The Profession of Ghostwriting

The Profession of GhostwritingThe Profession of GhostwritingGhostwriting books, blogs, newsletters, and articles for other people can help a writer add to their bottom line, even if they cant claim credit to the written words. The ghostwriting may include working on their own creative projects or it can be a writing profession unto itself. The Association of Ghostwriters According to writer Marcia Layton Turner, founder and executive director of the Association of Ghostwriters, time-starved entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, doctors, and corporate executives who want to blog, or develop a white paper, or write a book to raise their profile are relying more and more on behind-the-scenes writers, creating more opportunities in the marketplace for those whod like to ghostwrite. But aspiring ghostwriters should also understand that being paid to write under someone elses name is very different than authoring your own book or even writing a magazine article or blog post from an ide a you came up with. Ghostwriting is all about helping others convey their message in their own voice. If youre a seasoned scribe who is considering expanding your repertoire to include ghosting, or youre new to freelancing and youre interested in becoming a ghostwriter, heres what Turner says you should know about being a ghostwriter. Ghostwriting Is Not an Entry-Level Writing Position You need to have a strong track record as a successful writer managing multiple (and often large) projects before you can succeed at managing someone elses project, all while writing in their voice. You should be prepared to show clients a sample of your work, ideally including ghosted projects. Ghostwriting Is Not About You Being a good writer or author isnt good enough- you also need to capture your clients voice and tell the story as he or she would. Sure, you can write, but can you match a clients vocabulary, pace, and style of speech as you craft a document as if you were him or her? Here s the real test Can you do that even if you think your style/creative vision/prose is better? While you can advise your clients, ultimately, they are paying you to write what and how they want you to. You have to be comfortable doing that. You Need Knowledge of Book Publishing Massive changes in the book publishing world have raised the bar for getting book deals with major publishing houses at the same time, market forces (like online distribution through Amazon.com and other online book retailers, and the democratization of absatzwirtschaft via social media) have increased the credibility and audience potential of self-published books, making DIY an option for more authors. With so many variables, in addition to advising clients on how to structure their writing project, if you can also help them weigh the pros and cons of their various publishing options, including the self-publishing arena, you will be in even higher demand. Think of Yourself as the Owner of a Ghostwritin g Firm You may get a genuine thrill from writing and structuring a book, but you need to act like an entrepreneur, not a hobbyist. Invest in marketing tools, spend time networking, build an online presence, and present yourself as the business owner you are. Strong Project Management Skills Can Help You Stand Out Meeting deadlines, organizing reams of notes and research so you can find it immediately, and juggling multiple projects will help you exceed client expectations and earn more money. Price Yourself According to Your Level of Experience While novice ghostwriters should price themselves lower than their more experienced editorial services colleagues. Then, once you get a few solid credentials, increase your fees so youre more competitive with ghostwriting veterans. This will help keep you from being overwhelmed with lower-paying work. Networking Is Key Named book authors occasionally get to have readings or do a signing or have friends and their high school Engli sh teachers email them when they see their name in a review. Ghostwriters, not so much. So its important that you have a support system. Hang out with other ghostwriters, at least virtually, though in person is ideal. Freelance website FreelanceSuccess.com is a good start, as is the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), where experienced writers congregate, or the Association of Ghostwriters (AOG), which is specifically for the anonymous-minded help keep you in the know about developments in the marketplace, as well as keep you in good ghost-ly company. Ghostwriters Unite is a conference that brings together ghostwriters to discuss shared experiences and the many facets of the industry. Take the opportunity to ask questions, pick up tips for landing and managing new projects, and make friends with people who know exactly what a ghostwriters day is like before you take on the potentially profitable cloak of the invisible author. Marcia Layton Turner has authored, co-aut hored, or ghosted nearly 30 non-fiction books as well as articles like this one. She currently earns the bulk of her income from ghostwriting books for entrepreneurs and senior executives. She is also the founder and executive director of the Association of Ghostwriters.

