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Are you a first-time non-fiction author wondering how to get your book published? Do you go the traditional route and seek out a literary agent? Or do you take matters into your own hands and self-publish? What about hybrid publishing or crowdfunding publishing? With so many different book publishing routes available today, deciding which is right for you can be overwhelming. As someone who is passionate about book writing, I am determined to help aspiring authors fulfill their book publishing dreams. That's why I've put together this guide, which breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of each publishing route. I've also included some examples of non-fiction bestsellers that have succeeded using each method. Whether you're a self-help trailblazer or a science buff, this article will provide you with valuable insights into the different publishing options available to you. So, sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let's get to it! What's in this guide? The three different publishing routes plus one extra Choosing the right path for your non-fiction book Making a decision—factors to keep in mind Final thoughts 1. The three different book publishing routes I. Traditional Publishing This is the most traditional route for publishing a book. Authors submit a book proposal to a literary agent or publisher, who decides whether to represent or publish the book. The publisher takes care of editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing of the book. This route typically offers advances and royalties to the author. My books have been published using this publishing route. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of going down the traditional publishing path. Advantages Publishers carry the costs and take the risks. Access to professional editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing services. Prestige and validation from being published by a reputable publisher. Possibility of receiving an advance payment and royalties. Wider distribution and bookstore placement. Disadvantages Waiting to hear back (acceptance) after submission can take 6-12 weeks. High competition and difficulty in getting published by a traditional publisher. Longer publishing timeline, as publishers typically take 1-2 years to bring a book to market. Less control over editorial decisions and book design. Lower royalty rates compared to self-publishing. Some of the world's top traditional book publishing companies include Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins. Smaller publishing houses, also known as Indie publishers , include Soho Press, Graywolf Press, Akashic Books, and Qwirk Books. When choosing which publisher to approach, look for those with a reputable track record in your genre. For instance, Crown Publishing is renowned for business books and biographies. Examples of non-fiction bestsellers published via traditional publishing: "Becoming" by Michelle Obama: This memoir by the former First Lady of the United States was published by Crown Publishing Group in 2018 and became a worldwide bestseller, selling over 15 million copies. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey: This self-help book was first published by Simon & Schuster in 1989 and has since sold over 25 million copies worldwide. "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand: This biography of World War II hero Louis Zamperini was published by Random House in 2010 and spent over four years on The New York Times bestseller list. "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking: This popular science book was first published by Bantam Books in 1988 and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling non-fiction books of all time. II. Self-Publishing Some authors I work with prefer to go down this path, mostly because they want full control over all aspects of the publishing process. I plan on exploring this option or the Hybrid one for my next book. The choice I make will depend on my budget at the time. In choosing this route, the author takes full responsibility for editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing of the book. It may cost you more, but as the author, you retain all rights and profits from the book. Don't worry, though; you don't have to flounder about 100% on your own. There are service providers who help authors self-publish. These include retailers such as Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Companies such as KDP Print, Smashwords, and Draft2Digital provide distribution support. Full-service companies that offer everything from editing to distribution include Book Baby, Matador, and IngramSpark. Advantages Full control over editorial decisions, book design, and distribution. Higher royalty rates and greater profit potential. Faster publishing timeline, as authors can bring their books to market in a matter of weeks. Access to online platforms such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Disadvantages No access to professional editing, design, and marketing services unless the author hires and pays for them. Less prestige and validation compared to traditional publishing. (An ongoing debate.) Limited bookstore placement and distribution unless the author invests in additional marketing efforts. Examples of non-fiction bestsellers published via self-publishing: "The Barefoot Investor" by Scott Pape: This personal finance book was self-published by the author in 2016 and became an instant bestseller in Australia, selling over 2 million copies. "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf: This diet and health book was self-published by the author in 2010 and became a New York Times bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies. "The Freedom Journal" by John Lee Dumas: This productivity and goal-setting journal was self-published by the author in 2016 and became a bestseller on Amazon, selling over 10,000 copies in its first week. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson: This self-help book was self-published by the author in 2016 and became a bestseller, selling over 13 million copies worldwide. "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman: This relationship advice book was originally published by a small Christian publisher in 1992, but the author later acquired the rights and began self-publishing it. It has since become a bestseller, selling over 12 million copies. "Crushing It!" by Gary Vaynerchuk: This business and marketing book was self-published by the author in 2018 and became a bestseller, debuting at # 2 on The New York Times bestseller list. Authors are more involved in the marketing process now than in the past. III. Hybrid Publishing This is a combination of traditional and self-publishing. The author pays a fee to a publisher, who provides editorial, design, printing, and distribution services. The author retains the rights to the book and receives royalties from book sales. I am currently working with an author who has chosen this route because, as she says, “I need all the help I can get while still retaining some control.” Advantages Access to professional editing, design, printing, marketing and distribution services. More control over editorial decisions and book design than traditional publishing. Faster publishing timeline than traditional publishing. Retention of the rights and royalties by the author. Disadvantages High upfront costs, as authors are required to pay for the services the publisher provides. Limited bookstore placement and distribution unless the author invests in additional marketing efforts. Less prestige and validation compared to traditional publishing. There are many hybrid publishers out there. Some of the more reputable ones that I’ve come across are IdeaPress Publishing, Greenleaf Book Group, Forbes Books, She Writes Press, Amplify, and those listed in the examples below. Be sure to do your research thoroughly before choosing the right one for you. Examples of non-fiction bestsellers that have been published via hybrid publishing: "The 10X Rule" by Grant Cardone: This business and self-help book was published by Cardone's own hybrid publishing company, Cardone Ventures, in 2011. It has since become a bestseller, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin: This memoir and self-help book was published by HarperCollins in 2009, but the author worked with a hybrid publisher, CreativeSpace, to produce a special edition that included a reader's guide and author Q&A. "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries: This business book was originally self-published in 2011 before being picked up by Crown Publishing Group. The author worked with a hybrid publisher, Greenleaf Book Group, to produce and distribute the book to bookstores. "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy: This self-help book was published by Hardy's own hybrid publishing company, SUCCESS Books, in 2010. It has since become a bestseller, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. + Crowdfunding Publishing Crowdfunding is not strictly one of the publishing routes but more a funding method to help get your book published. Using crowdfunding platforms , the author raises money from supporters to fund the publishing process. The author can use the funds to pay for the book's editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing. This route allows authors to retain full control over the book. An author I know on LinkedIn used this method to fund the publishing of his book. He had a good marketing and promotion strategy, which he used in 2022 to promote his book before publishing. This way, he got his followers to buy his book before the launch in 2023 to fund his publishing costs. Advantages Full control over editorial decisions, book design, and distribution. No upfront costs for publishing the book. Ability to generate buzz and pre-orders for the book. Higher royalty rates and greater profit potential. Disadvantages Risk of not meeting the crowdfunding goal and not being able to publish the book. No access to professional editing, design, and marketing services unless the author hires and pays for them. Less prestige and validation compared to traditional publishing. Examples of non-fiction bestsellers that have been published via crowdfunding publishing: "Rebel Ideas" by Matthew Syed: This non-fiction book on diversity and innovation was published in 2019 via Unbound, a crowdfunding publisher. It became a bestseller in the UK, where it was originally released. "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter" by Ben Goldfarb: This non-fiction book on environmentalism and conservation was published in 2018 via Island Press, a traditional publisher that utilized a crowdfunding campaign to help promote the book. "The Good Immigrant" edited by Nikesh Shukla: This anthology of essays by black, Asian, and minority ethnic writers was published in 2016 via Unbound, a crowdfunding publisher. It became a bestseller in the UK and won numerous awards. 2. Choosing the Right Path for Your Non-Fiction Book When deciding which publishing route to take for your non-fiction book, there are several factors to consider, including: Your goals: What do you hope to achieve by publishing your book? Are you looking to make a profit, establish yourself as an expert in your field, or simply share your story or knowledge with others? Time and resources: How much time and money do you have to invest in the publishing process? Traditional publishing may take longer and require more upfront investment, while self-publishing may allow for greater control over the timeline and costs. Target audience: Who is your book intended for? Understanding your target audience and their preferences can help you choose the publishing route that will best reach and engage them. Genre and niche: What type of non-fiction book are you writing, and is there a particular niche or subgenre it falls into? Some publishing routes may be better suited for certain genres or niches. Marketing and promotion: How will you promote and market your book once it's published? Some publishing routes may offer more support in this area than others, while others may require you to take a more active role in promoting your book. 3. Making a Decision Once you've considered these factors, you can begin to weigh the pros and cons of each publishing route and make a decision based on your individual needs and goals. Some key considerations to keep in mind include the following: Cost: How much are you willing and able to invest in the publishing process? Control: How much power do you want over the content, design, and distribution of your book? Timeline: How soon do you want your book to be published? Reach: How important is it for you to reach a wide audience, and how will you achieve that? Support: How much help do you want or need throughout the publishing process, and which route will offer the most support? Final Thoughts Ultimately, the decision of which publishing path to choose for your non-fiction book is a personal one that will depend on your individual goals, resources, and preferences. By understanding the factors to consider when choosing a publishing route, you can confidently navigate the publishing landscape and achieve your goals as a writer. So, take the time to do your research, connect with other writers and industry professionals, and stay focused on your vision for your non-fiction book. Have a question or something to add, connect with me on LinkedIn . Be sure to keep an eye out for more blog articles about the book-writing process coming to you in the next few weeks. Shamila Iyer - your content partner from idea to publication. Write. Edit. Coach. (*Article updated - February 2025)

