If you own a food blog, contain a website with a blog, or do any other writing-related tasks, you may be considering hiring a ghostwriter. This post will teach you what exactly a ghostwriter is, what they can do, and the benefits of working with one.

Have you ever wondered how bloggers publish a new post every single day or how well-known authors publish so many books? While there are a few that might be lightening fast wordsmiths, the most common reason these people are able to accomplish so much is with the help of ghostwriters!

Whether they’re completing entire projects on their own with just a few notes from the published authors or working collaboratively, ghostwriters help make the publishing process easy. Not to mention, they can help expedite the process tremendously. As a result, for those looking to push out high-quality work and do so quickly, hiring a ghostwriter is a no-brainer.

What Is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a writer hired to write works that are accredited to an entirely different author. Commonly, ghostwriters perform their work under a contract that ensures their name and involvement in the project remain confidential.

Usually, ghostwriters are not mentioned or credited at all, though they may sometimes be listed as co-writers, assistants, or research assistants. There are many different kinds of ghostwriters in the world, and each works under different terms and conditions.

However, if a project can be written, there is a ghostwriter who can be hired to complete it. For example, some of the most common types of works ghostwriters contribute to include:

Blog posts
Magazine articles
Autobiographies
Speeches
Songs
Screenplays
Memoirs
Novels
Comic books
Academic papers
E-books
Cookbooks

Ghostwriting vs. Copywriting

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they aren’t actually the same things.

Ghostwriting: The goal of a ghostwriter is to assume the voice of the author for whom they are hired to write. This can take the form of a wide variety of works (some of which are listed above) and allows a ghostwriter a lot of flexibility in the work they take on.

Copywriting: The primary task of a copywriter is to craft compelling copy that grabs a reader’s attention and drives them to take action. Most commonly this is used in advertisement and marketing. You can find examples of copywriting on social media, in advertising slogans, and on websites. Overall, the goal of a copywriter is to speak to the emotions of potential customers in order to persuade them to make a purchase.

What Is a Food Blog Ghostwriter?

A food blog ghostwriter is someone who helps a food blogger with their written content. The scope of this position can include drafting recipe cards, writing blog posts, crafting social media copy, writing newsletters and e-books, and even assisting with cookbooks.

Typically, ghostwriters are self-employed and operate as freelance writers, virtual assistants, or food bloggers looking to supplement their income by helping others. That said, you will occasionally find food blog ghostwriters who work as full-time employees.

Unlike other ghostwriters, those who write for food blogs have unique expertise in cooking, SEO, writing, and often even marketing. They aren’t necessarily chefs themselves, but they should have a love for food and a deep understanding of flavor profiles and cooking techniques.

Why Do Authors Use Ghostwriters?

You don’t have to be a famous celebrity or even a best-selling cookbook author to hire a ghostwriter. They’re everywhere! In fact, it’s more common for people publishing anything to hire a ghostwriter than not.

Doing so not only helps speed up the writing process but can also make it much more manageable. For example, ghostwriters are often hired by those who don’t feel they’re great writers or who simply don’t enjoy the process.

As a result, they are able to convey their vision and goal and hand off the “hard work” to a ghostwriter instead. It’s a great way to add an additional stream of revenue with very little extra work required from the author whose name the work is being published under.

How Common Are Ghostwriters?

Ghostwriting is probably more common than you think! In fact, ghostwriters have been around for centuries. Because they aren’t always officially recorded, and there’s no official record of ghostwritten work, it's nearly impossible to determine exactly how many there are.

However, the number is well into the thousands, and the growth of social media only continues to help that number grow!

FAQs

Can you make money ghostwriting?

Absolutely! Ghostwriting can be an extremely lucrative career.

How much do ghostwriters get paid?

The average salaries of ghostwriters vary widely depending on the field, the type of work, and the experience of the writer. However, it is not uncommon for a ghostwriter to make well 6 figures or more.

Is it ethical to hire a ghostwriter?

Of course, the ultimate decision is up to you as to whether or not you feel comfortable hiring a ghostwriter. However, as long as contracts are put in place and both parties are in agreement regarding the scope of work and the anonymity of the ghostwriter, there is no harm in publishing ghostwritten work.

To Conclude

Not to be confused with a copywriter, a ghostwriter is an anonymous writer that can help complete a wide variety of written works. Whether they work collaboratively with an author or deliver a complete project with just a few notes, they can make it easy to publish high-quality written content quickly. As a result, they can be a hugely beneficial asset to those who may not enjoy, be great at, or have time to write.

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