by Cris Yeager

A ghostwriter’s process is quite different from that of a normal writer. Every single task they perform is super important. Research, time management, communication and of course, the writing itself all play an imperative role in the ghostwriting career. 

First thing in the morning, you’ll have to have your coffee and think about what you are going to write about before you actually write about it. It takes tenacity to become a successful ghostwriter but with hard work and dedication, it can be done! There will always be obstacles in life, so don't let them get you down. 

Develop a unique process, as a ghostwriter, that eliminates distraction, uses time wisely but at the same time allows you to have freedom while working on each ghostwriting project. 

Stay on a schedule

To be a successful writer, you have to have a schedule. Set time for meetings and research, writing and finishing projects. Include time for family and friends. The ghostwriter has many responsibilities in the process of their work. The schedule is just one of them that needs to happen with precision. 

The most important thing that the writer needs when it comes to their work-life balance is self-control: they need to find out what they want and learn how not to take on more than they can handle at once. Some writers find that scheduling personal appointments outside of their writing time helps them stay focused on their goals. 

The separation of work and family can be tricky. Discuss plans with family and create your writing schedule around that. Without family support, does the career really mean that much? Priorities!

Work in sections

Don't cram your work into a single sitting. Separate your tasks. 

• #1 Research - It's important to research the topic and person you are ghostwriting for before you start writing. The more you know, the better your writing will be. Plus, it helps with time management too! 
• #2 Time Management - It's important to set aside time for editing and rewrites so that you can get feedback on your writing and make necessary changes before publishing. 
• #3 Communication - It's key that you know what type of information to provide, how often to follow up, how much detail should be included in communications with the client, etc. 

Time management is essential for a ghostwriter. It will help establish credibility and trust between both parties involved in the project which will ultimately lead to a satisfying outcome.

Take breaks when needed

Schedule breaks! Taking time for yourself for relaxing and meals can help with workflow. However, this does not mean that you should take a break every time you feel like it. It's important to keep your schedule in check. But when you do need a break, it's important to be strategic about how and when you do so. 

Taking a break can help with creativity, productivity, and clarity of thought. If you work too hard without taking breaks, it will lead to burnout which can result in lower productivity levels and more mistakes being made. However, if you take the right amount of breaks throughout your day (15-minute increments), then it will reduce stress levels which can make working easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved! Play a game, take a walk, call a friend!

Communicate often

Keep constant communication with your client. This will keep the project rolling. As a ghostwriter, you should always be in contact with the person who hired you. It's not just about sending them completed work and getting paid, but also learning about their goals for the project and how to help them achieve their vision. There are many different ways that a writer can communicate with their clients; Skype, email, phone calls, text messages or even video chat if they have that capability. 

Review the work

The work of a ghostwriter can be tedious. But, it's also important to review your work before sending a final draft. A thorough review will catch any typos or mistakes you may have missed while typing. You might even find some edits that need to be made to the piece. Sometimes an idea for a new paragraph or sentence will come up during the review process. If this happens, make sure to make these changes as soon as possible. 

Sending work back and forth between clients and other writers can sometimes lead to trouble. It's always best practice to put finishing tasks in order so there aren't any hiccups with delivery. Some of these tasks include: saving the file(s) into a specific folder, naming files appropriately and putting them into zip files or PDFs if needed, and confirming with the client that they received their documents successfully.

After reviewing, it's time to send the work off! 

Finish with confidence

With the right schedule, a ghostwriter's process is easy. It's important to know that it's not difficult to be a ghostwriter if you can plan ahead. A schedule like this will always ensure your research is completed on time, which in turn ensures your words are top-quality. Communication becomes easier when you're communicating regularly with your client about their needs for the project or assignment. And finally, the writing itself goes more smoothly when there isn't any procrastination or confusion about what should be done next. Research, write and complete ghostwriting projects with confidence with the right process.