As a ghostwriter, you can use your portfolio to showcase ghostwritten projects. FAQ: How do I showcase my ghostwritten projects in my portfolio? Content writers new to the freelance world often pop up in my LinkedIn DMs seeking guidance on how to get started as a freelance writer. One of the topics that frequently comes up in our discussions centers around building a credible portfolio. Many new freelance writers I chat with began their writing careers as ghostwriters on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. In most cases, they have nothing else to use to build up their portfolios, so they would like to find some way of including their ghostwritten projects. The problem: They are not the authors credited with the writing projects they work on, which makes it difficult to add the projects to their portfolios. If you find yourself in this conundrum, read on to find out how you can showcase your ghostwriting projects in your portfolio without running into problems with your clients. But before we dive into how to add your ghostwritten projects to your portfolio, let's look at some other questions that need answers first. Do I have to have a portfolio? Yes. As a freelance writer, it helps to have a portfolio to showcase your writing. Clients prefer to see samples of your written work before hiring you. Having your writing samples in a portfolio is one of the most efficient ways of presenting them. There are many free online sites available to help you build a good digital portfolio. Some are easier to use than others. Do your comparison research thoroughly and choose the one that best suits the work you want to display. Check out sites like: 1. Journo Portfolio – Specifically designed to create digital portfolios and easy to use. This site offers pre-built templates and supports a high level of customization. 2. Clippings.me – A highly visual, free portfolio maker used primarily by journalists and writers. 3. About.me – Create a personalized homepage highlighting who you are and what you do. Used by freelancers and entrepreneurs to grow their audience. Offers free and paid plans. 4. Squarespace – Offers template options for portfolios and add-ons for selling products and services. 5. Behance – A social media platform that allows you to showcase your work for free. Connect to your Adobe Portfolio. Used mostly by designers but hosts all creatives. 6. Wix – An all-in-one website builder similar to WordPress, which allows you to build your site for free. The site offers both free and paid plan options. Easy to use and navigate. Free templates. 7. WordPress – A website-building site similar to Wix. Popular with bloggers. It offers over 1000 themes and templates to help you build your portfolio. Includes free and paid plan options. 8. Adobe Portfolio – Create your portfolio or build a personalized website to showcase your work. Free if you have a Creative Cloud subscription.   When building your portfolio, include a diverse range of your work. This will demonstrate your versatility as a writer and give potential clients a comprehensive view of your capabilities. Remember to update your portfolio regularly as you gain more experience and add new projects. Can I display ghostwritten work in my portfolio, and how do I do that? You can display your ghostwritten projects on your portfolio page. However, you must always consider your confidentiality and legal agreements  with your clients before doing so. An NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is a legally binding document that creates a confidential relationship between you and your client. Ghostwriting projects are typically conducted under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), so it's important to verify if you can showcase them publicly.   No NDA? You will still need to request permission directly from the client to display parts of the work or links to blog articles. Remember, the work belongs to your client, not you. What if I cannot get hold of the client, or they don't give me permission? In that case, here are a few ways you can work around this problem:   1. Use general descriptions: Provide a general overview of the project and the type of work you did without disclosing specific details or the client's name.   2. Showcase the genre/niche: Mention the genre of the book you worked on without revealing the title or the author's name. The same goes for the subject area or niche of the article you worked on.   3. Share the results: Highlight the book's success, such as whether it was a bestseller or received great reviews or if your blog article garnered many views or positive feedback. If it ranked high on Google's first page, definitely mention this.   4. Use before and after examples: Display excerpts of the writing before and after editing or rewriting without revealing the client's name or the book or blog's title. Use screenshots.   5. Create a page for ghostwritten projects: Create a separate page on your website for ghostwritten projects and password-protect it so only potential clients can view it. Example: Two pages from my writing portfolio on Wix. It is crucial to be transparent about the fact that certain projects in your portfolio are ghostwritten. This transparency will build trust with potential clients. You can also mention that you cannot disclose the client's name due to a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement. With the right approach and respect for your client's rights, it is possible to showcase your work and build a strong portfolio.   Happy Portfolio Creating Shamila When I first ventured into the world of freelance content writing, I took on a few ghostwriting projects (books and articles). Since then, I've moved on, but I still refer to some of these projects in my portfolio. Knowing that I have a writing background helps to establish more confidence in my coaching and editing clients. I bring my author and writing experience into my coaching and editing work. Book a free 15-minute chat to discover how I can help you with your writing goals.

“I’m done writing my non-fiction book; what do I do now?” If you have already had your book professionally edited, the next step is to think about how you would like to publish your book. You can choose one of four publishing routes . If you still need to edit your manuscript, consider hiring an editor to help you polish it up before publishing. I think I learned most from editing, both editing myself and having someone else edit me. It's not always easy to have someone criticize your work, your baby. But if you can swallow your ego, you can really learn from the editing. ~Christopher Paolini “I’ve heard there are different types of freelance editors. How do I choose one?” What kind of editor do you need? There are four types of editing. Most editors specialize in one of the four types. For instance, I specialize in developmental editing, which includes content and structure. Developmental and line editing focus more on content, whereas copy editing and proofreading focus more on mechanical elements. Comprehensive editing (a service I sometimes offer) combines one or more of the four editing types. For example, line and copy editing. "What are the different stages of editing? Most successful books go through four stages of editing. Developmental Editing is the first stage, followed by Line Editing, then Copy editing, and finally Proofreading. I've put together a slide presentation that provides a detailed description of the different types and stages of editing to help you choose the right editor for your needs. The presentation includes an explanation of what is a manuscript evaluation and the functions of a manuscript reviewer. If you would like to learn more about which type of editing best suits you, feel free to contact me. An editor who is a mentor, advisor, and psychiatrist. Don't kid yourself—a good editor will make your book better. ~Guy Kawasaki Shamila Iyer - your content partner from idea to publication. Write. Edit. Coach.

Welcome to my writing tips blog! I'm thrilled to launch this new platform to share my thoughts, insights, and expertise with you. As a writer, editor, and author coach, I'm passionate about helping others bring their writing wishes to life. With this blog, I hope to offer you a window into my world and provide valuable tips, resources, and inspiration for your writing journey. Who am I? Before we dive into my world of writing, let me introduce myself. My name is Shamila Iyer, and I'm a writer and writing mentor with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've worked with writers of all genres and backgrounds, from first-time writers to seasoned professionals, and I'm committed to helping each of my clients achieve their unique writing goals. On my website, you'll find a range of services that can help turn your writing wishes into reality. Whether you're looking for one-on-one coaching to help you develop your ideas, manuscript editing to refine your writing, or author coaching to navigate the complex world of writing and publishing, I've got you covered. I offer a personalized approach to each project, taking the time to understand your needs and goals and providing customized solutions that meet your specific wishes. What can you expect from my blog? I'll be sharing insights on the writing process, tips for staying motivated and productive, advice on navigating the publishing landscape, and reflections on the joys and challenges of the writing life. I'll also be featuring interviews with other writers, editors, and publishing professionals, as well as book reviews and recommendations for great reads. Writing is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn and grow. And with the right support and guidance, anyone can achieve their writing dreams. Whether you're just starting out on your writing journey or you're a seasoned pro, I'm here to help you take your writing to the next level. Thank you for joining me on this journey; I look forward to sharing my accumulated knowledge and experiences with you in the coming weeks and months. If you're ready to take the next step in your writing journey, I invite you to explore my services and contact me to schedule a free consultation. Let's bring your writing wishes to life; together. Happy Writing! Your Content Solutionist formerly known as The Writing Genie. PS: Find over 90 of my bite-sized writing tips posts on LinkedIn .

