How I Secured a $50K Ghostwriting Client Through LinkedIn
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Chapter 1: The Power of LinkedIn for Ghostwriters
When it comes to social media platforms ideal for ghostwriters, LinkedIn stands out as the premier choice. Unfortunately, many ghostwriters tend to underestimate its potential due to its mix of recruiters, job listings, advertisements, former colleagues, and competitive content creators. This environment can feel daunting, especially for newcomers in the ghostwriting field.
In 2022, I found myself in a tough spot, pondering how to secure my next ghostwriting assignment. After experiencing a personal tragedy, my financial situation was far from stable, and I was in urgent need of new clients.
A common misconception surrounding LinkedIn is that connection requests should only be sent to individuals you know personally. While this may have been the original intent, I have leveraged connection requests as a means to broaden my online network. Many ghostwriters hesitate to send connection requests to potential clients, fearing rejection. I’ve been there too—sending requests only to be met with silence or outright declines.
However, I decided to take a bold approach and sent several connection requests, specifically targeting publishers. As a ghostwriter, I had never collaborated directly with a publishing house to write books. Although it may seem like an obvious avenue, I was still relatively new to the field. Curious about how I managed to secure a client with just one DM on LinkedIn?
Disclaimer: Not every direct message will yield the same outcome.
Chapter 2: Crafting the Perfect DM
Here's how I successfully landed a $50K ghostwriting contract with a single direct message:
Typically, my initial messages were quite generic, such as:
"Thank you for accepting my connection request. I look forward to contributing to your network."
The downside of this type of DM is its lack of personality and originality, which often leads to zero responses. Instead, consider a more engaging approach like this:
"Hi _____, I just came across your recent LinkedIn post on ______. I’d love to share my thoughts on why I agree/disagree. I enjoy exploring different perspectives on topics like this one. What’s your take on ____ in our industry?"
This message demonstrates that I have taken the time to review their profile and respect their opinions on relevant subjects. Furthermore, it allows me to express my thoughts without immediately pitching my services.
Once a conversation has begun, it’s essential to gently probe into the client’s business or objectives. People generally enjoy discussing their work and interests.
Knowing What You Want: It’s clear that we all have motives when reaching out privately—whether it’s seeking an introduction, a referral, or inquiring about a job posting. You don’t need to be upfront about your intentions right away. Instead, guide the dialogue in a way that encourages the client to respond to your inquiries.
In my interaction with the publisher, I asked about his background and sought his advice on attracting more clients via LinkedIn. Within a few messages, I received an invitation to discuss the company’s current need for a ghostwriter to create nonfiction books.
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile: It’s crucial to optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract clients. Although not everyone may pay close attention to your profile, I always advise ghostwriters to stand out as much as possible to pique potential clients' interest.
Understanding Your Rates: After transitioning our conversation off LinkedIn, I shared my experience with nonfiction projects. Most of my ghostwriting work has revolved around topics like addiction, weight loss, abuse, and spirituality.
When the publisher approached me with an opportunity to write a nonfiction book about a high-profile shooting incident, I was eager to take it on. This presented a chance for me to test my ghostwriting capabilities in a new context, particularly focusing on the family's perspective.
Finalizing the Agreement: For the majority of ghostwriting assignments, I typically charge a minimum of $10K to begin. This usually encompasses three months of interviews, recordings, edits, and revisions. However, this publisher wanted to secure a four-client contract, with each client collaborating with me for 90 days. I would earn $14,000 per project. Within hours, I signed an agreement to commence my first ghostwriting assignment.
In conclusion, reaching out via direct messages is not my preferred method for generating business as a ghostwriter. It can feel uncomfortable and awkward. Some individuals may ignore your message, while others may not see the value in working with a ghostwriter. My advice is to avoid trying to convince someone why they need your services. Instead, focus on cultivating authentic relationships with your ideal clients. A 'no' today may turn into a 'yes' down the line. Often, clients will return after a few months looking to hire a ghostwriter. If you approach each interaction with the right intentions, the right opportunities will come your way.
