Writing has a lot of forms, such as ghostwriting, article writing, book writing, copywriting, content writing, academic writing, and so on. Words hold enormous power, regardless of what form of writing we refer to. The famous saying, “Words speak louder than actions,” is an excellent example.
Words can make or break a deal. In present times of modernity and ease, where anything can be sold and bought, words have become a great asset to earn a quick buck. This is why people with the skill set to play with words (aka ghostwriters/copywriters) are in great demand and can benefit an organization’s success.
Let’s take a deep dive to understand what exactly is ghost-writing and copywriting, what the differences are, and what you need to do if you are a beginner.
Ghost-writing:
You must be thinking ghosts do ghost-writing. Well, you are not entirely wrong. Imagine you have a fantastic story in mind, and the characters are perfect, but when you try to write it, you cannot do it. This is why people hire ghostwriters, but certain things should be considered before hiring ghostwriters. They do all the hard work for you.
Ghostwriting is when a person writes a book/essay/article for the person they are hired by. A client who hires a ghostwriter is only responsible for providing the main idea and what elements they want to be included in the story. They inform the ghostwriter regarding their requirements, but the main task relies on the ghostwriter’s shoulders.
Copywriting:
Copywriting can be explained as a tool used for marketing purposes. It is all about attracting your audience with the magic of words. A copywriter creates slogans, headlines, catchphrases, or web content to persuade the targeted audience.
This technique of writing is mainly done for advertisements and commercials. Copywriters usually create alluring content based on the pre-written content for their website or blog. That draft helps them get a clear picture of the websites/company’s agenda so they can create captivating content.
Every time you click on a website and want to purchase something seconds after reading the tagline. That is what we call the art of copywriting when you, as a consumer, easily give in to buying the product because the words describing it are so convincing.
Different types of copywriters and what they do:
- Marketing copywriter: Focuses on creating copy for marketing and advertising. Examples: digital ads, press releases, email campaigns, promotional materials, and landing pages.
- Social media copywriter: Provides captions for social media posts and paid ads. Examples: Instagram captions, Tweets, and Facebook ads.
- Brand copywriter: Carries out the brand’s messaging throughout all internal and external communications. Examples: brand style guidelines, slogans, product packaging, mission statements, and website content.
- SEO copywriter: Ensure the target audience sees content using search engine optimization. Examples: SEO blog, keyword research, website content, and meta descriptions and headlines.
- Technical copywriter: Explains the benefits and usage of a product or service in a way that’s easy to understand. Examples: user guides, product packaging, help content, FAQs, and user manuals.
The Difference Between Ghost-writing and Copywriting:
Not only the names but the purpose behind ghostwriting and copywriting also differ. Read below to understand how ghostwriting is different from copywriting.
The Purpose of Ghost-writing vs. the Purpose of Copywriting:
The main intent behind ghostwriting is to get the job done on behalf of someone else. As a ghost-writer, your job is to finish the task without getting any credit for it. This usually implies when an author is interested in publishing their biography.
Renowned celebrities and politicians mostly hire ghostwriters for speechwriting. Some authors use ghost-writing services when they have a story to tell but need more expertise to do it properly, but they do not own the copyrights.
On the flip side, copywriting is different. The sole purpose of copywriting is to convince and compel the audience, as it is a marketing strategy. Words are carefully curated to be hooked when someone touches them instantly.
Unlike ghostwriting, copywriting is about increasing conversion rates (the rate at which website visitors are converted into customers). This writing technique is used so the company can successfully and quickly build its brand.
Copywriting is fruitful when convincing people to purchase something, sign up for a subscription, and persuade customers that what they are looking at is not what they want but need.
The Manner of Ghost-writing and Copywriting:
Ghostwriting normally applies to descriptive forms of writing, such as when writing books, articles, essays, speeches, blogs, editorials, etc. It requires expertise, knowledge of different genres, and an extensive vocabulary.
The ghost-writer is responsible for writing, editing (including grammar checks), proofreading, developmental editing, and formatting. A ghostwriter’s job is to lend their expertise to clients and get paid.
In comparison, copywriting is deeply rooted in the use of persuasive language. It must be precise, captivating, and accurate because it is mainly done to write advertisement and marketing content such as slogans and headlines.
Beginners Guide to Becoming a Ghost-writer
Read as much as you can:
A better reader makes a better writer. Reading helps you understand the world better. Every writer was once an avid reader. When you read more, you can understand how to pen down your imagination effectively and comprehensively. An easy example is that if you read ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins and ‘The Maze Runner’ by James Dashner, you will understand how both write differently, even when writing in the same genre.
Understand how different people write:
When you read consistently from different authors, you know how different authors say the same thing distinctly. This will show you how gender is related to language and what part it plays in writing. This also helps you learn the stylistic elements of different authors and what makes their writing so captivating.
Start with writing every day:
Being consistent is crucial. You must develop a daily writing habit as it helps you practice more and more. By writing daily, you will learn about your work’s inconsistencies, and only then can you improve them. It will also give you an idea of how much you can write daily.
Expand your vocabulary:
Reading more will benefit your word bank. You will be able to learn new words. The newly learned words can be used differently when you write, saving the words in your memory.
Understand what exactly a ghost-writer does:
You should have every bit of information regarding the job you are going for. Going unprepared on the battlefield only gets the soldier killed. Being ahead of your game will help you execute your tasks easily and proactively.
Start small:
Starting small is always the right strategy. Start with practicing unpaid tasks. You can use your friend’s help to assign and critique a task. As a beginner, you can always use freelancing platforms to make a few bucks.
Be consistent:
Consistency is key. Those who cannot be consistent can never achieve anything. You can never be a good writer if you write twice or thrice a year. Make it a habit, an essential part of your routine.
Beginners Guide to Start a Career in Copywriting
Learn what a copywriter does:
Before jumping into the ocean, you must learn to swim in the pool. You can only perform well if you know exactly what you must do. Please educate yourself about everything a copywriter does and understand how they do it.
Know your niche:
You need to know where your expertise lies. Whether you want to be an email or brand copywriter, sticking to one domain will help you stay focused and perform well. You must emphasize your expertise to ensure your clients and customers feel comfortable. You, as a seller, must be confident about your skill set.
Practice:
Practice makes you perfect. The more you write, the better you’ll get. Write slogans and headlines for famous brands and ask your friends what they think. Constructive criticism can do wonders when you want to improvise.
Create a portfolio:
Create a professional portfolio for yourself. This will help potential clients to get to know you better. Add samples and other documents that can increase your profile value. A portfolio will make your work look more polished, formal, and professional.
Study the market:
Studying your customers will increase your chances of writing while keeping the targeted audience in mind. You will know what gets the customer’s attention and increase conversion rates. Understanding your customer’s requirements will make the process easy and smooth. Your time will be used efficiently, and your progress will be accelerated.
Conclusion
Ghost-writing services and copywriting are different forms of writing, both done with a specific technique. The former is done when a person has a brilliant idea but no expertise, so they seek the help of a professional who agrees to stay anonymous. The latter is about grabbing the audience’s attention, making them buy a product, and increasing the brand’s market value. If you are passionate about writing and have the skillset, you should try it. It will not only help you gain experience but money too.
FAQs
What does a copywriter do?
A copywriter writes slogans, headlines, marketing, and advertisement content to increase the brand’s customer conversion rate.
Do ghostwriters own copyrights?
No, Ghostwriters do not own copyrights
Is copyrighting better than ghostwriting?
It depends on your area of expertise. If you enjoy writing detailed stories, then ghostwriting is the right choice. On the other hand, if you love writing catchy slogans and headlines, copywriting is for you!