Do you know the difference between a developmental editor, content editor, structural editor, line editor, copy editor, and proofreader? I bet you didn't realize there were so many different types of editing, right? To make it easier for you to decide which type of editor you need, I've put together a carousel outlining the different types and stages of editing. You can choose your editor based on your needs and the editing stage you are currently at in your book-writing journey. Browse through the sample gallery below or download and save the full 14-page PDF for future reference. Still not sure? Perhaps a manuscript evaluation and review will help. To find out more, book a free 15-minute clarity call. "The best advice on writing was given to me by my first editor, Michael Korda, of Simon and Schuster, while writing my first book. 'Finish your first draft and then we'll talk,' he said. It took me a long time to realize how good the advice was. Even if you write it wrong, write and finish your first draft. Only then, when you have a flawed whole, do you know what you have to fix." - Dominick Dunne

You started your year determined to meet your 2024 writing goals. In January, the ideas gushed out of you as fast as a burst water pipe. In February, you wished you could type as rapidly as your brain spat out the words. Then comes March … er … uhm, the flow has slowed considerably. Then nothing; the cursor's blinking, "I'm waiting," it seems to say accusingly. Writer's block got you? Every writer knows the struggle of staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike. Writer's block can be frustrating and demotivating, but it's a common hurdle you can overcome.   Conquering Writer's Block Try these tips to help you get past writer's block and get back to writing. Take a break Change your routine Change your environment Set realistic goals Use writing prompts Write freely Read for inspiration Chat with other writers Practice mindfulness Seek feedback Engage in the comments   1. Take a break I know, I know, everyone says 'take a break', but trust me stepping away from that blinking cursor for a short while does work. A study on the analysis of writer's block, found that the most common causes described by respondents were physiological and motivational. Writers stated that one of the most useful strategies for overcoming writer's block was to take a break from writing. Not sure what to do in this "break"? Try engaging in a different creative activity or do some stretching exercises. Physical activity can improve your mental clarity and focus. I find that a refreshing beach walk or pottering in the kitchen works for me. Giving your mind a break from your writing project helps refresh your creativity and perspective. Try a different creative or physical activity. 2. Change your routine If it's your habit to write in the mornings, try writing in the afternoon or evening instead. Switch it up for a week or two and see what happens. Sometimes a simple switch in routine can positively influence your creative processes.   3. Change your environment A change of scenery can do wonders for your creativity. Try writing in a different location, such as a coffee shop, park, library, or even a friend's patio. A new environment can stimulate your brain and inspire new ideas. A combination of a walk and a change of environment can work wonders. 4. Set realistic goals Break your writing task into smaller, manageable goals. Set a timer for 20-30 minutes and focus on writing without interruptions. Celebrate small victories to stay motivated.   5. Try writing prompts Writing prompts can help jumpstart your creativity. Use prompts to write about a different topic or explore a new genre. You might discover a new story idea or writing style.   6. Write freely Don't worry about writing perfectly. Permit yourself to write whatever comes to mind. The goal is to get words on the page, even if they're not perfect. You can always revise and edit later. Write first, edit later. 7. Read for inspiration Reading books, articles, or poems by writers you admire can spark new ideas and help you see things from a different perspective. Pay attention to the writing style, structure, and themes in the works you read. Read content in your genre, or explore something completely different.   8. Talk to other writers Join a writing group or connect with other writers online. Sharing your struggles and successes with fellow writers can provide encouragement and new insights.   9. Practice mindfulness Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help calm your mind and reduce stress. A relaxed mind is more open to creative ideas. A book that helped me pick up some great breathing techniques Think Like a Monk , by Jay Shetty, is worth a read. Try some breathing techniques. 10. Seek feedback Getting feedback on your work can provide valuable insights and help you see your writing from a different perspective. Consider joining a writing workshop or hiring a writing coach for personalized feedback.   11. Engage in the comments Commenting is something that works for me when I scroll social media platforms. Dropping meaningful comments works particularly well for LinkedIn (where I spend most of my SM-allocated time). Reading posts that spark my interest enough to get me to drop a comment inspires me. Engaging gets the creative juices flowing again. New ideas are frequently born from the comments section of posts. Try it for yourself and see what happens.   Final Thoughts: Stay Positive Writer's block is a common challenge that all writers face at some point, but it is a temporary setback. Yes, it can be frustrating, but don't let it stop you from writing. Remember that every writer faces obstacles. Overcoming them makes you a stronger writer. By trying different strategies, staying consistent, and seeking support from other writers, you can overcome writer's block and continue your writing journey. The key is to experiment and find what works for you.   Happy Writing Shamila

I HAD NO IDEA WHERE TO START when I re-entered the World of Work almost three years ago after being a stay-at-home mum for 11 years. Me with my kids Matt and Kenya more than ten years ago Then my chiropractor told me about Upwork. He’d hired a ghostwriter through the platform. He knew I’d written a few books and wanted to explore the freelancing arena. So, I did some research and read up on the various freelancing platforms. Discovered some blogs run by successful freelance writers and registered on Upwork. Hmmm…they needed a profile photo and a profile. What I had was an old-fashioned CV. You see, I had not applied for a job in 15 years or more. The publishers I'd worked with usually approached me with a project. The online world was a foreign land to me. I had no cooking clue as to what I was doing. Nevertheless, it was time to step out of my extremely comfortable comfort zone and explore new territories. *** But wait, before I proceed with my story I need to throw in this aside for those of you who are frowning at my use of the term "stay-at-home mum." Yes, yes, I know the term is a bit outdated, but stay-at-home mum who wrote books when the kids went to bed at night is a bit of a mouthful. And I can't find another word to replace SAHM (only this acronym). Can you? *** From Comfort Zone to Stay-At-Home Mum Freelancer Now where was I? Oh yes, my chiropractor suggested Upwork. So, I gave it a shot. I hastily put together a profile for Upwork . My daughter snapped a couple of pics for my profile. Someone in one of those blogs I read mentioned LinkedIn for jobs, so I quickly put together a LinkedIn profile too. I’d registered 100 years ago and promptly forgot about it. After sending out a few proposals on Upwork, I realized that: 1. The ten books I had co-authored while I was a stay-at-home mum did not matter. 2. My 20 years of experience as a lecturer of Business English, SBM, and Management Communication did not matter. 3. My three years of Educational Management experience did not matter. 4. All the qualifications I had gathered over the years did not matter. 5. The admiration family and friends had for my organizational and multi-tasking skills did not matter. 6. Knowing how to put together killer themed birthday parties for kids did not matter. It soon became evident to me that Upwork was to be my most humble and leveling playing field. The competition was tough; I had to get off my high horse and jump into the trenches to win. In other words, start from scratch. Stay-at-home mum freelancer (Mumlancer?) Five-dollar project Do you know what my first job was on Upwork? Despite all my experience and qualifications, a 5-dollar proofreading job for Instagram posts. Yup. I applied, got the job, and got a great 5-star review. Kept the same client for over two years (the second image). Feedback from Maria after job 1 Feedback from Maria two years later and my feedback to her The first review led to the next excellent review and another returning client. This was for a series of summary workbooks I completed for a publisher based on bestseller non-fiction books. Feedback from Publisher Client after two books Feedback from Publisher client after the 4th book My feedback to Publisher client above In my first two months on Upwork, I sent out 48 proposals which resulted in 6 jobs. In the next 12 months, I focused on learning as much as I could. I read every tip I could find online. Watched every YouTube video on writing proposals and winning jobs on Upwork. Always be learning I polished up my writing, editing, and proofreading skills. I learned everything there was to learn about SEO (a completely foreign concept to me then.) I didn’t even know what B2B and B2C stood for. And I worked! Between the learning and the low-paid content writing jobs that demanded an article every day, I worked! From 8 am to 10 pm (later sometimes) and over the weekends, I hunched over my desk. (My chiro started seeing me more often and my gym less often.) I slogged. There was so much to learn! But the more I wrote, the more I learned, and my SEO article writing improved. My posture didn’t, but let’s worry about one thing at a time. As for my social life – don’t even go there. My superpowers – I love to read, I absorb information rapidly, and research is my passion. My other powers – I am stubborn, determined, and never give up. In those 12 months, I sent out 108 proposals. Yup, 108! Some of those were client invites. I got 15 of those contracts. Yes, that’s right, 15 out of 108. But after the first five, the rest were big projects, good stuff, and by now, I could pick and choose which clients I wanted to work with and the projects I was comfortable doing. Feedback from some of my Upwork clients The complicated ones are the best Last year, I upped my activity on LinkedIn, and by the end of 2022, I started getting clients from LinkedIn too. That same year I sent out 52 Upwork proposals. This year I’ve sent out 29 proposals and received 78 invites which I’ve turned down or passed on to other writers in my network. Why am I not accepting invites I would have killed to get two years ago, you wonder? The answer is simple - I changed my niche. My focus has changed direction while remaining within the scope of my experience and qualifications. And this is why I started sending out proposals again. But this time, I carefully pick the ones I will accept. My weakness – I do not like to be bored. So, I look for the most challenging job posts or invites. (A long way from my comfort zone!) The ones I know are going to be tough. Those are the ones that nobody else in the niche wants to tackle because they appear complicated. But I love those types of jobs. Have you noticed how they often come with great clients? Love what you do Which brings me to another point. Bear with me, dear reader, my ramble is almost over. The most important takeaway I have to share from the past 2.5 years is this: care for your clients and let your passion for what you do show. I love what I do and always develop a wonderful relationship with every client because we are both passionate about their project. And it shows. When you love what you do, the extra mile is not extra. It’s part of who you are. Part of a review from one of my top author clients. This project included a manuscript review, developmental editing, research, rewrites, coaching, and general editing. What are some key takeaways for you from this article? 1. You have to start somewhere, even if you have to start from the bottom again. Start. 2. Never stop learning and improving your game. 3. Client feedback is important , so do your best to get good feedback. 4. Develop a good client relationship and provide honest feedback in return. 5. Trying out a few different niches when you are starting is okay. Establish yourself first, develop a good reputation, and then think about narrowing down your niche. 6. Giving up is a luxury. Don’t even think about quitting. 7. You don’t need to pay for information. It is freely available through multiple channels. You can find everything you need to know through blogs, YouTube videos, Pinterest , and LinkedIn. 8. Do what you love. Find a way to make it profitable. And love what you do. 9. Let your passion for what you do show in your work, your client calls, and your posts. 10. Go the extra mile – it pays off. Yes, I've been around for a while. So I know a few things. 😉 Need help with your writing? Let’s chat about how I can help you level up your writing to produce content that: - captivates - engages and - moves your target audience to take action. I provide writing, editing, and book coaching services. Pirate Shamila - courtesy of a good friend I met on LinkedIn. The pic was in support of a bullying campaign. Shamila Iyer From learner to lecturer to learning materials designer to mum to author to ghostwriter to beardless pirate to writing mentor, editor, and book coach. PS: Shoutout to my hubby Andy Ogle for being my sounding board and listening to all my frustrations and complaints about how I “can’t do this.” Thank you, I appreciate you. And to my Gen Z kids, Matt and Kenya Ogle, for patiently explaining all the new tech jargon to this Gen X dinosaur. Love you guys.

