Finding a writing process that works for you can be hard. I've tested many processes and found this one to be the best for my ghostwriting business.
My writing process largely revolves around editing and proofreading, so the easiest way to explain my process is to explain the programs I use to make my writing better.
I start all my big writing projects on scrivener, especially really large products. It’s a one-time purchase desktop app that makes it really easy to edit and move around parts of your work, without having to go through all of the mess of copy/paste.
For blog clients, I often use Scrivener to organize upcoming content, making a new “chapter” for each post so I can plan far out into the future.
It’s definitely not a requirement to being a ghostwriter, but it does make life easier. Many of my Ghostwriter School students love it, too.
From my draft on Scrivener, I copy and paste a section of text into Hemingway App to identify any grammatical or clarity issues.
Hemingway App is a great tool to proofread for you, as it will grade your writing to let you know if it's too complex and then highlight sentences that have issues (passive voice, hard to read, etc.).
Thre's a free online version and a desktop version for purchase. Both work great. I try to keep my writing below a seventh-grade reading level for anything I do.
Once I’m done editing on Hemingway, I’ll have my computer read my document back to me. This is actually a free feature on most computers, created for the sight-impaired. I catch many hidden typos this way.
Other people will sometimes read their work out loud to themselves. That can work but it's flawed because you sometimes read what you think you wrote and not what you actually wrote.
If this seems like overkill, let me assure you every step adds tremendous value to my clients. And when I add value to my clients they are more loyal and willing to pay higher rates.
My clients love that every piece will have two people read it, one of whom had nothing to do with the work. It's worth every penny I pay my editor. She often catches issues all the software and I miss.
The best writing process is the one that works for you to help you quickly write high-quality content. This works for me and my clients love it, too. Let me know your process in my free Ghostwriter Growth Facebook group!
You'll also be able to connect with other ghostwriters and me to continue to build your ghostwriting business.