Thought leaders are routinely tapped to publish articles in their industry’s primary publications or in general-interest business magazines and newspapers. Many have difficulty finding their “voice” or they simply do not have time to write.
If you’re a thought leader in your field, it is likely that you’re responsible for routinely creating white papers, articles for publication in print or online journals, media releases, and new-product announcements. And if you’re like many busy thought leaders and overwhelmed executives, you have absolutely no time to write. And even if you have the time, perhaps you, like many others, absolutely abhor the idea of hovering over the keyboard and writing. If either of those statements describes you, you know it’s time to hire a freelance writer.
Thought Leaders in 2018 Need to Share Their Vision
Many freelance articles for magazines are written on behalf of thought leaders. Whether you’re a business executive or a leader in academia, government or the nonprofit sector, you share your vision, provide a little background, and set a timeline and budget, and as a ghostwriter, I dig in – conducting research and producing content that, after your review, editing and approval, is ready for submission to publications under your byline. Ghostwriters capture your voice and your vision, helping establish you as a leader in the eyes and minds of your audience.
Publishers Need Freelancers, Too
Regardless of whether they’re print or online publishers, content is the juice that fuels the audience-building engine. The need for search-optimized content grows daily, but staff resources are often limited. Publishers often turn to freelancers to cover the gaps, handle special assignments and deliver a fresh perspective to their audiences. Freelancers either follow publishers’ guidelines in producing content for their print or online properties, or writers may be offered an open-ended subject-matter platform and invited to submit story ideas as the basis for further development.
Personal Journeys, Travelogues, Family Essays
Some people are at a loss to create when they are called upon to write material of a personal nature: journey journals and travel essays to share with grandparents who live across the country; family histories to document the stories of parents and grandparents for future generations; personal biographical sketches to be used for introductions at awards ceremonies; and other essays and articles of a personal nature.
As is the case with ghostwriting for business purposes, personal projects require a “meeting of the minds” get-together between the client and the writer. This can happen in person (ideal), via Skype or other conferencing tools (very effective) or via phone and email exchanges (perfectly acceptable).
After we have adequate time for you to share your stories and articulate your vision and your objectives, I will review and submit an estimate before proceeding. Any personal material that will be woven into the story (photographs, mementos, old letters, awards, certificates and the like) will be shared or shipped, scanned or photocopied for later reference or inclusion, and later returned upon project completion.
I wrote my own travelogue recently, after returning from a trip to Croatia, where my husband and I celebrated my birthday. (If it isn’t already, Croatia should be on your “bucket list.”)
A trip to Croatia to celebrate a birthday was travelogue-worthy.
A Six-Day Birthday Party in Croatia-Part 1, June 6, 2015
A Six-Day Birthday Party in Croatia-Part 1a, June 6, 2015
The Fonteva Story-June 2015 is a profile of an upstart technology company in Arlington, Virginia, which, after following a sure-and-steady path to growth, is ready for the next chapter of their story.
One day I will have the gumption to turn one or the other of the following essays into my own book. (I have about five stories that I want to turn into books – someday. Sigh.) Essay, I Stopped Complaining the Day I Found Pamela