Writing stories that captivate and engage your audience from start to finish is essential for any writer. Using the active voice makes your writing more concise, clear, and direct. How you tell your story can make all the difference in its effectiveness. When you write in an engaging way, people will want to read what you have to say. They'll be more likely to share your content with others, look forward to your subsequent publication, and return to your blog or website repeatedly. Don't underestimate the power of the active voice in storytelling. Using an active voice helps you tell a story that sticks in people's minds and keeps them engaged. In this article, we'll explore the power of the active voice in storytelling and why you should stay away from the passive voice. What is the Active Voice? Active voice is a type of grammar that makes the subject of the sentence stand out as the one who does the action. The passive voice spotlights the receiver of the action, which is the object of the sentence. For example, “ The chef prepared a delicious five-course meal for her guests ,” with the chef serving as the subject. This is the active voice. In contrast, the sentence, “A delicious five-course meal was prepared for the guests by the chef”, is written in a passive voice because it spotlights the object delicious five-course meal. The Role of The Active Voice in Storytelling In storytelling, an active voice: makes your characters the doers of the action, adding depth and dimension to their personalities, makes your story more relatable and engaging for your audience, who can empathize with the characters and feel connected to the story, makes your writing more engaging and compelling, makes your sentences more straightforward and to the point, emphasizes the action and makes the story come alive, creates a sense of urgency and momentum, keeps the story moving forward, and creates a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the reader. Active voice in storytelling also helps to create more vivid images in the reader's mind. You paint a clear picture of what's happening in the story. Your audience can imagine the action and become invested in the story's outcome. It creates a sense of urgency, momentum, involvement, and vivid imagery, immersing your audience in the experience and allowing them to feel like active participants in the story rather than passive observers. Example 1: Emily's heart raced with fear as the sun set behind the mountains. She was lost in the wilderness, miles away from civilization, and her phone was dead. Her hiking trip had taken a dangerous turn when she wandered off the trail, and now she had no idea how to return. With each passing moment, she knew her chances of survival dwindled. Emily had to think fast and devise a plan before it was too late. She took a deep breath and started running, hoping to find a way out of the woods before nightfall. Example 2: It's easy to get caught up in the craziness of today's world and lose sight of what's essential. Spending a few minutes each day to pause, reflect, and practice mindfulness can significantly influence your mental and emotional health. This daily routine can help you become more present, grounded, and prepared to face obstacles. So put your phone down, step away from your computer, and take a few deep breaths. You'll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make. By using active verbs and focusing on the subject of the sentence, the writer can craft dynamic, engaging, and memorable stories, driving the narrative forward. This makes your audience feel like they are in the thick of the action. The Benefits of The Active Voice in Storytelling Using the active voice in your storytelling has several benefits. We’ll take a closer look at three of them: 1. Direct and Persuasive The active voice is direct and persuasive, making it easier for your audience to follow the story and understand its purpose. When your characters do the action, your audience can easily follow the story's flow, and the action becomes more compelling. 2. Evocative The active voice is evocative, allowing you to create a sense of emotion and urgency in your storytelling. You can capture your audience's attention and keep them engaged in the story's experience, allowing them to feel the characters' emotions. 3. Motivating The active voice motivates and inspires your audience to take action. When you craft a story that resonates with your audience, they are more likely to take action based on the story's message. Five Tips for Identifying Passive Voice in Writing 1. Look for forms of the verb "to be": Passive voice often uses a form of the verb "to be," such as "is," "are," "was," "were," "been," or "being." When you come across one of these words, see if the sentence focuses on the subject performing the action or the object receiving the action. 2. Check for prepositions: Passive voice may also use prepositions like "by" or "of" to indicate who performed the action. For example, "A successful fundraiser to support a local charity was organized by the students" is passive. In contrast, "The students organized a successful fundraiser to support a local charity" is active. 3. Look for a lack of clarity about who is performing the action: In passive voice, the subject or doer of the sentence may be unclear or absent. If it's not clear who is performing the action in the sentence, it may be written in passive voice. For example: "Freelancers are being scammed on Upwork." 4. Consider the tone and style of the writing: Passive voice often creates a more distant, detached tone in writing. If your writing feels less engaging or less direct, it may be because you're using passive voice. 5. Read your writing aloud: Reading your story aloud can help you identify instances of passive voice more easily. If a sentence feels awkward or unclear when spoken aloud, you may have written it in passive voice. Use Strong Verbs Strong verbs are crucial to writing in an active voice. This will help your audience to envision the scene and experience the story's action. Use strong verbs to emphasize the action in your story. Verbs that describe your characters' actions create a sense of movement and make them as specific and vivid as possible. This will help your audience visualize the scene and experience the story's action. Strong verbs such as "ran," "jumped," and "screamed" make the story come alive and add energy to your writing. Avoid using weak verbs such as "was," "is," and "were." These verbs add little to the story and can make it feel flat and uninteresting. They lack specificity and fail to convey the full range of emotions, actions, and descriptions needed to bring a story to life. Weak verbs can also create distance between the reader and the story's characters, making it harder for them to empathize and connect with the narrative. For example, let's consider the following story excerpt that uses weak verbs: Samantha was walking down the street when she saw a dog. The dog was cute and friendly. Samantha was happy to see the dog and went to pet it. While this story is grammatically correct, it feels dull and lacks depth. The weak verbs fail to convey Samantha's emotions or the dog's personality, making it hard to connect with the story. Let's rewrite the same story using stronger verbs and more descriptive language: As Samantha strolled down the street, she caught sight of a scruffy terrier wagging its tail on the sidewalk. The dog bounded up to her, its tongue lolling out in a panting grin. Samantha's heart swelled with delight as she reached to scratch behind the pup's ears. By using more specific and evocative verbs like "strolled," "caught sight," "bounded," and "swelled," the story comes alive with imagery and emotion. Readers can easily picture Samantha's actions and reactions, creating a more immersive and engaging reading experience. When drafting your stories, take the time to choose your verbs carefully and consider how they impact the overall tone and effect of the narrative. Avoid using weak verbs and opt for stronger, more descriptive ones that bring your story to life. How to Avoid Passive Voice in Storytelling Remember I mentioned earlier that there are two voices in English: the active and the passive voice. While the active voice carries your readers along, the passive voice speaks to those at the back, the detached audience. I also gave you tips for identifying the passive voice in your writing. The question now is, how do you avoid passive voice? Here are 5 easy tips to avoid passive voice: focus on using active verbs and putting the subject at the forefront, make sure your sentence structure follows the subject-verb-object format, focus on describing actions and events as they happen, avoid using "to be" verbs excessively, vary sentence length and structure to keep the story flowing smoothly. Following these techniques can help create a more engaging and active story that draws readers in and keeps them hooked. If you must use passive voice, ensure it serves a purpose and helps convey the desired tone or message. Using an active voice and being intentional with the passive voice can bring your storytelling to life and keep your readers engaged from beginning to end. Here are a few examples of passive and active voice: Passive Voice: A new product was designed by the company that exceeded all expectations. Active Voice: The company designed a new product that exceeded all expectations. Passive Voice: The complex theory was explained by the professor in a way that all the students could understand. Active Voice: The professor explained the complex theory in a way that all the students could understand. Passive Voice: The world record in the 100-meter dash was broken by the athlete. Active Voice: The athlete broke the world record in the 100-meter dash. The active voice emphasizes the action and makes the story come alive, while the passive voice makes it seem dull and unengaging. Conclusion In conclusion, the use of active voice in storytelling has a remarkable impact on the effectiveness of the narrative. You should not overstate the power of the active voice, whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction. It is a vital tool that every writer should use to create engaging and memorable stories that will resonate with readers long after they have finished reading and encourage them to act. The active voice can help create a more immersive experience as you craft a heartwarming narrative, or a thrilling adventure, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. So, the next time you're crafting a story, remember the power of active voice and the remarkable impact it can have on the effectiveness of your narrative. Don't be afraid to take risks, experiment with your writing style, and embrace the power of the active voice to bring your stories to life! About the Author Hi, I'm Boluwatife Segun-Oluwayomi. Friends call me Tife. I am an eagle-eyed copy editor with more than a decade of experience working with authors, professionals, students, and brands to ensure their work sparkles. My love for grammar and attention to detail have become my career paths, making me a highly sought-after professional in the industry. My dedication to excellence has fostered a culture of success, training others to meet the same high standards I have set for myself.

