Message from Mary Anne
Greetings:
One of the greatest pleasures I’ve had since launching the IAPGW has been hosting the free teleclasses with guest speakers on topics I’ve hoped would be of interest to writers in general and ghost writers in particular.
I found both the calls with Kim Pearson on why people hire ghost writers and with Mary Ellen Bates on how to conduct painless negotiation highly informative, and both speakers gave generously of their time and expertise. Moreover, I loved hearing those of you who listened to these calls ask great questions, which showed that you, too, were engaged and interested in what these guests had to say.
I look forward to hosting more of these down the road, and have already lined up a speaker for June—Paulette Ensign of http://tipsbooklets.com and http://CollectionOfExperts.com, who will talk about how ghost writers can use tips booklets to attract new clients. You’ll find details regarding this next free teleclass at http://iapgw.org/upcoming-events.
Do you have any expertise that you would like to share with fellow ghost writers via a teleclass? Or are there any topics you would like to see explored on future calls? Please feel free to e-mail me with your comments and suggestions at MaryAnne@iapgw.org.
To your success,
Mary Anne Hahn
IAPGW Executive Director
New Member Welcome
Kathryn Siranosian
Professional Member
East Sandwich, MA
http://corporatewriter4hire.com
IAPGW News
A new benefit has been added to the International Association of Professional Ghost Writers for both associate and professional level members!
We’ve created a members-only networking and discussion forum on ning.com that we hope will be beneficial for experienced and beginner ghost writers alike.
Not a member yet? Come join us at http://iapgw.org/member-benefits
Feature Article:
Some “Old School” Ways to Get Ghost Writing Assignments
© 2010 by Mary Anne Hahn
The Internet has provided writers with so many benefits one can hardly remember or imagine life before its inception. It gives us the means to find and work with clients all over the world, allows us to communicate with them instantly and often inexpensively via e-mail, Skype and instant messaging, and puts researching capabilities right at our fingertips. We can easily self-edit as we go without wasting reams of paper, send what we’ve written to clients without spending money on postage, and receive payment directly into our bank or PayPal accounts. We’re then able to look for our next assignments without ever having to get up from our chairs, or even get dressed for that matter.
Yet these conveniences don’t come without their disadvantages. Anyone who frequents on-line job boards or responds to job postings on Craigslist knows how fierce and global the competition is for these opportunities. And putting up your shingle on the Web doesn’t automatically bring business to you; no matter how well you write and how compelling your samples are, you need to constantly market your website in order to attract visitors to it. Moreover, variances in costs of living from country to country have sent fees for a many freelancing jobs plunging as people look for writers who live where they can afford to work for pennies rather than dollars.
In the wake of these realities, some writers have begun to revert to old tricks of the trade for unearthing writing work, or combine Web-based searches with off-line techniques. Rather than simply following the crowd and jostling for the attention of anonymous job posters on sites such as elance, these writers prefer to separate themselves from the pack and strike out on their own in search of clients. Although some of the tactics they use sound like suggestions from marketing or job hunting books written 20 or more years ago, writers are discovering that their results are as relevant today as they ever were.
You, too, might want to try the following “old school” methods for landing writing assignments:
-
Join your local Chamber of Commerce. What better place to meet professionals and local business people who might be able to use your services than at your city’s chamber? Who knows, you may even turn out to be the only member who’s a ghost writer, which might make what you do even more intriguing to other members.
-
See if you can get speaking engagements at events that your target clients attend. Do your target clients belong to any professional groups or attend any regular meetings where you might get an opportunity to speak about ghost writing? Some of these clubs struggle to line up interesting speakers for their members month after month, and would be delighted to hear from you.
-
Set up your own informational seminar or workshop. Perhaps a topic like “Getting Your Book Written: A Guide for (Your Target Niche Here)” would generate some interest. Before your event, be sure to send press releases to local newspapers and line up interviews with area radio talk show hosts to generate some added buzz.
-
Launch a snail mail campaign. Build a database containing names and addresses of potential clients, and then send them a post card or pamphlet outlining how you and your services might benefit them, directing them to your website for more information. Monitor your site traffic to gauge the effectiveness of any given mailing, and give them a reason to leave their name and e-mail addresses so that you can periodically follow up with them by sending more information.
These are just a handful of ways you can find work where you live or with the kinds of people you want to write for, without totally relying on the Internet. Chances are you’ll find that these techniques will enable you to broaden both your professional and personal circle of contacts, and lead to opportunities you may have not found otherwise.
April/May Poll
If you have or would join a monthly coaching club, what would the purpose of it be?
Register your vote at http://iapgw.org.
Upcoming Events
June 17: Free teleclass: How to sell Your Ghost Writing Services with Tips Booklets
For details and/or to register for this call, go to
http://iapgw.org/upcoming-events
Don’t Miss This Limited Time Living as a Ghost Program Discount
Final days! Until June 1, 2010, IAPGW members can receive a $75 discount on the program Living as a Ghost, a comprehensive program on how to establish and grow your own ghostwriting career. Developed and offered by Kim Pearson, herself an established ghost writer with more than 10 years of experience, this course will help aspiring ghost writers get their careers off the ground, and established ghost writers move to the next level.
This discount is ONLY available to IAPGW members (at both the associate and professional levels). For details on the course, and to find out how to qualify for the discount, visit http://iapgw.org/living-as-a-ghost-program.