Just like ghost logging, a ghost writer is a professional writer who is hired to write on behalf of someone else, without receiving credit for their work.

General ghost writers can operate in any field such as fiction writing, corporate speech writing, social media marketing and drama writing, unlike bloggers which are strictly online article writers.

They are often used when the client does not have the time, skills, or inclination to write the content themselves or when they want to maintain their anonymity or privacy. The writer works closely with the client to understand their ideas, voice and intended message and then uses their writing skills to create content that meets the client’s needs.

What’s in a name? A brief history of ghost writing

Ghost writing has been a common practice for years, particularly in mass-market fiction and non-fiction books. It’s especially the case when certain books become popular and turn into long-running series:

• R. L. Stine was the author of the Goosebumps series of children’s novels but it’s generally assumed that a number of ghost writers also worked on the later titles, when the series became more prolific, to allow for continuity.
• Prince Harry recently used the renowned ghost writer J. R. Moehringer to write his autobiography Spare. 

It’s not just books where ghost writers are drafted in, either:

• Elton John has a well-known association with the ghost writer Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics for Candle In The Wind and Tiny Dancer.
• Former American President Barack Obama partnered with Jonathan Favreau, who was employed as his Director of Speech Writing.

Why use ghost blogging?

There are a number of benefits to using ghost bloggers, including:

• Helps increase online visibility: Online presence is an important part of any business’ marketing strategy, and drawing people in with inviting content is a great way to build a customer base. A well-written blog that follows an SEO strategy helps your website rank higher in search engine results, educate readers and attract potential new customers.
• Saves time: We live in a busy world, where we’re juggling our obligations every minute of the day. Generating a quality blog takes time, which you may prefer to hand over to someone else.
• Removes barriers to communication: Even the most successful business owner may feel less than confident about their writing ability. Hiring a ghost blogger, who will have impeccable written English, avoids the risk of readers seeing poor-quality text on your website.
• Demonstrates expertise: Ghost bloggers can either research specialist subject areas themselves or take your expert knowledge and produce insightful articles that demonstrate your credibility and leadership in the field.

• Maintains consistency: Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule is important for building and engaging with an audience. Ghost bloggers can help ensure that content is produced and published on a regular basis, with the same consistent brand voice, even if you don’t have the time or resources to do so yourself.

• Protects anonymity: In some cases, individuals may prefer to maintain anonymity or distance themselves from the content they publish online. Ghost blogging allows them to do this by having someone else write and publish content on their behalf.

• Builds brand identity: Blogs are a great way for a company to interact with their audience. Brands use them to discuss opinions, give feedback and market products. Ghost bloggers can help individuals and organisations develop a consistent voice and tone that aligns with their brand and resonates with their target audience. 

Who uses ghost bloggers?