Member-only story
Why CEOs Need a Ghostwriter and How to Hire One
Few executives know about this secret arrangement with writers. Even if you haven’t published a book (yet), you probably need a professional writer.
Most ghostwriting is done under a shroud of secrecy even though no one believes Michelle Obama or Donald Trump wrote their bestseller. Celebrities sell their name first, the actual story is almost superfluous. When the public learns the words were written by a contracted ghostwriter, the knowledge ruins the illusion.
Those outside the public spotlight need ghostwriters for an entirely different reason. It is not only books that are authored by professional writers, but columns, blog posts, articles, scripts, and speeches.
Many executives who are accomplished wordsmiths hire ghostwriters due to their busy work schedules. By utilizing the services of someone like me, they have a finished product they can modify, reserving their talents for quickly polishing before hitting send. It is no different than presenting a client with a proposal developed by their marketing team.
I spend at least an hour of research and another five hours writing a 1,000-word article. Most CEOs simply don’t have that block of time in their schedule or the passion for the written word. I have the luxury of research, editing, proofreading, and simply thinking about the topic and how to sell an idea.
Let’s face it — “big picture” executives aren’t going to devote that level of attention to a blog post because it doesn’t impact the day-to-day operation of their business.
So why hire a ghostwriter?
Writing recurring articles is an effective means to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. A well-written piece, especially if it contains statistics, drives traffic to the company website. It elevates a brand. At certain levels of business, executives are expected to have published. A book is a huge legitimizing entry on a curriculum vitae.
Most importantly, by establishing yourself as an expert, you have greater control over the future of the industry.
If you want a traditional publishing deal down the road, you will need to prove yourself in your industry, have a following, and show a body of work…
