Does a ghostwriter need a website?
by Michael Collins
It’s a question I’m often asked, and the answer is clearly a ‘yes’, but the query should be ‘what type of website does a ghostwriter need?’
To start with, having an excellent website built specifically for you is a small investment these days and can be accomplished for less than AU$2,000. Unless you have the IT skills and an eye for creative content, do leave this up to the professionals. Years ago, with the help of my wife’s HTML talents, I made my own sites. And they stood up well twenty-odd years ago. However, when WordPress gurus, branding specialists, and graphic designers entered the game, my efforts began to appear amateurish.
Be open and tell your prospective clients about yourself in a way that will generate trust and confidence. For example, some people may be divulging confidential or sensitive information or matters of a deeply personal nature, so they need to feel confident in your ability to be non-judgemental.
If you have strong religious or political beliefs, it’s best to keep them to yourself. Plastering your website with strong opinions about anything but good writing and the needs of your website visitors will alienate some prospective clients. That’s not to say you shouldn’t reject an enquiring client who is offensive, racist, bigoted, a member of a dangerous cult, or has serious mental health issues. And on that score, do not put your home address on your website. It’s asking for trouble.
You may not like how you look. Too bad! As a keen photographer, I loathe being in front of the lens. But I’ve done it even though I cringe every time I look at my site. The prospective clients have to see that you’re a real person and not some scam artist. They have to see your eyes!
With some exceptions, the very nature of our work means that we’re ghostly beings, never seeking acknowledgement or authorship, and should always have NDAs in our agreements. This can make getting testimonials challenging, but sometimes an opportunity will present itself to grab a testimonial or to co-author. Testimonials are gold. Seize them and get them onto your site ASAP!
We write therefore we blog. Try writing blogs in slightly different styles and voices to illustrate your range. You can invite prospective clients to read your blogs or articles to get a feel for your work. I find that clients seldom take up the invitation, merely wanting to press on with their project, but they know they’re there.
One last thing: Think about how you want to handle initial enquiries. Phone enquiries can turn out to involve conversations with folk who want to tell you their life story with no intention of paying you properly for your work. Rather than publicise your phone number, I suggest you use a contact form.