How to keep your hands off your emergency savings

How to keep your hands off your emergency savingsHow to keep your hands off your emergency savingsAnemergency fundis one of the most important financial accounts you can have. It is there for you during the worst times in your life. It protects you from things like eviction, default, or bankruptcy. It has your back if you lose your job, end a relationship, or get sick or injured. If you havent yet started to build your emergency fund, you should start today.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraEven if youre only putting $10 a month into it, thats better than nothing, and itll grow faster than you think. But as youre able to contribute more, you should increase your contribution until youre able to fully fund it. You should have at least three to six months worth of expenses in this fund for it to be fully funded.However, its one thing to build your emergency fund, and its another thi ng to leave it alone. The point of an emergency fund is to use it for emergencies. If you use it for other things, like vacation or shopping, youll run out of money and it wont be there when you actually need it.Put Your Savings In a Separate BankIts always important to know and understand yourself and your habits, but its especially true when it comes to money. If you know that you tend to transfer your savings into your checking when youre running low on money, you have to put some barriers into place.I recommend using high-yield zugnglich savings account for this. Not only will it be separate from your checking account, but youll earn more money on it too Most brick and mortar banks have less than a percentage in interest on savings accounts, but online banks are currently offering more than two percent interest Depending on how much you have in your emergency fund, that can be a lot of money over the course of a year.There are lots of online banks out there now, but check outAll y,Synchrony,Barclays, orAmerican Express.Automate Your SavingsThe key to most things related to money is to automate. Thats why auto pay exists It takes forgetfulness out of the equation. It also takes human nature out of the equation. As humans, we love instant gratification, and spending money feels better immediately than saving money does. If the money moves automatically from your paycheck into your savings account, you wont be able to spend it before saving it. Set up direct deposit with your employer, or have your bank move the money for you whenever a check hits your account.Nickname Your Savings AccountsDid you know that in most online banking platforms, you can rename your accounts? My current savings accounts (both individual and joint) are named thusly Emergency Fund, Fun Spending, Annual Expenses, Home Improvement, Dog Savings, Travel Savings, and Airbnb Taxes. Yes, I may have more savings accounts than you would like to have, and thats okay I just like to keep all my s avings goals separate so that I can easily track them. It also makes me feel more prepared and comfortable to see that Im saving for all of the things that are important to me.Nicknaming your savings accounts can also remind you what theyre for if youre tempted to withdraw from them. If you name your emergency fund your freedom fund or fuck off fund, maybe youll be less likely to spend the money on non-emergencies.Create Savings Accounts for Other GoalsIts easy to dip into your emergency savings if youre keeping it in the same account as savings for other things like travel or fun. Its important to separate your emergency savings from all of your other money. That way, youll always know what its there for and wont be tempted to dip into it if youre pulling out money for another reason.Have you built up your emergency savings yet?This article first appeared on Maggie Germano.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social clas s in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from jngste Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview

12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview 12 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview Want to speak volumes to a hiring manager without saying a yep? Be self aware and avoid making common body language mistakes that can send the wrong message. Your body language is always communicating something during an einstellungsgesprch, and it may not be positive.There are so many ways body language can either make you sink or soar during an interview, said Kathryn M. Partan, principal at Partan Communications LLC. The main idea here is to release your energy, instead of keeping it trapped inside.When released, youll look and feel confident.When trapped,anxiety and nerves aboundbriekse Reynolds, senior career specialist and career coach added this Your body language is one piece of your overall interview performance, and sometimes it can have an out-sized impact. As humans, were naturally conditioned to pay attention to visuals. If you make the most of your body language d uring your job interview, it can help you leave a great impression with a potential employer.Below were going over 12 body language mistakes you should ditch if you want to put your best foot forward during the job interview.12 Body Language Mistakes to Avoid During Interviews1. SlumpingDont give the impression that youd like to curl up into a ball and be anywhere else Instead, sit as if theres a string tied from the top of your head to the ceiling. (This trick also helps if you have a tendency to lean back in the chair, which could be viewed as not taking the conversation seriously.)Similarly,watch your posturewhen standing. Push your shoulders back, keep your chin up, and stand with your feet slightly apart. Studies show taking on this Superman pose actually changes the hormones in your brain after only two minutes, leaving you feeling stronger and less stressed.2. Wandering EyesDo your eyes dart around the room while listening and speaking? Are you guilty of looking at the ceilin g or floor rather than at people? Such actions make you appear