In a time where AI writing tools are pervasive, freelance writers must constantly be at the top of their game. With AI on the rise, there is no chance for mediocrity in our line of work anymore. And to continue getting hired as a freelance writer, you must approach each project with a human touch and aim to write a better post than AI. Learning to write compelling blog posts isn’t only necessary for you to keep getting projects as a writer but is also important for your client's business. The efforts and content marketing strategies of your clients will most likely fail if you aren’t able to write compelling articles for their blogs. And what good are the blogs of your clients if the content doesn't inspire readers to take actions that will benefit their business? It, therefore, becomes necessary for you as a writer to learn the art of crafting great blog posts. Posts that command actions from readers to help your clients thrive in their businesses. This guide aims to provide you with best practices to plan and write blog posts that are compelling enough for readers to take favorable actions. What's in this guide? 1. Identify and Understand Your Audience 2. Defining Your Purpose 3. Crafting Captivating Headlines 4. Structuring Blog Posts for Maximum Impact 5. Enhancing On-Page SEO in Blog Posts 6. Using Storytelling to Engage Readers 7. Editing and Polishing Your Blog Posts 8. Conclusion Identify and Understand Your Audience The very first step you must take when it comes to writing a compelling blog post is to identify and understand your target audience. This is one of the fundamental rules of content marketing. And that is because every business has a unique target audience. Even businesses in the same industry tend to target different audiences; therefore, it is important not to assume the same audience for every project you work on. Especially for freelancers who have niched down to a specific industry. For instance, suppose you have two clients in the cannabis industry. Both clients can have target audiences that are entirely different from each other. This is why you need to, first of all, identify and understand the target audience of each client. Alternatively, your clients could have different products that target different audiences. Another reason for identifying your target audience is that it provides you with direction. Once you identify and understand your target audience by getting to know their interests, demographics, pain points, and so on, your tone of voice, your writing style, and your choice of words can be easily defined. Furthermore, identifying the “who” also helps you define the “why” of your blog post. Defining Your Purpose When you are able to answer the “why” question, things become more clear. Is the blog post meant to educate, inform, entertain, or persuade readers? Since your tone of writing differs depending on the purpose of the blog post, it is important to take time to define its purpose. For instance, a post meant to educate on a particular topic will have a different tone of voice and choice of words from a post meant to persuade readers to buy a product or sign up for a certain service. The latter will have a persuasive tone. Crafting Captivating Headlines You've probably heard that posts' headlines play a major role in how well they perform, and that is very true. The headline of a blog post is a call to action. It is the first CTA of any post, meaning your headline should be able to compel people who come across it to click on it and read your article. Why Are Headlines Important? Four items appear on a Google search result page for each webpage on the page. The website's title, the URL, the brief meta description that provides information about the post, and the words that are boldly written in blue. Among these four things, guess the one that is screaming, “Click me, I’m important”? It is the headline. This is what draws attention to the article and gets clicks if it is compelling enough. If the headline fails to get clicks, the article ultimately suffers. Elements of an Effective Headline What makes a headline a “show-stopper”? A headline that performs well mostly contains the following elements: Power words, Numbers or statistics, Creates curiosity, or Poses questions. Use of Power Words or Phrases Power words or phrases are words that are capable of commanding readers' attention and triggering them to take action, like clicking on a headline or an ad or sharing a post they came across with their network. Power words are believed to trigger psychological or emotional responses, which is why a single power word in your headline or CTA can increase your click-through rate. For example, adding a power word like free or cheap creates a perception of value and emphasizes affordability, which can be a great way of increasing your click-through rate. For a detailed list of SEO power words to use in your headlines, check out this article by Thimpress . Incorporating Numbers or Statistics Headlines with numbers have been proven to resonate with readers, which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to use them. Numbers also tend to trigger a psychological response from readers. Numbers help to quantify your content, giving readers an insight into what to expect if they click on the headline. Numbers also spark the curiosity of readers. For instance, if a reader comes across a headline that reads “13 unique ways for driving traffic to your website”, such a headline can make a reader curious as to what those 13 ways might be, especially if they know just five ways of driving traffic to their website. Creating Curiosity Another way you can increase the click-through rate of your headlines is by creating curiosity. For instance, you can hint at a solution to a common problem or state a surprising fact that will leave readers wanting more. You can also use descriptive adjectives like “life-changing,” “mind-blowing,” “bizarre,” “unbelievable,” and so on. Posing Questions The structure of your headline can add more appeal. For instance, when you structure your headline as a question, it makes readers feel like you understand them. After all, most people type their search queries as questions. The "what," "how,” “when," and “why” being typed on Google are all opportunities for you to answer the queries of your target audience using your headlines and the content of the post. Having a question in your headline also makes the readers reflect and try to answer it even before they click to read the article. Numerous studies show headlines with questions tend to have a high click-through rate. Tools for Headline Generation If your headline doesn’t compel clicks, your content suffers, so here are five free tools that you can utilize to write better headlines. Answer the Public – free and basic to use, but great for generating headlines. One focus keyword or keyphrase can produce a bank of blog ideas and headline suggestions. Google Auto-Suggests – Google’s auto-suggestions on your focus keyword are topics that your audience is actively searching for answers to. Headline Studio by CoSchedule – Apart from their nice and user-friendly interface, they provide you with suggestions and an AI tool to make your headline stronger. Headline Analyzer by MonsterInsights – This free tool also helps you with suggestions and provides you with a list of power words and ways to improve your headlines. Sharethrough Headline Analyzer – This headline analyzer allows you to compare various versions of your headline so you can pick the one with a better score. Structuring Blog Posts for Maximum Impact Have you come across blog posts that make reading tedious? Well, I have, and guess what I do? I bolt as fast as I can. I won’t let a blog post shatter my reading spirit, not when I know I can get the same relevant information from another page that has thought of my “reading feelings” before hitting the publish button. In the same way, I leave those pages without reading all of their content, your audience will also leave and not read your article if you don’t structure it in a way that makes it easy to grasp the information in the post. The fact is that blog posts and other online content are structured differently. Unlike academic or research papers, newspapers, or books, blog posts are structured in a way that makes reading as seamless as possible. This is due to the numerous distractions available online, so you need to focus on keeping your readers' interest and avoid boring them. You can structure the post for easier reading by dividing it into three sections — the introduction, the body content, and the conclusion. Introduction Your blog post introduction should do two things — the first is to hook your readers, and the second is to establish and state the purpose of the post. While headlines are important, so is the introduction to your article. Your introduction could be the reason someone stays on your page or leaves. If they leave the page, it indicates that either your introduction didn’t intrigue them enough to read the rest of the content or that it stated a purpose different from what the headline promised. It is important for your introduction to quickly establish the post's purpose in a way that will pique readers' interest so that they want to continue reading. Body Content When it comes to the body of your blog post, you want to make it as easy as possible for your readers to read and digest the content of the post. Thanks to paragraphs, subheadings, and white spaces, you can structure the body of your content to improve scannability and readability. You can also improve the readability of your content by incorporating relevant examples, anecdotes, or case studies. Examples help you paint a clearer picture for your audience and also help break down complex ideas. You should also make sure the flow of the post isn’t interrupted by drifting away from the subject. Conclusion Conclusion, key takeaways, final thoughts — title it however you want. This part of your blog post is mostly a summary of your whole blog post. It is also the part that mostly contains your CTA or directs your readers on the next steps to take. By following these best practices for structuring your blog posts, you make them easy to read and digest for your audience. Enhancing On-Page SEO in Blog Posts Although Google’s newest algorithm prioritizes relevant content, there are still some SEO practices you need to follow for your blog posts to perform better in search results. Think of SEO as structuring your blog post for search engines just as you structure your post for your audience to be able to easily read and scan through your content for the information they need. Why On-Page SEO is Important for Blog Posts You must follow search engines' rules for your blog posts to be prominently displayed on a search engine results page. Search engines basically expect you to follow two rules. The first is to produce relevant content, and the second is to optimize your content for search engines. When you follow the rules, search engines love you for it and tend to prioritize your blog post by showing it to those who are actively searching for content like the one you have published. Hence, you must always optimize your blog posts for search engines if you want them to perform well in searches. Keyword Research and Optimization What are some other keywords and long-tail phrases related to your focus keywords? You must be able to identify such keywords so you can incorporate them into your blog post along with your focus keywords. Interestingly, there are free tools out there that you can install on your computer to give you related keywords or long-tail phrases whenever you type your focus keyword in Google. Two of these free tools are: Keyword Surfer Keywords Everywhere With any of these free Chrome extensions on your computer, you can get keyword suggestions when you type in your focus keywords on Google. Remember that the key to incorporating keywords in your post is to do it naturally. It isn’t advisable to forcefully add keywords to your post. Search engine bots can penalize you for stuffing keywords in your post just to rank high. Optimizing Meta Tags, URLs, and Image Alt Tags SEO tools like Yoast and Rank Math all highlight these elements — meta descriptions, URLs, and alt tags. These tools consider the three elements mentioned above when it comes to giving your blog post an SEO score, which means they also contribute their quota to the search rankings of posts. Although Google's algorithm might not take meta descriptions into account, they are still displayed on search results pages. They may not be a ranking factor, but they can increase your click-through rate. So make sure to add creative descriptions with your target keywords and keep it under 160 characters. Rank Math SEO tool suggests you also write a URL under 75 characters with your focus keywords and add alt texts to the images in your blog posts. Preferably, at least one of your image alt texts should also contain your focus keyword. Utilizing Internal and External Links Another important aspect of on-page SEO is links. Linking to external sources tells Google you have performed your research and are knowledgeable about the topic you are writing on. Linking from one page to another on your website gives authority to the pages being linked to. Internal linking also helps Google index new pages on a website faster. Using Storytelling to Engage Readers Storytelling doesn’t only apply to fiction writing. Non-fiction writing, such as blog posts, also uses storytelling to get readers more intrigued. After all, who doesn’t love a good story? The Power of Storytelling in Blog Posts A good story is capable of hooking your readers and getting them to read every single word of your blog post. Stories are what transform boring guides into fun, digestible bites of information. They are what make us forget our exhaustion and bury our heads in books till 3:30 a.m. Stories are powerful, and you don’t need to be one of the greatest storytellers out there to incorporate them into your blog posts. Using stories can aid in creating unique and memorable content. You can start incorporating stories into your post by using anecdotes, client or customer experiences, or even your personal experiences. Remember to use active voice when telling your story. This makes it more engaging, interesting and gives it a smooth flow. For more ideas on how to incorporate storytelling techniques into your non-fiction content, check out this post by The Writing Genie. Balancing Storytelling with Informative or Educational Aspects Remember that you need to strike a balance between your engaging story and providing informative or educational content. Your audience still needs to be able to understand the core message of your blog post. You can strike a balance between your story and your blog post by aligning the story with the main topic. That is, you need to ensure that the story is relevant to the topic and that you are using examples strategically to supplement the informative aspect of the post. Also, try to maintain clarity and coherence. Make sure your