We know that “perfect” is a strong word. But who argue with statistics? And believe us - numbers don't lie when it comes to the prevalence of ghostwriting in the publishing industry.
According to many sources, over half of the non-fiction books gracing bestseller lists have been brought to life with the help of a ghostwriter.
But ghostwriting isn't a new phenomenon - it's as old as there are writers. In fact, the ghostwriting services market is on an upward trajectory, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate of 6.80% from 2023 to 2030. So, if you're considering hiring a ghostwriter for your blog, you're in good company.
What is Ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting is when you hire a writer to craft content that will be published under someone else's name. In the context of blogging, a ghostwriter is someone who writes blog posts on behalf of the blog owner or company, without receiving any public credit for their work.
The concept of ghostwriting has been around for centuries. Many famous authors, politicians, and celebrities rely on ghostwriters to help them come up their written works. But these days, ghostwriting has become extremely popular in the blogosphere, as businesses and individuals seek to maintain a consistent flow of high-quality content without dedicating countless hours to writing themselves.
When you hire a ghostwriter, you're essentially commissioning them to write in your voice, style, and tone. The ghostwriter's job is to capture your unique perspective and convey your message effectively to your target audience. While the ghostwriter does the heavy lifting in terms of research, writing, and editing, the blog owner maintains full control over the content and has the final say on what gets published.
It's important to note that ghostwriting is not the same as plagiarism. When you hire a ghostwriter, you're paying for original content that you own the rights to. The ghostwriter agrees to relinquish any claim to authorship and allows you to publish the content under your own name or brand.
What are the main types of ghostwriting?
While blog ghostwriting is the main “hero” here, it is not just it. Let’s see the main types in the next few lines.
Blog posts
As discussed earlier, blog ghostwriting has become increasingly popular as businesses and individuals strive to maintain a consistent content output. Ghostwriters specializing in blog posts are skilled at researching topics, crafting engaging headlines, and writing in a style that resonates with the target audience.
Blog ghostwriters often work closely with their clients to understand their brand voice, target market, and content goals. They may be tasked with writing on a wide range of subjects, from industry-specific topics to more general lifestyle or news-related content.
When you plan to get a blog ghostwriter, it's crucial to find someone who can adapt to your writing style and has experience in your niche. This ensures that the content they produce aligns with your brand and resonates with your readers.
PRs
PRs are another common form of blog-ish ghostwriting, notably used in the political and corporate worlds. Isn't ghostwriting illegal? Not in the slightest. Ghostwriters who engage in PR work closely with their clients to understand the purpose of the audience and the key messages to be conveyed.
Each PR publication requires a unique skill set, as the ghostwriter must be able to craft a clear narrative that also translates well to the spoken word, as some companies love to share that in speeches.
In addition to writing the text, ghostwriters also take part in the editing and rehearsal process and help their clients refine their delivery, so that the message is as clear as possible.
Website copy
Ghostwriters also play a crucial role in creating website copy for businesses and organizations. Whether we talk about crafting compelling homepage content or writing product descriptions and about us pages, website copywriters help businesses effectively communicate their brand message and value proposition to potential customers.
You can’t have a successful blog copy if you don’t have “The Basics”, and web copies are the basics in 2024, no doubt.
Website copywriting needs a deep understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) best practices and the ability to write persuasive, customer-focused content. Ghostwriters specializing in website copy must be able to balance the needs of both the client and the target audience, creating content that is informative, engaging, and optimized for search engines.
In some cases, website copywriters may also be part of the overall content strategy for a business and help to plan and execute a content calendar that supports the company's marketing and sales goals.
In-house writers vs freelancers vs professional ghostwriting services?
When it comes to creating content for your blog, you have several options: hiring in-house writers, working with freelancers, or engaging professional ghostwriting services. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to consider your specific needs and goals before making a decision.
In-house writers
In-house writers are employees of your company who are dedicated to creating content for your blog and other marketing materials. They are a great option if you plan to expand your needs. For example, if you have an affiliate website, writers contribute to your business directly. It makes sense here. But that's not ideal if you're in the fintech industry and you need PRs for professional media.
An own in-house writing team is way better to control and train over your brand identity, that’s for sure. Your writers become more invested in the project's success. Over time, in-house writers can adjust their tone of voice and deliver good results more often.
However, in-house writers can be a lot more expensive than working with freelancers or ghostwriting services, as you'll need to provide salaries, benefits, and other employee-related expenses. Additionally, if your content needs fluctuate, you may find yourself with underutilized staff during slower periods.
Pros:
- Greater control over the content creation process
- Writers are fully invested in your brand
- Consistent brand voice and style
Cons:
- Higher costs associated with salaries, benefits, and employee-related expenses
- Potential for underutilized staff during slower periods
Freelancers
Freelance writers are independent contractors who work on a project-by-project basis. Often lauded as the cheapest option, if you have some basic needs, it's okay, however, if you are a 7- or 8-digit business, you can't put your reputation at stake to save a few hundred bucks, right?
Working with freelancers can be more cost-effective than hiring in-house writers, as you only pay for the content you need. Freelancers also bring different perspectives to the table, which can help keep your blog content fresh and engaging.
However, working with freelancers can also be more time-consuming, as you'll need to continuously search for and vet new writers. Additionally, freelancers may not have the same level of investment in your brand as in-house writers, and it can be challenging to maintain a consistent voice and style across multiple writers.
Pros:
- More cost-effective than hiring in-house writers
- Access to a diverse range of experiences and perspectives
- Flexibility to scale content production up or down as needed
Cons:
- Time-consuming to search for and vet new writers
- Potentially less investment in your brand compared to in-house writers
Professional services
Professional ghostwriting services are companies that specialize in creating high-quality content on behalf of their clients. These services are thriving for a reason; they are vetted on the market and know the ins and outs, so you don't have to go down the rabbit hole. Yes, they're steep sometimes, but if you value return on investment over price, it's a no-brainer.
Working with a professional ghostwriting service ensures that you have access to experienced, skilled writers who can consistently produce top-notch content. Big agencies often have rigorous hiring and quality control processes, so you can trust that the content you receive will meet your standards.
However, professional ghostwriting services can be more expensive than working with freelancers, and you may have less direct control over the content creation process. Additionally, some services may require long-term contracts, which can be less flexible than working with freelancers on a project-by-project basis.
Pros:
- Access to experienced, skilled writers
- Consistent, high-quality content
- Rigorous hiring and quality control processes
Cons:
- Higher costs compared to working with freelancers
- Potentially less direct control over the content creation process
Final words
Blog ghostwriting is more common these days. Many companies turn to professionals because all the costs associated with the hiring process, as well as the onboarding, take a lot of time. But it’s not just that. You need to hire an SEO expert, and an editor as well as the writer.
Costs can pile up, which is why the dilemma becomes if you should hire a company or a freelancer. We can’t say which one is better. If you have small tasks to complete, maybe you can stick with a freelancer.
However, if you need a reliable partner to share your success along the way, professional ghostwriting services have no alternative.
