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world, the next step is to make sure that you've got what it takes to make it.

"Symptoms" of Successful Ghostwriters
While ghostwriting definitely isn't a career choice that will suite everyone, there are a few commonalities shared in the trade. While the following list isn't by any means "all-inclusive", the characteristics should give you a fair idea of what type of skills, talents and abilities successful ghostwriters bring with them to the table:

Ghostwriters are here for the guts, not the glory. They write because they love to write, not because they long to see their name atop the New York Times Bestsellers List.
Ghostwriters are masters of customer service and deliver exactly what their clients request every time!
Ghostwriters are immune to their own egos and are much more concerned with the wants and needs of their clientle.
Ghostwriters are able to tap into their creativity seemingly at will.
Ghostwriters are often well versed in a number of different subjects and industries.
Ghostwriters have excellent people skills and strong communication ability.
Ghostwriters have invested significant portions of their lives learning the ins and outs of the writing craft and the publishing industry. They know what publishers want to see (and, just as important what they DON'T
want to see) in completed manuscripts.
Ghostwriters are able to deliver writing under tight deadlines.
Ghostwriters invest a great deal of time learning the ins and outs of solid, successful proposal writing and the art of selling themselves.
Ghostwriters will (without fail) adhere to any specifications, demands and requests listed in the NDA's
and non-competitive agreements that they sign with their clients. They knowingly agree to give up all rights to the finished product and stick to their word.

As you can see, being a successful ghostwriter is anything but easy, but it
IS
incredibly rewarding. If you're thinking about striking out as a ghostwriting pioneer in your field, here are three sites you'll want to check out:

http://www.elance.com
http://www.guru.com
http://www.helium.com. (check out the Marketplace section!)

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Gibbs.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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