Last Updated on May 20, 2020 by Michael Brockbank
Thereβs no doubt, you can make a great deal of money as a freelance ghostwriter. All kinds of clients are willing to toss money your way for a bit of well-written content. But is the fact your name isnβt on the piece something that may bother you?
If youβre OK with letting someone else take credit for your words, then you may do well as a freelance ghostwriter. Just keep in mind the content is no longer yours once someone pays for it.
What Is Freelance Ghostwriting?
For the most part, content mills and brokerage sites like Textbroker and Fiverr are based purely on ghostwriting. This means you produce content for a client, he or she pays you for it and then the client can do anything to the pieceβ¦including claim authorship.
In fact, there are literally thousands of articles spread across the Internet that I wrote which has someone elseβs name on it.
Once you release the work to a client, you no longer have valid claim. And since most sites like Textbroker have stipulations in the contract stating as such, legal battles are fruitless.
Now donβt get me wrong, you can make a lot of money in freelance ghostwriting. Iβve made a living wage for almost a decade. But sometimes I wish something out there had my name on it aside from my small blogs and a few Wattpad stories.
There is a saying on the Internet, βContent is king!β This means people are constantly throwing money into freelance ghostwriting because not everyone is capable of stringing words together in a coherent manner.
This means there is always work to be had if you look for it. Just keep in mind the competition for freelance ghostwriting is quite vast. Millions of writers just like yourself are constantly competing for those jobs.
Recognition for a Good Job
Perhaps the hardest part about being a freelance ghostwriter is the loss of author recognition. This is quite disheartening when you create an amazing piece you wish you would have kept for yourself.
On the other hand, clients recognize your hard work by either increasing your pay or tossing more work your way. So in a sense, you are being recognized as an authorβ¦just without the branding of your name.
And this says nothing about how clients can introduce you to others in their network. A client who adores your ability may feel comfortable sharing your name with others in his or her industry.
Itβs all in a matter of how you look at recognition, really. I guess itβs not always about fortune and glory.
Can You Claim Credit to Past Articles?
Once an article is βsoldβ to a client, itβs gone. Some clients are happy to attach your name to a good piece of content. Unfortunately, rules in sites like Textbroker prohibit the use of the authorβs identity.
Iβve had to deny a few clients in the past.
This is because Textbroker needs to make money in order to stay open. A client who learns the identity of an author can contact him or her directly.
If a client begins paying you outside of the system, Textbroker and other content mills wouldnβt make enough money to continue business as usual.
So I can understand the need of anonymity when it comes to writing content as a freelance ghostwriter.
I can say, though, it is kind of neat when I come across a popular article on someoneβs site and it turns out to be something I created. Iβve geeked out about it a few times.
Why Should You Be a Ghostwriter?
If you canβt lay claim to your work, why would anyone want to be a ghostwriter? Actually, I have three primary reasons why you should consider freelance ghostwriting:
- The Money
For a new writer, freelance ghostwriting is perhaps one of the quickest ways to see income for your effort. While you donβt make an incredible amount of money, itβs still better than not being paid at all. - The Experience
More experienced writers are simply paid more money. This is true whether you write for a content mill or not. Sites like Textbroker and WriterAccess help you develop skills and gain experience to help you along your career. - The Flexibility
Since I work from my computer, my job literally goes with me anywhere I have an Internet connection. I can keep working whether I am in a hotel in Los Angeles or sitting at home in Colorado. It makes no difference where you are geographically when youβre freelance ghostwriting.
Not everyone appreciates content mills. Many will point out how youβre often not paid what youβre worth. In reality, youβre only worth as much as someone is willing to pay.
Iβve met several writers who pointed out how they make more on other sites per job and how I was foolish for using Textbroker. But in the long run, I still made far more money than either one of those βauthorsβ simply because I produced far more work.
Keep in mind, itβs not how much you make per word that matters. Itβs how capable you are of sustaining yourself throughout the month with the money you make.
By putting in less than an eight-hour day, I make more money than a lot of people working full-time jobs.
If I had the motivation to actually write eight hours a day, I would be rolling in the dough. But alasβ¦I tend to bite off more than I can chew when it comes to side projects.
Content Mill Freelance Ghostwriting Opens the Doors
When youβre a new writer, starting off with systems like Textbroker can give you all kinds of experience. From learning how to write in AP Style English to how to handle various types of clients, ghostwriting content mills are great.
Now, you donβt have to just stick with ghostwriting in general. Thereβs nothing wrong with expanding and getting yourself a few direct private clients. In fact, youβll make a lot more money that way.
But starting off with a content mill, especially if youβre new to writing in general, can make a profound difference in how successful you are today.
In fact, I wouldnβt be where I am right now if it wasnβt for Textbroker, WriterAccess, and Fiverr. So before you discredit content mills because you wonβt make as much money, consider what youβll gain.
Being Renowned as an Expert
A lot of people are fine with freelance ghostwriting. And I can say that even though I wish I was renowned for something, I really donβt mind it myself. After all, itβs how I pay the bills and is probably the most enjoyable job Iβve ever had.
But itβs not for everyone. If youβre looking to attach your name to content, freelance ghostwriting is probably something you donβt want to do.
- 7 Best Free Hashtag Generators to Help You Market Content - January 27, 2021
- Hitting 1000 Subscribers on YouTube, Letβs Give Stuff Away - January 25, 2021
- Is it Worth Marketing Yourself as a Writer on Social Media? - January 25, 2021
