Why Every Smart Ghostwriter Always Makes Agreements
Commissioning ghostwritten work can bring efficiency to businesses and independent creators, allowing them to emulate their desired tone and produce on-brand content. However, without proper agreements, these arrangements can sometimes encounter challenges, such as disagreements on creative direction, deadlines, or compensation, especially when there is limited collaboration.
To prevent such issues, having a clear agreement with your clients as a ghostwriter is crucial. Here are some key aspects to consider when it comes to ghostwriting agreements:
Regular Meetings for Collaboration: Ghostwriters should involve clients in the process by sharing chapters, outlines, or preliminary work. This collaboration allows for shared thoughts, adjustments, and ensures that both parties achieve the desired results. Openness about work in progress builds trust, improves the client-writer relationship, and leads to exceptional outcomes.
Comprehensive Agreements: To establish common goals and address potential challenges, it's essential to have a ghostwriting agreement that covers all the necessary details. While no one anticipates deviating from the agreement, unforeseen circumstances may arise. In such cases, a well-drafted agreement serves as a valuable reference. It helps ensure accountability and maintains a clear understanding between the writer and the client.
Compensation and Fees: A ghostwriting agreement should clearly state the expected payment for the writer's services. It may also outline whether the writer will receive a share of royalties and specify payment schedules. Typically, a portion of the fee, usually between 10% to 50%, is paid upfront, with the remainder paid in agreed-upon installments until the project's completion. The agreement should also address who covers incidental expenses, such as transportation costs for on-site research.
Approval Timelines: Contracts for content creators should include limitations on the approvals process. Ghostwriters may request a specific timeframe, such as 30 days, for revisions after receiving client comments. This allows for adequate time for rewriting, editing, and proofreading. It is advisable to establish criteria for "satisfactory" manuscripts or drafts and address potential scope creep, ensuring clarity and managing expectations.
Credit and Rights: Determining the extent of credit given to the ghostwriter in the final output is an important consideration. Although ghostwriters are often anonymous, the agreement can specify the level of recognition the writer will receive. Establishing this early on helps avoid potential misunderstandings and allows for a smoother collaboration.
Involvement in Pre-Writing: For ghostwriters to deliver on-brand outputs, clients should commit to a specific number of hours for interviews or discussions. This upfront agreement allows writers to prepare relevant questions and topics to cover. Additionally, a confidentiality clause can be included to protect the project's details during and after its release.
Dispute Resolution Procedures: Including procedures for resolving disputes in the agreement is crucial. If issues arise during the project's progress, this section provides a framework for both parties to address and potentially resolve concerns, ensuring a more positive experience for all involved.
In conclusion, finding a ghostwriter who can accurately represent a company's or brand's voice can be challenging. When entering into a partnership, it is crucial to establish fair agreements that protect both parties' interests. Ghostwriting agreements, encompassing the discussed elements, promote a successful collaboration and enable ghostwriters to deliver their best work.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.