apprehensive and distracted.Make direct eye contact with your interviewer, both while listening and speaking, Partan said. Every word you say should land on your interviewers eyes. You develop immediate rapport by making direct eye contact. The interviewer will see you as a confident and competent candidate. Practice this by sharing a story with a friend, without breaking eye contact.3. Fiddling with ObjectsAn interviewer who witnesses you playing with your jewelry, picking at your fingernails, or twirling your hair may assume youre bored or impatient. Luckily, this is a body language mistake with an easy remedy. Simply eliminate the source, whether that means leaving bracelets at home or pulling back hair. Another trick is to press the fingertips of your hands together to form a church steeple. Youll display confidencewhile keeping your nervous digits under control.4. ClenchingHang tight to a chairs arm rest or glue you r hands to the desks edge and run the risk of looking like a rollercoaster rider having second thoughts. Such white-knuckle grips also can lead your pent up energy to come out in other undesirable forms, such as toe tapping or chair swiveling.A better choice is to use your hands to gesture while you speak to make answers more engaging (although see point number seven to not overdo it). As Partan noted, This makes you look open and interested and allows you to use your energy in a positive way.5. Failing to SmileA simple but often overlooked body language mistake is simply not looking happy to be there. Interviewers may assume you arent. Instantly up your approachability and trustworthiness by smiling. People are naturally drawn to a happy face, and the feel-good chemicals smiling releases into the body will help you stay calm and upbeat.Smiling tells an employer so many things about you, but when were nervous, we naturally stop smiling. Practice answering interview questions while r eminding yourself to smile. If you dont smile sometimes during a job interview, it may wrongfully tell them youre not a positive person or youre just not excited about the role or the company, said Reynolds.6. Defensive or Aggressive Body PostureCrossing your arms across your chest. Leaning forward a bit too assertively. Invading the interviewers personal space (aside from a handshake, no touching during an in-person interview). What characteristics do these postures share? They all risk coming off as being too, shall we say, in your face.Probably the last thing you want in an interview is to indicate that youre one to constantly question or challenge everything, at every turn. Turn off the aggressivebody language cues and, instead,rest your hands in your lap, on the arms of the chair, or anywhere that conveys a sense of calmness and an even-tempered disposition.7. Wild Hand or Arm MovementsYou may be super-excited about the prospective job, but wild gesticulations with your hands o r arms can seem, well, just a wee bit whacky. Even though youre enthusiastic, this can still be seen as a body language mistake. Settle down and study up on when and how to employ your hands during an interview. Used sparingly and with precision, hand gestures can be a powerful way to make a point, or even engage your interviewer in a moment of shared humor, frustration, or camaraderie related specifically to the discussion.The last thing you want to do is distract an employer away from your answers, but using big gestures or talking a lot with your hands will do just that. Some movements and gestures are great and can add to your overall interview performance. But try not to go overboard or the employer may stop listening to your words because theyre too distracted by your movements, said Reynolds.8. ShruggingShrugging isnt a good look for any job seeker, since it means that you might be indifferent or unhappy with what your interviewer is saying. But shrugging just one shoulder ca n also indicate that youre lying, so be careful not to shrug- at all.9. StiffnessOf course youre nervousits a job interview Many people tend to get a little stiff when nerves are getting the best of them. Of all the possible body language mistakes, this one is the least offensive, since being stiff automatically equates with nervousness, which is something that hiring managers expect.But being too stiff can make you appear uncomfortable or unfriendly, so try to loosen up a little before your interview. Smiling as youre talking is a great way to feel more relaxed10. Leaning BackwardsYou might be thinking of an answer to a question, or you might be trying to make some extra space between you and your interviewer. But leaning backwards is an indicator of someone who is not engaged in the current conversation. So try to lean forward a bit to show your enthusiasm without encroaching on the other persons space.11. Sitting Directly in Front of Your InterviewerIf youre doing a phone or vide o interview, you dont have to worry about where to sit. But when you enter an office for an in-person interview- and there are three chairs to choose from- you might not always know where to sit. A rule of thumb is to sit in the chair thats on a 45-degree angle from your interviewers chair. Being on an angle is more collegial- and less combative- and can help make you both feel more comfortable.12. Touching Your FaceSure, your nose might be itchy or you might feel an eyelash in your eye, but you should try to avoid touching your face, since that can make you look like youre hiding something.Body language mistakes can break a job interview. So make sure you study up on these tips so you can ace your next in-person interview with positive body language that shows youre the right candidate for the position Or, if youre interviewing online, there are still many body language cues to consider for video interviews.Looking for other career advice? offers online career coaching with our exp erienced kollektiv of in-house career experts. Schedule an appointment today and get actionable, personalized feedback for your job search.BOOK YOUR PERSONALIZED CAREER COACHING APPOINTMENT TODAY