story still flows and is structured in a way that guides readers through the narrative. It should keep them engaged while they understand the core message of the post. Editing and Polishing Your Blog Posts Every first draft needs thorough editing. It is the crucial last step that cannot be ignored. If you are afraid to edit and cut off the part of your first draft that messes up the rest of your content, then you cannot expect to arrive at a great article. You must be willing to cut out all the fluff in your content, even if it reduces your word count. Editing: Best Practices Cut-out fluff words – These are words that, when cut off, the sentence still maintains its meaning. Words such as really, very, actually, that, etc. Proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors – One of the things that put most readers off is the sight of grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. This is why you need to proofread your work repeatedly to ensure it is free of such errors. You can choose to use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and Pro Writing Aid to help with grammatical corrections and spelling errors. You can also give your post to a colleague or friend to proofread to be sure you aren’t missing anything. Streamlining sentences and paragraphs for clarity and conciseness – Go through your sentences and paragraphs to verify they are short and clear. Divide sentences that are too long to read. Seeking feedback and revising as necessary – When you are done editing, submit for your client’s review and be willing to accept feedback and make changes. For 25 quick self-editing tips, check out this post . Conclusion Crafting a compelling blog post begins with understanding the target audience for the post you are writing. In addition, the purpose of the post will give you better insight into the tone of voice and choice of words to use. The headline of your blog post is important and determines whether readers will click on it. However, a great blog post needs more than just a compelling headline; it also needs relevant content that has been structured for easy readability and scannability. The editing stage is the stage that polishes your content and gets it ready for your audience, and it is a stage that needs extra focus so you don’t miss anything. Keep in mind that being able to craft compelling blog posts isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes a lot of practice and experimenting with different techniques to find your unique voice and writing style. So keep writing and experimenting until you find what works for you. About the Author Hi, I’m Elfrida , a freelance content writer for hire. When it comes to my work, I am passionate about two things – crafting compelling blog posts and helping my clients rank their websites for relevant keywords with decent search volumes. When I'm not working, I enjoy taking long walks and spending time with loved ones. Connect with me on LinkedIn , where I share my experiences as a freelance content writer.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. ~Steve Jobs "But how do I go about finding what I love?" "And how do I find my writing niche?" If you haven't found your niche yet, don't be disheartened. Many aspiring writers often come to me with these two questions. In this article, we will explore the answers to those questions. Align your passions and interests with your skills and market needs. Your Passions and Interests It starts with exploring your passions and interests. What topics or activities do you find yourself naturally drawn to? What problems or challenges do you enjoy solving? These clues can point you in the direction of a potential niche. Your Skills But it's not just about passion—it's also about skill. What are you naturally good at? What skills have you developed over time? Identifying your strengths can help you find a writing niche where you can truly excel. Align Your Interests and Skills Once you have a sense of your passions and strengths, it's time to explore how your talents and interests intersect. Here's how to go about it: 1. Start exploring different industries and job roles. Research companies and job descriptions that align with your interests and skills. 2. Connect with professionals in those fields. Reach out for informational interviews or inquire about job shadowing opportunities. 3. Research the needs of the market. Find out what your potential clients and their customers are looking for. How can you fulfill those needs? 4. Build your portfolio. If you are a new writer, start building your portfolio of sample articles in your chosen industry niche. Demonstrate your expertise through well-crafted pieces. 5. Embrace experimentation. Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone Sometimes, the best way to discover your niche is by stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring new areas. Whether you're just starting out or you've been working for years, it's never too late to discover what truly drives you and brings you joy in your work. Be open to experimenting with various niches until you find the one that truly resonates with you. After more than 20 years of teaching, writing, and mentoring, I found a new niche I am fully exploring this year. And I'm loving it! My new niche encompasses everything I learned in the last 25 years—all the bits I loved doing. And it has enough of a challenge to keep me on my toes. My journey: From my first niche to my current niche. But that's more of a career changing niche. Let's talk about writing niches specifically. I'm going to break this down into two areas: Topics and Content Types. Content Writing Niches I've put together some ideas for you to explore that will help you find your writing niche. When choosing your niche, focus on a topic you know or are interested in. You can combine this with a content type, such as blog articles or book writing. Some writers prefer to be generalists; they write across different niches. Others prefer to choose a specific niche and become experts in that topic, industry, or content type. The choice is yours. 8 Profitable Content Writing Topics There are many industries and topics that you can settle into. This will depend on your interests and background. Perhaps you are a transitioning teacher with an interest in AI and learning. In that case, you might choose to write about AI in education. Below are some of the most profitable writing topics for 2023 – 2024. Which would you choose? 1. Finance/Personal Finance Educating customers — articles on budgeting and personal finances, blogs for banks & credit card companies, and training materials for investment companies or financial planning firms. 2. Technology Cybersecurity, computers, data storage, smartphones, AI, and digital health tech. 3. SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) Explain the product to prospects and customers — website copy, long-form blog posts, how-to guides, and email newsletters. 4. Cryptocurrency/Blockchain/Fintech Technical writing, articles, and blogs — know the jargon. 5. Digital Marketing Explain products and services, long-form guides, and articles about content marketing, email marketing, social media, SEO, and affiliate marketing. 6. Health & Wellness Products, providers, cannabis blogs, dispensaries, alternative medicine, digital health, and healthcare. 7. Education Education and skills training (for jobs or starting a business), e-learning, online courses, and providers. 8. Real Estate Landing pages, website copy, home buying guides, blogs on how to stage houses for sale, house flipping, home décor, and local laws. Writing topics: Can you identify with any of these? 9 High Paying Content Types Once you decide on which topic or industry you'd like to focus on, you can either choose to create different content types or settle for one type, such as writing e-learning courses. Below is a list of the highest-paid content types for 2023 – 2024. Which one/s would you prefer? 1. Long-form blog posts and in-depth guides detailed, well-researched, over 2000 words usually includes basic SEO 2. Video script writing currently, the no. 1 content writing trend scripts for websites, videos, podcasts, webinars, and YouTube 3. E-books and PDFs e-books and "How-to" content, such as lead magnets often published as 10 to 20-page PDFs in demand from businesses who wish to generate leads for their business 4. White papers have a more formal/serious tone than blog posts or e-books written for the B2B market, popular in the tech niche used to promote products , 5-10 pages long also used as lead magnets you will need interviewing skills 5. Email writing short-form, used to encourage conversions used in marketing campaigns and newsletters copywriting background needed 6. Sales pages and Landing pages used to drive sales, web pages SEO and copywriting skills needed 7. Case Studies showcases customer success stories used for promotions and to drive sales interviewing and story-telling skills are needed 8. Educational content online or e-learning courses scripts for courses (text or video) text-based learning materials 9. Book writing ghostwriting – writing in the client's voice or style non-fiction, memoirs, and social media posts Content categories: Which ones do you prefer? Do What You Love Choose your writing niche based on your experience, passion, skills, and interests. You are now equipped with the 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 you can specialize in and the 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬. It's time to make a choice. If SaaS (topic) is your thing and you are good at crafting compelling white papers (content type), then focus on those gigs. Alternatively, if you have a background in mental health (topic), channel your expertise into writing informative blog posts (content type) that address topical mental health issues. So, do you have a winning combination in mind? The Highest Paid Content Writing Niches Technical writers, speechwriters, screenwriters, and ghostwriters are the highest-paying writing jobs at present. Other popular niches are personal finance, technology, parenting, and travel. Blog writers have always been in high demand. Lately, though, due to the rapid advancements in AI writing tools such as ChatGPT, many writers are finding that robots are taking over their jobs. However, we are still waiting to see if AI writers can write content as human as human writers. And that, my dear fellow writers, is a discussion best left for a future article. Final Thoughts The journey to finding your niche may not always be easy, but the result—doing work that truly fulfills you—is worth it. And once you find it, your work will only get better and better as the years go on. So, keep exploring, growing, and pushing yourself to find the path that's right for you. Ready to level up your writing? Need help finding your niche? As a writing coach, I will help you find your writing niche and achieve your writing goals. Schedule a call. Let's chat ☕ Shamila

As an author, finding the perfect tool for promoting your books amid the ever-saturated market can be a challenging experience. A powerful tool that has gained immense popularity in recent years is the webinar . Webinars have proven to be a fantastic way to connect you to your ideal audience and expand your reach. These dynamic virtual gatherings are for more than just corporate presentations or marketing pitches. They provide an avenue for your words to come to life, your unique voice to resonate in real time, and your stories to reach corners of the world you might have never imagined. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how authors can successfully utilize these interactive sessions to widen their reach, enhance visibility, and connect with their ideal audience. Contents: 1. Understanding the Potential of Webinars 2. The Significance of Webinars for Authors 3. Crafting Compelling Webinar Content 4. Effective Promotion of Webinars 5. Hosting a Successful Webinar 6. Analyzing Author Webinar Impact 7. Conclusion Understanding the Potential of Webinars Imagine a virtual auditorium where writers gather as passive spectators or active participants. These gatherings offer a stage where your thoughts can dance, your experiences can resonate, and your stories can find their echo. Webinars have revolutionized how authors interact with their audience by providing a dynamic platform for writers to present live workshops and discuss their works, all while allowing real-time engagement. The interactive nature of webinars nurtures a sense of community and trust, making them an essential tool for authors seeking to extend their influence. The Significance of Webinars for Authors Webinars have become a transformative tool for book authors by offering several significant empowerments, as listed below. Expanding Reach through Webinars One of the main advantages of authors hosting webinars is the ability to expand their reach. Writers can go beyond physical distances and connect with their readers globally, breaking free from the constraints of traditional local audiences. Webinars aren't just about presentations; they're about cultivating a community of participants from different corners of the globe. This global reach broadens an author’s readership and introduces their work to diverse cultures and perspectives, enriching their content and nurturing a more engaged readership. Connecting with your readers across the globe. Establishing Authority and Credibility In the ever-competitive world of writing, establishing authority and credibility is paramount. Webinars can be a means for authors to showcase their expertise. Imagine stepping onto a virtual platform, armed not just with your words but with a wealth of knowledge and insights that only you possess. It is not a one-sided monologue but a carefully orchestrated performance where you unveil the inner workings of your creative mind. By discussing your works, delving into the depths of your research, and candidly sharing your journey, you're offering your audience an exclusive backstage pass to your writing universe. Discussing work and addressing burning questions in real time is a strategy for writers to position themselves as trusted authorities in their respective niches. Direct interaction between an author and their audience enhances credibility and fosters a deeper connection. Forging Authentic Connections Webinars are way beyond being just one-way communication. These virtual meetings foster authentic and meaningful interactions. Imagine you're hosting a webinar, and as you speak, you notice a flurry of messages popping up in the chat, questions, comments, and even the occasional witty remark. At that moment, the screen doesn't separate you from your audience, instead, it's a thread that weaves you into a collective conversation. This interaction isn't just about imparting knowledge; it's about building a community that resonates with your words. Unlike static blog posts, webinars create opportunities for participants to engage in live discussions, ask questions, and receive immediate responses. This way, a writer can empathize with their audience's challenges, creating a sense of relatability and trust that solidifies the writer-reader relationship. Crafting Compelling Webinar Content As authors, our innate ability to weave words has the potential to craft captivating webinar content. You must prioritize creating engaging content for your online workshop just like you give attention to blogs or articles. Below are some tips for crafting engaging webinar content. Select Only Themes That Speak to your Craft Choosing a relevant theme is fundamental to the success of your presentation. As an author, you should be able to pick out subjects that mirror your creative forte and strike a chord with your fellow wordsmiths. These could be discussions on the intricate dance of writing techniques, the age-old battle against writer's block, the expedition into novel literary trends, or even the uncovering of the alchemy behind writing success. Each theme should resonate with your author community, addressing some challenges and aspirations fueling their creative fires. The aim should be to share knowledge and offer a guiding light through the labyrinth of an author's journey. Set your topics as maps leading fellow writers through uncharted territories of creativity, productivity, and literary insight. Structure Engaging Presentations Your ability to craft an engaging webinar experience hinges on the precision with which you structure your presentation, much like the delicate threading of plotlines in your stories. Start with a captivating introduction that sets the stage for what participants will gain from the session. As you structure your presentation, think of it as the chapters of a book. Each segment should flow logically, like the progression of events in a narrative. From outlining writing techniques to unraveling the intricacies of character development, each part should seamlessly lead to the next, creating a narrative arc that keeps your audience hooked. Visual aids, much like descriptive imagery in your prose, enhance comprehension and engagement. In the same way you paint scenes with words, you can amplify your points with well-designed slides. Imagine your content coming to life on the screen, transforming abstract ideas into tangible concepts that participants can grasp and internalize. Share your Writers Perspective One of the primary components of webinar content is the writer's perspective. Writers possess a unique journey and insights that can enrich the content. Your journey as a writer is not just a personal story. It is a treasure trove of experiences that can add flair to your webinar content. Share personal anecdotes, challenges, and lessons learned. Remember, it should not just be about showcasing the triumphs but also about revealing the struggles. Your hurdles become stepping stones for aspiring writers who walk the path you have traversed. As you discuss your moments of uncertainty and the victories that followed, it offers solace to those facing similar challenges. Effective Promotion of Webinars While crafting compelling narratives may be your forte, promoting your webinar requires a distinct set of skills. Here are some effective means for promoting your virtual seminar. Creatively Utilize Social Media In a world connected by the internet, your words can transcend borders, time zones, and continents. Leveraging social media is a potent strategy for promoting webinars. Tease your audience with snippets, anecdotes, and hints of what's to come. It's like unraveling a mystery, layer by layer, until the grand reveal during your webinar becomes the ultimate plot twist. Leverage appropriate hashtags and writer-centric groups to expand your audience. Consider them as routes that guide interested individuals to your online presence. Choose hashtags that connect with writers and participate in writer-focused groups where your writing aligns with like-minded enthusiasts. It is not just about visibility, it's about finding your tribe in the digital landscape. Collaborate with Writing Influencers A collaboration with writing influencers will heighten the visibility of your webinar. Identify respected figures within the writing community and propose co-hosted webinars or cross-promotional efforts. This isn't just about visibility, it's about creating a chorus of wisdom that enriches the writing journey for all. When the power of two authors unites, it nurtures insights and perspectives that are more potent than either could offer alone. Such partnerships introduce your content to new audiences and lend credibility to your webinar, giving participants more reason to attend. Build a Dedicated Email List Your email subscriber list can be a valuable asset for promoting webinars. Send personalized invitations to your subscribers, highlighting the value they stand to gain from attending. Remember, an invitation isn't complete without a call to action. Just as your words are driven by motivations, your email's purpose should be to guide your readers toward a destination. Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) that beckons them to register. Always consider the power of incentives. Consider offering incentives to your potential participants, such as exclusive discounts, bonus resources, or a reward for their commitment to the literary journey you're orchestrating. Hosting a Successful Webinar The journey to hosting a successful webinar is similar to embarking on a quest, and every step taken determines the outcome. Here are the step-by-step processes you should take for a successful presentation. Technical Preparation Before hosting a webinar, thorough technical preparation is essential. Test your equipment, internet connection, and webinar platform to prevent any last-minute glitches. Familiarize yourself with features like screen sharing, polls, and Q&A sessions to ensure a seamless experience for participants. Some of the best webinar platforms include Zoom, GoTo Webinar, and ON24. Remember, technical preparation is not just a checklist but a must-do. Engaging Delivery Engagement is crucial to a successful webinar. Deliver your content with enthusiasm and confidence. Encourage participant interaction through polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions. Address questions and comments in real time, creating a dynamic and participatory atmosphere for engagement. In webinars, engagement is not just a tactic but a philosophy. It is the understanding that every participant is not just an attendee but a co-creator of the experience. Your enthusiasm becomes their enthusiasm, your engagement their engagement. Post-Webinar Follow-up The engagement does not stop once the webinar concludes. Send a post-webinar follow-up email to participants, expressing gratitude for their attendance. Provide a recording of the webinar for those who could not join live, along with any additional resources mentioned. Gather feedback through surveys to gather insights for improving future webinars. Your follow-up email should not just be a formality, it should be an invitation to stay connected. As you extend your gratitude, endeavor to share resources, thereby gathering insights. Analyzing Author Webinar Impact Just as writers analyze the impact of their words on readers, assessing the influence of your webinar is an essential chapter in the narrative, as it offers glimpses into the hearts and minds of those who joined. Here are ways you can analyze the impact of your webinar. Measure Reach and Engagement To evaluate the success of your webinars, measure reach and engagement metrics. Monitor the number of participants, the duration of their engagement, and the level of interactivity. Review feedback and comments to gauge the impact your webinar had on the audience. This evaluation helps you understand how well your webinars are performing, how much attention they attract, and how engaged the participants are during the session. Here's a breakdown of some key points: Reach The reach refers to the number of participants who attended your webinar. This metric is a quantitative measure of how many people were exposed to your content. It can be a crucial indicator of your webinar's initial success in terms of attracting an audience. Engagement This metric focuses on understanding how involved and interested participants were during the webinar. Some important engagement metrics include: Duration of Engagement It is a measure of the average time participants spend watching your webinar. Longer engagement times generally indicate that your content was valuable and held the audience's attention. Interaction Levels It analyzes the extent to which participants interacted with your webinar content. This could include asking questions, participating in polls or surveys, clicking on links, or using chat features. Higher interaction levels suggest that your content was engaging and encouraged active participation. Interactivity Interactivity is the level of back-and-forth communication between you and your audience. It is vital to monitor how many questions were asked, how many were answered, and the overall participation in Q&A sessions. A high level of interactivity indicates that your webinar created an environment where participants felt comfortable engaging and seeking clarification. Feedback and Comments Gathering feedback and reviewing comments provides qualitative insights into how well your webinar resonated with the audience. Positive feedback, constructive suggestions, and valuable insights can help you understand what aspects of your webinar were impactful and what areas need improvement. Impact Assessment After analyzing all metrics collectively, you can assess the overall impact your webinar had on the audience. Did participants find value in your content? Did they learn something new? Did your webinar meet their expectations? These are vital questions to answer to gauge the success of your webinar. Refining Strategies Based on the collected data, refine your webinar strategies. Identify the topics that resonated most with your audience and replicate their success. Address any technical or engagement challenges that come up. Continuous improvement ensures your webinars become increasingly efficient in achieving your reach expansion goals. Conclusion In today's dynamic digital landscape, authors have the power to harness the potential of webinars to connect with a global audience and build a loyal readership base. Webinars provide a platform for writers to share their expertise, engage with readers, and establish themselves as authoritative voices in their field. By thoughtfully selecting themes, crafting engaging presentations, and promoting strategically, writers can tap into the power of webinars to expand their reach and create a lasting impact. About the Author Hi, I'm Damaris, a freelance blog writer available for hire. My passion lies in the art of crafting captivating articles that educate and inform. I'm on a mission to connect your brand with its ideal audience by blending the magic of words with SEO knowledge to enhance your brand's visibility, solidify its presence, and boost conversions. When I'm not crafting masterpieces, you'll find me donning an apron as a badass grill chef or conquering Scrabble boards. Let's connect on LinkedIn , where I share my journey as a freelance blog writer and explore how I can bring your brand's story to life.

