If you have a blog, you must agree that having a ghostwriter is a lifesaver. When producing a blog post, you have to consider several variables. It’s hard to keep up with the editorial calendar when there’s so much to do.
Blogging is not a sustainable lifestyle if you are doing it alone. To make sure your blog stays active and profitable, you have to reach out to ghostwriters. When they take over the responsibility of writing articles for you, this gives you time to focus on other important tasks.
I am a blogger too so I understand the importance of having a ghostwriter. When I am suffering from writer’s block, I let the ghostwriter take the lead and meanwhile I watch Cox Contour and keep up with my favorite shows. If you have decided to hire a ghostwriter, here are some tips to land on the right one fast. These are tried and tested.
#1: Know Where to Find Them
Ghostwriters tend to keep low profiles. That doesn’t mean you can’t find them. Matchmaking companies or freelancing platforms can help you find the right candidate. You can also check LinkedIn and Craigslist.
#2: Ask Around for Referrals
Another great way of finding a good writer is by looking for referrals, asking your friends, family, colleagues and fellow bloggers. This will not just save you time, but the energy and reduce risk at the same time.
#3: Narrow Down Your List
By now, you will have a list of potential candidates who are worth the position. It’s time to narrow down the list. Here are some qualities to look for in a ghostwriter:
- Their writing style must paint an engaging picture. It shouldn’t just include facts.
- They must be flexible and commit to deadlines.
- They must understand your voice and tone and create content built around the persona you desire.
- They should be aware of the industry trends for the topic suggestion.
- They must ask thoughtful questions leading to answers that increase the value of the content and develop the reader’s interest.
- They must be a great listener and good at absorbing client information.
- The must be aware of SEO best practices, CTAs, and SERPs.
- They must be go-getters and great with communication.
#4: Conduct an Interview
Once you have shortlisted a bunch of candidates, it’s time to conduct an interview. This will give you a deeper insight into who the person really is and what they are capable of. The way they answer your questions will tell you a lot.
During the interview, ask them about their previous clients, job experience, and expectations from this job. Don’t forget to inquire about backup. If you don’t have an office, they will be required to work from home. In that case, they should have a reliable Internet connection and no electricity troubles.
#5: Conduct a Test
Sometimes, an interview alone is not enough. If you are looking for exceptional quality content, I hear you. In such a situation, it’s best to conduct a test.
Give the candidate a test article. To make sure they are motivated to do their best, this test should be paid. Make all these terms clear before asking them to give a test. Also, let them know that this does not assure they will be hired.
A 700 words article will be enough to help you judge their writing abilities. To check their consistency, you can also arrange more than 1 trial.
#6: Create Guidelines
It’s time to create guidelines for the ghostwriter you have hired. They must be in a written format. Share Google docs so that you can edit them later. This will also make you see if the ghostwriter has read the document.
Include complete instructions on how you want the articles to be written. This also includes formatting guidelines on the title, headings, etc. If you want them to follow AP style, mention that as well. Other information includes grammar expectations, the use of Oxford commas, passive voice, etc.
#7: Sign a Contract
For you and the writer’s safety, sign a contract. It helps maintain professionalism. It must include payment, number of hours the writer is expected to work, and anything else necessary.
Make sure you have them sign a NAD. It states that the writer cannot share ghostwritten work without permission. This will prevent them from revealing their identity to your clients.
If any of the parties involved in the contract don’t comply with these terms and conditions, they can be held legally accountable.
#8: Assign Them Work
After signing the contract, start by assigning them their first task. In the beginning, you might have to closely supervise them for achieving the best results. Once they are well-aware of the job requirement and your expectations, let them work at their own pace.
My stress disappears quickly after watching shows on my Cox cable TV packages. It doesn’t just help clear writer’s block. Once you have found a reliable ghostwriter, feel free to try this remedy too.