2 questions ghostwriters should ask

With the rise of content marketing, more and more communications pros are crafting stories on behalf of others. Here’s how you can get the right point of view.

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That increased demand means more PR and marketing pros—from interns to executives—are now being asked to write original content on behalf of others.

Writing can be a struggle itself. If you’re not in the right state of mind, a blank page can be an intimidating foe. Writing in someone else’s voice, however, can be downright dreadful without the right mindset.

Here are two questions you should ask yourself to achieve the proper mentality for ghostwriting:

1. Who am I?

Many writers make the mistake of separating themselves from the people for whom they ghostwrite.

They ask questions like, “Who is he?” and, “What would he say?” From there, they try to imitate that person’s voice and perspective throughout the piece. The result, however, is often a flimsy forgery.

A great ghostwriter will get inside the head of the person for whom they are writing and ask, “Who am I?” Like actors, these writers will become the character, viewing the world through a new lens.

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