their time doing
what they do best: minding the store, not staring at blank sheets of paper
waiting for their muse to strike!

If that’s you, and your
marketing plans include publishing books or articles, or enhancing your Web
presence, an experienced professional ghostwriter—like those of
us who contribute to The Freestyle Entrepreneur, can help you focus on your
subject, organize your ideas, and then write persuasively to your target
audience.

Or, if you’ve already written a
book, article or web page and think it’s ready for the publisher or Webmaster,
think again! A professional copywriter’s objective critique–complete
with line edits and grammar, style and consistency checks–can spell the
difference between acceptance and rejection.

What Does it Cost?

Ghostwriters’ fees vary. Many
charge by the hour; some by the word; still others are paid by the job. Rates
may be negotiable, and dividing the charges into multiple payments is usually an
option. Most ghostwriters ask clients to sign a contract or letter agreement,
make a down payment (typically 50%) and charge a kill fee if the job is canceled. Clients requesting in-depth consultations may be asked for a
retainer. Though nonrefundable, retainers usually are applied to a project’s
charges.

How Does it Work?

It all begins with a phone call
or email or phone inquiry to the ghostwriter or ghostwriters you’ve selected.
From there, ghostwriters will typically interview you over the phone and by
email (often for free). Let’s say you want an article on “Designing Widgets”…the
ghostwriter will need a detailed summary of your ideas to create a series of
review drafts, which will go back and forth for your review and eventually your
approval. Ghostwriters will work closely with you until the job is done to your
satisfaction. Once you’ve signed off, they can call their media contacts (or
yours) to shop your finished product.

Whatever the job, however, talented, experienced ghostwriters
know how to provide value to their clients. At the end of the day, the ideas
are all yours and the finished product carries your byline. Articles with
free-reprint rights are routinely published by ezines and Websites, both of
which can generate results, though you may get the best results if your writing
is regularly featured in publications in your target markets and read by
potential customers. And while you’re at it, be sure to email copies to your
existing customer base.

Selecting a Ghostwriter – Talent, Versatility &
Experience

Basically, you can choose from among three types of ghostwriters:

• Full-time professionals who know your industry may charge more, but can probably get off the ground more quickly, with less of your time spent
  getting them up to speed.
• Generalists with experience in different subjects may require a bit more of your time
       upfront, depending on their learning curves, but they can usually produce the results you seek. 
• Amateurs are often a popular choice, since using volunteers or college students who may have decent writing skills but lower compensation expectations are thought to be a money saver…but, as in all things, you’ll usually get what you pay for. 

In selecting a ghostwriter or
copywriter, it’s usually best to interview several candidates looking
for someone you get along with and who is versatile enough to use different styles
and work with different topics and media. Ghostwriters can be found online (try
a Google search, a job board like guru or elance, trough word-of-mouth, by asking
someone who has used a ghostwriter for a recommendation, or by contacting local
news outlets or professional journals for referrals.

Better yet, contact one
of the experienced writers at www.TheFreestyleEntrepreneur.com.

But no matter who you chose,
always get resumes and writing samples, and look for someone you’re confident
will do the best job for you.

No one can guarantee publication,
but you can and should expect a ghostwriter to produce words you’ll proudly call
your own and which will bring you business. Bottom line: Working with a pro
gives you the best value for your marketing dollar. It’s a great investment
in your business and yourself!

Bill Willard is a
freelance writer living in Clearwater, FL

Comments? What
online or print articles have you thought to write, but have never gotten
around to it. If you’d like one of the Freestyle Entrepreneur contributors to
help design and build that “round to it” with you, send us an email. If your
subject is a good fit for this Web site, you may have already found a
publisher! We want to hear from you!

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