Discerning the Four Dangers of Ghostwriting

Discerning the Four Dangers of Ghostwriting

Anytime you’re doing something for someone else, you’re therefore doing less for yourself. It’s an unavoidable consequence and a trade-off that you have to take into account in all of your decisions—and it’s an especially important one if you’re considering being a ghostwriter. It’s one of the four dangers of being a ghostwriter that you must think about before deciding whether or not to actively market yourself as a ghostwriter to potential clients. Here’s a closer look at each one.

Danger #1: Losing time for your own writing
Because ghostwriting is taking content someone else gives you and rewriting it into publishable copy that is true to their words, reflects their voice, and goes out under their name, it isn’t your writing. Well, it is—but it won’t be in your voice and it likely won’t be on the topics that you regularly write about. You may find yourself actually missing your writing.

In addition, ghostwriting is work-intensive, often requiring more energy and creativity than your own writing. Be careful to guard against fatigue that can birth the dreaded and often paralyzing writer’s block.

Danger #2: Greed
As mentioned previously, ghostwriting can be lucrative, and depending on the state of your income cash flow, the allure of more money could sidetrack you from lesser-paying assignments that you may enjoy more or that better fit in your overall desires and interests as a writer.

Money should never be the deciding factor for what writing projects you do. When deciding what you will write, your top priority should always be something that reflects your passion as a writer.

Danger #3: Fear
In the same way that greed can make you eager to take on all assignments offered, the fear that you are going to run out of projects (and therefore income) can cause you to be less selective about the ghostwriting assignments you choose. As a writer, you never want to take on any and every job that comes your way, even if it’s a ghostwriting job that pays nicely. You always want to make decisions based on the purpose and vision of your writing business and on the clients you have determined are best suited to fulfill that purpose and vision.

Danger #4: Losing your integrity
As a ghostwriter, there may be times a project will require you to create content that violates a personal conviction. Who you are as a person emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually is always paramount over any writing project.

If the assignment undermines your ethics or beliefs, don’t take it. If an issue arises when you’re already underway with the project, address the issue immediately with the client. If a solution cannot be found, cancel the contract. Nothing is more important than your integrity.

A final word on purpose and vision comes from one of my clients, business coach and consultant Paul C. Bellows. In his coming book Be Good at Doing Good, he asks, “Is it possible to make a great living by freely doing something you love that brings you and others satisfaction? Have you ever watched Louis Armstrong play the trumpet? Steve Jobs demo a product? Phil Mickelson sink a winning putt? Alicia Keys sing a song? Without a doubt, all of these people were born with immense talent, but more importantly they figured out their purpose and then merged determined practice with an undeterred attitude to follow that purpose.”

Now that you understand ghostwriting’s benefits and pitfalls, next time I’ll teach you how to market yourself as a ghostwriter. Even if you don’t think that ghostwriting is for you, the principles I’ll share can be applied to all your promotion efforts.

I want to hear from you!
Which one of the four dangers resonated with you most? Why?