"A ghostwriter is like a chameleon, adapting to different styles and voices to create a seamless narrative." - Roz Morris, ghostwriter and author. A chameleon – I felt exactly like one when I immersed myself in the world of ghostwriting in 2021 and 2022. My family started calling me a walking encyclopedia when I couldn't settle into one topic niche but explored them all. My brain felt like it was exploding with all the different voices I had to emulate and the countless facts I had accumulated. I covered everything from journeying into the world of data analytics to exploring the benefits of petroleum jelly. While ghostwriting can be a fascinating adventure, it is also a good way to turn your writing skills into a profitable career. This guide covers everything you need to know to begin your ghostwriting journey. Contents: 1. What is Ghostwriting? 2. Why do People Need Ghostwriters? 3. Famous People Who Used Ghostwriters 4. What Are the Most Popular Ghostwritten Content Types? 5. A Deeper Look into the Difference Between Articles and Books 6. Getting Started as a Ghostwriter 7. What Not to Do as a Ghostwriter 8. Where Can a New Writer Find Ghostwriting Jobs? 9. How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid? 10. Resources 11. Final Thoughts What is Ghostwriting? Ghostwriting is the practice of writing for someone else, usually for a fee, and not receiving credit for your work. In other words, you write content that is attributed to your client. It's a good way for new freelance writers to enter the market and practice their writing skills. Many busy professionals and high-profile individuals require quality content to promote their businesses and brands. Ghostwriters are often hired to write blog posts, articles, social media content, speeches, and even books. I read somewhere that more than 50% of non-fiction books on the bestseller lists have ghostwriters hidden behind their covers. Some in the industry say it's possible that this number could be as high as 90%. Does this surprise you? Read on to find out why these numbers could be so high. Why do People Need Ghostwriters? There are three main reasons why business professionals and authors choose to use ghostwriters. 1. Time Constraints They don't have the time to do it themselves. Writing a book can be time-consuming, and for an author with a busy schedule, it may not be feasible to devote the necessary time and attention to writing a book. In such cases, a ghostwriter can be an excellent option, as they can take care of the writing process while the author focuses on other aspects of their work or personal life. Running a business can be incredibly time-consuming, leaving little time for writing a book. Hiring a ghostwriter allows a business person to focus on their core competencies while still having a book published under their name. 2. Lack of Writing Skills or Experience Writing a book requires a certain level of skill and experience, and not all authors have the necessary writing skills to complete a book on their own. A ghostwriter can help in such cases by writing the book on the author's behalf while preserving the author's ideas and voice. A poorly written blog can damage a business's reputation and credibility, but a professional ghostwriter can ensure the content is polished and error-free. A skilled ghostwriter can conduct research and write content relevant to the business's industry, target audience, and marketing goals. 3. Need for Objectivity Writing a self-help book, for example, can be a very personal and emotional process, and an author may find it difficult to maintain objectivity when writing about their own experiences and ideas. A ghostwriter can help in such cases by providing an objective perspective and ensuring that the book is written in a way that will resonate with readers. Famous People Who Used Ghostwriters Many bestselling authors, celebrities, and public figures work with ghostwriters to help write their books, memoirs, or autobiographies. V.C. Andrews wrote the "Flowers in the Attic" series with ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman. George Lutz worked with ghostwriter Jay Anson on "The Amityville Horror." Miley Cyrus and Tori Spelling worked with Hilary Liftin to write their memoirs. Siobhan Curham had Zoella (Zoe Sugg) help her write the novel "Girl Online." Richard Branson partnered with Edward Whitely to produce "Losing My Virginity." Wayne Rooney collaborated with Hunter Davies and Chris Hunt to write his books. J.R Moehringer, the highest paid ghostwriter in the business, penned Prince Harry's memoir. Ghostwriter Daniel Paisner has ghostwritten over 50 books for celebrities, including Serena Williams and Denzel Washington. These are just a few examples, but there are many more ghostwriters out there who have worked on a wide range of projects, from novels and memoirs to speeches and articles. According to some academics, even Shakespeare couldn't keep up with his own genius; he used a ghostwriter for some of his works! Did Shakespeare use a ghostwriter? That is the question. What Are the Most Popular Ghostwritten Content Types? Ghostwriting is a versatile service that can be applied to a wide range of content types. Some of the most popular ghostwritten content types include: Books: Ghostwriting books, especially memoirs, autobiographies, and self-help books, is one of the most common types of ghostwriting. This includes both traditional print books and e-books. Blog posts and articles: Many companies and individuals hire ghostwriters to create regular blog posts and articles for their websites or social media channels. These posts can cover a wide range of topics and industries. Social media posts: Some businesses and individuals hire ghostwriters to create posts for their social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. George Takei, known for his role in Star Trek, has a ghostwriter penning his Facebook and Twitter posts. Scripts and screenplays: Ghostwriters may also write scripts for YouTube videos, podcasts, television shows, movies, or other forms of media. Song Lyrics: Yes, even rappers and other artists in the music world commission ghostwriters to write for them. Nas ghostwrote Will Smith's classic 'Gettin Jiggy Wit It.' Bruno Mars was the writer behind Adele's "All I Ask." Speeches: Political figures, business leaders, and other public figures often hire ghostwriters to create speeches for them to deliver at events or on television. Barack Obama, well known for his eloquent speeches, had speech writer Jonathan Favreau composing his speeches. White papers: Companies may hire ghostwriters to create detailed reports or white papers on industry trends, new technologies, or other topics of interest to their audience. Academic papers: Some academics may hire ghostwriters to help them write research papers or other academic documents. Other content types: emails, newsletters, web copy, case studies, and online course material. Some ghostwriters specialize in more than one genre or content type. For instance, I ghostwrite SEO articles and self-help books . A Deeper Look into the Difference Between Articles and Books Ghostwriting for articles and books requires strong writing skills and the ability to research and organize information effectively, but there are significant differences in length, format, and style. Articles are shorter pieces of writing that can range from a few hundred to a few thousand words. They are written for online publications or magazines and are intended to inform, entertain, or persuade readers on a specific topic. Ghostwritten articles are more focused on providing useful information to readers and require some research and expertise in the topic area. Books are much longer and more complex than articles. Ghostwritten books can be anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of words long and are often written in a narrative format. Ghostwritten books can take several months or even years to complete and may require extensive research, multiple interviews with the author, and collaboration with publishers and editors. Books are also typically more personal and reflective than articles, as they are often written in the author's voice and tell a story or share insights into the author's life or work. Getting Started as a Ghostwriter If you are considering becoming a ghostwriter, here are some tips to help you get started: Find Your Niche Like any other freelance writing career, finding a niche in which you excel is important. Specializing in a particular area will allow you to charge higher rates and make marketing your services easier. When I began my ghostwriting adventure, I explored a range of niches until I found the ones that interested me the most, and I focused on those. Experience and Skillset You don't need ghostwriting experience, but you should have writing experience, research skills, and some editing skills. Be capable of interviewing people and be able to write on a variety of topics. Read widely to become familiar with different types of texts and styles. Being adaptable and able to write in a variety of styles is crucial to success in this field. Network Building relationships with potential clients is crucial to building a successful ghostwriting career. The best way to find clients is through networking. Attend industry events, join writing groups, and connect with professionals in your niche on LinkedIn. Practice Confidentiality Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of ghostwriting. Your clients trust you with their personal and professional information, and it's crucial that you maintain their trust by keeping all information confidential. You can only disclose who your clients are or display their work in your portfolio if you get their permission first. Understand Your Client's Voice Voice refers to the style, tone, and personality of the writing; it's what makes the writing unique and engaging. As a ghostwriter, you need to be able to write in a way that sounds like your client wrote the content. Finding the right voice for a piece of writing can be challenging, especially for new writers. One way to do this is to review your client's previous writing to get a sense of their writing style. You can also ask your client about their preferred writing style and any specific tone or voice they want to convey. It's essential to remember that you're writing for your client's audience, not your own. This means you need to adapt your writing style to suit the audience you're writing for. For example, if you're writing for a more formal business audience, you may need to use more professional language. Ultimately, finding the right voice takes practice and experimentation. With time and experience, you'll develop the skills and confidence to write in a variety of voices and styles, making you a more versatile and valuable ghostwriter. (Welcome to the world of chameleons.) "The best ghostwriters are the ones who can capture the voice and style of the person they are writing for." - Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter and author. What Not to Do as a Ghostwriter If you are new to the ghostwriting niche, here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind: 1. Do not expect credit for your work. 2. Do not brag about your clients or showcase their work. 3. Do take pride in your work even if your name is not on it. 4. Do not accept low rates. Never undersell yourself. 5. Do negotiate with clients for a fair rate. 6. Do not jump into ghostwriting without fully understanding what a ghostwriter does. 7. Do create original content at all times. Never copy and paste work attributed to others. This is a form of plagiarism . Where Can a New Writer Find Ghostwriting Jobs? There are several ways for a new writer to find ghostwriting jobs: Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow freelancers to create profiles and bid on ghostwriting jobs that clients post. Job boards: Websites like Indeed and Glassdoor have job listings for ghostwriters. You can also sign up for email alerts for new job postings. Referrals: Ask friends, family, or colleagues if they know of anyone who needs a ghostwriter. Social media: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to network with potential clients and showcase your writing skills. Ghostwriting agencies: There are agencies that specialize in ghostwriting services, and you can reach out to them and submit your writing samples for consideration. Publishers: Many publishing companies hire ghostwriters to provide an additional service option to their authors. Guest posting: Showcase your writing skills and grow your portfolio by writing guest posts on blogs. Ghostwriting jobs can be competitive, so it's important to have a strong portfolio, excellent writing skills, and good communication skills to succeed in this field. Additionally, get used to the fact that you won't receive credit for the work you do, as ghostwriting is a confidential service. How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid? The payment for ghostwriters can vary widely based on the complexity of the project, the length of the work, the expertise and experience of the ghostwriter, and the type of publication or medium. Ghostwriters can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per project. For example, a ghostwriter working on a short e-book or long-form blog article may earn between $500 to $2,000, while ghostwriting a full-length non-fiction book could pay anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 or more. The payment for ghostwriting a memoir or autobiography can also vary widely, ranging from $5,000 to over $50,000 (for celebrity ghostwriters). Many ghostwriters work on a project basis, charging a flat fee for their services, while others may charge by the hour. Some ghostwriters may also receive a percentage of royalties or profits generated from the work they helped create, particularly for larger book projects. On freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, blog article rates range from $5 to $50 or more for a short blog post. When searching for jobs on freelance platforms, it is important to keep in mind that $5 and even $10 is not a fair fixed price rate for a blog article. Ultimately, the payment for ghostwriting work depends on various factors, and ghostwriters must negotiate a fair rate for their skills and experience. Resources In addition to this how-to guide, here are some other ways you can learn about ghostwriting: Books and articles: The Freelance Writer's Handbook by Andrew Crofts and Secrets of a Ghostwriter by Isabel Wolf. Online Courses: Find courses that teach the fundamentals of ghostwriting on popular platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, and Masterclass. Professional Organisations: Joining a professional organization such as the Association of Ghostwriters is a great way to network with other ghostwriters. Online forums and communities: Connect with other ghostwriters and share tips and advice through online communities such as the r/Ghostwriting subreddit. Mentorship programs: Some experienced ghostwriters offer mentorship programs to aspiring writers. Look on platforms such as LinkedIn. Some may even be in your network. Final Thoughts Ghostwriting is an important and often misunderstood specialization in the writing industry. Many people have heard of ghostwriting but may not fully understand what it entails. In essence, ghostwriting involves writing content for someone else without receiving credit. Ghostwriters work behind the scenes to help their clients convey their ideas and messages effectively, often adapting their writing style to match that of their clients. To become a successful ghostwriter, you must have excellent writing skills, a strong understanding of the subject matter, and the ability to adapt to different writing styles and tones. Some of the most popular types of ghostwritten content include books, blog posts, articles, speeches, white papers, social media posts, and scripts. If you want to become a ghostwriter, there are several ways to find job opportunities, including networking, freelance websites, and job boards. While ghostwriting can be a lucrative career, it is important to remember that confidentiality and professionalism are essential to success in this field. "A ghostwriter is a professional who can write anything, anytime, anywhere." - Noreen Wald, ghostwriter and author. Shamila Iyer - Author, writer, and writing coach. If you found this article helpful, please share it with other aspiring writers who would like to enter the ghostwriting niche. Want to learn more about my journey into ghostwriting or how I can help you with your writing? Schedule a call to chat about your needs.